LanzaroteAbout your

Holiday

villaplus.com

We make sure you love it more

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Lanzarote holidaysyou’ll love moreJust 90 miles from the coast of Africa sits the captivating Canary Island of Lanzarote.The island’s mild climate, sandy beaches, dramatic scenery, volcanic lunarscapes and picturesque villages make Lanzarote, together with the tourist zones of Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, a popular tourist destination.

From a visit to the exclusive Rubicon Marina in Playa Blanca to a family day out at Rancho Texas theme park in Puerto del Carmen there’s plenty to do for everyone. You can even have a camel ride in the National Park of Timanfaya.

Welcome to Lanzarote one of the most popular all year round destinations.

ContentsA little more about Villa Plus 04

Villa Plus Service Centre 05

Before you go 06 - 07

Getting to and from your villa 08

Villa Plus Travel Insurance 09

About your villa 10 - 11

Health and Safety 12 - 13

Places to visit 14 - 15

Festivals and Events 16 - 17

Sports 18

Children’s Activities 19

Shopping 20

Food 21

Resorts Arrecife 22

Costa Teguise 23

Playa Blanca 24

Puerto del Carmen 25

Matagorda & Puerto del Calero 26

Useful Information 27

Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Calero

Arrecife

Matagorda

Costa Teguise

Playa Blanca

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Villa Plus have arranged villa holidays since 1986. Our product focus is on better villas, in better locations with private pools and more facilities. Over the years we’ve grown from just one destination to 13 across Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Greece. We’re now one of the largest tour operators in the villa market and offer over 900 exclusive villas.

This holiday guide is designed to help you enjoy your holiday. Please read it carefully before you go. That way we can ensure all the arrangements made on your behalf run smoothly.

Thank you for choosing Villa Plus and we hope to see you again in the future.

Welcome to Villa Plus. We hope you have a fabulous holiday in Lanzarote and would like to tell you a little about the company. As a direct sell operator we only sell our own holidays. This means we place great emphasis on quality and service. In fact we take a personal interest in the enjoyment of your holiday and all our staff receive ongoing training to ensure we provide you with consistently good service.

A little more about Villa Plus

Our resort staff are there to ensure all aspects of your holiday go as planned and to maintain your privacy. In general, they will not visit unless in an emergency or to carry out villa checks. Details of your Villa Representative can be found in the security information in your travel pack.

Villa Plus Service Centre

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Travel adaptor/s If you bring your own electrical equipment then you will need to bring a European travel adaptor.

Passport details You must give your Advance Passenger Information (API, sometimes called APIS) details to your airline before you fly. Baggage allowance Baggage allowance, normally 20 kilos per person, can depend on who you’re flying with and will be specified on your itinerary. Collapsible wheelchairs, car seats for infants, pushchairs and carrycots may be carried as hand luggage in excess of the baggage allowance and can usually be taken to the final departure gate to be stored in the hold during the flight. Many charter airlines now charge for excess baggage and equipment such as golf clubs.

Dangerous goods Please refer to the security policy of the airline you’re travelling with.

Special needs and requirements If you, or any member of your party, have any special needs or specific requirements then please let us know at the time of booking. We’ll send you a form for disabled and less mobile clients for you to complete and return so we can ensure the villa and flights you’ve chosen are completely suitable for your needs.

Any queries just call + 44 (0) 1727 836686 or email info@villaplus.com

Here’s our tick list...Travel documents You’ll receive your holiday documents – specifically itinerary and flight reference number (to quote at check in), accommodation details, directions, car hire information and voucher – about ten days before you travel. Please check the documents match your reservation.

Holiday insurance Whether you have taken the ‘Villa Plus’ holiday insurance or not, if you or a member of your party have a pre-existing medical condition, then you MUST advise your insurance company straight away. Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. The card is free of charge and, in addition to your travel insurance, we recommend you sign up. Register online at www.ehic.org.uk

Money Whilst MasterCard and Visa cards are widely accepted, and most resorts have ATM’s, we recommend that you get some Euro’s before you go. Please note: travellers cheques are no longer used in Spain.

