In the 1700s, looming volcanic cones sprayed Lanzarote with molten lava, redefining the vista into a surreal, jagged environment. To some, bedding down in a valley between two volcanic comes may not sound like a sleep – inducing experience, but British owners Tarnya and Richard Norse-Evans have created a tranquil hideaway here on the island.

Four retro-rustic cottages from an L-shape around a carves swimming pool, an oasis of gleaming white and tropical flora amid a landscape of ash-black lava. Bougainvillea clambers over the ocher rooftops, and palm trees shade the private gardens. The cottage interiors pair old with new: high-tech entertainment systems housed on bare stone shelves; terra-cotta floor tiles splashed with bright rugs; and stylish bathrooms dominated by indoor foliage. At night, the silence is overwhelming. With near-zero light pollution, the razor-sharp sky feels only a stretch away.

The hotel’s relatively isolation certainly does not mean there is nothing to do. Spa treatments and massages are on offer in a stone yoga yurt, sandy beaches are less than 6 miles (10 km) away, and a network of trekking trails for the more adventurous crisscrosses the region. Creative writing, cooking, and painting classes are also arranged on request.

Although self-catering, organic breakfasts featuring home grown fruits are delivered to the secluded terraces. For stocking up the fridge, a local farmers’ market sells cheese, fruit, vegetables, and fresh bread every weekend. For stressed-out suits in need of some ”away-from-it-all” time, coupled seeking the perfect anti-resort, or artists searching for an inspirational retreat.

Location: Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Photos by: Photo#Matt and jim oatway.

This guest post has been written by Nick Ball, editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the free tourist guide to Lanzarote.

Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands.  The seven specks of Spain which are located off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean.  The archipelago has long had something of a reputation as a package tourist destination.  Not unjustifiably so –  as this is the second most visited region in Spain after Catalonia.

Yet the Canaries are not all birds of a feather.  As whilst the bigger islands such as Tenerife have long since been buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment complexes little Lanzarote has managed to remain relatively unspoiled.

High rise buildings were banned during the 1970´s – along with advertising hoardings.  Whilst the three main tourist resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are all well contained.  Leaving the bulk of the island much as nature intended.

This is just as well – as Lanzarote boasts some of the most surreal scenery in the world.  The island was rocked by a series of huge volcanic eruptions during the 1730´s and again in 1824.  Which remodelled the south of Lanzarote, wiping out villages, destroying farmland and carpeting hundreds of kilometres of land in lava.  Creating a twisted new terrain in its wake that is often likened to the surface of the moon – and which is now Lanzarote´s most popular tourist attraction.

Elsewhere on the island these arid, volcanic vistas give way to more verdant scenery.  Especially in the north of the island in and around the aptly named Valley of 1000 Palms.  Here locals used to follow a tradition of planting a Canarian palm tree for every new born child.  Creating a breathtaking sight reminiscent of an African oasis – as the crowns of countless giant palms sway gently in the breeze.

Santa Cruz is a charming city on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The city is the capital of the island and a melting pot of diverse cultures that give it a cosmopolitan character. Santa Cruz is also a local hub for the island’s motorway network and popular with its wide commercial offerings. The city is very attractive, due to the spectacular architecture and the wide range of shops.

One of the pleasing landmark in the city is Plaza Espana, a flower-decked plaza near the harbor. The Plaza Espana is a hub of the city’s life. It’s a wonderful square with spectacular landscape design all over a water field. This water basin is an enormous wading pool with some kind of drawing on its surface.

It’s extremely clean and visitors can cool themselves during the hot summer days. Plaza Espana is an adventure. While resting there and  enjoying the surroundings it’s gonna be you chance for meeting people from all ages. The square rises the Monumento de los Caidos, commemorating the dead of the Spanish Civil War. A variety of historical structures circle this huge water reservoir. Four pavilions, containing tourist information, retail, a cafe and access to below ground parking are nestled in the Plaza’s crust. Different in shape they all share a love to natural forms without imitating them.

