What´s On In July

There´s a whole host of exciting events taking place on Lanzarote during July.  Providing visitors to Sands Beach with a wide range of things to do.

 

Just up the road from Costa Teguise lies Lanzarote´s historic former capital – Teguise.  Which is currently playing host to a riotous festival of street theatre.  Featuring Riki Lopez – the renowned Spanish comedian and songwriter. All of the action is taking place in the Plaza De La Mareta – from 17.30 onwards daily.

 

Arrieta – a delightful seaside village just fifteen minutes along the coast from Costa Teguise – is playing host to this years Surfing Rock Festival, on July 19^th.  Which features an eclectic mix of board based action and live music from the likes of local favourites such as La Gallina Verde (or Green Chicken to you and me).

 

Whilst just fifteen minutes away in the opposite direction is the islands main resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Where this years Break Park Festival is being staged this weekend on the large beach at Los Pocillos, just outside the resort.

 

Break Park features loads of beach based sporting activity such as volleyball and football during the day.  Whilst come nightfall the focus switches over to live music – with a line up this year that includes Madrid based electronica favourites Wagon Cookin´ and Basque indie rockers Delorean.

 

Back in Costa Teguise itself – shopaholics can head for the resorts twice weekly market, which is held in the Pueblo Marinero every Thursday from 10.00 to 15.00 and every Friday evening from 18.00 to 24.00.  

 

Thursday’s market focuses on local artisan products, such as island wines and cheeses.  Whilst Friday nights market is bigger and brasher – with more souvenir style wares on sale.  The Pueblo Marinero is just five to ten minutes walk from Sands Beach.

 

It´s also worth noting that the summer sales are underway on the island at the moment  – so head into Arrecife for a spot of serious shopping.  The main shopping street in the island capital is Calle Leon Y Castillo and Arrecife is just ten minutes away by bus or taxi.

 

Culturally, there´s also plenty going on in and around Costa Teguise this month. With the new Jan Hendricks exhibition Badlands taking place at the Cesar Manrique Foundation in Tahcihe – running through until September 21^st.  And a festival of Opera shceduled for mid-July in the El Charco area of Arrecife.

 

To find out more about events and what´s on in Lanzarote visit the Lanzarote Guidebook website.

 

 

 

Windsurf World Cup calls Sands Beach Hotel, home

The beachfront waters surrounding Lanzarote are not only a magnet for a family holiday, they are also perfect for water sports. Windsurfing is popular in all the Canary Islands, but when the PWA, Professional Windsurf Association, had to choose a venue for the 2008 World Cup, they chose Costa Teguise. The waters are perfect and they knew they could rely on Sands Beach Resort hotel to offer top accomodation to competitors.

With its relaxed, convenient setting and great service, Sands Beach Resort hotel was also the natural choice for the press conference to officially launch the event that runs from June 21 to 28. The action takes place on Las Cucharas beach, but the whole of Costa Teguise will be buzzing with excitement as support teams and the World press immerse themselves in the welcoming community that many holiday makers like to experience year after year.

There was a fair sprinkling of dignitaries at the press launch, from left to right in the picture below, Juan Carlos Albuixech (new General Manager of Sands Beach), Victor Barreto (Teguise councillor for sport), Jose Dimas Martin (Mayor of Teguise), Yolando Perdomo ( Director of Promotur), Daida Ruano (World Champion), and Lorenzo Suarez (Event manager of The Santa Surf). Daida Ruano is a familiar sporting face in the Canary Islands as with her twin sister Iballa, the Gran Canarian ladies have dominated the sport, winning 17 World titles between them.

If all this World class action inspires you, Sands Beach Resort hotel is the perfect place to be, as they offer lessons in the safety of their unique beachfront sea water lagoon. The Oceanside Windsurf School has experienced instructors who speak several languages and can provide equipment. Monday and Tuesday are the lesson days, and you can chose from a single lesson of 90 minutes for 25 euros, or have a double lesson for 45 euros. Once you get to a good level of confidence and ability, it is possible to go outside beyond the headlands and experience the thrills of the open seas. You have to start somewhere, and World Champions will tell you that Costa Teguise is one of the best of all places to start.

