The island of fire is the usual term for the island of Lanzarote. Its is an island of volcanic proportions ( three hundred dormant volcanoes) and somewhat resembles a lunar landscape. Little wonder why the location was used for filming Planet Of The Apes!
The island is situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa and is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. It is 37 miles (60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the fourth largest island in the Canaries.
Lanzarote enjoys a mild dry climate with average daytime temperatures ranging from about 21°C in January to 29°C in August. Annual rainfall is just 140mm (5.5 inches). This makes Lanzarote the perfect year-round holiday destination.

Lanzarote is remarkably different, not only compared to the other islands, but to everything else in this world This extraordinary landscape seems to be of another world, and it has been said that God probably forgot Lanzarote on the Seventh Day of the Creation, however just like all other islands in the canaries, Lanzarote is Volcanic in origin. Due to the recent eruptions during the 18th and 19th Centuries, several parts of Lanzarote appear similar to a moon landscape. The residents of Lanzarote have made great strides to cultivate this land, and today you will find large plantations of fruits and vegetables. Most surprising is perhaps the region of Geria, with vineyards in between volcanic craters.

The dry climate and subsequent lack of erosion means that the volcanic landscape has been unchanged since the last eruptions.
Amongst the many stunning volcanic features of Lanzarote is the longest volcanic tunnel in the world, named the Atlantida Tunnel, which is over 7 km long and includes the La Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua.
Surprisingly, Lanzarote has several beautiful white sandy beaches, which have been unaffected by the volcanic effects such as at Playa Blanca and Papagayo.
Visionary artist, Cesar Manrique was highly instrumental in persuading the local government to ban billboards and high-rise buildings, leaving the Lanzarote skyline as natural as possible. (with the exception of the Grand Hotel in Arrecife). He also designed many of the buildings that are dotted all over the island. They are epitomised by simple stonewalls that incorporate the natural environment and create a sense of harmony and , co-existence with nature, rather than clashing with each another.

Arrecife - The island capital has a population of only 3,000 and is located on the eastern side of the island. Apart from having the finest museum of the Canaries, this little town has little to offer, but its abundant supply of accommodation makes it a ideal base for exploring the rest of the island.

Puerto Del Carmen – Not a spectacular town, but the largest tourist resort on the island, it is better described as a scuba diver’s destination with the offshore reef offering the best diving in the area.

Costa Teguise - This is one of the nicest places which has a 16th century castle, the Castillo Santa Barbara, and some of the finest gastronomic delights for which it is famous. Any tourist visiting Lanzarote would do well to spend a few days in Costa Teguise.

The typical Canarian cuisine is a blend of Guanche, Spanish, and Latin American food, with bananas and ‘gofio’, a staple grain which plays a leading role in many menus.

Pizzerias and budget restaurants are plentiful around Arrecife, and finding a quiet place frequented by the locals is easy ato find and worthwhile.

The National Park of Timanfaya - The Fire Mountains, as Lanzarote’s national park is locally known, continues to erupt and the landscape is a barren expanse of solidified lava with colours of red, ochre and black resembling some strange lunar vistas. Visitors here will leave well impressed.
The volcanic eruptions produced in 1730 (which lasted six years) and those in 1824 created new craters, they entombed whole villages and buried the most fertile terrain on the island.

Lanzarote, Spain Travel by Taxi
Taxis in Lanzarote are a useful way to travel around the towns and visit nearby sights and attractions. The taxi meters starts at a basic fare, but additional charges are usually made for luggage, night time driving and travel on public holidays in Lanzarote

Lanzarote Driving Tips
Citizens of EU member countries require a national driving licence to drive cars in Lanzarote
Citizens from non-EU member countries need an International Driving Permit, as well as their national driving licence
You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in Spain and have a valid driving licence and car insurance
It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts and children under 14 years old are not allowed to travel in front seats
In Spain, cars drive on the right-hand side of the road
Give way to traffic coming from the right at junctions and roundabouts
Beware of what appear to be shortcuts on maps - these often turn out to be unpaved roads or mountain passes
Spanish fuel stations supply most internationally known brands of unleaded petrol (gasolina sin plomo) and diesel (gas oil)
In rural areas, there are normally only a few service stations, so when travelling long distances, be sure to leave with a full tank of fuel
Autopistas (toll motorways) have various toll charges calculated by the kilometre and some roads that lead into cities also have fixed toll charges
75 miles per hour / 120 km per hour is the national speed limit on motorways (autopistas) and 62 miles per hour / 100 km per hour is the maximum limit on autovias with four or more lanes or three-lane highways
Unless indicated, other major routes are 56 miles per hour / 90 km per hour and slower speed limits of 30 miles per hour / 50 km per hour are enforced in urban areas
Note;It is an offence not to carry some form of identification, such as passport or driving licence

Lanzarote, Spain Travel by Car / Car Rental
Driving in the centre of busy towns and popular resorts is best avoided if possible, as many of the streets and narrow, with one-way traffic. Cars parked alongside the pavements can also making driving conditions difficult. However, a car in Lanzarote provides a useful way to travel around the island and a current map of the island’s roads is useful. There are many winding roads around the island that offer some truly spectacular views
For information on car hire or car rentals visit Every Car Hire at Car Hire Lanzarote Spain.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am and is filed under Car Rental. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.