Towels Although towels are provided in the villas, you’ll need to bring your own beach and pool towels with you.

Before you go

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Getting to and from your villa

Villa Plus transfer from airport If you booked a Villa Plus transfer then, in general, you’ll see your Representative in the arrivals hall who will have organised your transfer. Please refer to the itinerary in your travel pack for more information.

Villa Plus car hire If you’ve booked a car through Villa Plus then please refer to your itinerary and car hire voucher for collection details. It is advisable that one member of the party waits for the baggage whilst another goes to the desk to complete the contract and pay the appropriate deposit and so on.

Directions to your villa Your directions are included in your travel pack.

Arriving at your villa You can get into your villa at 1pm. If you arrive before 4pm, particularly in the larger villas, the maid may still be tidying up.

Leaving your villa Please vacate your villa by 10am. The maid could arrive as early as 8am.

Flight delays EU legislation entitles passengers to compensation from the airline if there is denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not entitle you to a refund of the price of your arrangements from us. If the airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the CAA on +44 (0) 20 7453 6888 www.caa.co.uk

Villa Plus Travel Insurance

Lost luggage If you’re unfortunate enough to lose your luggage then you need to report this at the lost luggage desk in the baggage reclaim area.

Left luggage If you have a late return flight, then there are normally facilities where you can leave your luggage on your last day. This information can be found in the villa manual or you can contact the local office.

Villa keys The keys to your villa will be contained in a security key box at your villa. Details of this together with the boxes security number are included with your final documentation. Normally only one set of keys will be supplied for the villa that you will be occupying. We would appreciate it if you could take care of the keys as obtaining replacement keys, or changing the locks can be expensive.

Villa Plus holiday insurance is provided by Union Reiseversicherung AG. If you’ve taken this out there is a 24 hour medical emergency assistance facilities service who you can call directly on +44 (0) 845 260 3 260. Remember to have the following information to hand:

n A contact telephone number

n Name and age of patient

n Location of hospital and doctor’s telephone number

n The medical problem

n Your premium receipt number and details of booked travel arrangements

Please refer to your Insurance policy for details of the procedure you should follow, should you require outpatient treatment.

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About Your Villa

Cots/extra beds The majority of the cots that we supply are of the collapsible travel type. All cots supplied in the villas comply with local safety standards. All linen is laundered together so if you have concerns about cot linen, please bring your own. Extra beds are normally of the fold-up variety and are suitable for children only up to the age of 11 years old.

Gas Supply Not all the villas have a gas supply. If applicable, the villa will usually be supplied with an orange coloured Butano gas bottle. In the unlikely event that the gas should run out, please contact our local Villa Representative, who will arrange for a replacement. Where gas water heaters are used in villas, they are subject to an annual inspection by local qualified engineers. A carbon monoxide detector is provided for your additional peace of mind.

Electricity Electricity is 220 AC with continental twin plugs. Your villa electricity supply is not always as constant as in the UK. You may find that the electricity will “trip off” if too many appliances are used at once. This has become more apparent as we have added more equipment into the villas. If this happens, simply turn off some appliances and reset the main fuse box (the location and full details will be in the Villa Manual at the villa).

Internet Most Resorts have an Internet access point ‘Hot Spots’, where you can check emails etc, and the location will be given to you in the Villa Manual. Some individual villas have internet access. Please see your Villa Manual for more details.

Air Conditioning Many villas now include air conditioning/heating in the bedrooms as standard. Please see the individual villa descriptions. Some of these units operate on a sensor that will turn off the unit if the room is not in use. Please consult the Villa Manual for full details. In the case of any malfunction, we will endeavour to rectify them as soon as possible, Villa Plus cannot be responsible for any non-operational time that is out of our control.

Barbecues All our villas have barbecues and wherever possible, brick built. It is not normal for maids to clean the barbecue and we ask guests to leave them in a reasonable and useable condition. We have asked owners to supply cleaning implements.

