Back to Lanzarote

We returned to Lanzarote, after 9 years, but this time with a "do-it-yourself" trip. A very good choice that I'd recommend to everyone. Direct Ryanair flight from Bergamo (€ 460.00 for 2 return), hotel Iberostar Lanzarote Park (booked on Booking.com) € 680.00 for a double room for a week half board, car rental with Rentalcars, a Fiat Punto, € 120.00. Being August, the tour operators' prices were through the roof. Everything extremely efficient, perfect climate, the hotel in Playa Blanca very convenient, close to the beaches of Papagayo, the most beautiful on the island. We went back to see the places we'd seen hastily years ago and rediscovered new spots. I still warmly recommend the climb to Timanfaya: park the car, and for €8 per person you take the guided coach excursion along all the roads of the volcanic area, which can't be reached any other way.

And then the list of places not to be missed gets longer: the Salinas de Janubio, Los Hervideros, the Gulf and the Charco de los Chicos on the west coast; inland, the wine-growing area of La Geria. Continuing further north, the little village of La Santa and then the fabulous bay of Famara, home of the surfers. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, on your way back inland, a mandatory stop at Teguise, the ancient capital, where there's a market spectacular for its colours and scents! Taking in views of Haria, the valley of a thousand palms... you can make a detour to the Cueva de los Verdes (a group of volcanic caves, well worth a visit), and right next to it Los Jameos del Agua (surprising but already visited years ago). On the east coast, Arrieta, Playa Garrita and Punta Mujeres. Not bad is the seafront walk in Arrecife, with the castle of San Gabriel.

To the south, the characterful Femes and the Playa Quemada below it, strictly with dark sand and plenty of stones. Puerto del Carmen has grown a lot in recent years, teeming with hotels and restaurants. The most beautiful area??? Certainly the Papagayo natural park.... after a couple of km of dirt track you enter (€ 3.00), a few more km of dirt track and you park the car. And here the adventure begins, on foot, up and down over barren hills, towards the dream beaches of Papagayo, Playa del Pozo, Playa de Mujeres... uncrowded even in the height of August. Pleasant is the bar-restaurant that has sprung up near the car park, a fabulous view and excellent food.

Excellent climate, only a few passing clouds, the hotel didn't even have air conditioning, in the evening a walk with a light jacket, very clean sea, sea water slightly cool (but that depends on taste), excellent food, cleanliness, typically Spanish friendliness!