Lanzarote Relocation

Archive for the ‘Transport’ Category

When planning to drive in Lanzarote, a concern of many is how they can find their way about the island. Of course there are many Lanzarote maps available… some of which can be picked up for free in shops, tourist information centres, and of course with a hire car. Read the rest of this entry »

Lanzarote Flights

Who flies to Lanzarote? Which airlines? Once you have moved over… your friends and family may well want to come and visit… and you may want to nip back occasionally. Hopefully this list will help you.

Aer Lingus
Air Berlin
Air Europa
ArkeFly
Austrian Airlines
Berlin-Tegel
Condor
Easyjet
First Choice
FlyGlobespan.com
FlyNiki
Iberia
Islas
Jet2.com
Lauda Air
LuxAir
Monarch
Neos Air
Norwegian
Ryanair
Spanair
Thomas Cook
Thomson
Transavia
TuiFly

Some of these flight companies are hyperlinked with our affiliate codes… so we earn a few centimos if you book a flight via here – it all helps to go towards the running costs of this website, and does not cost you any extra to book. However – if you would prefer not to click from this page – then a Google search for the relevant company will bring up their websites without our affiliate links.

Name
Karsten Mathieu

Where did you move to Lanzarote from?
I come from Germany near from the town Cologne.

When was this?
It was in December 2000

Where on the Island do you live now?
I live in Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote.

Did anyone move over with you?
No, I came here alone to enjoy life here.

Why did you decide to move to Lanzarote?
A good question … to enjoy the lifestyle, the sun, the country and the people here.

How long before deciding to move, did you actually arrive?
I was once here for a holiday for one week. When my holiday was finished and I was back in Germany I missed everything. I was falling in love with this island. 2 weeks later I was back in Lanzarote … and now it has been 9 years.

Did you rent or buy your first home here?
I rented an apartment in Playa Blanca for the first time and later on in Mozaga, a little village here, but now I live in Arrecife the capital of the island.

Is there anything you miss from Germany?
At times I miss a little bit of rain …lol

How often do you return to Germany?
The last time was Easter 2001 for 1 ½ day in Germany.

What are the real benefits to you personally in having made the move?
I have a much more relaxed life here than in Germany. I have very good and real friends here, and on the other Canary Islands

What are the downsides if any, of having made the move?
Oh there was a lot, but these were normal things that you have whereever you live. At first it was the language, and wanting to do everything by myself, this was hard.

Your friends in Lanzarote – what country are they from, predominantly?
Most of my friends are from the Canary Islands – a lot are from here and Gran Canaria, then a lot of friends from England. One of my friends, he comes from Newcastle, and taught me to speak English. When I came here I didnt speak English or Spanish, only my home language. Now my friend says: “ you are the only German that I know who speaks English with a Geordie accent” lol

Could you speak Spanish before you arrived?
No I couldn’t speak Spanish or English when I came to Lanzarote.

How is your Spanish now?
I think my Spanish is good now, I can talk and listen without help and dictionary. My speaking English is ok but to write in English is very hard for me. (Elle: Don’t put yourself down Karsten… your English is very good!)

Is your lifestyle healthier… or less healthier… since moving to Lanzarote?
I don’t know. But all I know is that I enjoy life better than before in Germany.

With hindsight… is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes! To listen better what the teacher at school said, when we had English at school

Tell us about Transfers 4 You and why you started the business?
My last job was as a bus driver here on Lanzarote.  I transported people from the airport to the holiday resorts and back, I was also doing coach excursions and all this. I’ve seen so many people here arrive at the airport and often no guides were waiting to pick them up, or to help them, or give them any information about things to do here. Other guides here are so impolite that my face was going red. I was ashamed! Other people I’ve seen here were outside the airport in a taxi queue waiting 2 hours or longer to get a taxi.
So one day I started thinking “how can I do a better thing for this”.
I meet a lot of nice passengers, they remember me from being here over a year ago, and we start talking and joking…. Then one day I say “Stop! You must do much more than only thinking”. So I start to make a concept, with the plan to be much better than the services who already exist. I started searching on the internet and checked a lot of websites to see who was offering transfer services online, and the first thing I see is that these sites are so complicated for the passengers and it makes me crazy.
I contacted Elle and Alan from the webdesign company Gandy-Draper and asked them to build a website with easy steps to book a transfer service. Nothing complicated, only simple steps for the client who is booking… oh and they helped me a lot with many ideas too. I am really proud of them because they had done so a good job … and I don’t think I was an easy client. I was on page one of Google for lots of phrases in only one week, and they have already given me business.
I think now the website is very easy for clients to operate and the other thing is I wanted to work with moneybookers.com. Why? I want my clients to know that when they pay a transfer with a credit card, they can be sure that their details are in the right place, secure and safe. Moneybookers is controlled by the English FSA and Moneybookers made me jump through hoops to be registered as a merchant, and that I have a real and registered company. For me it was a very hard and long way to get a merchant account but I wanted to go this way, ro reassure my clients that they are on a secure site.