TV’s To keep you entertained inside your villa, you’ll find a TV which will have a mix of satellite and terrestrial channels and also offer some English speaking channels too. DVD players (including films) are provided in the majority in our villas.

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SafetyHealth and Safety

Safety information You’ll find a Villa Manual with safety information specific to your villa at the property. Please take the time on arrival to familiarise yourselves with the safety features and layout of your villa. If you’re travelling with children then please take the time to point out to any areas where they should take particular care such as the pool and balconies. If you have any questions or concerns, then your Villa Representative will be happy to assist. Should you have an accident anywhere in or around the villa you must report this straight away to your Villa Representative.

Smoking Smoking is not permitted in any of our villas and we would request you only smoke outside the villa. Please do not leave cigarette stubs in the garden.

Swimming pool Whilst the swimming pool is an essential part of the pleasure of holidaying for many people, if misused it can be dangerous:

n Make sure you know the depths of the pool.

n Please observe our strict no diving policy.

n Do not run around the pool side - especially children with wet feet.

n Do not go out of your depth unless you are a good swimmer.

n Do not swim if you cannot see the bottom. If this is the case contact your Villa Representative as soon as possible. Bad weather, thunder storms and/or excess suntan oil

(especially the non waterproof types), can turn the water cloudy. Use the poolside shower before swimming to keep the pool clean.

n Children and fair skinned people should wear a hat and T-shirt whilst in the pool as harmful ultra violet rays can penetrate water up to a depth of 1.5m and are reflected off the water surface.

n Beware of dangerous surfaces, drainage channels, slippery tiles or raised edges.

n Always supervise children and non-swimmers in and around the pool area.

n Do not swim if you have been drinking alcohol, especially late at night.

Report an accident immediately to your Villa Representative, who will attend the villa. Any fault with the pool or its equipment will be inspected and immediate action taken to correct the problem. If, in the opinion of the Villa Representative the pool must be closed for your safety until a repair is facilitated as quickly as possible, you will be instructed in writing to cease using the pool and our liability shall not exceed 33% of the villa rental portion of the holiday.

Pool Heating Many of our swimming pools have been fitted with a Pool Heat Pump, making the pool 3°C to 5°C warmer at 1pm during the day than a non-heated pool under normal circumstances. This provides the pool with a beneficial warming, but does not make it a “hot” pool. Villa Plus cannot be

responsible for any non-operational time, out of our control.

In the case of any malfunction, we will endeavour to rectify them as soon as possible and our liability shall not exceed £150 per villa per week in total. If the pool has a cover, please use it as it will significantly increase the temperature of the water.

Tap water Water from the tap is generally ok for cooking purposes. For drinking we recommend you drink bottled water only.

Sun bathing The best, safest and longer lasting tans are built up gradually - but although most travellers are aware of the danger, many holidays are still ruined by the effects of sunburn. Do take extreme care not to over-expose yourself or your children (particularly young babies), especially during the first few days. We suggest you stay under shade except for about 15 minutes in the early morning or late afternoon on the first day, gradually increasing the time as your skin becomes accustomed to the sun. Even then be sure to use a suntan preparation of the correct factor for your skin and apply it liberally at regular intervals, particularly after swimming. Children should wear sun-hats and their shoulders should be covered as much as possible. We strongly recommend the use of good quality, waterproof sun creams especially when in and out of the pool or down at the beach.

Beaches Please be aware of the local safety precautions when you visit the beaches.

At all times, for your own safety, comply with the suggestions of the local lifeguards, warning notices or flag systems. Should you have any concerns consult a qualified authority or your Villa Representative.

Breakages Please notify our Villa Representative should you notice any shortfalls in the quality of furnishings/cleaning etc. In case of breakages during your holiday, either replace with a matching item or report the damage to the Villa Representative. For details of our accidental damage waiver or security deposit, please refer to www.villaplus.com

Security Please store valuables in the safe provided including vital documents If you do not use the safe provided you may invalidate any insurance claim that you may have.

