LATEST NEWS AND STORIES FOR OCTOBER 2019 FROM LANZAROTE RETREATS

Well actually stories from the October mailer that goes out to our news subscribers! If you want to be the very first to receive our news, info and special offers then please scroll down to the footer and subscribe in the box. THANK YOU.

 

As November arrives, there is no escaping the fact that Christmas ? is around the corner. The shops are already full of advent calendars and Christmas goodies ?. We were in the UK briefly last week and even saw Christmas lights up!? Have you all thought about where you are spending Christmas yet? There are one or two options still available to come and stay with us for Christmas so more info on that below. You could escape the usual stress of organising Christmas at home and enjoy a relaxing holiday with us in the sun here ?☀️. Also, escape Brexit for a while – it just isn’t a topic of conversation here; more on why that is can be found in our stories below as well.

The featured image above is one of the islands many hidden natural rock pools. We know all the islands best-kept secrets, so get in touch if you want us to share them with you!

Please read on to see our latest, news, stories and offers; take a moment to see if anything inspires you. We are always happy to hear from you – so let’s discuss your perfect holiday. The team here can help you plan, look at flights with you, make you a special offer- The best offers are always available by speaking to us directly!!!  WE ARE READY ??

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

LANZAROTE IS WARM & SUNNY ALL YEAR. THERE IS NOWHERE LIKE IT FOR A SHORT HAUL GETAWAY. LET US HELP YOU MAKE THIS ONE AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY.

Eco Chico Yurt.
Ideal for a couple + child. sleeps 2 in a king-size double bed, plus 1 child in z-bed / cot. €150 per night.

 

Eco Yurt Royale.
Ideal for large family – imagine waking up together here on Christmas Day!!!

Spacious 10 meter Yurt, with 3 curtained sleeping areas, ideal for family/couple looking for extra luxury. Sleeps 6 guests + 2 extra children in 2 x super-king size double bed, 2 x single bed, plus z-bed / travel cot. €390 per night. Price includes the use of a Toyota hybrid car & VIP airport transfer on arrival and departure.

 

Eco Lodge.
Beautiful detached lodge, 45m2, ideal for a couple/family. 1 bedroom, sleeps 2 guests + extra children in 1 x king size double bed, sofa bed, plus travel cot. €270 per night. Price includes the use of a Toyota hybrid car & VIP airport transfer on arrival and departure.

 

If you and your family cannot join us over Christmas; think about 2020… what better gift is there for your loved ones than a holiday for 2020? Time together is the most precious gift of all. We can help you celebrate life with your family by creating special events in oceanside eco-luxury here with us. Whether it is for you and your partner, or a massive family reunion, we have the perfect location and a team here waiting to plan every detail with you.

Get in touch, even if you are not sure of dates that suit your party yet. We can create the gift with you and you can confirm the dates later.

More and more we are finding families treating their retired parents to a special break. After all, they gave us a nice home for years, so they earned a treat!

 

Tila Braddock, Lanzarote Retreats co-founder (centre) welcoming Sally and friends for a special treat arranged by their grown-up children!

 

BREXIT AND THE LANZAROTE EFFECT.

In our region of Lanzarote life is simple, Canarian people go about their day to day lives in a very traditional way. Lanzarote appeared 15 million years ago as a product of the Canary hotspot that resulted after the breakup of the African and the American continental plates. Settlers here since, have survived harsh conditions – from volcanic eruptions to pirate invasions. Often referred to as ‘the island of 1,000 volcanoes’, this amazing landscape around us today is partly the result of the massive Timanfaya eruptions between 1730 and 1736 – the longest lasting and most powerful periods of volcanic activity ever known. But don’t worry the last explosions, that lasted only two months, took place in 1824 and although you can still feel the heat under the surface on Timanfaya, all eruptions are historical, our volcanoes are dormant.

What has any of this got to do with Brexit you may ask. The point we are making is that Lanzarote, although in Europe, is removed from mainland Europe not just by our geography (being located just off the sub-Saharan coast), also by a mindset, dictated by our position on a small rock in the Atlantic where, compared to the rest of the world, time appears to stand still. In this regard, we tend to focus more on local life and go with nature’s flow. Yes, we run a commercial business that relies on Europe’s economic wellbeing affording families the opportunity to travel for holidays. We are not blind to the significance of events, such as Brexit. At the same time, we are confident in our ability to adapt to whatever comes along… the team here thrive on overcoming your problems, turbulent exchange rates and flight prices simply mean opportunities for us to be more creative in how we run our business to ensure you can always afford to join us. It is why we always say to you all, as our most loyal customer base, get in touch directly and we will help you come to this beautiful island with your family, you all deserve an escape!

