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Author: Tribune2 | Total views: 5 Comments: 0
Word Count: 647 Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 7:21 AM

Brummies Beat The Winter Blues!

Brummies - the nickname given to the people of Birmingham in England - are booking winter holidays in record numbers according to their local airport.

The Midlands area of England had floods in the summer, and there was a late rush for holidays then, but as many either couldn't get away for a break or found prices had risen due to demand, people seem to be booking for a winter holiday in warm destinations such as Tenerife and Lanzarote, islands belonging to Spain and close to Africa.

Another factor influencing people to take a winter holiday is that 2008 could be a poor year for the British economy, and some might be taking a holiday before tightening their belts should a downturn or recession occur.

One of the most notable increases in destination bookings was Lanzarote with a 47 per cent increase in seats sold. As well as traditional 7 day package holidays, increasing numbers have been choosing to take their vacation in a private villa, and with nearly all of Lanzarote's villas having winter heating many families feel that a villa holiday offers privacy but with many of the benefits of a hotel holiday.

Since the mid 1960s, the Canary Islands have been a much sought-after vacation spot, but it is only in recent years of cheaper flights that it has moved from a niche winter holiday spot to a mass market one.

Lanzarote is well known for its picturesque volcanic landscapes. It is perhaps also just as well known for its futuristic appearance and controlled development of wildlife and plant life. Located a mere 62 miles off the African coast in the Atlantic, the islands offer beautiful volcanic scenery, beaches and many water sports. With year-round average temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they are the perfect winter getaway.

Tenerife, another Canary Island popular for a winter holiday, is known for its beautiful climate, which attracts nearly three and a half millions tourists a year to its scenic 2,034 square kilometers. Most of Tenerife's tourism comes from the United Kingdom, followed by Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy and France, among many others. The island is home to many beautiful resorts, including the Playas de las Americas and Los Cristianos. In fact, recent legislation was passed to ensure that any future resort construction must either be of five-star status or offer resort luxuries like golf courses or banquet facilities.

Tenerife's Costa Adeje, the area that includes Las Americas and Los Cristianos, offers many wonderful opportunities for recreation and sightseeing. Outstanding shopping, 9 beautiful golf courses, fine dining, water parks, zoos, and a magnificent theater that often features great musicals and of course the natural beauty of sun and sand on Tenerife's gorgeous beaches are all attractions you will find there. Tenerife's northern section contains the tourist hub of Puerto de la Cruz. The town maintains its old harbor roots, while offering a distinct flavor of modernity. It is charming as well as cosmopolitan. Large and beautiful hotels dot its skyline and it is home to El Carnavel every year on Ash Wednesday. The city also hosts the comical "La Sardinada," a summertime festival devoted to sardines, which in recent years has become very popular for tourists.

If exploration is more your cup of tea, Tenerife is abundant with breathtaking natural beauty and opportunities for hiking and sightseeing, and while the winter temperatures are a treat for Brits abroad, it also allows for more sightseeing in comfortable conditions compared to the peak summer months. In fact, this island boasts the tallest mountain in Spain, Mt. Teide, which is home to an extraordinary 48 km. crater left behind by an inactive volcano.

Whichever island the Brummies have chosen to holiday on, they will be sure to notice the cold when they get home!

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For holiday information about Lanzarote including low cost Lanzarote flights visit YourLanzarote.net

As well as holidays in Lanzarote the guide includes today's Lanzarote weather and for those seeking a bit of privacy on holiday villa holidays in Lanzarote