Most villas have an alarm and nightlight. Ensure the alarm is switched on when you leave the villa.

Additionally make sure all doors/windows are closed/locked if you leave the villa or are around the pool.

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Place

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Places to visit

BeachesFamara Beach. An untouched stretch of rugged beach on the north east coast close to the sports village of La Santa Famara. Great for surfers but under currents make swimming dangerous.

Playa Bastian. This natural beach with a mixture of white sand and small lava stones with calm waters is near the popular resort of Costa Teguise.

Playa Chica. Used by diving schools this small bay is between the Fariones Hotel in Puerto del Carmen and the harbour.

Playa Dorado. To the east of Playa Blanca this man made well protected beach is ideal for families.

Playa Guacimeta. A long stretch of sandy beach right alongside the airport runway divided by a walkway with access from the Matagorda promenade. Matagorda is part of Puerto del Carmen

Punta de Papagayo. Found in the south of the island near the Papagayo Arena Hotel in Playa Blanca. Wild fine white sandy beaches typical of beach meets volcano.

For more beaches please see resort sections.

AttractionsArrecife. The capital of Lanzarote is 10 minutes from the airport. A pedestrianised shopping centre provides high street fashions and for nightlife there are bustling bars partying till the small hours.

Cuevas De Los Verdes. These Green Caves are in Haria near the Monte de la Corona crater in the north. Spectacular underground grottos.

El Golfo. A tiny village on the way to Playa Blanca known for the emerald green lagoon hidden between a black volcanic beach and the mountains.

Fuerteventura. A 45 minute boat crossing from Playa Blanca brings you into the bustling fishing village of Corralejo in Fuertenventura.

Jameos del Agua. An interesting gallery of connecting caves in the north at the base of Monte de la Corona volcano.

Matagorda. Once a fishing village this is a quiet relaxed resort found about 2km from busy Puerto del Carmen.

National Park of Timanfaya. An amazing national park which has a truly breathtaking landscape of volcanic craters.

Teguise. The old capital of Lanzarote is steeped in history. Visit Spinola Palace, the Nuestra Senora Guadalupe Church and the biggest island market held on Sundays.

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Festivals and

Events

Festivals and

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Festivals and Events

January Cabalgata de Los Reyes (Three Holy Kings or wise men). Early January locals dress as the Three Kings and parade on camels through the streets followed by floats.

February Mid February Carnival in Arrecife. Late February in Puerto del Carmen. Parades and brightly coloured floats from villages culminate in a live music event in the harbour.

March Holy Week. Mid March. Religious festivities leading up to Good Friday.

May Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon Competition. This gruelling triathlon consists of 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run. Starts at 7am. The swim starts on the main Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen.

June Corpus Christi. Mid June. A Catholic event where the locals make masterpieces from coloured salt on the pavements leading up to the San Gines Church in Arrecife.

San Juan. Late June. Celebrating the history of the island and the start of Summer. Outdoor concerts, dancing, traditional rituals, sporting competitions. Bonfires and firework displays.

July Fiesta de Nuestra Senora. Mid July. Statues are carried around the villages and the streets and churches are filled with flowers.

August San Gines the Patron Saint of the island. Late August. Large celebrations throughout Lanzarote, even the smallest villages. The most extravagant fiestas in the capital of Arrecife.

September Fiesta of the Virgin de los Dolores. Tribute paid to this Patron Saint with folk music, fairs and general festivities.

October Dia de la Hispanidad. National Day Festival. Parties around Lanzarote celebrate the heritage and history of the island.

November Marathon. Late November. Attracts many competitors and spectators line the streets of Arrecife.

December New Years Eve. Live music and dancing greeting the New Year. Magical firework display floating on the sea.

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sSports Children’s Activities

Diving There are many PADI dive centre’s including several in Puerto del Carmen and Play Blanca that cater for first timers to the most experienced.

