Lanzarote is one of Spain’s most beautiful island destinations. It is one of the oldest of the Canary Islands, administered by Spain, that has it all and it offers beautiful beaches, a cool surf scene and excellent places to stay. Located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, the island is the result of volcanic activity that started over 20 million years ago. Populated for at least 2000 years, according to recent archaeological discoveries, Lanzarote was originally inhabited by Berbers, a people from North Africa. It is a popular tourist destination and even has it’s own international airport
The local inhabitants know the importance of the environment and its preservation. Lanzaroteños are highly environment-oriented people and their efforts to protect the island’s natural assets and being conscious become an integrated part of the lives of the people there. Their established sustainability practices will allow future generations to enjoy the same Lanzarote they live in today.
It is said that Lanzarote is the most volcanic-looking of the Canary Islands. Its landscape is covered in craters, canyons, and valleys of solidified lava.
Lanzarote is not a standard sun and sea destination. It’s an island where the essence of the island leaves a mark on your soul long after you depart. It’s called the Lanzarote Effect.
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Its landscapes and structure made it a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve.
There are beaches with black or golden sand, you can enjoy almost any time of the year, offering over 300 days of sunshine a year. Places with great ecological value such as Timanfaya National Park, where you can see a huge variety of volcanic formations or the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Reserve, where you’ll find many species of marine birds.
Fantastic water sports and beautiful beaches make a perfect fly-and-flop holiday choice of visit.
Beaches
One of the characteristics of the Canary Islands is the iconic black sand beaches and lava rock outcrops. You can find extraordinary lunar-style seascapes beaches in Lanzarote.
You can enjoy many beautiful beaches, including Playa Grande, Playa Flamingo, Playa del Charco de los Clicos, Playa del Reducto and those are just a few.
Most of the best beaches in Lanzarote offer a local café, bar or restaurant.
The island’s west coast is wilder and rockier – great for surfers. The best beach hotels in Lanzarote tend to be on the eastern and southern coasts. Here you’ll find long stretches of pale-white or sunshine-gold sand.
The island is known as the Hawaii of Europe. The surf, swell, weather and location are almost identical, and even the waves are similar. It can get big, powerful waves firing off its reefs throughout October to March, but is consistent enough throughout the rest of the year. Good waves can be found throughout the year, no matter when you visit.
Lanzarote has many fabulous diving sites for you to enjoy. The best dive site on Lanzarote may be at Playa Blanca. Playa Chica is full of marine life from shoals of bream glistening in the sunshine, the ornate wrasse and damselfish, barracuda, yellowfin tuna and jacks.
If you love the adventure of a drift, wall, wreck or boat dive then there is plenty on offer for you to choose from. If you are interested learning more about the diving options, you can check here.
Timanfaya National Park is a Spanish national park in the southwestern part of the island of Lanzarote, Canary Islands. It covers parts of the municipalities Tinajo and Yaiza. This is the only national park in the Spanish network that is of an eminently geological nature since it is the result of the volcanic eruptions.
The absence of vegetation, the extreme ruggedness of the terrain, the variety of colours, the silhouettes of the volcanoes and the jagged coastline – all these make Timanfaya extraordinarily beautiful.
The best of Lanzarote in beautiful video
If you want to learn more about Lanzarote check our other posts.
The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic. The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas.
The Azores islands are consistently ranked as one of the best, most sustainable, and most affordable island travel destinations in Europe. Located between Europe and North America, the Azores are the perfect island getaway for those looking for a unique and beautiful destination.
There is plenty to see and do (and eat) throughout the nine islands to keep the most ambitious traveler busy and beyond satisfied; here’s just a starter.
Lets explore the top 10 things to do in the Azores:
Photo Credit: Sete Cidades, Azores, Portugal | ARoxo/Moment/Getty Images
Azores Geopark
The Azores Geopark is a network of 121 geographically-dispersed sites of geographic heritage and marine areas that covers the nine volcanic islands of the archipelago of the Azores, representating the archipelago’s vast and varied volcanic geodiversity. There’s no place quite as geologically interesting and breathtaking as the Azores Geopark.
The natural beauty in the park includes about 300 volcanic cavities, underwater geothermal sources, fumarolic fields, crater lakes, dry calderas and so much more.
If you’ve ever dreamed of discovering the world of wild dolphins and whale, then look no further. Many species of whale and dolphin pass by the Azores on their annual migrations. The Azores attracts huge numbers of dolphins and whale, many of whom are very interactive both with boats and swimmers. Whale are, undeniably, one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful and majestic creatures, so it’s only natural to want to see these marvelous animals up close and personal.
This is of the most unforgettable experiences for the whole family includes sailing through the Atlantic in search of these majestic marine mammals. Most of the islands have guided tours available. The largest of the nine islands, Sao Miguel — some of the biggest highlights lie in the vast ocean that surrounds it. And probably the easiest way there with companies in Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca do Campo.
April through June is the best time to see blue whales, but you can still see other kinds of whales and dolphins the rest of the year-round.
