NATURA DESIGN S.L.

Archive for the ‘Lanzarote News’ Category

Despite the credit crunch and the ongoing weakness of sterling against the Euro the small Canary Island of Lanzarote still expects to welcome over 1.3 million foreign tourists by the end of this year.

Lanzarote is one of Europe’s only genuine winter sun destinations – at just four hours flying time from the UK – and hundreds of thousands of sun starved tourists are also expected to enjoy a holiday on the island over the coming months.

Now all visitors to the island – or anyone with an interest in Lanzarote – can get their hands on a comprehensive, 96 page Guidebook – totally free of charge.

Lanzarote Guidebook is packed with useful information and some great photos of the island.  The new Winter 09/10 edition can now be downloaded – fast and for free – from the Lanzarote Guidebook website – www.lanzaroteguidebook.com

Researched and written by long term island residents Lanzarote Guidebook contains all of the information that holidaymakers and independent travellers could need to know.  As well as lots of handy inside tips.  And as it is published quarterly the information is always accurate and up to date.  Unlike conventional guidebooks which can be obsolete by the time they hit the shelves.

The Winter 09/10 edition of Lanzarote Guidebook contains comprehensive information about all of the island’s resorts, towns and places.  Including maps, restaurant and accommodation recommendations and sightseeing tips.  As well as detailed information about where to find the best beaches on the island, an introduction to the works of the island born artist and architect César Manrique   and a guide to all of the islands many attractions.

In addition Lanzarote Guidebook contains a handy Essentials section.  Providing useful information about all of the holiday nitty gritty – such as such as bank opening times, hiring a car, driving on the island, duty free allowances, shop opening hours and a list of emergency contact numbers.

This indispensable guide is published in a handy and portable A6 format and is distributed free to tourists on the island via car hire companies, hotels and private villas.

Visitors to the Lanzarote Guidebook website will also find even more in-depth and detailed information about the island online.  Where they can catch up on all of the latest island news, check live weather reports and use in-depth climate information to work out when best to visit. The site even features a Tourist Advice Line, which allows visitors to ask specific questions direct – along with interactive island maps.

Lanzarote Guidebook also features a large selection of over 300 apartments and holiday villas.  Along with links to the leading low cost flight operators to the island.  Enabling visitors to construct their own holiday online.

More Information

Nick Ball

nick@lanzaroteguidebook.com

0034 660 121717

Good heating system in warm climate

Lanzarote is the fourth largest island in the Canaries, which is an archipelago situated just off the north west coast of Africa. In respect to its close proximity to the continent, Lanzarote experiences warm mild weather throughout the year. Indeed, during the summer months temperatures will often soar above 30 celsius, whilst in the winter months the average is approximately 20-25 celsius. Even winter nights do not typically fall below 10 celsius.

Nevertheless, perhaps a much hotter and more uncomfortable climate would be expected of a destination just 127 kilometres away from the Sahara desert! Lanzarote offers such a pleasant climate predominantly because of the winds and ocean current affecting the area. The north easterly trade winds are typically quite cool, which helps to lower the overall temperature especially in summer, whilst the Canary Current brings in colder waters that serve to temper the heat that would normally be experienced at Lanzarote`s latitude.

Furthermore, Lanzarote does not experience heavy rainfall. In fact, due to its relatively flat landscape, Lanzarote receives only limited rain, most of which occurs in the winter months. As such, it can be said that, although Lanzarote is situated close to extremely hot desert conditions, its climatic conditions make for pleasantly mild to warm weather throughout the year. But what about heating?

Just because Lanzarote is warm does not mean that those residing on the island can forego all forms of heating. Indeed, after a hot summer it is normal to feel a little chilly once the cooler winter air arrives. Nevertheless, temperatures are not often low enough to justify traditional large scale, expensive and environmentally damaging heating appliances. This is why one of the most suitable types of product available on the market for a climate such as Lanzarote`s is that of underfloor heating.

When choosing floor heating for a warm weather climate, it is important to note that efficiency is crucially important – especially where fuel sources are expensive. This is where underfloor heating mats are the ideal solution, as their relatively low power consumption (160–200 Watts), floor temperature sensor and digital thermostat combine to provide just the right heat at affordable costs.

Additionally, floor heating can go over stone floors and act as an underlay for floating floors such as laminate. Underfloor heating mats are cheap, safe, easy to install and produce sufficient heating without excessive power consumption.

Natura Design S.L.  Design + Build   Home + Pool

Free Lanzarote Guidebook

Any visitors to Lanzarote can pick up a free copy by downloading the Winter edition of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in depth island information guide for Lanzarote.

