Lanzarote: The Hidden Gem of the Canary Islands

Depending what time you Arrive in Lanzarote, your first day may be limited. However, make sure your rent a car so you can truly see all the beauty the island has to offer. Check in at the hotel and explore your area. Each area of Lanzarote has a unique vibe. If you are looking for a serious pub scene find your way to Puerto Del Carmen, an area with a ton of English and Irish pubs. If you are looking for a little more laid back beach town vibe, head up to Costa Teguise where you'll find one of my favorite beach bars, Bar Luca which feels like a cool beach bar in Tulum complete with sexy cocktails and live house music DJs.

For dinner, try the outrageously delicious taste of Paraguay at Lomo Alto one of the oldest restaurants on the island. Bring your appetite because the portions are huge. I highly recommend the mixed grill which is enough for 2-3 people and you can try many of their meats, or the Lomo Special.

Time to hit the beach. Whether you are on Costa Teguise, in the south on Playa Blanca or in the heart of the action in Puerto Del Carmen, you can't go wrong. If you are not staying at hotel that provides beach chairs, or has card access to the beach from the lounge areas like Hotel Fariones, then I highly recommend getting a spot early. Renting a chair and umbrella for the day is easy in Puerto Del Carmen and Costa Teguise; however if you are looking to explore playa blanca I highly recommend bringing your own.

For dinner make it memorable with a drive to a Miradora las Salinas, a famous restaurant overlooking the salt flats. The drive takes you across a gorgeous mountain pass, be advised that you must cross the same pass on the way home, which makes for quite the night drive adventure. They specialize in seafood here, for those who love fresh head on shrimp make sure you order the Prawn Appetizer. For those who want a taste of the famed Canarian Black Pork - order the the pork cheek in red wine sauce. You truly can't go wrong with anything you order here.

If you are still feeling up for an adventure after dinner, check out the Gran Casino de Lanzarote. It is a newer casino filled with all the games you could want including two roulette tables that provide excellent people watching entertainment if you are not the gambling type.

At this point in your trip you have probably passed several vineyards. They are such a sight to behold, and the wine they produce is so unique. Today it's time to drink wine! You'll find several of the best vineyards located along LZ-30 which runs from San Bartolome to Uga.

Start your trip in San Bartolome, a gorgeous little town which is home to the Lanzarote Ethnographic museum. This museum is a wonderful tribute to the history and culture of Lanzarote. It is full of amazing relics and art works from hundreds of years ago which catalog the evolution of the island into the place it is today.

Start your wine tasting journey at Bodegas La Florida or Bodegas el Grifo. Head down LZ-30 and you will hit a stretch of 6 vineyards all next to each other. Must visits from this group are Bodega Querencia, Bodega Stratvs and Bodega Rubicon. It is also worth noting that the owners of Bodega Stratvs are also the owners of Hotel Fariones, so all of the food is sourced from their own local farms.

Make sure you drink a lot water and take your time making your way back to your hotel.

If you have time, Bodega La Geria and Bodega Antonio Suarez are also excellent.

ATV tours are huge in the Canaries. Although you can absolutely ATV in Lanzarote, there is a special tour that happens on the sand dunes of Fuerteventura which you can book even if you are staying in Lanzarote. It only requires a short ferry ride from one island to the other. These all get booked up well in advance, so I would recommend securing this reservation at least 45 days before your trip.

If you're feeling like you want a different kind of adventure, take a tour of the cannabis members only clubs. Please note it is illegal to consume cannabis in public in the Canary Islands. Cannabis consumption is only allowed in the privacy of your home or while inside a members only club. You must be 21 and will need to provide your passport and pay a membership fee to enter. The most popular ones are Klinic Cannabis Club and Blunts Dispensary. If you are looking a little more intimate and local, I suggest Dream Green CSC. There are over 100 clubs on the island so enjoy your exploration.

If neither ATVs or dispensaries are your thing, then take some time to explore the island's capital of Arrecife. Pop Arrecife Marina into your GPS and set out for an afternoon adventure. There you will find top notch shopping and incredible restaurants. For lunch, I highly recommend Resturante Carbon, Il Nonno Trattoria or Lillium.

For dinner, try Mácher60, a Michelin Bib Gourmand selection offering delicious elevated traditional cusine with local ingredients.