Transport
Das war der schlimmste Ausflug, an dem ich jemals teilgenommen habe: Der Bus kam 30 min verspätet, er war bereits halb voll, trotzdem haben wir noch 1,5 Stunden weitere Teilnehmer abgeholt. Und auch am Ende 1,5 Stunden wieder abgesetzt. Der Mitarbeiter konnte uns nicht viel über Manrique erzählen, sagte er. Er durfte auch nicht während der Besichtigungen uns etwas erläutern, sagte er. Wir waren also alleine gelassen. Trotz allem, die Orte, die wir besichtigen konnten, waren toll.
With its vine-laden lava fields, exuberant architecture and otherworldly landscapes, Lanzarote looks and feels like something from a sci-fi movie set. This exclusive half-day tour takes in the Cesar Manrique Foundation and his Cactus Garden, followed by a visit to LagOmar. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Manrique convinced his fellow islanders to invest in tourism without overdevelopment, making sure any human impact is in harmony with our volcanic landscapes.'
Manrique was admired by many in his lifetime, and his influence on Lanzarote's culture lives on. He was a versatile artist producing paintings, sculptures and architectural works, bringing sustainability to the forefront of his creations, long before it became a buzzword. You'll first tour his Jardín de Cactus, where 1,100 species of sculptural succulents are grown. You can see instantly how Manrique's skill and vision enhanced the barren landscape.
Similarly, the Fundacion Cesar Manrique demonstrates that harmony between the built environment and nature can succeed. A visit to the artist's home-studio, built into a lava field, is ample proof. Your final stop of the tour will be at LagOmar, a stunning spot that seamlessly combines nature and art. This unique place is set in a volcanic quarry and includes features like a cave-bar, restaurant, and a museum. Local legend has it that Hollywood icon Omar Sharif briefly owned it, only to lose it in a game of cards.
