As the winter weather settles in and the news continues to be disturbing, the thought of a week in the sun might sound more attractive than ever before. But given the stress on our bank accounts, far flung destinations will probably get left behind to locations which are closer to home in the quest for winter sunlight.

For residents of the UK, the Canary Islands are one of the closest places where year long sunshine can be had. Within the archipelago of several islands, Lanzarote is the most easterly and is also named the island with the driest climate.

How dry the weather conditions are is visible by travelers and tourists as they arrive, with Canarian palms just about the most abundant trees on Lanzarote. And also the volcanic landscape in the distance demonstrates just how little plant life will be able to endure for much of the year, as the bare mountain sides attest.

But nevertheless, the main resorts that tourists stay in are certainly not barren, with verdant planting and exotic flowers thriving all around you. So much so, that many holiday villas in Lanzarote have beautiful gardens, with palm trees and bougainvillea flourishing round their swimming pools.

Away from the resorts, the many villages and towns dotted around the island are also attractively planted, as horticulture is a popular past-time in more rural areas. This relationship with nature and agriculture forms the basis of several of the leading attractions on the island, developed by César Manrique, artist and architect.

Manrique´s influence also extends into tourist towns like Puerto del Carmen, which have been saved from too much development and urban sprawl. In place of high rise blocks, the buildings are all two or three storeys, even the hotels and complexes which are also surrounded by gardens.

Many visitors to Lanzarote choose to stay in self-catering accommodation, often because there is so much to see and do, so their Lanzarote apartments , are little more than a resting place. The wonderful beaches, fascinating tourist attractions and natural beauty of the island do their best to lure tourists away from the pool.

Other visitors come to the island to participate in sports and outdoor activities, of which cycling and running are amongst the most frequently chosen. Which is not to say that visitors who want to be more sedate don´t equally enjoy the chance to live outdoors.

And the relaxed atmosphere that pervades Lanzarote makes it a popular destination for repeat visits, as many tourists come back year after year. As even though the island is on the small side, there is usually something new to discover or a favorite old place to visit.