Lansarote

Lansarote should be included as an example of the power of marketing in all MBA courses. The beaches are a nothing to shout about compared to the neigbouring Fuerteventura. Playa de Papagaio is 2-3kms in length compared to the 20+ of Corralejo and 60+ of the Jandia Peninsula. The wine is nothing special compared to Tenerife and especially La Palma. The volcanoes are nowhere near the scary splendor of mount Teide and Caldera de Taburiente. Still, this is the island we hear most in marketing materials. It is the triumph of marketing over reality exemplified.

Here is a picture of my wife 30 minutes into our first walk around on Lansarote many years ago. In less than 30 minutes she sat down and pointed to Fuerte across the straights saying "I want to go there". And she was absolutely right. In all the years we have been to the Canaries we came back to Lansarote only once to remind ourselves why we should not go there and throughly regret the visit.

Still, there are a few places to visit and a few things to see on Lansarote. The volcanic caves and the concert hall complex "Jameos de las Agua" designed by César Manrique. The area between Playa de Papagaio and Puerto Calero is also quite nice for snorkeling and diving. However, all of that can be done in one day coming via the fast ferry from Corralejo. It is not worth staying on Lansarote for a week just for that.

-- AntonIvanov? - 19 Nov 2008