The promise of guaranteed sunshine is enough to lift the blues for most people. Graeme Hetherington found a trip to Lanzarote was also the perfect cure for the financial gloom.

THE Canary Islands have long been a favourite destination for Brits looking to top up their tans and it appears the lure has not diminished over the years.

But the volcanic rocky outcrop in the Atlantic has more to offer the tourist than simply warm weather.

The island is a mix of old and new Spain, with a hint of North African influence.

Visitors interested in a beach break with the comforts of home are well catered for, but there is still plenty for people who want to escape from the full English breakfast and Irish bars.

The Sands Beach Resort in Costa Teguise, near the island’s capital Arrecife, was my base, and was perfectly placed to explore the entire island.

The apartments at the restort are ideal for families or singles. They are spacious and offer self-catering facilities to give residents the best choice of planning their day.

The resort has seven swimming pools and, with a lovely sandy beach and Costa Teguise, with its feel of a typical Spanish tourist destination, on its doorstep, there is almost no need to venture any further.

But the nearby Castillo de San Jose is worth venturing out for.

Built to protect the island from pirate attacks in the 18th Century, it remained in military use until 1890, but then stood empty until 1974 when the island’s most famous son – Cesar Manrique – converted it into a modern art gallery. It has played host to works from leading modern artists, including Picasso and Manrique himself.

However, it is once you leave the capital and explore the island that you can begin to appreciate some of its more interesting and unusual attractions.

The work of Manrique is everywhere, whether it is impressionist sculptures advertising visitor attractions, or his elaborate lighting work inside Cueva de los Verdes (the Green Caves).

The island has cleverly harnessed its volcanic origins for tourism and the caves are an excellent place to start exploring this distinctive history.

The caves are part of the same volcanic tube as the Jameos del Aqua, which was created following the eruption of the Corona Volcano, in the north of the island, over 3,000 years ago. They are one of the island’s best-kept secrets and are certainly worth the two-kilometre trek to get to them. A lake within them is home to a species of albino crab, the lighting makes the whole area a fascinating place to explore and an underground auditorium is a truly spectacular venue.

THE caves are transformed at night when the restaurant becomes an intimate, romantic setting to enjoy the local cuisine and music.

Another spectacular vista in the north of Lanzarote is the Mirador del Rio. Again, Manrique was the driving force behind this distinctive tourist centre, which boasts a magnificent vantage point that offers views as far away as the Isla de la Graciosa.

The artist, who was a forwardthinking environmentalist, decided to bury the centre’s main building into the mountainside in an attempt to minimise the damage to the natural landscape. And the result is breathtaking, as the artist’s design hides the beautiful view until the very last minute.

Also in the north of Lanzarote is the Jardin de Cactus, which was, as you will have probably worked out by now, also designed by Manrique.

Home to a vast array of specimens from across the world, the garden is an unusual and quirky attraction.

Sadly, with only few days to explore, the south of the island was left untouched during my visit.

However, cheap flights, good accommodation and glorious sunshine are certainly enough to tempt me back.

TRAVEL FACTS

A seven-night stay at the fourstar Sands Beach Resort, in Costa Teguise, with Jet2holidays.com starts from £314 per person. The price is based on four people sharing a two-bedroomed apartment on a self-catering basis. Flights depart from Newcastle International Airport twice weekly. For more information, or to book, visit jet2holidays.com or call 0800-408-5599. Upgrade to Jet2plus for priority check-in, VIP lounge access and premium in-flight meal, from £24.99 per person.