Surf’s Always Up On Lanzarote

The Beach Boys sang about waxing down their surfboards and waiting for June, well there’s no need to wait for June on Lanzarote as the surfing season continues all year round. Even though the main surf beaches may be relatively free of crowds at the moment, there are still a few committed surfers who go out every day. However, plenty of surf fans will be planning their surf holidays for next summer and booking their flights to this popular island in the Atlantic.

Several of the surf schools on the island have been in business for over 10 years now and have well established bases, coaching surfers from all over Europe throughout the year. Famara is the best known spot on Lanzarote for surfing, for various reasons. It’s location is key, being in the perfect spot to receive those ideal Atlantic swells that roll in continuously, sometimes quite aggressively, sometimes more gently for beginners. Famara also has great sand, to keep the spectators happy and, being quite remote from the typical tourist beaches, there’s no problem with sun seekers getting in the way. An added benefit is the area’s beauty, with no lack of wonderful scenery to provide a perfect backdrop to a day’s surfing the waves.

Only rarely will surfers experience the huge waves that non-surfers conjure up in their minds when they think about the typical Hawaiian surfers shown in advertisements and film scenes, but for most of the surfers that visit Lanzarote, such big rollers would only mean most people having to sit out the day on the beach, watching just a handful of professional?level superstars getting their kicks. No, for majority of people the temperate waves of Lanzarote’s surf beaches are plenty big enough. In addition to the favoured beach at Famara, the tiny island of La Graciosa, which lies off the north west coast of Lanzarote, provides an alternative surf spot just south of the beach at Playa de las Conchas. South of Famara is another area around the La Santa Sports Club, with a choice of 4 locations, but only recommended for more experienced surfers due to the speed of the waves and the rocky sea bed.

Some final choices on the southern end of Lanzarote’s western coast are El Golfo and Janubio beach, both suitable for surfers of intermediate ability. Lanzarote has also gained a great reputation as one of the best competition locations in Europe and regularly hosts the European legs of the world’s top international surfing competitions. In early November 2009 the Santa Pro surf competition was held at Famara beach, although organisers were forced to shift beaches south to la Santa for a couple of days due to the conditions. Almost one hundred competitors competed for the prizes and huge twelve foot waves provided exciting conditions. Australian professional Drew Courtney defeated Brazilian Bernardo Miranda in the final.

Earlier in the year, during July, Spain held its national kitesurfing championships in Lanzarote at Playa de Famara, when 84 competitors visited the island to compete for the national titles. Top level windsurfing also came to Lanzarote during July when the PWA championship event was held at the Playa Las Cucharas in Costa Teguise. In 2010, there will be more professional surfing in the Canary Islands when the ASP Junior Surf Tour comes to Realejos in Tenerife during September.

For those new to surfing, who are not sure where to start, then the easier version of wave boarding or “boogie” boarding is the perfect option, even for young children and Lanzarote’s beaches are the perfect place to. With some cheap equipment and a little instruction, complete beginners can be out in the waves having fun within a few minutes. You just need a board and some optional flippers and you’ll be away. Unlike the UK, you won’t even need a wetsuit during the summer months. Its probably best to start with a session or two at one of the many surf schools, if only to learn about beach etiquette (how to avoid upsetting everyone else out there) and to understand the safety aspects of rip tides and danger areas. Apart from than that it’s a great surf sport for young and old.

Consider taking a cheap flight to Lanzarote and catching some waves while the rest of Europe battles the winter chills. This report highlights why many people now consider Lanazarote one of the best surf locations in Europe.

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Honeymoon On A Budget

Weddings can be expensive, and a honeymoon on a budget is often a necessity. A bridal couple could feel sorry for themselves, or they could accept the challenge of finding a great getaway for a reasonable price. There are endless possibilities for a honeymoon on a budget with a little imagination. First of all, a honeymoon on a budget could be a package deal for two. Many of the cruise ship lines have some great package deals to fantastic places. These trips could be for a couple of days or a couple of weeks depending on the budget. The cruise ships have trips down the coast of Mexico for those closer to the West Coast, and some great trips to the Caribbean for those closer to the East Coast.

There are also some interesting possibilities for those who have a home or apartment ready to occupy. There are some great home exchange programs. These programs help people make arrangements to exchange accommodations. Since the accommodations are often the most substantial expense of any trip, a home exchange can provide a fantastic honeymoon on a budget. There are people looking to exchange homes in Europe for similar accommodations in the United States. A honeymoon couple could trade their home for one in London, Paris or Berlin.

Couples who love the great outdoors could have a honeymoon on a budget by planning a camping trip. Life out in the wilderness could be the most romantic trip possible. Many of the national parks have great camping facilities that would provide magnificent settings for those ready to get away from the pressures of every day life. The parks also have some accommodations that offer shelter for those who like nature but not camping. Europe also has some great camping facilities so a couple could get to Europe and still have a honeymoon on a budget.

A honeymoon on a budget might mean just staying closer to home. Disneyland and Disney World are favorite spots and couples should go to the amusement park closest to their home to save some money. There are beautiful beaches on both coasts and a trip to the closest coast could bring some great savings. Driving to a destination saves the money of airfare, and a well-planned road trip could be a great time. There are wonderful sights such as the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls that are beautiful and inspiring. A road trip that includes such a destination could be the perfect honeymoon on a budget.

Honeymoon Cabins

A great way for a couple to have some time alone and celebrate their marriage is to rent a honeymoon cabin. Cabins are nice for a honeymoon because they usually offer seclusion in a scenic area where the couple can relax and enjoy each other after the hectic pre-ceremony days. Cabins are also nice because they have all the amenities including kitchens so the couple can hideaway from the world for the full length of the honeymoon stay. For the couple who likes privacy and isolation a honeymoon cabin will be a great choice. There are many honeymoon cabins available for rent and the internet provides a good place to find the best cabin in a choice location.

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful and scenic. Planning a honeymoon to these mountains will be very memorable for the couple. These cabins come in a variety of sizes and offer different options with each cabin. Some of the cabins have heart shaped hot tubs and beds to increase the romance. These cabins are located near ski areas and such vacation attractions as Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. For a honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains this site may provide a good option for a cabin rental.

People who want to honeymoon in the mountains of the west coast will enjoy a visit to the resort location in Big Bear, California. There are a large number of cabins available in this area. Many of the cabins are privately owned but are available for rent. Some cabins on this site are in the woods and very secluded while others are located nearer to the town and Big Bear Lake. The cabins can be somewhat rustic or come with full amenities. The couple looking for a honeymoon cabin in the Big Bear area will be able to find what to fit their needs and desires. The Yellowstone area of Montana and Wyoming is a spectacular place for anyone to visit and sure to be a great honeymoon location. The Yellowstone National Park has several lodging facilities that are very nice but, for a more private location, a couple will want to look outside the park. Cabins can come with mountain bikes for the summer or snow mobiles for the winter. The honeymoon couple can stay in a secluded area and still have plenty to do.