Fuerteventura (sometimes spelled Fuertaventura) is the largest of all the Canary islands. It is mountainous, with huge (extinct) volcanoes like Lanzarote, but not as black and barren-looking. It is reputed to be the quietest of all the Canaries - possibly because all the holiday-makers are concentrated in a few developed resorts.

A trip into the interior to see the magnificent mountainous scenery is highly recommended: especially as you are unlikely to have to share your view with many other tourists.

When we told friends we were about to visit Fuerteventura, they all replied in the same way.

"I haven't been myself, but I believe it's windy there".

We weren't at all worried, telling ourselves that wind was a good thing and would keep the temperature down, make the heat bearable.

Well, we were wrong.

The wind was not a good thing. It was relentless, strong and turned all the beautiful golden beaches into sand blast areas, where you received an instant exfoliation and an urgent need for a proprietary eye wash. Not an ideal spot to picnic: this was the place that put the sand into sandwiches.

As for keeping the temperatures down... we visited Fuerteventura at Easter, temperatures were in the late teens and really didn't need keeping down at all, thank you. You can check out the latest weather and forecasts for Fuerteventura here.

Having said that, we had a great time in Fuerteventura. It is a beautiful island of contrasts: magnificent sandy beaches with developed tourist resorts in the north and south; tiny, quiet coves along the western and south-eastern coast. Busy, coastal, purpose-built tourist resorts contrast with quiet, rural villages amongst the mountains.

But everywhere, there is wind.

We spent a busy week travelling around Fuerteventura in April 2009. We managed to see all the main tourist destinations and many of the quieter, tiny coastal villages, as well as travelling all around the dramatic mountain scenery. Roads here are a delight: well made, easy to follow and virtually empty. Take a look at the video clip above. Hire a car in Fuerteventura and see what we mean!

So where does our tour of Fuerteventura take you?

To the main resorts of:
Corralejo in the north (very busy, very developed, very British), El Cotillo (not quite as busy and developed).
Caleta de Fuste on the east coast (very new, very developed, very purpose-built, very British).

The southern resorts of Morro Jable and Playa de Sotavento de Jandia in the south: Costa Calma, Jandia, Mattoral (very developed, very spick-and-span, very German).

Along the eastern coast to smaller resorts and quiet villages, like La Lajita, Gran Tarajal, Las Playitas, Pozo Negro.
Even tinier spots along the western coast such as Ajuy (my favourite), Los Molinos, Playa del Viejo Rey.

Then inland to the spectacular mountains and villages of Betancuria, Pajara, Tefia, Antigua, La Oliva.

We had a fantastic week exploring Fuerteventura and met many people who go back year after year for its beautiful sandy beaches. Maybe we were slightly unlucky with the strength of the wind and lack of heat. It would certainly appeal to a wide range of holiday seekers - from walkers and cyclists to beach-loving families and those who like to lie in the sun all day and party all night!