Somehow the Canaries have escaped the curse of cool that afflicts certain other Spanish islands. You can take a sunny break here and have just that: there is no pressure to book some shriekingly authentic finca or to go out clubbing until six in the morning. But that is not to say they are lacking in culture — quite the opposite. On Lanzarote, the location for this week’s bargain, you can indulge in some excellent local wine — malvasia grapes thrive in the volcanic soil, producing dry and crisp whites and sweeter dessert wines — as well as traditional local dishes. “Papas arrugadas con mojo” does sound better in Spanish than English — wrinkly potatoes with spicy sauce — but they are no less tasty for it.
You could try your own take on the dish with a self-catering break at our £800 deal, the Nazaret Beach Apartments in Lanzarote’s capital city, Arrecife, which come with a kitchenette as well as two bedrooms. As that will help keep costs down, you could put the saving towards a couple of days’ car hire and explore your surroundings. It will be hard to tear yourself away from the shared pool — November temperatures sit comfortably in the high twenties — but Lanzarote is a wonderful island to visit for three main reasons.
First there is the bizarre volcanic landscape of Timanfaya National Park, a scorched earth of black and grey that contrasts so sharply with the second highlight, the lush green north around the town of Haria known as the Valley of a Thousand Palm Trees. They’re not exaggerating. There is also something of a desert in the middle of the island. For somewhere only half the size of Surrey, the variety is astonishing but it must have inspired the third reason to visit: the artist César Manrique.
The Nazaret Beach Apartments has a shared pool
Something of a tour de force, Manrique studied fine arts in America, having abandoned an earlier architecture degree. Returning home in the mid-1960s he was determined to establish a community that would not only promote Lanzarote’s natural beauty but also preserve it from overdevelopment. And, away from the obvious coastal culprits, he fairly succeeded: his environmental campaigning resulted in Lanzarote being designated a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1993.
There are many sites across the Canaries that bear his mark, among them Palm Grove House in Haria, his home and studio until his death in 1992. Everything here is much as he left it, right down to the clothes in his wardrobe and the paints in his studio. There is something oddly illuminating in seeing an artist’s things. It is well worth the £15 entry fee, which also gets you into the Volcano House in Tahiche. This curious spot, hewn from volcanic rock, was Manrique’s home during the 1980s and, judging by the louche decor, must have seen some wild parties back in the day (fcmanrique.org).
You can of course go a little wild in Lanzarote yourself. There are some upmarket bars and restaurants by the marina in Arrecife — Karma has superclub vibes (karmalanzarote.com) — and, further down the coast, Puerto del Carmen is more mainstream. To keep it classy, the wine region in Timanfaya National Park has some lovely bodegas, such as Bodega La Geria. Either drive to La Geria yourself or book an organised tour (from £69pp; winetourslanzarote.com). It may not be Ibiza but — whisper it — it may be nicer.
• Discover our full guide to Lanzarote
What you get for your £807pp
• Return Tui Gatwick flights with seats allocated at check-in
• 20kg hold luggage and 10kg hand luggage per person
• Seven nights’ self-catering at the four-star Nazaret Beach Apartments, departing October 29 (tui.co.uk)
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Feeling flush? If you’re inspired by Lanzarote but you’ve got more cash to splash, you could try:
The £1,200 holiday
Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort Hotel has 15 different restaurants
Sometimes less is a bore. If you prefer a more maximal approach, even the name of the Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort Hotel is a mouthful. But you’ll find everything you need at this five-star property: six pools to complement the sheltered beach, kids’ clubs, a spa and several live music bars. Among the 15 restaurants are a separate pizzeria and gelateria, a Japanese teppanyaki bar and a Mexican-style buffet. It may not be 100 per cent authentically Spanish but you can’t argue with the variety.
Details Seven nights’ B&B from £1,185pp, including flights, departing on November 8 (sovereign.com)
The £1,600 holiday
The private plunge pool at Villa Suntao
For a simple week of indulgence on your own terms, a villa does take some beating. Even better if it comes with car hire. See everything Lanzarote has to offer then come home to your air-conditioned, four-bedroom bolt hole a mile from the beach at Playa Blanca. Villa Suntao has a private plunge pool and a hot tub by the barbecue and terracotta-tiled outdoor dining area, plus a table tennis table for the kids and overcompetitive adults.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering from £1,588pp, including flights and car hire, departing on November 9 (jet2.com)
