Lanzarote beefs up for Ironman 2009

It’s one of the biggest sporting events of the year in Lanzarote, Ironman is a feast of sporting excellence surrounded by a week of parties and promotions building up to the big day, Saturday 23 May. Some 1,300 athletes will swim 3.8 kms, cycle 180 kms, and then dig deep to run 42.2 kms.

The day starts at 7am with the swimming off the beach of Puerto del Carmen, the bike ride takes the contestants from the flat coastal roads up through the mountains and back, and the running is made up of 4 laps of a 10 km circuit around Puerto del Carmen. Ironman is a major series of World events for the professionals, and those elite sportsmen and women in the Lanzarote challenge will share out 50,000 dollars in prize money.

Many are competing against themselves, trying to stretch their own performances and show the physical and mental strength needed to finish this gruelling course. If all that leaves you feeling exhausted, don’t worry, there is plenty going on away from the sweat and sinew of the race, Lanzarote has embraced Ironman and the whole island gets involved with the big build up during the week.

Costa Teguise is just over 30 minutes away, and a perfect base to dip into the best of the fun and action. Sands Beach Resort Hotel attracts many keen sports people, over to sample the delights of Lanzarote as well as the families that come back year after year because of it’s beachfront location.

Lanzarote wines are winners

Not only is the Lanzarote landscape perfect for a sunny family holiday, it also makes for great wine making. That has been recognised again in the 2009 Agrocanarias Wine Awards. Top prize went to Moscatel Dulce de Licor from the Stratvs bodega in La Geria, a short excursion inland from Costa Teguise, and the Sands Beach Resort Hotel.

The awards were made in Santa Cruz, Tenerife by the Canary Islands government councillor for agriculture and fish, Pilar Merino and the winning choice beat off 103 other wines. There was also a special award for the best image, that went to Mozaga 75, from the Montaña Clara bodega, also in Lanzarote.

The Stratvs bodega is a dream come to fruition for owner Juan Francisco Rosa, and technical director, Alberto Gonzalez Plascencia. The 19 million euro, state of the art centre, took 12 years to develop, but boasts the most modern equipment, combined with traditional wine making skills and the flavours of Lanzarote’s volcanic soil.

Sands Beach Resort Hotel is proud to serve local wines among its selection at La Hacienda restaurant, Mai Tai pool bar, and the Soleil Bar. If you want to add to your drinking pleasure, ask at reception about excursions into the wine producing regions, where you can see the production process, and best of all, sample the wine.

A Lanzarote holiday? Yes minister.

In these volatile days, it’s a hard job being national defence minister, Carme Chacon, holds the post in the Spanish government, but when she wants to relax and get away with her family, she looks to the idyllic island of Lanzarote.

Last year it was an August week of her summer break, but this year she chose Semana Santa (Easter week) to visit Playa Blanca on the southern tip, with her husband, Miguel Barroso and son Miguel. It was just like a normal family break, they flew into Arrecife airport from Madrid on a scheduled flight, the only noticeable difference being a small team of security officers.

Lanzarote is all things to all people, there are enough attractions to suit all tastes from the wild adventure lovers to the quiet beach and pool brigade. Sands Beach Resort Hotel in Costa Teguise offers a V.I.P welcome to everyone, families love the beachfront setting and the 6 palm lined plazas with their swimming pools.

Lanzarote smile leads the way

The Canarian people are open and welcoming, but next time you visit Lanzarote, you might notice an even bigger greeting awaiting you. Spanish tourism chiefs are using the island to try new ways to make visitors feel at home.

Special courses have been arranged for business people in the tourist sector, taxi drivers, shop keepers etc and they will be taught a few useful English phrases to greet their customers. These representatives will also be given a quick update on local places of interest so they have plenty of tourist information at their fingertips.

The Lanzarote chamber of commerce has welcomed the initiative, a spokesman said ” a smile costs nothing, and is the most effective welcome”. Visitors to Sands Beach Resort Hotel in Costa Teguise, are used to a warm welcome. All staff at the hotel are noted for their sunny disposition, and the reception staff speak a wide range of languages, and know all the best places to recommend. Maybe that’s why people keep coming back, year after year.