Lanzagrotty? Hardly – as Lanzarote has long since shrugged off the tag first created by Monty Python’s Michael Palin back in the 1970´s. Emerging as a cosmopolitan and relatively unspoiled holiday choice.

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands – a chain located off the coast of West Africa which includes better known destinations such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria. All of which enjoy fabulous weather all year round that is often likened to an eternal spring. As the temperatures here never get as scorchingly hot as the Spanish mainland.

The islands are a four hour flight from key markets such as the UK and Germany with flights to Lanzarote starting from around €100 return. With tickets available from carriers such as easyJet and Monarch. All flights touch down at Arrecife airport – which is close to the island’s capital city of the same name.

There’s plenty of places to stay on the island. Holiday villas in Lanzarote are popular with those seeking good value self catering accommodation. As private rental properties are much cheaper here than on other comparable Spanish islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca. Whilst around half of all visitors book accommodation in one of over 200 Lanzarote hotels.

Lanzarote is an ideal holiday choice for anyone who likes to get out and explore. As, for a small island, there is loads to do. With tons of beaches and pretty little villages to explore, as well as the creations of a local artist called Cesar Manrique. Who also worked to ensure that the island didn’t become over developed during the package holiday boom of the 1970’s.

Manrique was born in the island capital of Arrecife in 1919 and developed a deep love for the islands volcanic beauty at a very young age. Before going on to head up the Spanish surrealist movement.

Manrique was studying and exhibiting in New York when he decided to return to his birthplace for good. As he was concerned that the island could go the way of the Spanish costas – where high rise hotels and apartment blocks were being thrown up with indecent haste.

Thanks to Manrique there are no high rise hotels or ad billboards on Lanzarote. Whilst his work helped the island to secure UNESCO protected biosphere status in 1994 – just two years after his untimely death in a car crash.