Lanzarote Get Away for Winter

-Paradise!

-Absolutely.

What if you could live abroad in winter for the same cost...

..as living in the UK?

-This is priced at 595 a month.

-Is that all?

By renting a piece of paradise...

Unbelievable. Wow, this is amazing.

..you could swap sleet and snow...

..for sun and sand.

Right, let's go and have a look at some properties.

Well, absolutely.

Get Away For Winter teams up sun-seekers

with a local property expert...

-Can you see yourself in here?

-I can, yeah.

..to find their perfect rental retreat.

It's like you're on holiday all the time.

Together they'll leave no stone unturned...

This is unbelievable, isn't it?

..in order to find and fund their dream winter getaway.

This is what I was dreaming of and didn't even think existed!

In the north-east of England lies the city of Newcastle.

It's home to a couple hoping to seek out some winter sun -

Josie Rose and Lawrence Thompson.

-What's your favourite colour?

-Orange.

We met on the internet.

-After...

-..a few dates.

-..a few dates, yes,

we decided that... it was going to work out.

We've got eight grandchildren between us, five grown-up children,

and we're very settled, really.

Very fortunate, very settled

-and lucky to have found love, really, aren't we?

-Yeah.

With their families all grown-up,

retired retail manager Josie, and Lawrence, who used to be a fireman,

are about to embark on an adventure,

and this will signal a new chapter in their lives.

At our time of life, there's got to be a point where

you, you know, think about yourselves.

Josie and Lawrence both think the time is right to enjoy the benefits

of being abroad for part of the winter.

We all feel better, you smile more, people are pleasant.

It's so much nicer. Everything's nicer in the sun.

I agree with that!

Lawrence in particular struggles with the north-east winters.

Like 10 million other Britons, he suffers from arthritis

that is aggravated by cold, wet weather.

I have had one knee replaced, but I now find that the left knee

is starting to be a consideration as well.

But abroad the heat does seem to help.

Josie and Lawrence would like to escape the worst of the winter

for six to eight weeks, and they've been planning on

how to make their dream a financial reality.

Basically, you're paying for accommodation, which is fine,

and it doesn't cost you any more to live abroad than it does here.

You know, we can go shopping, we like to go to the markets

and enjoy feeling the warmth of the sun.

They'll also be making savings in the UK, which will go towards

their rental costs abroad.

Heating bills, water bills, gas bills,

and that will really offset the cost of renting somewhere abroad.

Josie and Lawrence don't intend to lease out their property

while they're away but, if they had,

their three-bedroom semidetached in Killingworth,

a popular rental area for families, could achieve up to £750 a month

according to local property agents.

Josie and Lawrence estimate that they will save around £75 a week on

utilities and petrol costs in the UK.

To afford their winter getaway, they've been saving for 18 months,

and they've set their total winter sunshine budget at £850 a week.

£500 to £600 of that will be allocated to renting

their perfect piece of paradise.

Their finances are sorted

and they have their hearts set on a destination.

We want to go to Lanzarote because we've been twice before,

it's a lovely, clean place,

it's a beautiful island.

It's quite a windy island.

But warm wind is...delightful.

Far better than minus five in Newcastle!

Josie and Lawrence are seeking the sun on Lanzarote,

the fourth largest of the Canary Islands.

Although belonging to Spain,

this volcanic island sits a mere 70 miles west of the Moroccan coast.

It has an average winter temperature of 22 degrees centigrade -

almost double the average winter temperature in Newcastle.

Properties on the island range from traditional coastal fishing lodgings

to palatial villas,

and a man who knows Lanzarote and this property market well

is Dave Poxon.

Originally, I'm from London.

I've been living here since 2001,

and I share a house with my beautiful daughter Arabella,

who's 13 years old. She was born here.

Yes, I did it! I did it!

Dave runs his own property management company

and he'll be showing Josie and Lawrence four villas that will

give them a taste of everything that Lanzarote has to offer.

