Travel Places

Costa Teguise may be the smallest of Lanzarote´s three main holiday resorts.  But it still offers visitors loads to do.  Along with some excellent accommodation, great beaches and a laid back and relaxed atmosphere.

Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for over forty years.  Ever since General Franco started to loosen the ties in order to generate some much need foreign currency and to shore up his crumbling economy.  Factors which lead to the rapid emergence of Spain as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.

Lanzarote and the other six islands that make up the Canaries were also beneficiaries of this policy.  And by the end of the 1980´s Lanzarote – the fourth largest of the islands – was welcoming over 2 million foreign tourists every year.

During this period Costa Teguise was created as the islands upmarket resort.  Anchored by the flagship Hotel Gran Melia Salinas and the Pueblo Marinero.  Both of which were designed by the ubiquitous island born artist Cesar Manrique.  Who oversaw much of the modern tourist development on Lanzarote.

Indeed it was Manrique´s idea to create a coastal sister to the island former capital of Teguise.  Which is located around 5km away.  Whilst also developing a more upmarket alternative to the main resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Which specialised in offering good value budget breaks at this time.

Manrique´s resort was to include sweeping avenues and an airy open feel.  All located around the excellent beaches which line the coastline of the resort.  The largest of which is Playa Cucharas.  Along with the well appointed beach at Playa Flamingo and the smaller stretch of sand at Playa Jablillo.  Which is ideal for diving and snorkelling as it is enclosed by a barrier of huge volcanic rocks.

During the 1980´s Costa Teguise boomed – successfully attracting well heeled visitors from across Scandinavia and Northern Europe.  However this was not to last.  As Costa Teguise lost its sheen during the 1990´s thanks to the creation of a new resort in the south of the island – Playa Blanca.  Which boasted a better microclimate – making it a more obvious choice for anyone planning their holidays in Lanzarote during the winter months.

Either way Costa Teguise till remains an attractive option for visitors today.  As the resort boasts one of the few five star hotels in Lanzarote in the form of the impressive Gran Melia Salinas hotel.  Whilst there’s also a fine of selection holiday villas in Costa Teguise for visitors to choose from.

Kenya is where safaris originated, when “the white man” thronged this area to see the myriad animals which seem to roam this country in large numbers.

Safaris are now better organised, provide much better facilities, and still manage to give the viewer a thrill when they have their first look at a giraffe or a zebra in the wild. They have among the best game reserves in the world, specially the Masai Mara and Amboseli.

When to go there:
The really spectacular annual wildebeest migration takes place in August and September. If you can manage to get any bookings, go during these months. They move from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti in Tanzania, and it is one of the most amazing sights in the world. The other good months are the dry months of May till September and January and February.

How to go there:
Take the help of a tour operator to organise your tour. Since a lot of travelling is involved, let them make the arrangements. They organise everything including the safaris, the lodges, the flights from one game reserve to another.

Where to stay there:
All the game reserves have a variety of resorts and places to stay in. There are five star hotels, villas to stay in and campsites to pitch your tent in. You can also opt for homestay places which are now becoming very popular.

What to watch out for:
Mosquitoes – like other flora and fauna, they thrive here. Just carry an insect repellent with you and wherever possible wear long sleeves. Watch out for muggers in cities like Mombasa and Nairobi, try not to carry too much money on yourself when you move out.

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and its most popular tourist destination. Situated on the Mediterranean coastline, it has some stupendous beaches and some funky architecture. It is full of markets and museums and theatres and open air concerts. Here are our suggestions on the dos and don’ts in Barcelona.

La Rambla:

Walk down this avenue and watch the shops and great eating places. But also watch out for your handbags and wallets, since Barcelona is known as the “pickpockets capital of Spain”. Avoid being accosted by touts or guys offering cheap bargains.

Gaudi Buildings:

Take a bus tour and visit the Gaudi buildings. The paradoxical buildings defy all norms of conventional architecture. They are funky, colourful and very individualistic. While you are roaming around also go to see the still unfinished Sagrada Familia.

Montjuic Fountain:

Built in 1929, this musical fountain has special shows in the late evening from 9 pm onwards. Walk up the avenue and sit back and relax. The music and the lighting effects will leave you spellbound. The majestic Montjuic castle provides a panoramic view of the city.

Barcelona Boardfront:

Walk along the beaches on Sunday night specially, to enjoy some live music and drinks. Enjoy Sangria and some tapas, or just visit one of the many restaurants serving Catalan food. This area of town is great to visit if you are on a stag or hen party. Barcelona stag weekends are truly memorable holdays !

Watch out for:

No change trick, do not fall for it, demand your change from them. Firecrackers near you , they will startle you and in the meantime your pocket will get picked. Touts and prostitutes, avoid them, they will rob you very happily and easily.