Puerto de la Cruz is the second largest tourist city on the island with accommodation for around 30,000 tourists. In contrast with the modern resorts of the south, El Puerto has had a great tradition as a place of relaxation since the end of the last century when the spa, which today is the Hotel Casino Tauro, was built. The accommodation offered in Puerto de la Cruz is also different from most of the other places in the islands since hotels predominate over apartments. The Old Town is very pretty in parts and it is one of the few resorts where the locals still work, eat and drink. One of the greatest attractions of el Puerto is without doubt the Lago Martianez. This series of seawater pools conceived by the Canary artist Cesar Manrique forms an extraordinary spot for bathing and resting in the sun.
Besides the Lago, Puerto de la Cruz has small beaches of volcanic sand, the best ones being Playa Jardin and Martianez. On the outskirts of the city the botanical gardens and the Loro Park are a must for the nature lover. The Loro parque is home to the worlds most important Parrot collection with over 300 species, an amazing Sea-Lion show, Dolphin Show, Parrot Show, Aquarium with Shark tunnel, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Tigers, Jaguars, Flamingos, Alligators, Tortoises and Orchid House.

The climate of the island makes it an ideal destination for many sporting activities but in particular it is ideally suited for Golf and Golfing Holidays. The most recognisable name in Tenerife Golf is the Golf del Sur complex. This area comprises of Hotels, Apartments and Villas, Bars and Restaurants surrounding a championship golf course, all this is less than 10mins from the airport.

If you’re looking for pretty, man-made beaches with low surf; clean, attractive beach side promenades; restaurants galore; and all the useless tourist souvenirs you could want, Tenerife is the place.

There are lots of lava fields on the island, which give great importance of botanical environment. Of special note are the lava fields in the National Park of Timanfaya, declared a national park in 1974. The whole island is a great volcanic structure built by successive eruptions on an instable base. In the past whole populations disappeared and were replaced by others.

The weather conditions are almost always favourable for doing a bit of exploring. Note the word ‘almost’. As with any place in the world, the weather is not something which can be guaranteed. For a while, in August and September, it can get very hot, whilst during the winter it can be cool and cloudy with spells of heavy rain (but, rest assured, this is the exception rather than the rule). The average weather that one can expect is ideal – around 17 degrees C during the winter months and 25 degrees C in August with sunshine on most days throughout the year.

How To Get Around The Island

By Hire Car
This is the way that the majority of tourists get around the island. Hire cars are easily available and cheaper than in the UK. The roads are good. One thing to remember, however, is to keep your passport, driving licence and hire agreement with you (as the law requires). Before you set out, do ensure that you know the telephone number of the car hire company (it’s unlikely that you will break down, but, if you do, just call the company and they will sort out the problem).

By Bus
Good bus services are becoming more available all over the island. There is a frequent service between the main towns of Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. Playa Blanca is on the southern coast of Lanzarote and the bus service is less frequent, but still good. Currently, there are three or four regular services per day connecting the town with the rest of the island and more are to be provided soon.

By Taxi
Taxis, as in the UK, are strictly controlled and regulated. The standard of the cars provided is high and they are widely available. Prices are regulated and very reasonable. Most people hire their own cars or get around by bus, but tours around the island can be arranged by taxi. There are taxi ranks in all the main towns (or, you can ask the receptionist of your hotel or holiday complex to call one for you).

By Walking
One cannot cover as much ground, of course, but the rewards are just as great – possibly greater. The views of the countryside and the islands across the sea are exhilarating. Guidebooks are available in the local bookshops.

By Cycling
Cycles are now easily obtainable in Playa Blanca. The local council is developing cycle routes to encourage this healthy way of getting around the island.

By Ferry
You may feel like venturing further afield – to another island. This is no problem. Ferries leave the Playa Blanca harbour at frequent intervals for the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. The trip takes about 40 minutes.

If you intend going to Lanzarote you may be interested in visiting Lanzarote in 360 site, which offers you travel information, hotels, apartments, bungalows, country houses, car rentals, excursions and other cool stuff.

View in Google Earth – Lanzarote known as the island of 100 volcanoes