Spent a 2 week break in Lanzarote, Spain.
Youtube link to the JustRetired50Plus Lanzarote- Rental Property Video:-
To view the video select:- https://youtu.be/-VDW_dS-VC4
There are three possible holiday types that a visitor can have in Lanzarote.
An activity holiday, visiting all of the tourist destinations that the island has to offer;
The laid-back, inactive holiday type of Sleep, Food, Sun & Entertainment;
A holiday that is a mixture of both holiday options (1) and (2), above.
The advent of COVID-19 has changed the way any of the options above can now be experienced. Many of Lanzarote’s hotels, restaurants and shops are now shut due to COVID-19. As a consequence, we took turns cooking each night, supplemented by only 2 take-aways for a change over the course of the 2 weeks.
Mid December 2020, when Ireland opened back up briefly, Lanzarote was one of the very few destinations still open for travel, for EU citizens.
One has to ask oneself firstly, whether you are willing and able to travel and accept the changed requirements and circumstances that any holiday now entails as a consequence of COVID-19 ( refer to our website article on this very question:- https://www.justretired50plus.com/travel-in-the-covid-world )
As is the case in all of Spain, you are required to wear a face mask out in public at all times in Lanzarote.
Another question one has to ask oneself, if you do decide to travel, is whether to stay in a hotel or to rent a property for the duration of your holiday. ( refer to our website article on this very question:-
Lanzarote, Spain 2020
This is a blog from the perspective of a type (3) holiday above.
Lanzarote is one of the Canary Island group belonging to Spain, off the coast of north west Africa. The Canary Islands are the most well known, popular sun destination for Irish people. Because of their geographic location, closer to the equator, they have up to 330 days of sunshine per year. The seven main islands are (from largest to smallest in area) Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate. Temperatures are warm and show little seasonal variation. More recently, Irish people regard a trip to the Canaries like they used to regard a trip to the Lakes of Killarney, except with better weather and only a four hour flight away.
A sense of Lanzarote, prior to the advent of COVID-19
The dark volcanic sandy beach of Puerto del Carmen’s Playa Grande stretches for a few kilometres, backed by the town’s main promenade, with its full complement of restaurants and bars. Whether you simply feel like kicking back and taking in the sunshine, having a bite to eat and a few beers at a beachfront restaurant or bar, or getting active with one of the many water sports options on offer - all is within easy access. Timanfaya National Park lunar volcanic landscape feels a million miles from the hotel-brushed beaches around the island’s fringe. For shoppers in search of bargains, the markets in Lanzarote are legendary places of pilgrimage. Here you can find anything from hand-made jewellery to knock-off designer watches and bags to hand-made lace products. Without a doubt, on Lanzarote, the centre of the lively party scene is found in Puerto del Carmen, where Avinda de las Playas is lined with clubs and bars offering everything from karaoke to R&B. If you are looking for something more quite, then Costa Teguise is a better option, as it isn’t really known for its nightlife.
Famous artist Cesar Manrique left his imprint all over the island of Lanzarote, in the form of his off-the-wall installations. Checking out one of his creations is a must for every visitor to Lanzarote. For instance, head over to the north coast and stop in at Jameos del Agua, where Manrique converted underground lava caves into a concert hall and sophisticated bar. He built his own house into a lava field, which is quite extraordinary. The creation of the Cactus Garden was Cesar’s final project before his death.
A sense of Lanzarote, during the presence of COVID-19
As of October 2020 Ireland has harmonised with the pan-European traffic light system. Based on this new system, Lanzarote at the time of our travelling was designated as “Orange” as was Ireland. We had a choice to make whether to book a stay in a hotel or alternately to get a rental property. We chose the latter. On choosing our rental property, we made the decision not to stay in the most popular location, Puerto Del Carmen, on the island. Instead, we chose to rent a property in the quieter more southern town of Playa Blanca. We also decided to rent our own transport for the 2 weeks, with pickup of the people carrier at the airport and its return to the airport at the end of our stay, thus overall reducing our exposure to risk.
The house we rented comfortably accommodated all eight of us with 4 double bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property included its own heated pool and a heated small jacuzzi children’s pool. This might seem lavish, however, it turned out to be our permanent location for the entire two weeks, except for trips to the shops periodically, odd mornings on the beach and some site-seeing self directed tours.
We were blessed with the weather for the whole two weeks, blue sky and temperatures in the 19 - 21 degree range. It was an unusual holiday for us in that it was our family self isolating but instead of being caught up in the Irish Christmas mania, it was instead a lovely quiet family holiday in the sunshine. Just the antidote that we all needed to all of the COVID-19 doom and gloom going on at home in Ireland. As we had two small children with us under the age of 3 years, renting a property, turned out to be the right choice for us.
Most of the tourist venues on the island were closed to the public because of Covid-19, or at best, have very reduced access.
Masks have to be worn on the beach, except when you are swimming or sitting in socially distanced pods of your own contacts.
Public transport is very much reduced.
Restaurants that are open, enforce the mask at all times rule except when eating.
Luckily we are a close knit family and we get on well together. A holiday such as this during COVID times is not conducive to spontaneity or off the cuff meetings and getting together.
A holiday during these COVID times necessitates that you more than ever have to get along with your travelling companions, stay within your pod, and don’t take any unnecessary risks.
Spanish is the language of the Canary Islands, however, the vast majority of people speak excellent English.
Our recommendations for a trip to Lanzarote, prior to the advent of COVID-19:-
We suggest you stay in Porto Del Carmen, as close to the old town as possible. We like to stay in the Fariones Playa or the hotel which has now reopened, which has a wonderful location on the beach.
Do the guided island tour, there is loads to see.
Have a drink (or two) in the Harbour Bar it is like a flashback to Ireland in the ’50's
Our recommendations for a trip to Lanzarote, during the presence of COVID-19:-
We recommend that you bring along lots of books to read and games to play.
A good WiFi connection is more of an essential than normal.
Take with you on the holiday lots of downloaded films or alternately bring along some IT portable mechanism to allow you to stream movies on demand.
The average cost per person / per week is €500 excluding flight, but this is Christmas high season, this price would obvious be a lot cheaper at any other time of the year.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”
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