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SIMON MURFITT takes a green break in a red hot Canary Islands destination
ANZAROTE has long been a favourite destination for Brits heading off for some winter sun. And it’s easy to see why, with temperatures rarely slipping below 15°C and plenty to do when you’re not sunning yourself by the pool or on the beach.
The most popular areas to stay are on the east side of the island at Playa Blanca or on the southern coast at Costa Teguise or Puerto Del Carmen.
But the north-west of the island offers warmth and culture for those who want to venture away from the tourist hotspots.
Setting off from Luton at dawn on a cold January morning with snow falling in our wake, we touched down in a different climate at Lanzarote Airport in Arrecife at around 10.30am.
From there, we were picked up by a chauffeur from Finca De Arrieta, an eco-resort run by Lanzarote Retreats a short walk from the beach at Arrieta, on the north-eastern side of the island.
There are 15 holiday homes at the small resort, mostly yurts with outdoor kitchens, as well as cottages and barn conversions, ranging in price from £65-a-night for the eco-surf shack to £342 for the eco-luxury farmhouse which sleeps six and has its own heated pool.
We were staying in a £188-a-night eco-yurt, with an outside kitchen and sun beds. It was spacious and provided a great night’s sleep, blocking out all natural light and keeping you cool.
A sign in our kitchen proclaimed “You are now off grid”, and it felt good to be holidaying in a resort powered almost entirely by wind and sun.
We enjoyed eggs we picked up ourselves straight from the hutches of ‘Cluckingham Palace’ and feeding the two donkeys that live at the site.
The resort looked great for keeping the kids occupied with the animals, trampoline, futsal pitch and play area, as well the communal swimming pool.
There was a friendly atmosphere across the site, with chances to meet the other guests at yoga/pilates lessons, children’s movie nights and a paella evening where I finished off three plates of the delicious seafood, washed down with plenty of Cava.
Each home comes with its own electric hybrid Toyota to explore the island in. If you don’t stay at Finca De Arrieta, I suggest hiring a car. There’s not much public transport.
Thousands of cyclists travel to the island to make the most of its smooth roads and they are also enjoyble to explore by car, with views of mountains wherever you are.
All the main tourist attractions are well signposted and easily accessible from LZ1, the main road which runs pretty much across the whole island.
Despite being based on the western tip of Lanzarote, it took us less than 45 minutes to drive to Timanfaya National Park on the other side of the island.
The park is home to the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). Driving through, it felt like we had arrived in Mordor with acres of volcanic rock stretching out in front of us.
On Fire Mountain you can take a bus tour to the top, where you can eat food cooked on the heat of the magma close to the surface.
Another natural wonder to visit is the Cueva De Los Verdes (Green Caves), which were created by a stream of lava from a volcanic eruption.
Inside, the creative lighting created ■ SIMON MURFITT visited Lanzarote as a guest of Lanzarote Retreats. For latest rates at Finca de Arrieta see lanzaroteretreats.com.
■ HE flew with Ryanair from Luton for £45.99 for two, returning with Easyjet for £57.04.
£48.29
■ adult or £29.85 child £76.39 for two hours or £92.19 for three £8.34 adult or £4.17 for child £8.78 adult or £4.39 for child
or £1.98 child. £3.95 adult