Golf Lanzarote Golf. Tel 0034 928 514050 Situated in the tourist centre of Puerto del Carmen just 5 minutes from the local amenities and beaches and 10 minutes from the airport. A modern golfcourse with 18 holes, par 72. Golf academy, driving range, practice area and putting green.

Costa Teguise Golf Course. Tel 0034 928 590512. The first course to open on the island in 1978, it lies at the foot of an old volcano and has breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. 18 holes.

Gym Fariones Sports Centre, Puerto del Carmen at the side of the Fariones Hotel. Fully equipped gym, swimming pools, massage, jacuzzi, spining, paddle tennis and aerobics. Payable daily at reception.

Horse Riding Lanzarote Caballo Equestrian Centre. On the road to Yaiza heading towards Playa Blanca. Tel 0034 928 830 038. Horse riding excursions, lessons and events.

Karting Gran Karting Club. Located near the airport. Tel 0034 619 759 946. A fun day out for all the family.

Tennis If you want to learn from scratch or simply improve your game try Fariones Deportivo. Qualified instructors, equipment hire and refreshment bar. Tel 0034 928 514 790 or email centrodeportivo@grupofariones.com.

Windsurfing Schools can be found in Costa Teguise. Windsurf Paradise Tel 0034 928 346 022 or Windsurfing Club Tel 0034 928 590 731.

Wrestling – La Lucha Canaria La Lucha means to wrestle. Canarian wrestling is a traditional sport, a kind of sumo wrestling but the wrestlers wear more! Usually on a Sunday in the capital of Arrecife.

Rancho Texas In Puerto del Carmen you will find Rancho Texas which by day is a theme park with sea lions, pumas, reptiles and birds from all over the world. There is also a petting zoo, play areas, pony rides, parrot show, crocodiles and a not to be missed birds of prey demonstration. They also have a swimming pool area with fun activities for children and adults plus sunloungers for relaxing complete with a snack bar. By night the ranch converts into a family night out with a cowboy and Indian theme. There is an all you can eat BBQ as well as family entertainment which includes a line dancing display and lessons, lasso show, live music and a mechanical bull.

Aqua Park Found in Costa Teguise, just 10 minutes on from the airport, this small aqua park is located near the golf course. A free bus runs from each resort with three different collection and pick up times. (see leaflet or ask in one of the many tourist ticket information shops).

Crazy Golf In Puerto del Carmen there are two crazy golf courses one is near the San Antonio Hotel and also has trampolines plus other games whilst the second one is in the Aquarium shopping centre on the sea front which also has amusements on the roof.

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Shopping

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As you follow the main sea front road you will find a mixture of arts, crafts, silver jewellery, high street brands, Spanish chains, sports shops, gift shops and electrical shops. Biosfera Shopping Centre - found on the roundabout between the old and the new town has 4 floors with shoe shops, boutiques, high street fashion, beachwear, sunglasses and gift ideas. There’s even a kids play area on the top floor. In Playa Blanca the main shopping areas are in Calle Limones while the leisure centre in Papagayo offers all sorts of bargains. At the Rubicon Marina there is a colourful market which is held every Wednesday and Saturday. Many of the shops in Playa Blanca shut for a few hours during the afternoon. If you head to the former capital of Teguise on a Sunday then this normally sleepy village turns into a bustling shoppers’ parade with a market where you can buy crafts, bags, shoes, sunglasses, jewellery and just about anything that takes your fancy....just don’t forget to barter.

Shopping for food you will find all you need at the local supermarkets and in the main tourist areas the supermarkets and hypermarkets are usually open all day such as in Puerto del Carmen. As you follow the main sea front road you will find a mixture of arts, crafts, silver jewellery, high street brands, Spanish chains, sports shops, gift shops and electrical shops.

