Time Lapse Footage Of The Canary Islands

Photographer Terje Sorgjerd (who previously shot a beautiful time-lapse of aurora borealis) captured these awesome shots of the Milky Way from Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. . Watch the video and then you will know why we love to live in the . Canaries. http://buyin-fuerteventura.com/

New Huelva-Canary Islands Ferry Service Commences

New Huelva-Canary Islands Ferry Service Commences. Today is the start of the new ferry service between Huelva and the Canary Islands, a journey which takes 28 hours. The first ship left the port of La Luz in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria at 08:00 and will stop in Santa Cruz on Tenerife on her voyage to Huelva on mainland Spain. The ferry is the Volcán del Teide and is operated by the company Naviera Armas and has recreational areas, viewpoints, Videocine, meeting rooms, buffet, bars, pool, gym, games room and playground for children, 124 cabins with 478 beds, 500 reclining seats reclining seats and a VIP room. Crossings are every Thursday from the Canaries, arriving Friday in Huelva, and every Saturday from Huelva, arriving Sunday in the Canary Islands. On the first crossing are 320 passengers and 120 vehicles. A one way crossing with reclining seat and a car is about 210 Euros. The ferry crossing will be an important addition to travel to and from the Canarian Islands especially for people with property who may want to transport large personal items to their villa or apartment. Source Naviera Armas and Nerja News

Tourism To Canaries Rises After Egypt, Tunisia Unrest

The number of foreign visitors to Spain's Canary Islands soared in February according to official data, as sunseekers shunned rival resorts in Egypt and Tunisia because of anti-government uprisings there. But the increas in numbers cannot be totallyput down to the middle east unrest. The President of the Canary Islands’ Parliament said the prospects for the summer season were looking positive and added that bookings for holidays were up by 14 per cent which was an honest reflection of the hard work that has been put in by local authorities to promote what the Islands had to offer.


According to the latest figures nearly three million people went through Canary Islands’ airports, which is an impressive leap of 13.1% on last year. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are all holding their own in the popularity stakes but it is Fuerteventura that has seen the biggest increase with passenger numbers up a staggering 32.9%. This figure has beaten South Tenerife and Gran Canaria who both nevertheless, saw satisfying increases of 12.2% and 10.8%. It is also wise to remember that this is very early on in the tourism season so if figures are this high at this time of year it looks as though it could be a bumper summer for the Canarian Islands.


http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com

Latest Research Reveals The Top 101 Property Destinations

A new study published today by Globaledge.co.uk reveals the most searched for overseas property destinations by UK internet users. The research looks at over 200,000 property-related searches over the last 100 days from the UK Wordtracker database and groups them by by overseas property location.


Spain is top of the list, accounting for over 10% of total searches, and the list is dotted with numerous Spanish towns and coastal names. Although the obvious locations of Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are the most popular regions, the popularity of the Canary Islands is the most interesting finding. There is considerable search volume even at local level with Costa Teguise (Lanzarote), Palm Mar (Tenerife), Caleta de Fuste (Fuerteventura) all making the top 101. property for sale in Caleta de Fuste and the rest of Fuerteventura can be found on the BuyIn Fuerteventura web site.

France, Bulgaria and Cyprus are next after Spain for property for sale, but perhaps the biggest surprise is Italy, which appears only at position 21. Italian regions also fair badly with only Umbra, Puglia and Le Marche making the cut. Globaledge.co.uk Director Ashley Rigg says: "In economic terms, Italy has been dubbed the sick man of Europe and buying there is incredibly complicated. It's also expensive in many regions, which is probably why Tuscany doesn't make the list at all."

In the emerging real estate markets, the usual suspects of Bulgaria and Dubai both feature in the top ten and Morocco also does well, coming at number 13. Interestingly, Prague makes it into the top 20 which will come as a surprise to some. "The Czech Republic is one of the best performing economies in Central and Eastern Europe and finance is easily available. It's even possible to get 100% mortgages. News of the opportunities have obviously filtered through to the British public," says Rigg

One location that hasn't been picked up by many consumers is Egypt, which only makes number 57 on the list despite "having some of the best rental yields and growth prospects in the world", according to Rigg. "It has had quite a bit of press recently but it may be the perceived political risks that are turning investors off."

Methodology and Data

The data was taken from the Wordtracker UK database on 6th May. Our team analysed the most popular 200,000 searches containing the word "property" over the 100 days to 6th May 2008. The phrases where grouped by location to create the list. For example, both "Property in Greece" and "Greek property for sale" are grouped under Greece.