The waters that surround the Azores are a diver’s paradise, filled with all sorts of fish species and amazing rock formations, but diving isn’t a year-round pursuit. Each island brings something different to the table: For diving enthusiasts, the very best can be found in the waters of Terceira, near the old port of Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira there’s an underwater anchor graveyard of ancient ship anchors and marine life like eagle rays and octopus, while the awesome topography of Pico Island continues beneath the waves with sheer volcanic cliffs.
Off São Miguel there are volcanic canyons at low depth, providing habitat for octopuses and triggerfish.
Throughout the islands, there are more than 100 diving spots with over 3,000 marine species, vertical walls, clean waters and incredible encounters with manta rays, mobulas and even whale sharks.
You can dive the Azores any time of the year, but the best offshore dive sites are only really accessible during the summer.
There’s a lagoon in the middle fed by the ocean on the landward side, and so completely shielded from the ocean currents. This strange, beautiful spot fills up quickly on sunny days. You can take a short boat ride from the Pier of Vila Franca do Campo to get to this amazing location
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo. You can enjoy an afternoon on the slopes of the ancient caldera or go for a swim within the Islet’s crater. This tiny island is just a kilometer away from São Miguel’s coast. Spot beautiful and vibrant vegetation, a gorgeous lagoon shielded from the ocean’s currents, and marvel at the natural cone that the islet creates.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Sete Cidades Caldera
This landscape has been shaped by successive volcanic events over the last 38,000 years. The last eruption might have been as recent as the 1400s, just before the island was colonized.
Nothing can prepare you for the astonishing views of the Sete Cidades Massif on the west side of São Miguel Island. Twin green and blue lakes are ensconced in evergreen vegetation and shielded by a massive volcanic crater that rises like ramparts is one of the scenic highlights of the Azores. Sitting inside the crater of an extinct volcano, a bridge divides the lake into two sections. They each have quite distinct colors. Visit on a clear day if possible, as that’s when you’ll get those perfect breathtaking views.
The natural beauty of this twin lake is breathtaking with lively hues of green blanketing the surrounding landscapes. The twin lakes, which are relatively small and are ecologically unique, are connected by a small square and can be crossed via a small bridge. They are known simply as the Green Lake and the Blue Lake
Boca do Inferno translates as the Mouth of Hell, is likely to be one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited. With just a few minutes walk, you’ll see a breathtaking panorama that you can’t imagine.
You can see the small town of Sete Cidades visible in the distance, and it’s one of the best places on Sao Miguel to see how volcanic activity has shaped the island.
If you are driving, don’t park in the car park off the main road, but continue driving on the dirt road opposite for a few minutes until you reach the end. The dirt road runs along the top of the caldera, and you walk walk directly alongside where you park the car.
Photo Credit: Tiago Ferreira / Flickr
Terra Nostra Park
A visit to the Terra Nostra Gardens is like spending time in a secret paradise tucked away at the Azores, one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Over 200 years old, the Terra Nostra Gardens are internationally renowned for their incredible beauty which is showcased in a sprawling 31-acre complex. Visitors to the gardens can see beautiful plant life from all over the world such as Rhododendrons from Malaysia, a collection of Cycads and Camellias, the exceptional Victoria Cruziana, and even over 300 kinds of ferns. Full of tropical and subtropical plants from the Azores and around the world, it’s easy to spend an hour or more exploring these large, impressive gardens.
Terra Nostra Park The Botanical Park´s next highlight is the famous thermal water pool. The volcanic hot spring nourishes the pool with temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.
Photo Credit: madeinazores.eu
Pico Island Wine Country
With all of the volcanos surrounding the Azorean islands, the Pico Island Wine Country has been producing world-class wine since the 15th century. The stone homes and stone-walled vineyards that were built to protect the 2,439 acres of vineyard from fierce Atlantic winds and surges of salty ocean water from centuries ago can still be seen today in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Criação Velha wine region, in the municipality of Madalena.
Tour the vineyards with a local guide during the day and spend the late afternoons and evenings sipping and tasting all of the gorgeous wines that Pico Island has to offer.
Photo Credit: wikipedia
Montanha do Pico
At Pico Island you can climb the mountain, 2351 meters (7713 feet) above sea level. The Montanha do Pico is one of the highest Atlantic mountains, it’s the tallest in Portugal and twice the elevation of any other peak in the Azores. The Montanha do Pico is classified as a basaltic stratovolcano and was declared a nature reserve in 1982 because of its spectacular beauty and wildlife. With a summit that often disappears into the cloud.
You can climb the mountain in the afternoon so you can see the sunset when you are in the top or enjoy a remarkable view of the Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge and Terceria Islands. The steep, nearly 3-mile trek takes about three hours. In addition to magnificent vistas, you’ll see lava tubes and fascinating rock formations too.
The Montanha do Pico is classified as a basaltic stratovolcano and was declared a nature reserve in 1982 because of its spectacular beauty and wildlife.
