The recent Icelandic ash cloud hasn’t deterred many travellers from jetting off to other volcanic locations this year. With islands such as Lanzarote in the Canaries still proving very popular. Despite the fact that it was hit by massive eruptions in the 1730’s which transformed much of the interior from fertile farmland into a volcanic wasteland.

Films and TV series shot on location on Lanzarote and around the other Canary Islands include:

• Enemy Mine
• Clash of the Titans 3
• Journey to the centre of the earth
• Los abrazos rotos

Today though these volcanoes are all now dormant – and whilst the Timanfaya National Park is the islands number one tourist attraction there is still much more to Lanzarote than lava fields alone. As this unique island also has close to a hundred great beaches sprinkled along its coastline, as well as loads of interesting places to explore.

Lanzarote Villas, There are plenty of decent accommodation options too. Whilst many tourists from Spain and Germany tend to prefer to book hotels guests from the UK and Ireland usually plump for self catering properties such as Lanzarote villas and apartments. With lots of these scattered around the islands main resorts and across the countryside too.

There are three main resorts on the island and during the winter months villas in Playa Blanca are very popular. As these are located at the foot of the island so ensuring better weather at that time of the year. Tourists seeking more in the way of nightlife though tend to book villas in Puerto del Carmen instead, as there are more bars and restaurants there.

The third largest resort of Costa Teguise is located to the north of Arrecife airport on the south east coastline. It was created around 35 years ago with the help of César Manrique, a popular local artist who had a hand in the creation of many of Lanzarote´s best known attractions too. He developed plans for an upmarket resort which is still anchored today by the five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel. Which is still one of the best hotels in Lanzarote and where guests can view some of his original canvasses adorning the walls of the public spaces.

Visitors looking to explore the island in greater detail will appreciate the work of Manrique Cesar who sought to create a collection of unique tourist attractions that would provide a worthy alternative to the many golf courses and water theme parks that are so prevalent elsewhere in Spain.For example sites such as the Jameos del Agua, which embodied his desire to fuse art with nature.

Get the low down on Lanzarote