Lanzarote Guidebook has bean packed with lots of useful information for tourists.  Featuring comprehensive guides to all of the islands main resorts. As well as information about of all of Lanzarote´s many attractions, excursions and sightseeing destinations.  Such as the Timanfaya National Park and the many creations of the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique.
Everyone can get their hands on one by downloading a copy for free from the Lanzarote Guidebook website. 

Puerto del Carmen – the hub of both the Lanzarote Property and tourist markets – is about to undergo a major face lift.  As island authorities press ahead with plans to “reinvent” tourism in the resort in a bid to maintain its competitiveness versus other, newer, holiday destinations.

 Package tourism on Lanzarote first took off in and around Puerto del Carmen – transforming what was formerly a small fishing village called La Tiñosa into the most popular resort on the island.

 But three decades of tourism have extracted a price in terms of eroding the resorts infrastructure.  Leaving Puerto del Carmen looking decidedly tired around the edges and out of date by comparison with newer, purpose built destinations in competitor markets such as Dubai.  A situation compounded by the poor provision for pedestrians on the main beachfront strip, the Avenuida de las Playas and the garish kaleidoscope of neon signage announcing bars, shops and restaurants.

 Mindful of the adverse impact that this could have on visitor numbers island authorities are now progressing a number of initiatives that together are designed to contemporise Puerto del Carmen and improve the overall tourist offering in the resort.

 Central to these plans is the creation of a new marina in the Old Town Harbour area.  Where work is already underway and is expected to be completed by May 2009.  With plans in place for the creation of jetties and berths for luxury yachts and cruisers.  A move designed to capitalise on the success of the nearby marina at Puerto Calero and which many local estate agents expect to impact positively on property values in the area over time – regardless of current market conditions.

 Elsewhere, other initiatives include the part pedestrianisation of the Avenida de las Playas to redress the current imbalance between cars and pedestrians. And the harmonisation of shop fronts and fascias along the strip in order to improve the aesthetic image of the resort.

 In tandem with the opening of the new golf course on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen it is hoped that this multi million euro project will secure the resorts ongoing viability as a popular holiday destination.  And help maintain its appeal with overseas buyers looking to invest in an apartment or holiday villa in Lanzarote.

Natura Design. Since the end of last year the Euro has reached some record highs
against the Pound Sterling and the US Dollar. Inevitably the Lanzarote property market has been affected. On
December 19 2007, the GBP was worth almost Euro 1.40. Three months
later, it has gone down to Euro 1.28. This is a real reduction of 9.4%,
which means simply that property in Lanzarote and other Uropean countries has
become 9.4% more expensive for the British buyer.
But now selling a property in Lanzarote and sending the money back to
the UK as sterling you would have
gained 9.4% in extra profit. The smart investors who bought in Lanzarote
have another reason to be happy with their investment. The
Euro could be overtaking the dollar as the world’s major currency and
become stronger in the future.
Lanzarote property prices have become stable and in some cases have decreased. As a
result, the Lanzarote Property Market is more realistic to the foreign
investor, leaving room for growth & capital appreciation in the
future. Lanzarote property continues to be a good investment and a real
possibility for people who long to relocate to the warmer climate and for a different lifestyle.

By Natura Design

Demand amongst overseas investors for residential and commercial property in Puerto del Carmen is currently driving the Lanzarote Property market. According to an analysis of 636 property for sale enquiries received by Lanzarote´s busiest property portal, Lanzarote Guidebook , during the first two months of 2008.

Property Hotspots

Where are the current property hotspots for overseas investors on Lanzarote?
According to this detailed analysis of British and Irish property investment requirements Lanzarote´s oldest resort – Puerto del Carmen – is currently top of the props. Accounting for 43% of all property enquiries received during January and February 2008. With Costa Teguise recording 30% and Playa Blanca trailing in third place with 19%. However, Playa Blanca remains the most popular spot on the island for anyone searching for a villa investment –generating five times more demand than closest resort rival Costa Teguise.

Costa Teguise just pips Puerto del Carmen for apartment enquiries. Whilst Puerto del Carmen leads the way for commercial property – accounting for 64% of all demand. So reflecting the resorts position as the epicentre for expat enterprise on the island.

Ideal Homes

What types of property in Lanzarote are currently in demand with overseas investors?

Apartments currently lead the field – attracting over three times as much interest as villas. Suggesting that recent changes in market conditions and consumer confidence are stifling demand for the more expensive properties currently on the market. Whilst investors instead turn to lower cost options.