Photo Credit: azoresontravel.com
Poca da Dona Beija
Take a break from your tour of Sao Miguel with a relaxing swim at Poca Da Dona Beija, a small spa featuring three natural pools of iron-rich water known for its therapeutic properties. Fed by a series of hot springs, the small pools remain at about 39 C (102 F), an ideal temperature for soothing tense muscles and easing pains associated with chronic rheumatism.
Today, Poca da Dona Beija has been lovingly renovated and update to exude a rustic charm with its brick pools that are fringed by vibrant tropical vegetation. After the hot bath, you can enjoy the tropical landscaping and the gift shop of the facility. Keep in mind that the yellowish water can leave stains on your clothes.
Photo Credit: Jorge Santos / olhares.sapo.pt
Lagoa das Furnas
There are three spectacular lakes on São Miguel Island and one of them is the Lagoa das Furnas. Lagoa das Furnas is unique in scenery and experiences. One of the most unique features of Lagoa das Furnas is the clear and amazing sign of volcanic activity that takes place on the lake’s northwestern shore. Furnas is the place to visit if you want to see the hot springs. It has an active caldera with steam vents, mud pots and geysers, locals cook food in earth ovens available in picnic areas. This hot spring and most touristy city of the island is situated in the east inland of Sao Miguel in the middle of mountains and forest.
On a raised boardwalk guests can navigate to get a great view of the small calderas and pools at the lake spouting steam.
These small craters are even used by restaurant chefs in the town of Furnas who bring their pots of cozido (meat and vegetable stew) and let them simmer in the hot ground. And after that you may be enticed to head to town to taste traditional food cooked with volcanic activity.
Check this official video about Azores from VisitPortugal. Don’t forget to check their Youtube channel for more and unforgettable videos about Portugal.
Sweden is aiming for a zero-waste society. This takes the country’s recycling revolution one step further – from dumping rubbish in landfills to recycling to reuse. Sweden is a global leader in many areas but it really stands-out when we talk about recycling.
In 2016 there were 212,500 tonnes of plastic on the Swedish market. About half was recycled. The fact is that Sweden uses trash to fuel incineration plants, where waste is turned into, among other things, new products, raw materials, and heat.
The Swedish system for recycling of packaging is based on producer responsibility. Regardless of the type of material the packaging is made of – paper, plastic, metal, wood or glass – the producers are responsible. Producer responsibility also applies to newsprint. Among other things, this implies that the producers are obligated to set up collection and recycling systems for packaging and newsprint.
Packaging and newsprint are collected through collection systems. There are public recycling stations where consumers can discard packaging and newsprint in separate containers. Recycling stations are found in all of Sweden, and most of the packaging and newsprint from households is collected this way. There are also solutions for kerbside collection in places such as multi-compartment bins or separate containers in apartment buildings. A national deposit refund system for PET bottles and aluminum cans is also in place.
31-year-old Swedes Daniel Silberstein says:
A big part of it is thinking about what kind of environment our daughter is going to have in the future. I am a kid of the 1990s and not recycling is kind of abnormal for us, but for Charlie’s generation, it will hopefully go even further. She already thinks it’s fun to push the cartons into the recycling station when I take her.
In the mid-70s only 38% of household waste in Sweden was recycled. For comparing – today that figure has jumped to an astounding 99%. Sweden’s goal of ‘zero waste’ is almost reached.
In the cities, there are many recycling areas located in convenient spots, while larger centers are located further, where you can drop off sorted household items like wine bottles, soup cans, light bulbs, and newspapers. Especially after a holiday, these centers are overrun with recycling, but the trucks come every day to empty the bins.
Larger items can be brought to larger recycling centers or picked up by special trucks. Sweden has implemented the reward system, in which you pay more if you buy plastic bottles and metal cans, but you get back when you deliver them to the return centers in grocery stores.
Photo credit: Source: Swedish EPA. Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
So how Sweden managed to achieve that?
Back in 1991, Sweden was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels, today almost 50% of all electricity is generated from renewables.
Plastics, glass, metal and paper, all of it is recycled and turned into new products. Even food is composted to become soil or biogas, and wastewater is purified to be potable. And one side benefit is that heavy metal emissions have been reduced by 99% since the mid-80s, despite Sweden incinerating three times more waste today than back then.
In 2017 the Swedish government reformed the tax system so that people could get cheaper repairs on used items, and Swedish clothing giant H&M operates a recycling scheme where customers get a discount upon handing in old clothes. Meanwhile, researchers are working on finding new clothing materials that are less damaging to the environment.
Sweden’s reuse revolution would not be possible without those who do the literal dirty work of handling Sweden’s rubbish.
Most people in Sweden, though, believe that even more can be done. Sweden’s recycling program works so well that they ran out of trash and start importing from Norway, the UK, other countries. All that is used to heat homes and create new products, which means that Sweden will not deplete natural resources.
‘In the future we’ll look at the old style of recycling the way we look at fossil fuels and landfill sites today. It will all seem crazy.’
So next time you think of throwing that water bottle, soda can, or newspaper in with all the other mixed-up trash – think again: if Swedes can manage to recycle everything in sight, no matter how small their flat is, you can as well.
