Not least amongst these is the fact that it enjoys better weather than anywhere else on the island. The average temperature is usually at least one or two degrees higher here, whilst the town’s position means that the prevailing winds from the north east are somewhat tempered.

 Its position facing the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura is another obvious advantage. Not least because just outside the town of Corralejo, where the Playa Blanca ferry docks, are the famous Fuerteventura sand dunes. Twelve kilometres of white sand beckon holidaymakers from Lanzarote to make the short journey over the Bocaina Strait for an afternoon at Las Dunas.

 But for those who think this is more effort than they can muster, there are some equally beautiful beaches to enjoy just outside Playa Blanca. The Playas de Papagayo are formed of six pristine coves and bays that are ideal for sunbathing and snorkelling.

 For visitors staying close to the Marina Rubicon, it is a very short drive to reach these beaches. A quick trip to a Lanzarote car hire  concession and then you can pack up a picnic to visit this lovely part of the coastline. The beaches are actually part of a protected reserve, which is much of the reason why they are still undeveloped.

 Having a car is also a good idea for holidaymakers who opt to stay in one of the many Playa Blanca holiday villas. Not only does this alleviate having to get a taxi to and from the airport, but it also opens up the whole island to be explored. And there are many places worthy of a visit during a holiday on Lanzarote.

 The island is exceptionally unspoilt, with very little visual clutter to get in the way of its unusual landscapes. It regularly captivates visitors and as a result, many holidaymakers find themselves seriously considering looking at Lanzarote property  in the course of their sojourn.

 One of the most popular places to look for that villa in the sun is Playa Blanca. Which is hardly surprising for any of the thousands of people who have visited the resort and had a week of soaring temperatures and unbroken sunshine.

Lanzarote is located in the Canaries which are popular as both a summer and winter sun destination.  Thanks to the fact that they are located off the Atlantic coast of Africa close to the Tropic of Cancer.  Basking in warm sunshine all year round as a result.

Package holidays to Lanzarote first went on sale during the 1970´s and proved instantly popular.  As holidaymakers vied to visit this new, exotic location.  Today that novelty value has obviously worn off a little – but Lanzarote still remains a fascinating destination nonetheless.

It’s very different to the other islands in the chain – such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria.  As there is little in the way of trees or vegetation here.  Which is due to the fact that Lanzarote experiences very little in the way rainfall – averaging out at around 8mm a month, with no mountains measuring much more than 600 metres.  As a result the climate here is dry and arid – much like the desert climate of the nearby Sahara.  With temperatures falling quite rapidly come nightfall.

Plenty of the UK´s largest travel companies and tour operators are offering summer breaks in Lanzarote in their brochures.  With summer deals starting from around £300 per person.  Which buys both flights to Lanzarote and a stay in one of the islands many hotels or apartment complexes.

Hotels in Puerto del Carmen are particularly popular as this it the island’s largest and oldest resort.  Which has evolved from a small fishing village called La Tiñosa into a large and modern holiday destination.  Tourist authorities have just spent over €16 million on improvements to the resort so there’s never been a better time to visit.

Playa Blanca in the south of the island is also very popular with British holidaymakers.  As there’s a wide range of hotels here – as well as a great selection of self catering accommodation.

Generally speaking villas in Playa Blanca are much better value than comparable properties in rival resorts too.  With a weeks rental in a two bedroom villa with pool starting at about £400 per week.

The Canary Islands are the closest genuine winter sun destination to major markets such as the UK and Germany and attract millions of tourists every year. Boasting great beaches and high standards of accommodation as well as wonderful year round weather.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest of these seven Spanish owned islands and the most closely located to the coast of West Africa.  With tourism concentrated in the three main resorts of Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.

The island was first claimed by the Spanish crown in the early 1400´s before becoming an important cog in the growing Spanish empire.  Providing a refuelling post for Spanish galleons as they traversed the Atlantic with silver and gold plundered from the Incas.

There’s a wide variety of accommoation options available for anyone planning their holidays in Lanzarote during the course of 2010.  There are over 200 hotels located around the island – including six 5 star establishments.  As well as an abundance of apartment complexes – especially in the oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen.

The growth of the internet has also led to an upsurge in demand for private rental accommodation.  As more and more tourists book their own apartments and villas in Lanzarote direct with the owners online.

As well as great weather and excellent accommodation Lanzarote offers loads for visitors to do and see.  The island is also very easy to explore – as it can be covered end to end in around an hour.  Whilst car hire in Lanzarote is also very reasonably priced – starting at just €15 per day for a basic rental vehicle.

Top of any visitor’s agenda is a tour of the Timanfaya National Park – Lanzarote´s volcanic region.  Which is home to a sea of solidified lava and hundreds of now dormant volcanoes.  Which were created by volcanic eruptions which took place during the 1730´s for six years and again in 1824.

Lanzarote is also a real beach lover’s paradise – boasting close to 100 fine stretches of sand.  Such as the huge bay at Famara on the island´s North West coast – which extends for around 8km and which is flanked by the majestic sight of the Famara massif range of cliffs.

Indeed over the centuries the island has played host to plenty of VIP visitors.  And no we’re not talking about more modern day stars such as Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.  As the island was once the haunt of artistic eminents such as Robert Graves, Frederic Chopin and Joan Miro amongst others.  And is still a sanctuary for creative types today.