Source Global Edge and hostbuys.com

http://www.buyin-fuerteventura.com/

Where To Find Winter Sun Less Than 6 Hours From The UK

Skyscanner, the fight search web site came up with these suggestions to the following questions BUT though mentioning the Canaries they forgot to mention the other islands besides Lanzarote of Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma

Dear Skyscanner

With all this snow, I feel the need for a warm escape more than ever. Where are the best and closest places to go for a warm winter break?

Lauren, Derby


Dear Lauren,

At this time of year, it’s hard to imagine that those of us scraping ice off our cars and donning woolly hats could be on a sun lounger within six hours.

But it is possible – and in some cases, reasonable – as long as you avoid the peak travel days (those leading up to Christmas and straight before or after the New Year).



Canary Islands
The first place that most sun-starved Europeans head at this time of year is the Canary Islands, around three and a half hours away from London by plane.

So much is said, and written, about these put-upon islands that does them a huge disservice. Yes, there are sprawling all-inclusive resorts that offer good value holidays and salsa by the pool, but there’s also so much more.



Lanzarote
Take Lanzarote, with its boutique hotels, vineyards and quiet villages – not the image many of us have of the island.

Like its neighbour, Tenerife, the island has a volcanic interior of black sand and lava rock that in places feels like a moonscape, quite other-worldly in fact. It’s great walking country, especially as the temperature in December and January stays at around 15 degrees C, so it’s warm but not too hot if you’re exerting yourself.

If you’re pushing the boat out consider Finca de Las Salinas in Yaiza, an 18th century vineyard property with a pool and spa. The atmosphere is relaxed with colourful, airy rooms and wicker furniture, and as there are only 19 rooms, it never feels busy. There’s tennis, a gym, and mountain biking nearby and the beaches of Papagayo are a short drive away. The restaurant prides itself on using local produce matched with fine Spanish wines, and you should save room for dessert – I hear they’re a knock-out.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to that, try Casa El Morro, self-catering suites that cost from E107 a night. The property is an 18th century mansion in a breathtaking spot between three national parks and close to the vineyards of la Geria.

It’s split into six suites around a central courtyard, each with their own kitchen. It’s another good spot for adventurers – with excellent hiking, mountain biking and windsurfing nearby. Or you can just relax on a day bed with a good book. Find cheap flights to Lanzarote here.



Madeira
Another island that’s much-maligned is Madeira. Long considered a hotspot for retirees and timeshares, this Atlantic island is actually rather charming, and even has nightlife and culture for the young (and young at heart).

The temperature around the turn of the year is in the low teens, which means you made need a sweater, and even an umbrella at times, but at least you won’t be digging out the snow shovel! One of the coolest hotels on the island is Estalagem da Ponta do Sol on the south coast, only 25 minutes’ drive from Funchal, the capital. It’s a member of the trendy Design Hotels group and has a spa, pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and fabulous modern décor, as you’d expect.

There’s a chance for birdwatching, hiking, golf and surfing, among the many other activities available, so no excuse not to work up a hunger for the fine dining in front of the fire in the evening. Rooms cost from £45 a night for a five-night stay and the flight to Madeira from London takes three and a half hours.



Cape Verde
My final suggestion is a little further away, but for six hours flying time you’ll get Caribbean-style sandy beaches, no malaria, unlike the Gambia, a popular winter sun spot about the same distance away, and no crowds.

I’m talking about is the Cape Verde islands – you may not have heard of them, but in a few years’ time, I expect they will be very much on our winter sun radar. They are a group of ten islands off the coast of Senegal. Like Madeira, they inhabitants speak Portuguese, but unlike Madeira, they’re an even more toasty 25 C year-round.

There are direct flights to Sal from the UK, the most developed of the islands. If it’s idyllic beaches you’re after, head to Boa Vista, either by flying direct or getting a transfer from Sal. The Parque das Dunas hotel is a good option on Boa Vista overlooking Chaves beach. It has a pool and rooms are split across 28 villas, with prices starting from E63 a night half-board.

If it’s culture you’re after, the island of Santiago offers a dip into African music and food, with some fascinating wildlife in the lush interior. The quality of accommodation is not exceptional on the island, but it’s comfortable.

One of the more popular hotels is Quinta da Montanha, a three-star lodge in the Rui Vaz Mountains, about 15 minutes from the capital, Praia. There’s wonderful walking around the lodge, as you’d expect, and you can book a guided walk with the hotel if you want to learn more about the area and wildlife.

The restaurant offers hearty traditional food, much of it coming from the hotel’s organic garden. Rooms cost from E40 a night, and it’s a great option if you want greenery and mountains from your winter sun, rather than the beaches you’ll find elsewhere on Cape Verde. Either way, the umbrella will be gathering dust and the sunglasses will see the light of day.



Answer by Ginny Light – TimesOnline travel editor