Cool Winter Sun In Lanzarote
Finding a Winter Sun destination that´s cool – as well as warm – can be something of a challenge. Especially closer to home. But the Canary Islands are starting to shake off their slightly downmarket image – and at just four hours flying time are the closest Winter Sun destination to the UK.
Lanzarote is the most easterly island in the Canaries – lying just seventy miles off the coast of Saharan Africa - on the same line of longitude as parts of Florida and Mexico. And as a result enjoys temperatures well into the mid-20´s even in the depths of winter.
But as well as delivering plenty of heat Lanzarote is also a surpsingly stylish and cool little island. Thanks to the fact that it remains relatively unspoiled and boasts plenty of natural beauty.
Whilst other Spanish sun spots were being buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartments back in the 1970´s Lanzarote enjoyed the protection of the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique. Who was determined to ensure that tourism on the island evolved along ecologically sound lines.
As a result of Manrique´s influence high rise buildings were banned, advertising hoardings outlawed and the development of the islands three main tourist resorts carefully constrained. Leaving Lanzarote surprisingly unspoiled – especially in comparison to larger Canary Islands such as Gran Canaria and Tenerfie.
But Manrique´s influence also extended much further. As he created a unique set of tourist attractions across Lanzarote as an alternative to the golf courses and water parks that were being created elsewhere in Spain.
His guiding philosophy was to unite art with nature – which he first did to great effect at a sunken lava tube in the North of the island, now known as the Jamoes del Agua. Which he transformed into an amazing underground grotto and gardens to the amazement of most islanders.
Indeed when the Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth visited this new installation she declared it to be the 8th Wonder of the World. And many other famous film stars and VIP´s started to beat a path to Lanzarote as Manrique´s creations started to stir international interest and acclaim.
Amongst them was the actor Omar Sharif. Manrique had created his own home out of five volcanic bubbles – which is still undoubtedly the most unusual property in Lanzarote. On seeing this Sharif commissioned Manrique to construct a similar island getaway – which was built into the side of a partially collapsed volcano in the village of Nazaret.
But the actor promptly lost the property in a high stake game of bridge. And left the island in a fit of pique – never to return. Today his former house is home to one of the island most upmarket restaurants.