Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category

The end of the summer season is often a time when people begin to think about their next holiday abroad. As the prospect of facing the coming winter months can be onerous.

But there is an alternative to waiting until next year for those who need a little pick me up. The Canary Islands make an excellent destination for sun seekers throughout the autumn and winter, due to their year round warm climate. Even in the middle of December, the islands bask in sunshine with temperatures reaching at least 20ºC on average. Lanzarote, as the eastern most and driest of the seven islands, has its fair share of clear blue skies and sun.

The size of the island makes it easy to negotiate, which adds to the popularity of Lanzarote car hire for many visitors. And with lower rental costs and petrol costs as well, driving around the island is probably the best way to see it. Nor is there a shortage of sights worth visiting. The number one attraction is the volcano park at Timanfaya, but only slightly less popular are several other places designed by a locally born artist that are well worth a visit.

Such as the Jameos del Agua and the Cactus Garden, both creations of César Manrique. So influential was this native artist that the whole way in which tourism has been developed was shaped by his vision for Lanzarote. As a result, there are no advertising billboards nor tall buildings on the island. Uniformity has been created by using whitewashed walls and volcanic stone, even in the construction of most Lanzarote hotels.

These constraints have left the island in a pristine state, with very little to spoil the views from any of the main resorts or out in the countryside. And the natural landscapes that make the island so unique are unblemished and unchanged from how they looked a hundred years ago. One of the few areas where there has been rapid change recently, is in the newest resort of Playa Blanca. And even here, where many of the best Playa Blanca villas can be found as holiday accommodation construction still follows the same principles of low rise buildings and whitewashed walls. Add to this the many gorgeous beaches that Lanzarote has dotted around its coastline and it is easy to understand why the island continues to attract many thousands of visitors each year.

Young and adventurous people from all around the world enjoy traveling to Eastern Europe. The best way to explore this amazing region is on a backpacking trip. Not only does it allow you to experience all the beautiful places here, it’s affordable as well.

With its largely unspoiled countryside and many historical cities and towns, Eastern Europe is a welcoming region for adventure travelers. From Slovenia to Latvia, Poland to Hungary and the small but exciting Montenegro, there is much to experience. Backpacking Eastern Europe is a cheap Europe vacation that you will remember for a lifetime.

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