What Does Lanzarote Mean to Me?

Lanzarote means different things to different people. Different memories, different experiences, different events. It's an island that offers so much to many different people - people who live there and people who visit on holiday.

The big draw to Lanzarote is the weather. Northern Europeans often jump on a flight down to Lanzarote during the colder winter months to get some sun and absorb some 'feel good factor'. The island doesn't really have a summer season as such as the resorts remain active pretty much all year long to accommodate the annual footfall of visitors.

People visit Lanzarote for more than just the weather though.¨

For me, Lanzarote is compelling. It has a mystique that surrounds it that creates an irresistible draw. I find it very difficult to put my finger on the exact reasons for this, but the contrast of simplicity and magnificence truly captures my ideals.

For many people that visit Lanzarote its about the main three resorts, which in themselves are all very different in terms of their appearance and offerings. For me a holiday is about a nice beach, nice food, a beer and a resort that has enough to create an atmosphere but not somewhere that is going to keep me awake at night. That resort is Playa Blanca.

Outside of the main holiday resorts Lanzarote is a gold mine of natural wonder and artistry. The Timanfaya National Park on the west coast reminds us back to the 17th and 18th Centuries when Volcanoes shaped Lanzarote as we know it today. Add on top of that the brilliance and imagination of the famous Canarian Artist, Cesar Manrique, and you have the perfect blend of man and nature.

For me, Lanzarote can be described as a timeless retreat. Yes, it thrives on Tourism which it bases its economy on, but it has managed to combine an importance balance of combining tourism whilst retaining its identity. Again, thanks to Manrique, you won't find many high rise buildings or billboards whilst driving around Lanzarote. Instead you will see quaint looking towns and villages of white washed buildings sporting green or blue doors and window frames.

So in summary, Lanzarote to me feels like home. It has a hold on me that I cannot truly explain. Yes, the weather certainly helps, but the way of life and the raw beauty of the island is quite amazing. It's a mixture of back to basics with current times. It's a blend of tourism with traditional Canarian way of life. It has a magnificent, yet humbling, history that remains prominent in attractions throughout the island. It's a place where you can step back, and remind yourself of what life is really all about.