Property doesn't slow down here in the winter.

It's one of the great things about Lanzarote -

there's an all-year season.

We've got properties that are booked up up to two years in advance.

If you find something you like and you want to come over here,

you need to book it.

In the UK, Josie and Lawrence are preparing to speak to Dave

for the first time. Only one of them will travel to Lanzarote

to do the property search,

so this is their chance to tell Dave what they are both looking for

in their winter rental home. INTERNET CALL RINGS

Oh, here he is.

-Hi.

-Hello there, hi.

-Hi, how are you?

Fine, thanks. How is it in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote, I'm afraid to say it's beautiful sunny skies

and it's absolutely wonderful. What's it like over there?

Well, as you can probably see, it's dark, damp and pretty miserable.

So, can you please both tell me what you're really interested in

in a property?

We're looking for two beds, two bathrooms, if possible.

We'd like some outside space where we can enjoy eating outside.

A pool isn't essential. It would be nice, but it's not essential.

-Mm-hm.

-So, a nice kitchen with good cooking facilities

and a washing machine, please.

It certainly sounds as if Josie and Lawrence

know exactly what they want...

..and what they don't want.

One thing we wouldn't like is an uncomfortable bed.

Two weeks on holiday is OK, but if we're staying six or more weeks,

we really need comfort.

Josie and Lawrence's winter break will count as a short term let

in Lanzarote, so they've set a weekly budget of £500 to £600

for their rental property.

Now, who's going to be the lucky one who will be joining Dave

in Lanzarote to undertake the search?

-I'm coming over.

-And, unfortunately, I've got the short straw -

I've got to stay in the cold and the wet.

I'm sure, with the information you've given me,

I can find something that's going to make you really, really happy.

I really, really look forward to you coming over, and I'll see you soon.

-OK, lovely.

-Take care.

-Thanks very much for your help.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

Dave has all he needs for the Lanzarote search to begin,

and for Josie and Lawrence, renting their perfect home in paradise

is one step closer to reality.

I'm looking forward to being out there

and spending some good quality time in the sunshine.

-The winter abroad is exactly what we need.

-That's right.

With their accommodation budget of £500 to £600 a week,

Josie and Lawrence are in search of a two-bedroom property with outside

space, but they also want all mod cons

and all the comforts of home.

So, whilst Lawrence holds the fort back in England,

it's going to be up to Josie to make sure they get just what they are

looking for on Lanzarote.

Leaving Lawrence behind in the chilly north-east,

Josie has made the 2,500-mile journey to Lanzarote,

and she's woken up to a beautiful day on the island.

The weather this morning is glorious.

It's warm, it's sunny, it's good for me.

She's a happy girl.

Property agent Dave is on his way to meet Josie in person

and get the property search underway.

The good thing about searching for Josie and Lawrence

is they're being pretty realistic.

Their budget's good and their expectations are good.

So we've got four great properties to show them, and I'm pretty

confident that they're going to like at least one of them.

I'm really, really happy with what we've got to show them.

I'm really, really sure that we can find them the ideal place.

Oh, poor Lawrence is at home.

I'm sure he's a little bit jealous that I'm here and he's not,

but we made the choice together, so...

It won't be long, if we can find somewhere,

that we'll both be here together for a long time.

-Hi, Josie.

-Dave! Good morning.

-At last. How are you?

-I'm good. Lovely to see you.

-Looking forward to it?

-Very excited.

-Very, very excited.

-Great, jump in.

-Perfect weather.

-Perfect weather. Put your seat belt on.

-Thank you. I will.

And we shall get to the first property.

-Let's go.

-Let's go! Let's find it.

Are you excited about the search? Are you feeling nervous?

I can't tell you how excited I am.

A little bit nervous because I know we gave you a brief,

but I'm very, very much looking forward to seeing what you've got.

