In December 2008 the search was on for some Winter sun. It came in the form of Club La Santa which offered a good deal if we flew back Christmas Day. Located on the NW coast of Lanzarote, the Club La Santa resort is a playground for active people.
The tennis facilities had appealed as we played several times a week at that point. We were excited the surface of the 9 courts was the same as Flushing Meadows. And the fact that it was warm pleased us greatly.
Although there were over 30 sports facilities to enjoy at La Santa, on this occasion we just wanted to play tennis and relax. We did partake in our first yoga class but giggled and fell over throughout. Looking back that might have had something to do with the two beers we had beforehand!
As well as enjoying the resort, we were keen to explore what Lanzarote had to offer. First stop was the Fire Mountains in the Timanfaya National Park. Volcanic activity continues in the region and temperatures just a few metres below the surface still reached a staggering 400-600°C.
Demonstrations of how hot the area was were plentiful. Dry brushes were thrown into bore holes with the ground beneath catching fire immediately. Water was poured in which then erupted like a geyser.
El Golfo was a semi-circular volcanic crater filled with sea water which had filtered through the black sand that separated the lagoon from the sea. The Green Lagoon (caused by algae living in the water) was situated on a black sand beach with dramatic rock formations.
Nearby Los Hervideros, known as the ‘boiling waters’ were a series of caves and blow holes which had been eroded into a former lava flow. As the waves crashed into the caves, mountains of white surf were produced giving the appearance of ‘boiling waters’.
It was great to discover Lanzarote, Club La Santa was superb and the plane home almost empty. The holiday will always be remembered for one thing though. The catchy Club La Santa song which was played on repeat every single night!
We’re linking this post up with photography based Linky #whatsthestory here on PODcast. You will find the Linky for w/c 10th February 2014 here.
Looks like a fab holiday, and it’s always so great to get some winter sun. But, I hate the return home then – I remember one year we were by the pool in Palm Springs, calling my mum and she told me it was snowing here – did not want to come back!
That’s a really good point Jocelyn. It was freezing when we got home. Would love to be in the sunshine now though 🙂
I’ve never been on a Winter sun holiday but the idea is very appealing! Sounds like a fab time 🙂
This is the only one we’ve done Iona – should definitely try and do it again. You should do it too 🙂
We adore Lanzarote here too and these beautiful pics brought back so many memories-it’s great for winter sun too as always so warm there! We are buying a new family home so are foregoing a holiday right now but craving the sun madly! Beautiful stills!
Thank you lovely. Remember it being wonderful, would be good to go back one day. Good luck with the house buying 🙂
It sounds like a brilliant holiday. I’m a sucker for winter sun and always want to get away during the dark days. 400 degrees is hot!!!
Good plan, such a great idea to get away in Winter. We’ve only done it the once but it would be nice to do it again one day 🙂
We have been on many winter holidays to Lanzarote but never Club la Santa. It is so perfect for a week of sun in the middle of winter, infact I would love this right now!
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just go! Must have been great holidaying in Lanzarote, sunshine in December is fabulous 🙂
Beautiful place,gorgeous pics.
Thank you very much, wish I was there now 🙂
Oh, I wish I was there right now. You have seen some beautiful places!
You and me both! Such a shame we can’t get that weather here 🙂
All looks so familiar 🙂 My parents first went to Lanzarote in 1964, when there was no coast road and no airport building. They purchased a holiday home in Puerto del Carmen when it was a glorious beach flanked by El Fariones Hotel one end and the San Antonio hotel at the other. Sadly it became terribly over developed, more like “Costa del Concrete” full of grotty night clubs, ex pats and burger bars.
We moved to Costa Teguise when I was 8 and holidayed on the seafront there until 9 years ago, when my dad sold up. We were the very first house on the beach front! It too has been spoilt. I have very fond memories of Lanzarote, but would never go back. There are still some beautiful places if you know where to look but apart from Playa Blanca and inland it’s over run with “Brits abroad” on package holidays. NOT my idea of fun!
Thank you for sharing this Kate. Must have been disappointing for your parents to see the area their holiday home was in change so dramatically. Your house on the beach front sounds absolutely idyllic, such a shame these places are spoilt. Hold onto those old memories 🙂
Looks like one fabulous holiday. Can’t believe they actually had a flight flying on Christmas Day! #whatsthestory
Was lovely. The fight back on Christmas Day was wonderful – we had about 4 seats each! Weird though too 🙂
I keep hearing how wonderful Lanzarote is for a holiday – and you’re pictures have persuaded me even more! I only like active holidays with lots of sports and sun so this looks like a great option too.