In some ways Mallorca – or Majorca depending upon your pronunciation – is much like a football match.  That is to say is it split into two halves.  With the south home to package holiday destinations such as Magaluf.  Once synomous with full English breakfasts and lager louts.  Whilst the north has a more upmarket air – attracting well heeled tourists and boasting the best selection of character properties and traditional stone built holiday villas in Mallorca.

As a result it is important for visitors to select their holiday destination on the largest of the four Balaeric Islands carefully.  In order to avoid finding themselves in the wrong resort.  And with over twenty to choose from and some popular with specific nationalities it pays to research this carefully.

Alcudia in the north of the island is home to what is arguably Mallorca´s most impressive beach.  With this former fishing village boasting a nine mile long stretch of sand that makes it hugely popular with holidaymakers.  As well as an atmospheric marina that offers plenty of good quality bars and restaurants to choose from.

Along the coast lies Puerto Pollensa – the sister resort to the former Roman settlement of Pollensa.  Which is located around 8km inland and which is a real treasure trove of historic buildings and atmospheric squares.  Pollensa is set against the dramatic backdrop of the pine clad Tramantura Mountains and is a much quieter option than Alucudia.

Party animals should concentrate on the south and the mega resort of Magaluf.  Whilst anyone who wants to combine sun-bathing with sightseeing should head for the capital of Palma.  Home to a historic cathedral and a host of great museums.

Getting to Mallorca is easy.   Flights to the island are available from all of the main budget and holiday airlines in the UK and the journey time is a bearable two and a half hours.

But for those who wish to experience the island without staying in any of these hotspots, there is a good range of alternatives to be found. Such as the capital, Arrecife, which is often a popular destination for visiting Spaniards. Not only does Arrecife have a delightful golden sandy beach at the Playa del Reducto, but it is also home to one of the best five star hotels in Lanzarote.

The Gran Hotel towers over the capital, due to its status as the only high-rise building on the entire island. Originally constructed in the late 1980’s it was only fully finished and adapted as a luxury hotel in 2004. With a sleek glass covered exterior and modern style suites, it also has its own spa and elevated pool area, with views over the street and beach below. An a la carte restaurant, the Altamar, makes excellent use of the views on one of the top floors of the building.

Whilst there are numerous older and smaller establishments in Arrecife, it is the Gran Hotel that has really put the city on the map as a potential base for holidaymakers. Marking something of a renaissance for the capital, which has steadily been shedding its rather dilapidated appearance with a number of new facilities, such as recently planted parks and gardens.

Then there is the ‘fourth resort’ of Puerto Calero, which started out in 1989 as an exclusive marina for sailors planning to cross the Atlantic. But has gradually grown into a tourist destination in its own right, especially since the introduction of two large hotels, the Costa Calero and the Hesperia. Both of these hotels in Puerto Calero have a full range of spa facilities, open to both guests and visitors alike. Providing an ideal alternative for anyone seeking accommodation in Lanzarote outside of the three main resorts.

The Costa Calero has an impressive spread of tropical gardens surrounding its four swimming pools. The rooms are brightly decorated and all feature air conditioning, whilst the suites offer a touch of luxury. It is a popular choice with families and the spa is well attended by locals, especially at weekends. The Hesperia prides itself on offering a wider range of facilities than any other hotel on the island at present. Including a pet policy that allows guests to bring their four-legged friend with them on holiday. It is also the only establishment at present that has WiFi internet access throughout the whole building.

There´s never been a better time to visit the island as flights to Lanzarote are currently available from as little as £10 return with Ryanair.

Over the years these seven specks of Spain have earned a bit of a downmarket reputation.  And on larger islands such as Tenerife tourist development has certainly done little to improve the landscape.  But on Lanzarote high rise buildings are banned whilst strict planning laws curb the worst excesses of the hotel chains and property speculators.  Leaving the island largely unspoiled.

This winter it’s never been cheaper to visit.  As flights to Lanzarote are currently on sale with low cost airlines such as Ryanair for as little as £9.99.  As competition on this route hots up – thanks to a decision by the Spanish government to waive airport taxes and charges until the end of March 2010 in a bid to revive Spain’s faltering tourist sector.   Which has seen visitor numbers drop on Lanzarote by close to 20% over the course of the year as the island struggles with the impact of the current economic crisis and the weakness of sterling against the euro.

Either way Lanzarote still has plenty to recommend it.  Most importantly boasting excellent weather even during the darkest depths of winter.  Along with close to 100 beautiful beaches and a host of things to do and see.

The islands best known attraction is the awe inspiring volcanic interior.  Created around 250 years ago by a series of eruptions that lasted for six years. Leaving a lunar like landscape in its wake that has served as the backdrop for numerous science fiction films and which is surreal in the extreme.

These and other key attractions such as the Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio and the Cactus Garden are best explored by car.  As public bus services are very limited.  Whilst car hire in Lanzarote is extremely affordable – starting at around €90 per week and petrol much cheaper than in the UK, at just 0.80 euro per litre.

Good quality accommodation options are available across the island too.  With the bulk of the best Lanzarote villas and hotels located in the two main resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca.  Whilst chic countryside fincas and hotels cater to a growing demand for rural holidays.