Although it's Josie who's here, she won't make the decisions alone

because she'll video call Lawrence from each property

to make sure it meets both their needs for their £500 to £600 budget.

He did remind me to check out the beds,

to make sure they were comfortable.

OK, no problem. You can bounce on them all.

-Like Goldilocks.

-Let's do that!

Now, Josie and Lawrence are looking

for a property in or around Playa Blanca.

It's a place they know very well,

having visited twice before on holiday.

And property one is just a 15-minute drive west of the town,

nestled at the foot of the dormant volcano, Montana Roja.

-This looks a very nice area.

-This is nice.

We're going to a place called Shangrila Park.

-Have you heard of that?

-I haven't.

Shangrila Park was one of the first residential developments of its kind

in the area, and is typical to those in and around Playa Blanca.

It opened in 2001 and it's made up of 131 villas set in large plots

and surrounded by wide, pedestrianised roads and palm trees.

-Look at the view of Montana Roja.

-Goodness, that's wonderful.

It's a lovely view

-and we can also see that from the roof terrace upstairs.

-That's great.

-Shall we go in?

-Yes, let's do that.

This Moroccan-style detached villa, with its secluded rooftop terrace,

offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

-Here we go.

-Oh, that's lovely, very nice.

Inside, the living area's spacious,

with everything Josie and Lawrence would need for a longer stay.

Plenty of storage.

You've also got a machine to make coffee, toaster, kettle,

stuff like that, so it's everything you need, really, in a kitchen.

Very good. Well equipped.

So, it's got all the mod cons they're after.

Two bathrooms...

..and a good deal of space.

Goodness! This is a huge bedroom.

-It's lovely. So bright, airy.

-Yeah.

It's now time for that all-important bed test.

Oh, that feels OK.

This feels quite comfortable, nice, deep mattress.

-There's plenty of space. It's a really big bed.

-Great.

Outside, the property has a large patio area,

complete with outdoor furniture and built-in barbecue.

And, of course, not forgetting that rooftop terrace.

It seems to fit Josie and Lawrence's brief,

but does it come within their budget?

So the price of this property, which might swing it,

-is only £375 a week, including bills.

-Goodness.

-So it's well under budget.

-It is.

Yes, that's considerably lower than their 500 to £600 budget.

But is it homely enough for Josie and Lawrence?

Josie has the eye for, I suppose, the creature comforts.

But we do discuss things, we do usually come to an agreement,

and I think we both like pretty much the same things.

Back in the UK, the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler...

..and Lawrence is standing by to hear from Josie.

Hello, darling. How are you?

Fine, thanks. A little bit cold, but otherwise OK.

-Are you dying to see this property?

-Love to, yes.

I'm really excited.

This is the living space.

The sofa, actually, it doesn't look like you could fall asleep in it.

No!

Well, you were right about the sofa -

it's not very comfy, I have to say.

This is a really good property.

It's in a good area in a nice, friendly community.

Not 100% sure if it's going to be Josie and Lawrence's cup of tea.

So, this is the kitchen.

Does it have a dishwasher? Or is that me?

I didn't ask that, but you're usually the dishwasher.

It's well below budget.

It might just not have that luxury that they're after.

This is the master bedroom.

One question - is the bed comfortable?

Well, I did try it.

It might not be comfortable enough for you.

It represents really good value, in a really good location.

And it's a huge terrace.

And it is really, really spacious.

So, how are you feeling about this?

I'm certainly impressed by the outside space.

The location is very nice, but I'm not entirely 100% about this villa.

If you're not happy, then I'll stand by you, in that respect.

-OK. Well, we'll agree.

-Yeah. OK.

-OK.

-OK, darling. I'll speak to you later.

-OK, take care.

-Love you. Bye.

-Bye.

You've had another walk around the property,

had a good chat with Lawrence. What did he think?

We need a little more luxury, a little more comfort,

so that if we do need to be indoors a little more often,

it would be comfortable, and this just isn't.