World of tennis comes to Lanzarote

There’s a chance to see some top tennis action in Puerto del Carmen this weekend, when the 7th annual Fariones Group Trophy takes place at the tennis centre. It’s a pretty cosmopolitan affair with players from 20 countries taking part, all chasing 50,000 dollars of prize money.

Last years winner, Jo Willfred Tsonga, from France, will be back to defend his title and the action should be edge of the seat stuff. The tournament runs from Saturday April 26 to the following Saturday May 3.

All players have to start with games against their friends at a young age, and when you are on holiday on a sun drenched island, it’s the perfect setting. Sands Beach Resort hotel in Costa Teguise, likes to encourage sporting excercise, and has a tennis court for guests to get their lobs and swings to perfection. Of that all gets a bit hot, there is always the choice of 6 pools or the beachfront lagoon to cool down in. Tennis is a great game for all the family to share, and after all, families are what Sands Beach Resort is all about.

Holiday diving for all the family in Lanzarote

When you take your family holiday at Sands Beach Resort hotel, we like you to see everything that Lanzarote has to offer, on land and even underneath it in the volcanic caves, and also on and under the sea.

When it comes to snorkelling and scuba diving, Lanzarote is hard to beat, and we can put you in the hands of real experts, Calipso Diving, who are based in Costa Teguise. If you are new to diving, come along to the Mai Tai pool any Saturday at 3.30 pm for a free scuba try out. Calipso have fully qualified instructors, can kit you out in all the latest and safest equipment, and know all the best dive sites around the island. If photography is your hobby, they can even help you to capture some of the underwater memories on camera.

Instructors speak several languages and Calipso is a BSAC centre of excellence and a PADI resort centre. Whatever your experience level, they can help you from novice to instructor course level. Bookings can be made through Sands Beach Resort reception, for a half days snorkelling or scuba diving. Of course what you really want to know is what can you expect to see in the Atlantic as it laps at the shores of Lanzarote. There are 500 species of fish, including Angel Shark, Barracuda, and Giant Tuna, and all in visibility that ranges from 30 metres in summer to 50 metres in winter. The lava formations and caves that dominate the surface of Lanzarote, are even more stunning under the sea, and there is even an underwater conservation park, complete with 7 wrecks to explore.

Diving has never been so much fun, and it will give you a unique insight into the wildlife of this special island.

Family thrills in the Lanzarote Grand Prix

Do you fancy yourself as a budding Alonso or Hamilton? If you feel the need for speed, Lanzarote has just the thing for you, one of the biggest karting race tracks in Europe. Just inland from Puerto del Carmen is Gran Karting Club a 2,346 metre race circuit that caters for all skill levels and all ages.

All revved up and ready to go

The track has all the safety facillities you will need and authentic pit areas and electronic readout boards so you can check your race laps and speed. Off the track, they have food and drink areas so even if you are not racing, you can relax and watch the show.

The on track action is what makes this really special, and the 10 metre wide track is perfect for safe overtaking and real racing. There are different categories for different ages, with power and speed restricted accordingly. Infant karts are for between 5 and 10 years old, junior are for 10-16 and above that are seniors with engines that can reach 80 km per hour.

All thrills and no spills

Full safety gear is worn at all times and experts will make sure that drivers have all the thrills without the spills. For groups of six people or more, free transport will come and pick you up from Sands Beach Resort hotel, but otherwise, pick up a leaflet from reception and it will give you directions to the track. 

A wild time for families in Lanzarote

Adventure and animals, a perfect combination to thrill the family, and on a Lanzarote holiday, Rancho Texas Park, can offer both of those and much more. Just a few yards down the road from Sands Beach Resort hotel, a free bus will pick you up to take you the short distance to Puerto del Carmen and the biggest theme park on the island.

