Lanzarote en César Manrique

De Canarische Eilanden, een Spaans gebied voor de westkust van Afrika, bestaan ​​uit verschillende afzonderlijke eilanden die populair zijn bij Europese vakantiegangers. De ‘Canarische eilanden’ zijn misschien het best bekend om hun idyllische badplaatsen en prachtige zwarte, witte en gouden zandstranden - die worden beschouwd als een van de meest adembenemende kusten ter wereld. Deze eilanden hebben veel meer te bieden dan alleen hun weelderige kustcharmes - inclusief betoverende vulkanische landschappen, desolaat mooie woestijnen, geurige dennenbossen en ruisende watervallen. Activiteiten op het water zijn onder meer surfen, windsurfen, kitesurfen en varen, terwijl degenen die de voorkeur geven aan terra firma kunnen golfen en paardrijden.

Currency

The local currency is the Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents (<em>céntimos</em>). Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 08h30-14h00. Some branches are open on Saturdays from October to April.

MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus cards are accepted in nearly all ATMs, which are common throughout the country. These credit cards can generally be used outside main towns and cities, although cash is your safest bet. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus are accepted in nearly all ATMs, which are common throughout the country. There are usually at least one bank and ATM in each village.

Traveller’s cheques are disappearing from use as it’s far more convenient to travel with credit cards these days. Nevertheless, you can still change them in main bank branches and exchange bureaux, and they are accepted in major hotels. It is advisable to bring them in sterling or dollars as there have been increasing reports of Euro cheques being refused

Multiple airlines operate regular international flights to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria from all over Europe. La Palma airport receives a limited number of international flights. Local flights run by Binter, link all the islands and also go to Madeira, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania. Iberia and Air Europa also fly between the islands and mainland Spain.

Roads in Lanzarote are generally a joy to drive on with very little traffic (outside of Arrecife) and long straight runs. Signposting is clear and it’s quick and easy to navigate the entire island. The main thing to watch out for are the hordes of cyclists and runners you’ll encounter along the way. Two motorways (LZ1 and LZ2) link Arrecife with north and south along the eastern coast and are of a good quality and well maintained. Good quality B roads connect the rest of the island to the motorways with just one road, the LZ67, running through the outskirts of Timanfaya.

Several major car hire companies are represented at Lanzarote Airport and in the main urban centres. Car hire is good value for money on the island and most cars are less than two years old. Drivers must be over 21 to hire a car and you will need a passport, driving licence and credit card. Taxis are metered, reasonably priced and widely available at the airport, in Arrecife and at all the main resorts. Lanzarote is well served by the local bus service.

The cuisine of the Canary Islands shares much in common with that of the Spanish peninsula, but there are key distinctions that mark them out from the rest of the country. Canarian fare bears influences from its aboriginal inhabitants, Latin American immigrants, and nearby Africa.

There is not a huge culture of tipping in the Canaries, but 10% in restaurants is acceptable.

The Canary Islands are situated off the northwest coast of Africa. The southern coast of Spain lies 1,120 kilometres north. Las Palmas comprises the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is made up of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro. All the islands are of volcanic origin and the climate is subtropical. The landscape is varied, and includes mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, cliffs, craters and forests.

Summer sunshine is guaranteed on all the islands. At other times of year however El Hierro and La Palma can be cool, with a West European spring-like climate. Both Teneriffe and Gran Canaria have a north-south divide with parched southern shores and cooler, slightly wetter northern climes. Rainfall is low throughout the islands.

Electrical sockets in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The 'Type C' Europlug and the 'Type E' and 'Type F' Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types.

Electrical sockets in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias) usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.