There's plenty more to see.

-Let's go and have a look at other ones.

-OK, let's go.

Available to rent for £375 a week,

this property is well within their budget.

It has all the accommodation they require, with good outside space.

But both Josie and Lawrence have concerns about being comfortable

in the villa during a long stay in the winter months.

While Josie's being chauffeured around properties in Lanzarote,

poor Lawrence is manning the fort at home and working hard.

A main driving force behind their winter getaway

is the love of being outdoors all year round.

I don't mind going out when it's dry and crisp,

but I'm not keen on the wet months.

Enjoying an active outdoor life has been harder for Lawrence

since he was diagnosed with arthritis four years ago.

He suffers from osteoarthritis, the most common type of the condition,

affecting almost five million people in Britain.

I've had one knee replacement, almost two years ago now.

It was painful,

the damp weather caused it to, you know, seize up.

But now that I've had it done, it's a huge improvement,

but unfortunately the other knee is starting to play up.

The benefits of a sunnier climate are not just limited to arthritis

sufferers, because sunlight and the vitamin D it simulates are essential

to our general health.

It can help beat low mood and lower the chance of developing a raft of

conditions, like high blood pressure, for example.

People in the UK who are not exposed to enough sunlight during the dark

winter months are advised to take a vitamin D supplement.

I know I do!

It's just a feel-good factor, being out in the sunshine.

It gives you a whole new...

..sort of lease of life.

Back on the property hunt on Lanzarote...

We look online, but it's so good to be able to get in,

and you step inside a door and you get the feel for the place.

Yeah, you can't bounce on the beds online, can you?

Dave is taking Josie to an area that she and Lawrence know very well.

Sitting in the east of Playa Blanca is Marina Rubicon.

Once it was a sleepy fishing village,

but has now been transformed into a bustling upmarket tourist centre.

With properties mimicking the traditional colonial style

and boutique shops, restaurants and bars,

this is the heart of the action.

The property Dave has brought Josie to see is

a semidetached town house.

-OK, here we are. First reactions?

-Ah! What a location.

This is perfect for us. We love this area.

-So, can we go inside?

-Yeah, come on, let's go.

-OK.

On the previous occasions Josie and Lawrence

have holidayed on the island,

Marina Rubicon has always been a favourite haunt.

This second property is a villa with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Downstairs there's an open-plan living space,

complete with dining area.

Gosh, that's bigger than I thought. Bigger than I expected.

Nice open plan.

The kitchen is bright and airy and well equipped

with all modern appliances.

It's OK. It's not a bad kitchen at all.

Finally, downstairs there's a single bedroom.

Upstairs is the main family bathroom,

complete with shower above the bath and the bidet.

-Fill it with ice, put some wine in.

-Some candles around the bath?

-Perfect.

-Ice in the bidet with your wine.

On this floor, there's also a good-sized twin bedroom.

And a master bedroom with en suite.

The ice bucket's a bit far from the bath, but apart from that, it's OK.

Let's go!

Oh, that's a very nice terrace, isn't it?

Outside, there's a south-facing private garden with a heated pool.

And that's a good-sized pool, isn't it? Who needs more?

Well, you're not going to be training for

the Channel swim, are you?

So you can float around in that

whilst Lawrence is trying to make tequila.

Yep. Well, the property also has a balcony upstairs,

accessed from the main bedroom.

Look at the view.

-It's nice, isn't it?

-Oh, my goodness.

I really need to know how much this is.

-The price of this property is £600 a week.

-Not bad.

This property is at the top end of their budget,

but it does put them in their dream location.

Although Josie yet again has concerns about its home comforts.

-Hi, Lawrence.

-Hi, there. How are you?

-I'm good.

So, guess where we are?

Well, it does look familiar, but I'm not all that sure.

We're right on the edge of Marina Rubicon.

Oh, fabulous.

I know. Your favourite location.

Yes, exactly. That would be wonderful.

