The Smart Travel Guide

Lanzarote is one of the seven Spanish islands that form the Canarian archipelago. Which is situated close to the west coast of Africa on a similar line of longitude to parts of Mexico and the Bahamas. As a result the island boasts a semi tropical climate and temperatures that climb into the mid 20´s Celsius even during the depths of December. Making it popular as both a summer and winter sun destination. Especially with tourists from the UK – who account for around half of the 1.4 million tourist arrivals recorded annually. Lanzarote was first subdued and conquered by the Spanish in the early 1400´s – providing a platform for the invasion of the remaining Canary Islands.

And assumed an important role in the growth of the empire – as during the years of Spain’s a naval domination galleons crossing the Atlantic with Inca silver and gold would stop and resupply here. During the 18th and 19th centuries the island was rocked by massive volcanic eruptions which totally transformed much of the interior. Replacing farmland and villages with fields of lava and burnt out volcanoes. Causing widespread hardship for Lanzaroteños and forcing many to flee and start a new life abroad.

Modern package tourism first took off in the early 1970´s as General Franco opened Spain up to visitors in order to help boost his flagging economy. With holidays in Lanzarote becoming instantly popular with tourists from sun starved northern European nations such as the UK and Germany.Today tourism is concentrated in the three main holiday resorts of Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. Leaving the bulk of the island largely unspoiled. Thanks to the fact that high rise buildings and advertising hoardings were outlawed here back in the early 1970´s.

Around half of all visitors to the island book a break in one of Lanzarote´s 200 plus hotels. With the remainder opting instead to stay in self catering accommodation – as there are high quality apartments and villas in Lanzarote available for rent across the island. The volcanic region is by far the most popular tourist attraction on the island. And little wonder – as the surreal scenery of the Timanfaya National Park is literally out of this world. Providing the backdrop for a number of major science fiction classics over the years such as One Million Years BC. As well as the upcoming release of Clash Of The Titans 3 in 3D, starring Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson.

Tags: accommodation, Germany, hotels, Lanzarote, Spain, visitors

The Canary Islands and Hawaii are very much alike, both areas are strings of underwater volcanoes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain and they are scattered over 300 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Tenerife is the largest Canary Island. It is about 790 square miles wide, and the landscape is dominated by the 12,198-foot Mount Teide, the highest peak on Spanish territory. The place is also called the “Island of Eternal Spring” by the locals, because Tenerife is covered by fields of s bananas, oranges, and tomatoes. The Silver Whisper spent the day at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the ship offered three shore excursions. However, Canary Islands and Tenerife, implicitly, have now a second meaning.

Tenerife was the place where, in 2009, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit was shot. Sports Illustrated is an American sporting magazine owned by Time Warner. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twice. The swimsuit edition, published since 1964 is a very popular TV and calendars topic nowadays. The first location wereOrotava Valley and Puerto de la Cruz. The first stretches from the foot of Mount Teide to the Atlantic. The tour includes walking through beautiful gardens and views of the lush valley. Before returning to the ship, participants have about an hour to explore the shops and cafes in Puerto de la Cruz. The second tour was Cañadas del Teide National Park, which was spent mostly on a bus, together with Mount Teide, which was a little scary, but worth seeing. The models in Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit issue are Kim Cloutier, Brooklyn Decker, Cintia Dicker, Lucia Dvorska, Esti Ginzborg, Jessica Gomes, Melissa Haro, Jessica Hart, Julie Henderson, Damaris Lewis, Jarah Mariano, Ariel Meredith, Tori Praver, Bar Refaeli, Hilary Rhoda, Daniella Sarahyba, Irina Sheik, Anne V, Jessica White.

The regular segments of Sports Illustrated Magazine are Who’s Hot, Who’s Not, Faces in the Crowd, that is honors talented amateur athletes, The Point After – content varies from compelling stories to challenging opinion, focusing on both the world of sports and the role sports play in society.Moreover, since 1989, Sports Illustrated helped launching other similar publishments, such as Sports Illustrated Kids, Sports Illustrated Almanac, Sports Illustrated Australia, Sports Illustrated Canadian edition, Sports Illustrated Presents, Sports Illustrated Women, Sports Illustrated on Campus. The cover of 2009 belonged to Bar Rafaeil, an Israeli mode and actress.

Tags: Canary Islands, Spain, Sports Illustrated

January, 4th 2009 – one of the most important dates in history for Dubai – when everybody across the world could watch live the grand opening of Burj Dubai – the highest building in the world and probably the 8th wonder of the world. The huge building is no more than 828 meters, that is 2717 feet tall. The highest skyscraper in the world was opened on Monday, the 4th of January in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during a very glossy and lavishing party, flooded by extraordinary fireworks. “Dubai Tower” cost around $1.5 billion and it is considered a “vertical city” of luxury apartments and offices and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani also plans to have the world’s highest mosque (158th floor) and swimming pool (76th floor).

The highest building in the world – Burj Dubai – is the centerpiece of a 500-acre development that officials hope will become a new central residential and commercial district in this sprawling and often disconnected city. It is flanked by dozens of smaller but new skyscrapers and the Middle East’s largest shopping mall. Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the ruler of Abu Dhabi and serves as the president of the United Arab Emirates, the federation of seven small emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Analysts have questioned what Dubai might need to offer in exchange for the financial support it has received from Abu Dhabi, which controls nearly all of the UAE’s oil wealth. Abu Dhabi provided direct and indirect injections totaling $25 billion last year as Dubai’s debt problems deepened.

Greg Sang, Emaar’s director of projects, said the Burj has “refuge floors” at 25 to 30 story intervals that are more fire resistant and have separate air supplies in case of emergency. And its reinforced concrete structure, he said, makes it stronger than steel-frame skyscrapers. “It’s a lot more robust,” he said. “A plane won’t be able to slice through the Burj like it did through the steel columns of the World Trade Center.” After celebrating with fireworks, the officials announced that Burj Dubai Tower would be renamed Burj Khalifa, to honor the Abu Dhabi leader who is also president of the UAE. Mohammed Alabbar, chairman of the tower’s developer Emaar Properties, initially said Monday it had “more than 200″ stories, but he later backtracked to more than 165 inhabitable floors, given its tapered top. Promotional materials sent before the tower’s opening said it contained 160 stories. Although the building is twice higher than Empire State Building, it is a safe one and that a plane won’t be able to go through it like it was the case of World Trade Center. An observation deck on the 124th floor opens to the public Tuesday, with adult tickets starting at 100 dirhams, or just over $27 a piece. The ride to the top took just over a minute during a visit for journalists Monday. Although the financial crisis is the main issue for Dubai, Abu Dhabi provided $25 billion last year as Dubai’s debt problems deepened.

Tags: Burj Dubai, Dubai, fireworks, swimming pool, tickets, World Trade Center