If you are struggling to understand our mindset to anything the world throws at us. If you don’t know of ‘The Lanzarote Effect’ take a moment and view the video below… Welcome to our world; would you worry if you were with us here right now? If the answer to that question is ‘no’ then get in touch let us help you!!

 

LA GARITA BEACH, ARRIETA.

As many of you know… if you walk the short path From Finca de Arrieta you will arrive at La Garita Beach. This beach holds a special place in our hearts, not simply because it is on the ‘doorstep’ of our Eco Village and Eco Fishermans Cottage. More it is due to how truly unique it is. La Garita Beach is the local’s beach, and we think the locals have pretty much got it right when it comes to creating beach time for the family.

Like the rest of our region, you will not find any over-commercialisation to cater for mass tourism here, as you do in the tourist hubs to the south. Instead, you will find a clean, small naturally sandy beach with crystal clear water. You will also find a traditional tapas bar, oceanside seafood restaurant and lively mojito bar with music (also the islands best mojito’s!) and play areas for the kids.

Definitely the perfect beach day and if you want to be typical Canarian’s, avoid the midday sun, arrive late afternoon and party with the kids well into the evening.

Photo’s below are from last weekend, surfing over, so evening begins, come and join us!!!

 

SHOUT OUT TO OUR RECENT GUEST, WHO KINDLY SAID WE COULD SHOW YOU HER HOLIDAY PHOTOS OF FINCA DE ARRIETA (below).

 

LANZAROTE RETREATS RESPONSE TO THOMAS COOK

Last month, as most of you know, Thomas Cook ceased trading. We were saddened to hear this announcement in the early hours of Monday morning, September 23rd, along with the plans for the biggest ever peacetime repatriation, aimed at bringing home more than 150,000 passengers stranded around the world including some here in Lanzarote. Whilst we knew it would have no effect on our guest bookings directly, it was still a devastating blow to the tourism sector everywhere, so we felt it was vital that the entire sector rallies here to ensure the minimum damage to the reputation of Lanzarote as a favourite destination for family holidays. As a trailblazer in eco holidays our ethos has always been based around the welfare of our island, its inhabitants and especially the environment on which we all depend. If we cannot extend this to visiting guests then what would that say about us?!

So rather than taking a view that this is not our problem, we decided to open up any available accommodation to families who couldn’t return on their scheduled flights and charge them absolutely nothing to stay!  It would only be right to point out that contingency plans from ABTA, the aviation authority, UK Government and whoever else participated in the repatriation and compensation of Thomas Cook holidaymakers were very good here and for the most part hotels honoured Thomas Cook bookings under an assurance from ABTA they would get paid. Also alternative flights home were found for most people. Nonetheless, we were delighted to help a few stranded families, also give media a ‘goodwill’ aspect to their reporting of an otherwise gloomy story, one that reverberated around Europe through TV and press, including coverage in the UK’s Independent & Daily Mail newspapers and French & Spanish TV.


A happy family with Josh Braddock (LR General Manager) arriving at SEA BREEZE to enjoy some free time on an unexpectantly extended stay in Lanzarote!


Another family arrives at CASA LILA as we open up our doors for free to anyone adversely effected by Thomas Cook folding. 

 

LAST BUT DEFINATELY NOT LEAST, OUR FAVOURITE GUEST PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH IS ANNELEEN, FROM BELGIUM, ENJOYING HELPING HER 3 CHILDREN PLANT CACTI IN OUR CACTUS GARDEN AT FINCA DE ARRIETA (below).

EVERYONE LOVES THIS SPACE, THEY RETURN YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THE FIRST THING THE KIDS WANT TO DO IS SEE HOW THEIR CACTI HAVE GROWN, WE LOVE TO SEE HOW THE KIDS HAVE GROWN!
HAPPY MEMORIES FOR ALL!!!

 

MEET OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER: JOSIE.

We are delighted to welcome Josie to the Lanzarote Retreats team. Josie joins our sales team focusing specifically on group bookings. Whether you are a brand owner, event organiser or a large family planning a celebration/reunion, you can now contact Josie at getaway@lanzaroteretreats.com