So the location is a winner, but will the villa be the same?

There's a fairly sizeable en suite,

and this is the master bedroom.

I presume the bed is comfortable?

It's a little bit low, actually,

and not quite as comfortable as you're used to.

Uh-oh. That's not the best news for Lawrence.

But will things improve downstairs?

There's not much bench space, I have to say,

not much workbench.

Well, there's always a takeaway.

Positive thinking, Lawrence.

I love this property, and it's an absolutely wonderful location

for Josie and Lawrence.

Hopefully they're really going to like it.

Not sure if it's going to be cosy enough for them, but we'll find out.

-This is the only seating in here.

-It looks a bit compact.

I mean, there's not really four sort of spaces for people.

-Summing it up, you'll want to know how much it is.

-Yes, I would.

This one is 600 a week.

So it's not out of the price range.

And the good thing is, as well, it's exactly where we want to be.

So do you think we should leave this as a contender and talk about it...

-Yes.

-..in a bit more depth?

Yes. Yeah, yeah.

-How did that go?

-It went...pretty well, I have to say.

Lawrence thought the location was ideal, perfect for us,

and we have to consider it.

One concern is the seating in the living area,

if we had guests to stay.

Not sure there's enough space for all of us to sit on the sofa,

so that is one concern.

But apart from that, I can't think of many other negatives at all.

Would you consider sitting on laps?

SHE LAUGHS

Why not?

-You only live once, don't you?

-I guess, I guess.

Now, at £600 a week inclusive of bills,

this town house is manageable within Josie and Lawrence's budget.

Three bedrooms and two bathrooms provide ample space inside,

and the outside south-facing terrace with heated pool

also meets their brief.

Lawrence in particular loves the location,

but they have to weigh that up against their desire

for all the comforts of home.

Josie and Lawrence's property search

is centred in the south of Lanzarote.

Now, with its average summer temperatures hitting the heights

of 28 degrees in the summer months of July and August,

the population almost doubles.

And even though Lanzarote has another high season,

from November to April, life does slow to a more leisurely pace.

If you're looking for a good deal on a rental property,

the low season in spring and autumn are definitely the best bet.

But during the winter months, there are some price drops,

particularly in properties suited to larger groups

and those towards the top end of the market.

Take this five-bed villa, with three bathrooms, private pool and a gym.

Available to rent in the high season of summer,

it's almost £3,400 per week,

but in winter, that price drops by almost £2,000 a week.

Or this unique mountaintop villa

with beautiful views out to the Atlantic Ocean.

It sleeps up to 13 people, and it's available to rent for

just under £2,500 in winter -

almost £900 cheaper than in the high season.

Spending longer spells abroad during the winter months provides

the opportunity to experience life not just as a holiday-maker,

but more of a local.

And Josie is keen to get a taste of local life at the sociedad.

These community run halls are found in almost every town and village

on Lanzarote, and indeed throughout mainland Spain.

-Hello. I'm Josie.

-Hi, Antonio.

-How lovely to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too.

Antonio is a local chef who, like most locals in Lanzarote,

has been socialising and eating at a sociedad all his life.

I live in a village called Mozaga,

and the telly club is the place where you can meet.

For example, there is an important football match

and then you'll get all the people from the village

-who will be watching the match...

-Uh-huh.

-..every Sunday there.

Historically, sociedads used to be the only place to watch TV,

and the community would come together

for their favourite programmes and to share food.

-Oh, wow.

-That's another typical Canarian dish.

-That looks divine. Is it dead?

-Octopus. For sure!

We put some mojo, coriander and parsley sauce on top.

-Please.

-OK.

-Try it out.

-I will.

-And tell me if you like it.

-I'll like it.

That's absolutely beautiful.

These days, sociedads are more of a meeting place where locals

and visitors come to enjoy cheap, quality, traditional dishes.

-Oh, wow.

-Whoa.