In poorer, leaner times dishes had to be created from basic locally grown produce to fill the hardworking farming families. These dishes can be found in the simple restaurants in the countryside and in the most popular upmarket restaurants in the tourist areas. Without doubt the most important ingredients of Canarian cooking are the ‘Frutas del Mar’, Fruits of the Sea. A wide variety of local fish is delivered daily to the ports along with the ‘Mariscos’ the seafood. Tapas, meaning small portions can be found in most Canarian bars.

The “Cocina Canaria” (The Canarian Kitchen) is a proud heritage for the people of Lanzarote. Without the fertile soil of the peninsular, the farmers had to be very clever in order to make the most of the barren, dry land from the legacy of the volcanic eruptions.

Some popular tapasTortilla Espanola – omelette with potatoes and sometimes spicy sausage or onion.

Ali-Oli – mayonnaise with garlic, mixed.

Jamon Serrano – cured ham served with black olives.

Gambas Al Ajillo – prawns served in a dish of sizzling olive oil and chillies.

Albondigas – meatballs in tomato sauce.

Pulpo – octopus sliced, with olive oil or a touch of paprika.

SeafoodPrawns, squid, crayfish, octopus

Sama

Bacalao

Lenguado

Typical Canarian DishesGofio – made from ground corn or flour, for breakfast mixed with milk or for savoury dishes tuna, salt and eggs are added.

Conejo – rabbit, baked or roasted with garlic.

Cochinillo – piglet, roasted or baked served with garlic and herbs.

Lentejas – Lentils with pumpkin, peas, small cubes of bacon and chorizo.

Garbanzas – A chick pea base with vegetables and bacon served with hot rolls.

DessertsThe best deserts are ‘casera’ which means homemade. Try Bienmesabe – A mixture of ground almonds and honey served on ice cream, a treat for the sweet tooth.

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Arre

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sta TeguiseArrecife Costa TeguiseThe capital of Lanzarote is not known for its ornate beauty but has significantly improved over the last few years thanks to the re-opening of the Arrecife Grand Hotel. This hotel dominates the skyline and can be seen from miles away marking the coastline. It’s a five star hotel in a privileged position right on the beach. On the 17th floor of the hotel is a café, bar and restaurant enclosed completely in glass giving way to amazing views over Arrecife and the El Reducto beach. Ideal to dine in the restaurant at night or just take a coffee by day and soak up the view.

At the foot of the hotel on the roundabout are a few typical tapas bars with tables outside where you can watch the world go by. An exceptional Italian ice cream parlour can be found a 2-minute walk away from the hotel opposite the beach.

In the opposite direction of the hotel following the main road you will pass more street cafes and bars then eventually come to the main shopping area which has high street chain stores and boutiques, electrical and shoe shops. Opening times 9am until 1pm and 5pm until 8pm. Remember the siesta.

By night Arrecife is alive with an array of different cultures, restaurants and disco bars until the early hours.

The second largest tourist area in Lanzarote is known for its constant breezes being on the east coast and is one of the best places for wind surfers. Characterised by large purpose-built hotels and complexes, small hideaway coves, a market on Fridays in the main square and lots of shops, bars and restaurants.

The Aqua Park is 5 minutes by taxi from the town but can be cool in winter due to the breeze. Also there’s an 18 hole golf course with restaurant, clubhouse and equipment hire, a short drive just out of Costa Teguise.

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Playa B

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enPlaya Blanca Puerto del Carmen

Beaches The majority of beaches in this region are extremely family friendly with sunbeds, water sports, dive centres and refreshment stands plus there are spectacular views of Fuerteventura. Playa Flamingo Beach located by the hotel of the same name is a pure white man-made beach overlooked by cafes and restaurants. Playa Dorada beach is to the east of Playa Blanca, a man-made well-protected beach which is ideal for families as the waters are calm, plus you will find a good array of bars, shops and restaurants as well as jet skis for hire.

The resort of Playa Blanca sits on the south of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, approximately 20 miles from Arrecife Airport. Once a sleepy fishing village, Playa Blanca has grown considerably into a bustling tourist centre, and yet has managed to maintain its original charm.

