British people love their overseas holidays - and many British people like being abroad so much they buy a holiday home in their favourite destination - or even move there full time.

So the current recession is hitting the British particularly hard, as their currency - sterling - has dropped in value against the Euro, making their spending money worth a lot less than a year ago - something quite a few Forex traders would have noticed too.

And there appears little chance of Britain joining the Euro with opinion polls consistently showing well over 70 per cent of the population would vote against ditching the pound.

One British company who have noticed the slide of the pound against the Euro is International Property Tribune. They deal in tax haven property but also have travel sites for Lanzarote, Tenerife, Menorca and other parts of Spain.

‘We have always listed our properties with the local currency first - normally the Euro - and then an approximate guide in sterling’, they say, but add ‘In January we removed the sterling conversions from the Euro as they were so close to being of equal value it just wasn’t worth listing the British currency seperately.’

But the move could be a temporary one - ‘If sterling picks up and moves to 1.2 Euros for a pound we’ll introduce the British prices again, but that might be a year or two away.’

On the travel side, the company say that British people are booking holidays with companies like Thomas Cook but not in the same numbers as this time last year, and estimate a drop of between 15 and 20 per cent in holiday bookings depending upon the location.

Some areas that could do better than others during 2009 might be the ones that have winter visitors as well as summer ones, with bookings made for this winter in advance of the recession making people think twice about spending money on a holiday.

A good example is Lanzarote. The island is famous with tourists for its volcanic origin. They come for the spectacular scenery and the balmy weather. Its temperature remains fairly constant year round and the island is popular in the winter with those seeking a sunshine holiday while Northern Europe shivers.

A Lanzarote winter holiday is often just as desirable as one taken in the summer. Sea temperatures reach about 75 degrees fahrenheit during the summer months and 63 degrees fahrenheit during the winter.

Lanzarote is home to more than 100,000 people and has her own international airport, with flights to Lanzarote from regional airports throughout Europe. The island relies on tourism as well as agriculture to maintain its economy. Millions of visitors each year enjoy the black sand beaches and unique experience that only Lanzarote can offer.

The wonderful Lanzarote climate throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities. Take your pick of golf, diving, horseback riding, tennis and windsurfing during Lanzarote holidays in both the summer and winter.

And it’s the year round attraction of Lanzarote that could really help the island during the current recession - if the pound doesn’t pick up there isn’t a short season and the opportunity is missed like some destinations - and the more flexibility the better for British tourists while they wait for their currency to go up against the Euro this year.

Europe’s Lanzarote is well known for her family friendly vacations, both in the summer and winter.

But now Lanzarote is attracting holidaymakers for a niche holidays market - surfing.

And for the surfer looking to catch great waves in a top beach destination, Lanzarote has just been recognised as being one of the best locations in the world to pursuit the sport - or just for fun.

A leading internet for surfing puts Lanzarote high on their list of the hundred best places in the world, coming shortly after another travel site suggested Lanzarote had one of the top beaches in the world, and hinted that other beaches in Lanzarote were good for watersports.

The recognition among the internet travel sites of Lanzarote being top for their own niche sector will come as no surprise to many Europeans, who helped Lanzarote beat the recession in 2008 with higher visitor numbers, despite publicity suggesting that some of the hotels in Lanzarote might be pulled down, having been built on land where they shouldn’t have been.

Lanzarote is already a favourite dive destination for many divers worldwide - underwater visibility in the waters around Lanzarote is 65 to 100 feet. Marine life includes angel sharks, moray eels, damselfish, groupers and many others. The occasional hammerhead shark is also known to inhabit the waters of Lanzarote.

Diving during the summer months is often more comfortable in a 7mm semidry suit - however a 5mm wetsuit will suffice any time of year. Some divers prefer a dry suit with hood and gloves during the winter months. The water is warmest from June through to around mid October usually.

One of the travel and holiday sites that recommends Lanzarote states that while Lanzarote is just a hundred miles off Africa, it is Spanish, and describe the locals as ‘passionate’.

And of Lanzarote’s 90 beaches they say the best one, which ranks among the best in the world, is on the south of the island, at Caleta del Congrio, with an 87 per cent privacy rating.

They also suggest that those who like wind surfing during their holidays in Lanzarote should head for a different Lanzarote beach - the four mile long Famara Beach. And it is this beach that has helped prompt the windsurfing fraternity to put the island as among the best not just in Europe but globally.

Sandy beaches and water sports aren’t all that await in Lanzarote, and the island is great for family holidays as well.

Puerto Del Carmen for example is a great town for many family activities. The Rancho Texas Theme Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Del Carmen. The first mayor of San Antonio, Texas, was originally from Lanzarote and the park is, in part, a tribute to that connection. Some of the park’s most popular attractions include crocodiles, parrots and a ‘Birds of Prey’ show. Pony and canoe rides and many other activities await anxious tourists and excited children.

But if it is for a watersport activity holiday Puerto Del Carmen is good for that too as it offers sports enthusiasts a wide range of activities. Locally owned diving shops often take tourists on amazing underwater adventures to various places around the island. Diving schools are available for those who wish to learn to dive or snorkel. Windsurfing, swimming, boating, jet skiing and paragliding are also very popular water sports enjoyed by many locals and tourists. Sports enthusiasts also can enjoy golfing, cycling, running, hiking, camping and other local activities, including the Ironman competition.

Costa Teguise is another town that is built around tourism. It is about 6 miles north-east of the capital city Arrecife. The entire resort is built on former lava fields and saltpans. The resort consists of several apartment blocks, bungalows and villas. Primary attractions are the golf course, a marina, commercial shops and entertainment. Many visitors enjoy the water park in the outskirts of the resort, and the Lanzarote weather is certainly conducive to water based activities.

