For many people, sport is an incredibly important part of their life. Not just watching it – whether that’s going to the game at their local football stadium, ice hockey rink or basketball courts – but actively taking part. It’s not uncommon for people who work together in an office to use that fact as an opportunity to form a five-a-side football team, for example. Even before entering the world of work, students and other young people use sport as a social tool and way of meeting new people, and as a way of staying healthy.

Holidaymakers usually book their cheap holidays to get away from stress. If people find sports relaxing, it makes sense that they’ll want to keep up their sports and exercise routines while they’re away from home. Many holiday destinations can offer sporting opportunities for tourists. Let’s look at Lanzarote as an example.

Lanzarote is one of the Canary Islands. It’s the furthest to the east of the Canaries, and is one of the largest of the islands in the archipelago. Like all of the Canaries, it’s naturally beautiful, protected in part by UNESCO. There’s a great climate thanks to its proximity to the coast of North Africa. The fact that Lanzarote is the venue for some prestigious triathlon competitions should give a clue to how runner-friendly it is. The volcanic landscape is fantastic to run through, and as an island there are plenty of coastal routes. Obviously, runners should remember to stay hydrated, and try to avoid running at the hottest times of day.

Watersports are very well represented on Lanzarote’s coast, as they are on all the Canary Islands. This is great news for divers who have been taking lessons and are looking forward to getting out of the pool and into the Atlantic. Divers and swimmers should be aware of beach safety signs and flags, and remember that there may be currents which are not obvious from the surface movement of sea water.

Large tourist resorts on Lanzarote often provide gyms and other sporting venues for tourists. It may be cheaper, however, to use the internet to find out where the locals practice. A quick search for squash courts in Lanzarote will, for example, turn up two dedicated clubs, one in Arrecife and the other in Puerto del Carmen.