The Five Paths

Flights
Car hire & taxi
Getting there
Getting around

Flights
You can catch a plane to Lanzarote's airport, Arrecife (ACE), from most regional UK airports. For some reason, which I have never found it necessary to ask about, most flights from UK to Lanzarote are on Thursday. Come to think of it, most return flights are too. Spooky. Maybe they do flights in rotation - Brits on Thursday, Norwegians on Friday. I guess the Germans get there early on Wednesday.
If you book in advance you could expect to get a return flight for around £150. If the course overlaps UK school holidays the airlines charge a premium - up to £240.
Try the following agents for flights - we've found them both very helpful:
Gemstone Travel Ltd - T: 01344 353 808
www.gemstonetravel.com
Flightline at Arrecife airport - +34 928 84 63 36
Speak to Kathy or Gill.
You might like to mention The Five Paths - you won't get your flights any cheaper but it's good publicity.

Car hire & taxis
When you arrive you need to get from the airport to Haria in the Valley of 10,000 Palms which is in the north of the island - far away from the 'looky looky' trinket sellers on the main tourist run of Puerto del Carmen.

If we were a larger holiday company with embroidered T-shirts we would be able to pick up everyone up from the airport regardless of which flight you are on. However, we prefer to welcome you properly when you arrive at La Fuentecilla - and to be truthful Ignacio's trusty VW will have other errands to run.

So, it's either taxi or hire car. The taxis are all air conditioned Mercedes so if you can afford the 30 Euros or so it's not a bad option - and you could always share the cost with another Wild Dreamer - you can pre-arrange this on the message board. Or look out for anyone in Arrivals (Llegadas) sporting a Wildest Dreams logo.

Alternatively, why not hire your own Mercedes? Or Corsa or Golf Cabriolet. It is very convenient throwing your bags in the back of the car at the airport and it gives you more independence on the afternoons off and in the evenings. And other people on the course will immediately become your friend when they want a lift to the restaurant. Why not pre-arrange to share a car via the message board before you arrive. Don't forget your driving licence.

A Corsa will cost about 115 Euros all inclusive for a week. We use Autos Montecar in Costa Teguise (+34 928 59 16 40) but you can make your own arrangements if you prefer. Ignacio will make the booking for you for which he makes a small commission without it costing you any more and it's less hassle for you.

Petrol (sin plomo) is really cheap - about 1 Euro per litre. So you can go skinny dipping at Papagayo at the southern tip of the island, eat at La Era (arguably the best restaurant on the island) and drive back through the volcanoes all for less than £5 in petrol money. Only camels use less fuel. (Yes - you can hire a camel at Timanfaya)

You can hire a scooter if you fancy exploring on a Yamaha. You are allowed to ride a 50cc on a regular driving licence but anything racier will need a proper bike licence. Warning: it is often very windy on Lanzarote and scooters are not for the fainthearted. For the positively foolhardy you can go hanggliding. Fortunately, the times I tried to book it was too windy to fly.

Getting there
From the airport follow the signs towards Arrecife onto the dual carriageway. Then follow the signs for Lanzarote North. Do not stay on the dual carriageway that goes straight into Arrecife town centre. Then keep your eyes open for the exit to Orzola and Jameos del Agua - it comes upon you before you know it. You will go through Macher and pass CÈsar Manrique's cactus garden with the giant green metal cactus outside and the windmill at Guatiza. At the Arrieta roundabout which has a Manrique wind sculpture in the middle turn left to Haria and start climbing up the valley. As you enter the Valley of 10,000 Palms you will pass the cemetery on the left where CÈsar Manrique's grave is. Follow your nose to the square (la plaza) in the centre of the town - it's a bit of an initiative test.

If you have got an MSc in Orienteering you may want to find your own way from la plaza to La Fuentecilla using the map. Alternatively, you can call Ignacio on 928 836011 - his office is in la plaza - and he will guide you to La Fuentecilla where a drink and welcome awaits you.

Getting around
All group travel is in Ignacio's 4 wheel drive VW minibus. You will need a car if you want to get around in the evenings or on your day off. I have to say that if you don't have access to a car you will spend most of your spare time talking to lizards in Ignacio's garden.

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