So for big food lovers like Josie and Lawrence,

sociedads could be the perfect place to spend some time.

JOSIE GASPS

-Goat... Goat stew.

-Wow.

-Does Pedro make all the food? Is it traditional?

-Everything.

Everything. All the octopus, the goat, the squid.

All the sauces, the mojo, they're home-made, made by Pedro.

-So, yeah...

-I think I'll come and live with him.

You're bringing him to England?

-No, I'm coming here.

-Ah, you're coming!

I'm sure Lawrence would love it here.

He's not very adventurous, but I'm sure he'd give it his best shot

and I could have the octopus that he might not eat.

So, having established the place to go to catch up

with authentic Lanzarote life, Josie's back on the hunt,

looking for a small slice of home away from home in the sunshine.

-That's a fish farm you can see out there.

-Goodness. Oh, yes. I see.

-Mm-hm.

-What kind of fish?

-Wet ones.

Thankfully, Dave's expertise in comedy

and, indeed, the local property market,

is much better than his knowledge of local fish.

The next property he's taking Josie to see is off the beaten track.

-Look at this coming over the hill now.

-Oh, my goodness.

-Look at the view.

-Have you ever been here before?

-No, never.

-Well, I've got a surprise for you, that's where we're going.

-This is gorgeous.

-This is called Playa Quemada.

Located a few kilometres from the main highway,

running between the capital of Arrecife and Playa Blanca

is Playa Quemada.

It's a small coastal village with just under 200 inhabitants.

I mean, this is really, now, we're coming into proper rural Lanzarote,

-you know?

-Absolutely gorgeous.

If it's peace, tranquillity and Lanzarote as it used to be

that you're looking for, Playa Quemada could be just what you need.

This small seaside village has escaped the development

of its coastal cousins.

Dave's brought Josie off the beaten track

to see a beautiful private residence just 15 metres from the shoreline.

OK, Josie, wait till you see this view.

-JOSIE GASPS

-Oh, my goodness.

-Special, isn't it?

-Very special.

This is the property. Look at the size of the terrace that we've got.

-All of this...

-It's enormous. All of this?

-All of this is yours.

If you go up this little road, you go along,

there's seven beaches along the coastline that you can enjoy.

-My goodness.

-This is an absolutely incredible view.

You're not going to beat this view, really.

Absolutely amazing.

The ample outside space, with its magnificent views across the water,

are a hit with Josie.

But will the inside space prove to be as popular?

It's so much nicer than I expected inside!

It's very, very smart.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa

has a large and very open living space.

Let's have a look at this. It's a pretty incredible space.

-Goodness me.

-Very light, very airy.

-FAINT WHOOSH

-What was that?

-My shoe.

-Oh, OK.

The property is arranged over two floors, with a living area,

kitchen and two guest bedrooms on the first level.

-Ooh, that's a little firm.

-Is it?

-I think so.

Put your back out? Ooh, it is, isn't it? Yeah.

Josie likes testing beds,

and that might not be quite comfy enough for Lawrence.

On the level above, there's yet more comfortably furnished living space,

with patio doors leading out onto another balcony.

-Bit of a low wall. Lawrence is a bit accident prone.

-OK.

Well, if you're looking for a new husband, this might be the property!

SHE LAUGHS

Finally, on this level, the master bedroom and the en suite bathroom.

-SHE GASPS

-This is incredible.

Tell me how much it is.

So it's top end of the budget. £600 a week.

I love it. This is...unbelievable, isn't it?

Even though it's the top end of their £500 to £600 budget,

this property sounds like a contender for Josie.

But will Lawrence be able to see past its remote location?

-Hello, Lawrence.

-Hello, there. How are you?

I'm fine, thank you.

I've got something gorgeous to show you.

-How about that?

-What a beautiful, beautiful view.

Yeah, fabulous.

It's astonishing, isn't it?

It's a great start, but there's plenty to see inside.

-So, this is the interior.

