Lapping it up in Fuerteventura
Despite the volcanic nature that you get on all the Canary islands, on Fuerteventura I discovered long strands of white sand on beaches devoid of any jagged rock formations or black lava. Perfect for walking as the odd naturist also thought. The Playa de Butihondo north of Morro Jable has a wonderful stretch, as does the Playa de Sotavento just south of Costa Calma.
I stayed first at the Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real (www.atlantisbahiareal.com). The hotel has its bellboys resplendent in semi-Alpine uniforms with red waistcoats and black felt hats. There are 242 rooms and a selection of restaurants. At the Spanish gourmet ?Las Columnas? they certainly push the boat out though hopefully not the belly!  I enjoyed some pumpkin cream soup and a piquillo pepper filled with seafood, before resisting a menu of eight tapas. I then expanded into a sea bass set in a rock salt case, a process of release from which mesmerised the neighbouring children. And all helped along with a salad of tropical fruits, cherry tomatoes and king prawns. They typically mix fruit into their salads. To round things off I tried a chocolate soufflé with red fruits that were doused in a rosemary aroma and cardamom ice cream.  All thoroughly thought through! Look out at the hotel spa, the ?Bahia Vital?, for Daniella. No ordinary masseuse as my girlfriend lifted herself out of her chair she was pulled up and knew instantly that she was in great hands. Indeed she left ...