Sites & Bites: Salt flats and Malvasia wine in Lanzarote

Nat Geo Day Tour: La Geria, Vineyards that Sprouted from Fire

When Timanfaya's six long years of eruptions ceased in 1736, the farmers of La Geria believed their fertile lands were lost forever under a thick layer of ash. But the local families needed to make the land productive again, and through sheer hard work and determination, they succeeded in creating the vineyards of La Geria. You'll start off with a scenic walk, following trails through private vineyards belonging to the family-owned bodega of Nacho Romero, opened exclusively for National Geographic travellers. As you soak up the unique character of these landscapes where vineyards are surrounded by volcanoes, the owner will explain how the layer of volcanic ash, known locally as ‘picón,' has shaped their cultivation methods, which are unique in the world. If you are lucky enough to find them ripe, you might even get to pick grapes straight from the vine as you hear Nacho or his wife Luisa, both winemakers, talk about the characteristics of volcanic wine. Back at the bodega after the walk, you'll be able to sample one of the artisanal wines that Nacho and Luisa make in their home winery. Next, you'll head to Bodega La Geria – another important component of the ecological wine making movement. The winemaker himself will show you around the bodega. Find out the secrets of the hollows, called ‘zocos' which shelter the vines from the wind, and discover the different varieties of grapes that thrive in Lanzarote's volcanic terroir. To finish, savour a tasting of one of the estate's renowned wines with local cheese and crackers.

Timanfaya Volcanic Tour

This half-day tour is Lanzarote in a nutshell. You'll call in at El Golfo lagoon, journey through Timanfaya National Park and visit the Salinas de Janubio. We'll even throw in a wine tasting session to round off the tour.First up, you'll visit the waters of El Golfo - it's emerald waters have starred in many a Hollywood film over the years. But that's just an appetiser for the main event – the visit to Timanfaya National Park. Famed for its moonlike landscape is dotted with lava fields and black rocks, you'll see the ‘Fire Mountain', to name but a few.We'll continue the tour with a stop in La Geria for a sip of some local wine before we reach Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canaries. Snap a few selfies with the miles of cotton-white salt mounds as your guide fills you in on the history of this all-important island resource. You'll even get a chance to try some, too.

Tour of Teguise and LagOmar with a local guide

Two very different Lanzarote experiences share equal billing in this half-day excursion. You'll get to spend time mixing with locals in Teguise's Sunday market – the biggest outdoor bazaar in the Canaries – and lapping up the Hollywood stardust of the mythical LagOmar.

Lanzarote volcano tour with BBQ

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery comes into its own at Timanfaya National Park. This corner of the island is all peaks and craters straight from a sci-fi movie set. And it's all even more dramatic at sunset. So on this evening trip, you're in for a treat.

Guided wine-tasting tour of three Lanzarote vineyards

Lanzarote's mineral-rich volcanic soils are the key to its excellent wines. This morning tour takes you to three wineries to sample some of their award-winning organic wines. Plus, you'll also visit the Monumento del Campesino to see the famous farmer's monument. Teresa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Our island's wines are the fruit of our ingenuity in harnessing the destruction wrought by Mother Nature into an art – a common thread that weaves together islander and landscape.'After pick-up, you'll head straight for the Monumento del Campesino, designed by legendary Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique. Built in his trademark style that fused whitewashed structures with volcanic bubbles and exotic plants, it's a joy to explore. Then, it's off to the family-owned Bodega La Geria. Here, vines are shielded from the winds by horseshoe-shaped stone walls, while the humidity retained by the ash helps them grow in this harsh climate. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and taste some of its prized Malvasia wines.Next, just a few volcanoes up the road, is Bodegas El Grifo – the oldest winery in the Canaries. Housed in a colonial-style hacienda surrounded by cacti, it's been producing wines since 1775. Owned by the Garcia Duran family, its wines are regular prize winners. Rounding off the tour is Bodega Suarez, a charming winery that offers visitors an authentic taste of the island's unique wine culture. Here, you'll indulge in the perfect pairing of cheese with two wines.

Lanzarote Tour with Timanfaya National Park and Winery Visit

This exclusive excursion leaves no stone unturned. You'll discover the spectacular volcanic south, visiting Timanfaya National Park and Jameos del Agua caves. There are also visits to a winery and an aloe vera plantation as well as lunch in the Valley of One Thousand Palms.

Music Hall Tavern with Transfer

They say that laughter is the best medicine and this hilarious evening of comedy drag performance, with an inclusive three-course meal, is just what the doctor ordered. This is a night that certainly does not take itself too seriously.

VIP Lanzarote South to North Tour

There's a lot to tick off on this tour. Start by discovering Salinas de Janubio salt plains, followed by a stop at the green lake of El Golfo and a visit to an aloe vera museum. Throughout the day there'll be plenty of photo stops at churches, beaches and viewpoints. Plus, you'll journey through a scenic area known as the ‘Valley of the thousand palm trees'.

Splashmania at Aquapark Costa Teguise with Lunch and Transport.

Lanzarote's biggest water park will be your destination on this family-friendly excursion. There are zigzagging slides for all ages and adrenaline-rushing chutes for those who dare at Aquapark Costa Teguise. What's more, this exclusive experience included lunch of a burger or hotdog with chips and a soft drink.There's also plenty of space to chill out – but you won't be able to resist the call of Aquapark Costa Teguise's many attractions. Just pack your bathing gear, slap on some sun cream and head off for a day splashing about in the water. Hit the turbocharged slides that see you rushing down in the blink of an eye or head to the large open pool and river rafts. There's plenty for the little ones, too, with a special kids' pool and slides.You can choose the option that suits you best, with transfers from a pick-up point included, or just admission only. And for the icing on the cake, between 11:30 and 12:30 there's an open bar for all soft drinks and beer.

Aqualava Waterpark with Transfer

Home to Lanzarote's only salt-water wave pool, Aqualava Waterpark in Playa Blanca promises plenty of water-soaked action. You'll be picked up at your hotel and brought to the park to enjoy its slides, pools and daredevil rides. An action-packed day out for all the family.All the pools are heated using geothermal energy, so you can expect every inch of Aqualava to blend in with Lanzarote's volcanic landscape. But it's made all the more exciting with water slides, chutes and pools suitable for all family members as well as adrenaline-pumping rides for the bravest. And when you want to take it easy, you can float along the lazy river or hit the sun loungers.There are all the facilities you'd need for a day out. What's more, attractions are adapted for guests with limited mobility, including the use of an amphibious wheelchair, and free Wi-Fi is available to share your holiday snaps.