Whatever the reason for a holiday in Lanzarote, the island is a good choice, and quite a few tour operators are offering good deals for holidays in Lanzarote for this year.

Lanzarote is one of the most popular islands for European holidaymakers, not just for the traditional summer weeks but for winter too, as the weather for the island - often in the 70’s even in December and January - make it the ideal destination for tourists from Northern Europe to head to to escape the winter blues.

And being able to relax on the beach and catch some rays over the Christmas and New Year festivities is enough in itself to tempt many to take a holiday in Lanzarote then.

But now a leading internet site has confirmed what many holidaymakers to Lanzarote already knew - that not only are the beaches great but one Lanzarote beach ranks among the best in the world.

The site points out that while Lanzarote is just a hundred miles off Africa, it is Spanish, and describe the locals as ‘passionate’.

And of Lanzarote’s 90 beaches they say the best one, which ranks among the best in the world, is on the south of the island, at Caleta del Congrio, with an 87 per cent privacy rating.

They also suggest that those who like wind surfing should head for a different Lanzarote beach - the four mile long Famara Beach.

Other areas that were in the top beach list include Barbados, Turkey, Paros in Greece, Loreto in Mexico and Malibu in California.

World class beaches and water sports aren’t all that await Lanzarote tourists though. Puerto Del Carmen for example, which is one of the island’s most popular towns for holidaymakers, is a hub of excitement for many family activities.

And if the Lanzarote tourist is looking for a sports filled holiday rather than a family one, Puerto Del Carmen offers sports enthusiasts a wide range of activities. Locally owned diving shops often take tourists on amazing underwater adventures to various places around the island. Diving schools are available for those who wish to learn to dive or snorkel. Windsurfing, swimming, boating, jet skiing and paragliding are also very popular water sports enjoyed by many locals and tourists. Sports enthusiasts also can enjoy golfing, cycling, running, hiking, camping and other local activities, including the Ironman competition.

Costa Teguise, another area favoured by tourists taking holidays in Lanzarote, is the smallest of the three large resorts on the island. It is about 6 miles northeast of the capital city Arrecife. The entire resort is built on former lava fields and saltpans. The resort consists of several apartment blocks, bungalows and villas. Primary attractions are the golf course, a marina, commercial shops and entertainment. Many visitors enjoy the water park in the outskirts of the resort.

Playa Blanca is a quieter area of the island, and often preferred by those who take Lanzarote villa holidays rather than hotel accommodation.

Once a small fishing port. Playa Blanca is very popular with families due to its size and many family friendly beaches. Two more beaches were recently added to Playa Blanca to help make up for the lack of space on the main central beach. Along the well maintained and manicured streets there are several shops, restaurants and clubs. Lanzarote’s Playa Blanca offers many sports and attractions for tourists of all ages.

But above all, if Lanzarote should be a magnet for any particular type of tourist, it has to be the beach lover - there’s 90 to choose from including one of the best in the world!

Not that long ago tradition dictated that a couple would date for an appropriate period of time, become engaged and finally get married. Often the wedding would be held at the local church or in another nearby location. The wedding details could be planned during the engagement.

 

But as times have changed, so have weddings and all to do with them. The practice of meeting someone and becoming intimate shortly thereafter has become the norm rather than the exception. Additionally, most people now accept that living together prior to marriage can strengthen the bond and make a wedding more meaningful when it does transpire.

 

However, there are mixed reactions to this new trend. Traditionalists still believe that living together should be saved for wedded couples. Nonetheless this trend is becoming increasingly more common and thus has gained the approval of many.

 

In recent times it seems that weddings have taken centre stage in the scheme of expenses that a couple shells out. As many people wait longer to marry the idea of the parents of the bride paying for the wedding is not as common as it used to be. In fact, many couples bear the expense themselves.

 

The economy may have something to do with this change as many people are struggling to make ends meet. This has resulted in many engaged couples feeling that the responsibility of the wedding costs should be theirs. Another factor to consider is that many people will be married at least twice in their life rather than once.

 

Weddings are sometimes very simple and sometimes extravagant. But some things remain constant in practically every wedding; things like having photos taken and beautiful flowers displayed. Food is almost always a consideration for the reception that follows the wedding.

 

This means that the bride and groom must choose a talented photographer to capture photos of that memorable day. After all, this is a day to remember. They will also need to find a reliable florist that can deliver the beautiful floral arrangements in a timely fashion. Additionally the couple will need to decide on the food that will be offered during the reception.

 

Those are only the essentials. In modern weddings things can get very complex. It is no wonder that wedding planning is an art all of its own! There are what seems to be hundreds of minute details that must be planned in advance for each extravagant wedding.

 

It is becoming commonplace for couples to wed at places outside of their home community. For example, some travel to unique locations or even vacation spots for the wedding. This happens for various reasons; some couples simply want to wed in beautiful surroundings that cannot be found near where they live. Others plan weddings in locations that are known for perfect weather conditions. Many British couples are now travelling to warm, sunny locations in order to decrease the risk of dealing with less than desirable weather.

 

Spain is a major beneficary of not just British newlyweds honeymoons, but often the wedding day itself, with some islands like Lanzarote having hotels that can cater for weddings and guests staying for an extended Lanzarote holiday. New technology means a couple can see how other couples have done it as some couples have made a Lanzarote blog with good advice.

 

Modern times seem to come with fewer rules and expectations related to relationships. In fact, couples can relax in knowing that almost anything they decide to do in regards to the development of the relationship will be widely accepted. From big weddings to small or even no wedding at all, it seems anything goes!