Oh my goodness you’d love it there then. If it’s still the same there were a ridiculous number of sports on offer 🙂
great scenery! I have been to Tenerife but not Lanzerote. I would def go now after reading this 🙂
Bless you Mel – I’m sure it’s not changed much there. I hope not 🙂
Ahhhh looks lovely…. totally making me want a holiday! x
You and me both 🙂
We went to Lanzarote pre children for some winter sun too, and loved it!
How wonderful. Would be lovely to have some Winter sun now 🙂
Looks like an interesting place.
Fabulous place, was just lovely having some sun in December!
Looks like a fab week away – could do with one myself right now x x
Know that feeling, wouldn’t it be nice 🙂
This looks like such a beautiful place! I love visiting natural landscapes, and this should go on my bucket list.
There’s something rather fascinating about volcanoes. We walked across some in New Zealand a few years back – super hard work!
This sounds and looks amazing! Definitely one to remember for when the children are grown up!
Definitely! I’m craving Winter sun now 🙂
This looks great. I would love to explore the Canary Islands….especially at this time of year when it’s so cold and rain-filled here! Makes me long for some sunshine!
It’s such an appealing prospect isn’t it! Would be good to explore more of the island, the bits we saw were really interesting 🙂
Winter sun sounds fabulous!
It really does doesn’t it – be so nice to be in the sunshine now 🙂
I remember it being wonderful although we were quite cut off where we were. The places we visited were amazing though 🙂
It reminds me of a winter holiday I had in tenerife years ago, lovely photos as usual and it is great to see some warm sunshine especially as it’s still freezing and snowy here!
How lovely Lou, that sounds fabulous! Would be so nice to be somewhere warm at this time of year wouldn’t it. I do love your Winter photos though 🙂
Ooh! I would so love to visit a place like this – this very moment! Oh to get away from all this rain and the cold!
You and me both Dean – would be amazing wouldn’t it 🙂
Looks like a fantastic holiday! Love winter sun, it always breaks up the cold and grey we get!
It really does – we’ve only done it the once. Would be great to do it again 🙂
What a great place to visit. I could do with some warm sunshine right now!
I think we all could – it’s so nice and also a bit strange seeing sunshine in December. Would love to do another Winter holiday like this again one day 🙂
Wow what a beautiful looking resort – I could do with some winter sun right now it sounds blissful. x
Thank you Sarah – it really was. Just nice to see some sunshine and chill 🙂
This looks beautiful, I am fascinated by Volcano’s but never had the chance to see one up close
They’re incredible – most memorable were the ones we saw in New Zealand. Still active though!
Your last picture made me all warm and fuzzy… I dream of sun and outdoor swimming…
Come on Summer visit us already!
It so nice isn’t it – was lovely reflecting although like you the sunshine can’t come quick enough 🙂
What a beautiful place. Funny that you mentioned about the tennis facilities. When we went on our honeymoon, we spent every evening before dinner playing tennis. It was great 🙂 x
How lovely Keri-Ann we loved playing tennis. Used to be on court all the time before POD arrived. I hope we can do that again one day – just need a new bod 🙂
wow that looks lovely. My son would so be into that at the moment as he has been studying volcanos! xxx
Oh wow how fascinating – that must be amazing 🙂
You really have been to some amazing places and seen some fantastic sites.
You’re too kind Joy – we did travelling before POD came along. This was a lucky year so we were able to get away 🙂
I visited Lanzarote as a young teen but don’t remember that much, I certainly don’t remember appreciating how stunning the volcanic mountain range is! The resort looks great to play, relax and enjoy x
How great Lori, the memory can be a little fuzzy when we’re in our teens. I bet you had a great time though 🙂
Wow such beautiful photos! I have been to Florida when I was a little girl and now I am scared of planes boo!! Hopefully I will get over it as I would love to travel! x
You really should try Hannah, it would open up so many possibilities – tough though if you’ve not flown for a long time. Florida must have been amazing 🙂
Oh that water, that pool, that sunshine! *sigh*
Hehe ditto – be so nice wouldn’t it 🙂
I know where I will spend my next Christmas!! 😉 xx
So tempting isn’t it : )
We were in Lanzaote before Christmas, and it was fabulous, we stayed in an eco retreat and it was just so relaxing. I think the Timanfaya national park is magnificent. X
It really is, such a fabulous place. Sounds like you really enjoyed it when you were there too. You had your birthday there didn’t you. Lovely 🙂
[…] Read the rest of the post at it’s original source by clicking here. […]