-OK, yes. Seems comfortable enough.

And what about those slightly firmer mattresses?

I tested the bed in here. It's a little bit hard.

Right, OK. Well, we won't sleep on that one.

I wasn't expecting such a positive reaction

because it really is away from where they want to be.

Josie seemed to really warm up and like the property,

and I'm really interested to see what Lawrence thinks.

So is it another living room? Living area?

It is, it's another sitting room upstairs.

But amazing views, absolutely amazing views.

Yeah, it is, it's absolutely fabulous.

And there's a mountain walk up there, which I'm told

you can visit seven beaches up there.

-Do you fancy that?

-No.

I think you're going to be on your own with that one, Lawrence.

-This property is £600 a week.

-Right, OK.

-What do you think?

It's lovely. I mean, the views are second to none.

If... If the property's, you know, in the right place,

then I wouldn't hesitate to, you know, stay there.

This property is at Playa Quemada.

OK. I'll find it on the map.

OK, OK. Well, I'll chat with you later.

-OK, right. Bye for now.

-OK, bye.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-And how did that go?

-It went OK. Yes, Lawrence loved what he saw.

It's a very nice duplex apartment. It has ticked a lot of the boxes.

It is an interesting place. It's in a different area.

I thought it would be very good to bring you somewhere different,

to show you what else is available within your price range.

So that's three properties down, leaving two strong contenders.

Available to rent for £600 a week,

this property is at the top end of their budget,

but they're getting quite a bit more for their money.

It has plenty of space,

including two comfortable living rooms and ample room outside,

along, of course, with those incredible views.

But will those luxury living areas be enough to tempt them out of

their preferred location and into the remote quiet of Playa Quemada?

Josie and Lawrence's love for the island of Lanzarote is down,

in part, to its distinctive landscape, much of it shaped

by around six years of volcanic explosions back in the 18th century.

Over 80% of the island is protected by UNESCO,

and there are around 300 volcano cones

that give Lanzarote that out-of-this-world look.

The all-year round sunshine means Lawrence and Josie can get out

and enjoy this unique place.

Which will definitely help them meet their ambition

of having a healthier lifestyle.

They'll also spend less to live in the sunshine

than it would cost back home,

with utilities and meals out all costing around half

of what they do in Newcastle.

Now, with just one property left to see,

Josie and Dave are heading back to Playa Blanca...

..where the final property is under ten minutes' drive along the coast

from the Marina Rubicon.

So, here we are in the beautiful Playa Blanca.

Looks lovely.

Playa Blanca is the island's southernmost

and fastest-growing resort.

Its town centre and, of course, the area around the marina

offers visitors everything they need.

But despite the considerable development, it's considered to be

a more tranquil place than other resorts.

The local beaches are sheltered and ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Lawrence does like to cook once a week, but that's his max.

-Cool. He can do it here, can't he?

-Yeah. Course.

Maybe he'll do it twice a week!

For the nights that Lawrence doesn't want to cook,

there are plenty of restaurants and bars to while away the evenings.

During the day, there's a vast array of shops to explore.

The town is a firm favourite with Josie and Lawrence,

and property four is just a short distance from the centre

in the residential area of Los Claveles.

-Here we are.

-How exciting.

-I think you'll like this one.

-Oh, lovely. Looks very nice.

-Mm-hm.

OK, Josie, let's get inside and have a look.

Oh, I'm very excited. Thank you.

This three-bedroom detached villa has been furnished

to a very high standard, with a well-appointed kitchen.

-This is nice, isn't it?

-Very, very smart. Very nice.

A sumptuous living room...

These look like really good sofas, don't they?

-Well, you've sunk into that.

-I know! It's lovely, isn't it?

Oh, I love it.

..one twin room...

..and two double bedrooms.

Big bed you need to jump on.

Let's do that!

Oh, that's lovely!

There's a bathroom and an additional shower room.

Finally, it has a beautifully furnished dining room,

complete with, excuse me, washing machine.