Based on the wild west, the park has an Indian village and a goldmine, a lagoon, a cave and a farm. Add to that regular shows featuring birds of prey, parrots and sealions, and you can see that there is plenty to please the whole family. Water rides will offer another alternative and there’s a strong element of art and history to learn from while having fun.

At night the park stages wild west thenme nights, complete with cowboy action and barbecue food and drink. In the day the sunshine of Lanzarote helps to show off the animals and shows in their full glory at this busy park. Open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm, it’s very much a family favourite. 

El Golfo, a beachfront vision in Lanzarote

If it’s contrast you want, then Lanzarote can provide a spectacular choice. Across the island from Sands Beach Resort hotel, on the south west coast is El Golfo, where a volcanic crater meets the open sea.

The side of the crater exposed to the sea has been eroded into bizarre shapes and stacks and forms a natural amphitheatre as a backdrop to the ocean. The colours are amazing, the reds and browns of the rocks, the black sand of the beach and the deep blue of the rolling sea. Inside the crater is a small lake, La Laguna de Ciclos which is a distinctive bright green due to the algae in the water.

All this is close to a small fishing village with great fish restaurants and small souvenir shops. There are a couple of car parking areas so you can go off and explore on foot and most half or full day tours include El Golfo on their itinery. It’s a world away from the luxury of Sands Beach Resort hotel, but one you will be glad you stepped into.

Family holiday wonders - below Lanzarote

Sitting around one of the many swimming pools at Sands Beach Resort hotel, enjoying modern holiday luxury, it’s difficult to imagine the honeycomb of lava tunnels under Lanzarote. The best way to find out more is to visit the biggest of them all, the 7 km tunnel from Volcan de la Corona, and give your senses a treat at La Cueva de los Verdes, the Green Caves.

The caves are in the northern tip of Lanzarote and were once a hiding place from invading pirates and slave traders. These days they welcome visitors to see the amazing shapes and patterns carved by the flow of the hot lava some 4,500 years ago. As if natures wonders were not spectacular enough, artist Jesus Soto added his own touch with eerie lighting. That first touch of art has been built on by the Lanzarote government and now music is also added to give a complete sensory display.

The lava formations are equally fascinating to geologists, artists and tourists and arouse different responses from each visitor. Your camera and mind will be working overtime appreciating this insight into Lanzarote’s unique past.  

Rugby bonds expats in Lanzarote

The lure of Lanzarote’s warm climate attracts people from across the World, and many holiday makers stay and settle, adding their contribution to the islands culture. Sport of all kind flourishes here and Lanzarote rugby club is a great example of this.

In 2005 a keen group of British, Argentinian and Spanish players formed the club and it has gone from strength to strength, with a large youth section giving it a real family appeal. Home for the red and blacks is Argana Alta, inland from the capital Arrecife and away from the beachfront that attracts the majority of visitors. 

Under Irish coach, Leroy Heatley, they have become an important part of the sporting scene and play in a league with sides from the other Canary Islands from December to April. If you fancy taking in a game, try their website or ask at Sands Beach Resort hotel reception.

Serve up a tennis ace at Sands Beach Resort

How about a spot of friendly family rivalry on the tennis court? With such wonderful holiday weather in Lanzarote, a challenging game of tennis in the sunshine, could be just the thing you need and Sands Beach Resort hotel has a court waiting for you behind the Hacienda restaurant.

Don’t worry if you haven’t brought your racket with you, they can be hired along with balls for a refundable 30 euros deposit from reception. The court will cost you just 5.50 euros per hour, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm.

Tennis is just one of a range of sporting facillities for those who want to balance their relaxation and good eating with some regular excercise. The tennis court is open daily from  9am to 8pm and it’s a great way to keep yourself in shape whilst having fun. Once you have got all hot and hungry, that can be offset with a dip in one of the pools and a snack or meal at the Mai Tai pool bar and restaurant. Over to you - the balls in your court.

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