Tell us about what work you did before you started your own business?
I was working as a bus driver here on the island, this helps me a lot for my business now. I know 90% of all the hotels of the island, and many many villas, and so I can help clients when they ask me what they can do here – for example: excursions etc.

Will you stay living in Lanzarote?
I think I will die here, not sure on Lanzarote but definitely in the Canary Islands. I am home here.

What is your website address where people can contact you?
www.t4you.eu

A big thank you to Karsten for this interview – it is always a pleasure to see him, and we wish him all the very best with his business

Spanair are running a special offer right now – but you’ll have to be quick… because it runs out on May 11th 2009.

Kids can fly free when their flight is booked before May 11th, and their journey is before September 30th. It is only for Stockholm, Copenhagen, Munich and and Frankfurt… and the origin airport must be Spanish.

More information (plus Ts & Cs) -  here

Remember too, that if you have your Residencia – that Spanair offers massive discounts on your own flight prices.

Lanzarote is the most easterly and amongst the driest of the Spanish Canary Islands, around 100 km from the African coast. With year round sunshine and cool Atlantic breezes to ease those hot summer days, Lanzarote has become a popular tourist destination for families and individuals in search of lazy days, fabulous beaches, an active nightlife – a great escape from the grind of everyday life.

Getting to Lanzarote is fairly simple, with flights departing from most UK major cities. Flights to Lanzarote arrive at the international airport, Arrecife Airport (ACE), which is situated between the capital, Arrecife, and Puerto del Carmen. The majority of UK flights arrive in Lanzarote from London and as such these are usually the cheapest. Flights range from about 100-200 GBP, depending on the time of year, availability and advanced bookings. Thomas Cook are responsible for providing a high percentage of these flights.

Flights to Lanzarote

Much like the other Canary Islands, deals ensuring significant savings are available for those who are interested in booking accommodation as well as flights as a package… which is ideal if your friends and family can’t fit into your new Lanzarote home.

You have been able to check live airport arrivals and departures on this very website for some months now, and here’s the link:

Live Lanzarote Airport Arrivals and Departures

The volcanic island’s black soil beautifully offsets the local architectural style, often enhanced in traditionally vibrant colours of white, green and blue. Cesar Manrique, a local artist and architect, is often credited with the unique style that distinguishes Lanzerote’s unique beauty. Today, the island owes much of its character and appeal to Manrique, who in the 1970’s and 80’s fought for the preservation and conservation of the island’s unique identity.

Lanzarote has spectacular beaches. Costa Teguise, close to Arrecife and the inland town of Teguise, has sandy beaches and coves formed by volcanic headlands. Playa Blanca at the southern tip of the island provides more secluded spots with a tropical feel. The island’s most famous beach, Puerto Del Carmen, includes a harbour and offers  boat trips along the palm fringed coast.

The volcanic activity of the island has created some fantastic natural wonders, most notably the Timanfaya National Park. The park includes areas of ongoing volcanic activity and mini-geysers. The sunset views from highest point in the park are a sight to behold. The park can be toured by coach or foot. Guided walking tours offer a closer look at the plants and rocks of the island, with incredible lunar-like landscapes that make you feel as if you are in quite a different world.

The island has a large network of caves formed by the volcanic activities. Some of them were in fact adopted by Cesar Manrique and preserved so future generations could enjoy their beauty. Small traditional villages combine with exclusive and modern resorts to provide all tastes with something they can enjoy. The fantastic food, relaxed atmosphere and great weather make Lanzarote the perfect new home for people from the UK and around the world.

The bus stop location from opposite the petrol station and La Bocaina Restaurant has now changed. It is now directly opposite the “Estacion de Guaguas” (Bus Station).

The old bus stop is now only for school buses.

Happy travelling!

Below you will find links to Lanzarote bus routes and timetables, courtesy of the Arrecife Bus website.

Read the rest of this entry »

Getting around the Island is very easy now with the excellent bus service available. The buses are generally clean, comfortable, and air conditioned. So travel is comfortable – and no standing like sardines! Read the rest of this entry »

We have mentioned this elsewhere but it is worth mentioning more specifically again…

It was quite a while after arriving in Lanzarote we heard about what we thought was a fantastic idea, when it comes to road etiquette. That could and perhaps should be applied anywhere including the UK!

Should you find yourself in an emergency situation, have to dash one of the kids to Accident and Emergency, or you´ve unexpectedly gone into labour – you are getting the picture now we’re sure… Read the rest of this entry »

Driving in Lanzarote is the source of many debates, worries, and even laughs.  The following tips are not formal, and not part of the Spanish Highway Code.  They might make life a little easier for you. However, if a policeman asks… don’t blame us! Read the rest of this entry »