Late deals
THE clanking of wind chimes and crashing of cymbals provide a spooky soundtrack to our journey across the dark and desolate landscape.
As our bus snakes around hairpin bends, there are few signs of life in the lava fields of the Timanfaya National Park, covering a quarter of Lanzarote.
While on a tour of the lunar route, we learn that hundreds of volcanoes erupted here in the 1730s, causing its population to flee and its fertile land to become scorched.
It feels like we’re trespassing on the set of a Doctor Who series from the 70s.
After stopping off at vantage points to take photos, we head to El Diablo restaurant.
The excursion includes dinner in the restaurant overlooking the now-dormant volcanoes as the sun sets. XXXXXX xxxxxx Cava, sangria and salad starters kick
Xxxx things off, before each table is called to a huge barbecue built into the rocks, where Spanish sausages are sizzled over the geothermal heat.
For dessert, the lights go down and the chef emerges wheeling a flaming volcano cake on a trolley.
This trip is one highlight of our week of winter sun on this intriguing island.
Our base is TUI Family Life Flamingo Beach in Playa Blanca, on the south side.
It’s a four-star, all-inclusive resort, right on the white sandy beach, with one and two-bedroom whitewashed villas for families, each with a kitchen, shower room, living room and dining area.
All have TVs with private balconies or terraces. Its five pools, from a splash zone for kids to a lagoon-style pool with music and entertainment, are a big draw.
The resort restaurants are another attraction. There’s also a snack bar for lunch with sea views. And if you’re booked in for the week, you get the chance to eat dinner at the Green & Grill tapas bar on the seafront, which proves to be another highlight.
In the resort, there’s family entertainment every evening in the Blue BY VICKY LISSAMAN Moon Bar, with all-inclusive drinks. Our kids love the production of Disney classics, the Abba medley, and the jukebox-style show featuring hits from around the world. There’s also a games room, shop, kids’ club and outdoor play area.
Flamingo Beach, a sandy arch right in front of the resort, is safe for swimming and dozens of sea bass, sea bream and mullet will cruise around your ankles when paddling to nibble bread out of your hand.
Turn left and you’re on the way to Playa Blanca, where bars, tapas restaurants and pizza joints line the seafront.
You’ll arrive at the harbour where you can catch ferries for day trips to the neighbouring Canary Islands.
Fun, educational and interesting for kids and adults alike, it’s a winter sun destination to be recommended. ● Flying from Glasgow from January 17 to February 3, seven nights full-board at 3* Ambassador Playa 1, Benidorm, Costa Blanca, from £359pp.
Flying from Glasgow/Edinburgh on January 21 and 28, seven nights all-inclusive at the 4* Pestana Ocean Bay Madeira, Funchal, Madeira, from £519pp.
Flying from Edinburgh on February 3, four nights B&B at the 4* Novotel Budapest Centrum, Budapest, from £225pp.
For these deals and more, visit stewart travel.co.uk, your nearest Stewart Travel store or call 0800 091 2757.
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