| Spring still doesn't appear to be on its way in any | | | | surfing and cycling and crashing out in the evening. |
| particular hurry, so as the UK prepares itself for | | | | Meanwhile at the other end of the scale there is |
| another spell of freezing weather if anyone is | | | | marvellous selection of private villas available to |
| determined to see blue skies and feel the suns | | | | rent throughout the year in all three of the main |
| rays on their skin in the coming months, it seems | | | | resorts, as well as plenty dotted around the |
| as if one of the best options would be to book a | | | | countryside. Holiday villas in Lanzarote provide the |
| holiday somewhere else. Holiday prices are still | | | | kind of home-from-home comforts that many |
| very low so now is a good time to get online and | | | | holidaymakers prefer these days including internet |
| see what's available to break the winter blues. | | | | access, air conditioning and use of a private |
| But where can holidaymakers go and be confident | | | | swimming pool. |
| of better weather than the UK? One of the best | | | | Given the huge variety in decor, there are villas to |
| and closest destinations has to be Lanzarote. As | | | | suit every taste. Which in turn means that every |
| the most easterly Canary Island it has good | | | | visitor ends up with a highly unique holiday in |
| weather all year round and almost no rainfall. At | | | | Lanzarote, reflecting the experience they have |
| only four hours flight time, it is the nearest thing | | | | from start to finish? Whilst many people come |
| Europe has to a Caribbean island. Lanzarote | | | | principally for the sun, a large majority of visitors |
| continues to bask in warm weather, with an | | | | to the island often find plenty of activities to keep |
| average temperature of 20C even in the middle | | | | them amused as well. |
| of December. | | | | Whether that entails a day's sailing or golfing or |
| The island is well respected as a tourist hotspot, | | | | visiting each of the centres of Art and Culture, |
| and it already has a well-developed infrastructure | | | | Lanzarote has a lot to offer. Its tourist attractions |
| that includes a range of accommodation. At the | | | | are stylishly individual, having been created by the |
| cheaper end of the market, there is a wide | | | | internationally renowned artist, Cesar Manrique |
| choice of apartments in Lanzarote that have been | | | | who has left a legacy on the island that will remain |
| designed with self-catering in mind. | | | | for decades to come. These centres range from |
| Most apartment complexes are set within | | | | a Cactus Garden to a Farming Museum, with each |
| semi-tropical gardens around a communal | | | | detailing some aspect of the lives that many locals |
| swimming pool. None will be more than three | | | | have lived over the centuries. |
| storeys tall, as strict rules about construction | | | | Some of the islands villas come equipped as a |
| mean that buildings can only be as tall as a palm | | | | home-from-home, with DVD libraries and books |
| tree. A good number of these complexes have | | | | to entertain their guests. Others have games |
| been refurbished in recent years to bring the | | | | rooms, with pool tables and PlayStations. Nearly all |
| accommodation up to date, with modern style | | | | have built-in barbecues, as the weather allows |
| furnishings. | | | | al-fresco dining at all times of the year. Private |
| For couples who just want to laze on the beach | | | | swimming pools are also the norm, with most |
| and try the local bars and restaurants in the | | | | heated during the winter months to just take the |
| evenings, an apartment in Lanzarote is ideal. Most | | | | chill off the water, and for garden enthusiasts, the |
| have good basic facilities, so that the odd | | | | wide range of semi-tropical flowers that thrive in |
| self-catered meal can be easily thrown together. | | | | this climate will provide splashes of colour |
| This style of accommodation is also ideal for the | | | | throughout the winter if your villa has its own |
| more active, sporty types, who spend all day | | | | landscaped garden. |