Lanzarote, an Eden of Lava, Lanzarote, Spain

The first time I heard about it I was twelve years old and I was cleaning my mare after a jumping lesson, while two ladies in the next stall talked about it among themselves as if it were a dream island, a lava Eden. A perfect definition, but I only discovered this twenty-seven years later.

I no longer considered Lanzarote for a holiday until a few summers ago, looking for a destination that could combine my need to visit, my passion for sailing and a European suitable destination at the end of November.

As always, I planned everything online, reading travel blogs and magazines and checking local tourist websites.

To save money, I planned quite ahead in early August. With that advance, I found a particularly cheap round trip with Ryanair from Orio al Serio, with luggage included.

The flight from Bergamo at 6.30 and the train connection from Liguria were terrible; therefore, I booked the previous night at the NH Hotel in front of the airport. Cold and aseptic, but very comfortable, although the pedestrian path that connects it to the check-in could definitely be improved, if only by lighting it adequately!

For accommodation in Lanzarote I had some more problems. I would have liked to sleep in one of the small typical houses dotted around the island. Still, after several negative responses, I opted for the Hesperia Hotel in Puerto Calero, a mega five-star on the cliff. It is truly huge and international and, therefore, not my cup of tea, even if objectively beautiful. It’s too bad the cleanliness leaves something to be desired, as well as the terrible wifi connection. Worthy of note is the breakfast with a huge buffet for all tastes and a selection of teas that filled me with joy! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).