ELTIPS AV R T
Yet jetting off for winter sun can be daunting for parents of small kids.
Having to cope with miserable jetlagged tots after a seven-hourplus flight is enough to deter even the most adventurous parents from leaving these shores.
But there is a solution – just a four-hour flight away, with cheap accommodation and a winter average temperature of a balmy 20C.
It’s little wonder Brits love Canary Islands and return year after year.
I joined them with my stepmum Yvonne and baby daughter Bea on Lanzarote, the most north-easterly of the seven large islands.
Shaped by volcanic eruptions and the wind, Lanzarote, known as the Island of Fire, is less mountainous than the other Canary Islands.
Even in November it was 23C- plus and had blue skies every day. We ate outside in the evenings wearing short sleeves, as Bea slept peacefully in her pushchair.
We were based at the beachfront, four-star Hotel Los Jameos Playa, a walkable distance from the busy PDC, Puerto Del Carmen.
Its 530 rooms are spacious, comfortable and have all the mod cons, including Sky TV. Bea’s travel cot fitted perfectly alongside the twin beds. Some rooms have an uninterrupted sea view.
Los Jameos, which offers bed and breakfast, half-board and fully inclusive deals, has several pools, lush gardens and is in a quiet spot near Los Pocilios beach.
It uses high-quality, fresh produce from the surrounding area and has a plentiful range of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s something to suit even the fussiest eater.
Steaks are cooked to order and there is a nightly selection of fresh fish aside from the main buffet.
For those on all-inclusive deals the hotel’s own patisserie chef cooks a selection of crepes, waffles and cakes every afternoon, to tide you over until dinner. The extensive Try the restaurant at Lanis Luxury Suites if you’re looking for an upmarket destination. If you love watching the sun go down, head to Terraza Playa, where they serve up jugs of sangria. If you head up the path to the side of PDC harbour (on the left as you’re looking at the sea) there are some good restaurants with great sea views. cocktail list also makes it worth going all-inclusive.
If you like staying active there is a fitness centre with a well-equipped gym and daily yoga and pilates classes. There are four tennis courts and the Peter Burwash International tennis school for those interested in taking lessons.
Cliffs
Golfers are also catered for with packages available at two golf courses, one only a 12-minute drive from the hotel.
For a spot of pampering, Los Jameos has a reasonably priced spa offering many beauty treatments.
And if you’d like a break from your little ones, there’s loads to keep them busy, including two dedicated kid’s pools and a mini club.
Kids K aged four to 12 can paint, play pla and do handicrafts with the animation ani team and, every night after aft dinner, before the evening entertainment, ent there’s a mini disco. Baby bouncers bouncers, bottle warmers and babysitting services are also available on request.
Out and about in Lanzarote there’s no shortage of things to do.
Try the Sunday market at Teguise and the glass-bottomed boat taxi from PDC harbour to Puerto Calero and back for lunch.
There’s a great walk along the cliffs to Puerto Calero if you fancy burning off some calories.
PDC harbour has a children’s playground and many good restaurants. If you have kids, head there early, as it can get lively later on.
But with its short flights, reasonable prices and winter sun, Lanzarote is the perfect playground for all the family. FACTFILE: Seven nights half-board from TUI at the four-star Seaside Hotel Los Jameos Playa from £656pp, including transfers. Fly from London Luton on June 17 2018. For more info or to book visit tui.co.uk. Pay a low deposit of £50pp. From June 18, half- board at the Los Jameos, los- jameos- playa. co. uk, from £169 per room, per night.