There is a relaxed atmosphere throughout with the entire sea front pedestrianised, meandering by sandy coves, shops, bars and restaurants. There are also a few bars which offer live music and a night club is nestled on the rocks. At the trendy Rubicon Marina you will find a French patisserie, high quality restaurants, tapas bars, designer shops and the famous Café del Mar bar where you can enjoy a cocktail in comfort overlooking the marina with its yachts and boats moored here from all around the world. There are amusements and a bowling alley located just at the entrance and a small shopping centre with souvenir shops, clothes and perfumeries. There is also a smaller version of the Teguise market held each Wednesday and Saturday selling handcrafted ceramics and local produce typical of Lanzarote.

Beaches There are three sandy beaches that are all extremely popular in Puerto del Carmen. There is Playa Grande which is a fine sandy beach with a number of good facilities and an attractive promenade. Playa Pocillos and Matagorda beach are connected by a popular promenade which is lined with shops and bars. Pocillos is perhaps the quieter of the two and the perfect place to simply relax while Matagorda offers wonderful scenery and some fantastic walking trails.

An ideal place to sit and watch the world go by is in one of the many cafes and ice cream parlours while if you require something more substantial then there are a host of restaurants serving a great range of International cuisine. The resort really comes to life in the evenings when a host of great clubs, salsa bars, buzzing discos and live music venues open in Centro Atlantico. There is even a casino which has a beautiful view out to sea and a rooftop cocktail bar. At the harbour you will find some of the best restaurants which serve fresh fish and seafood which is still caught by local fishermen. This is also the home of a number of festivals where you will hear traditional salsa music and local wine will be served. Also there is a golf course in Tias, just outside Puerto Carmen that opened relatively recently.

The most popular resort on the island Puerto del Carmen features a fine sandy beach which stretches 4 kilometres along a pretty coastline. Walk along an attractive promenade and check out its abundance of shops, which sell duty free perfumes and clothes as well as handicrafts.

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Matag

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Use

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Language Spanish

Currency Euro

International dialling code +34

Emergency Services 112

Time Same as UK

Electricity 220 AC - travellers from the UK will need a two-pin plug adaptor.

Opening Hours for Shops Most large shopping centres and department stores open from 10:00 - 22:00 while smaller shops generally run from 10:00 - 14:00 and then from 17:00 - 23:00.

A quiet relaxed resort found about 2km from busy Puerto del Carmen, Matagorda is an idyllic holiday base offering a peaceful ambience. Its fine sandy beach is within easy reach of the main areas by bus, taxi or foot.Matagorda has a small commercial centre with shops, bars and a supermarket overlooking the sea.

A flat area is ideal for cycling the uninterrupted coastal walkway passing the airport, an unspoilt sandy beach, local areas with seaside tapas bars and finally ending in the capital of Arrecife.

Puerto CaleroA select marina harbouring yachts, speed boats and fishing boats found in the next bay after Puerto del Carmen. Take a boat taxi, walk along the coast or drive for

Overlooked by a selection of restaurants, an Irish Bar, perfume shops and gift shops. International cuisine from Thai fusion, tapas, Italian and fish restaurants line the perfect view to enjoy a relaxed afternoon lunch in the sunshine or dine at night when the twinkling lights set the mood.

Professional fishing boat trips await the discerning fisherman wanting to reel in a marlin or shark.

A catamaran cruise sets sail from here each day in search of dolphins near the Papagayo beaches in the south – enjoy swimming, snorkelling and a meal served on board taking in the sunset and look foward to a cooling refreshment back at the marina.

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication Villa Plus cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions and this holiday guide does not form part of our contract with you.

Restaurant recommendations have been made by past clients and on occasions restaurants close or change hands and therefore we are unable to guarantee quality or availability.

Copyright is reserved to Villa Plus Limited and this material may not be circulated, reproduced or published in whole or in part without the written consent of Villa Plus Limited. 01/05/2013

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