I think, originally, this would have been a solana,

it would've been an outside part of the house for drying your washing.

I love it. I love the floors.

You know, even a washing machine in the dining room

can't dampen Josie's enthusiasm.

But will the outside space have everything she's looking for?

Now, look at this, Josie.

Oh, this is lovely. This is absolutely ideal for us.

Great big barbecue, seating and shade.

It's beautiful. I love it.

So, there you have it.

From a luxury point of view, it's a big thumbs up from Josie.

But, of course, luxury doesn't come cheap.

Well, I absolutely love this, so, come on, tell me, what's the price?

£595 a week, inclusive of bills.

I love it. I absolutely love it.

This villa seems to satisfy Josie's need for comfortable surroundings.

INTERNET CALL RINGS

But will Lawrence at home be as bowled over?

-Hello?

-Hi.

-Hi, darling.

-How are you?

-How are you?

-Very good, thank you.

Bit cold. Freezing here.

Hopefully Josie's tour of the property will give Lawrence

a nice warm glow, starting with the kitchen.

It's very spacious, and guess what, Lawrence - a dishwasher.

Dishwasher. Fabulous.

Will the master bedroom fit the bill?

The bed's massive, it's king size. I've sat on it and tried it.

She did, too.

Lawrence is obviously warming to the property,

and what about a comfortable living space?

The most beautiful, homely sitting room!

Beautiful. I'm very, very impressed. It's home from home.

Josie loved the property.

Really, there wasn't anything not to like.

It is, however, right at the top of the budget,

so I hope Lawrence likes it.

How about this? This is absolutely beautiful.

Wow. Yeah. A pool as well! That's fantastic.

A pool, our very own pool.

Is it within the budget?

It is...

..£595 a week.

This is definitely worth a huge amount of consideration

-for us both, isn't it?

-Yes, without a doubt.

-Yeah.

-It ticks all the boxes.

I'm with you there, 100%.

Oh, that's great. I love that news.

So, Josie, I'm dying to know how that conversation went.

Was he as happy with the property as you are?

He was over the moon, absolutely loved it.

It's got to be high on the list of somewhere

we would love to come and stay.

Maybe the only concern that, you know, would maybe sway me

towards somewhere else would be the distance from the marina.

It means a drive in the car, or a taxi ride,

so I think it's just that bit too far to walk.

Property four has definitely delivered on style and comfort,

with ample space both inside and out,

and the bonus of a private pool.

However, if they're going to live in Playa Blanca,

would the distance from their beloved Marina Rubicon

be just too much of a negative?

Dave has shown Josie and Lawrence a whole range of properties,

all with the potential of being a home from home for the winter.

Tomorrow, Josie and Lawrence will be reunited to mull things over

and decide which, if any, of the properties they've seen

will be THE one.

-Hello.

-Hello, how are you?

-Hello. Hi.

Well, look at this.

Lovely food. Very nice, very nice.

With Dave's help, Josie and Lawrence have seen four very different properties.

How have you find it back there?

The main thing, for me, I still think is location.

But obviously you've got to have that homely feel to a place

and, you know, that would be important,

those two things would be important for me.

Josie's had fun bouncing on all the beds.

-I have.

-She's even got in a bath.

But if this experience has convinced them of anything,

it's that Lanzarote is definitely the place for their winter getaway.

We've had great fun at this end, looking for properties for you,

and I really, really can't wait to see if you can make a decision.

It's been an absolute blast over here.

There's certainly...

..room for thought, with the properties that you have shown us.

Josie and Lawrence felt that the time was right

to begin thinking of themselves.

At our time of life, there's got to be a point where you,

you know, think about yourselves.

With Lawrence remaining in Newcastle...

-Hi, Josie.

-Dave, good morning.

..Josie headed off to Lanzarote.

-Let's go.

-Let's go. Let's find it.

She met up with Dave and found out what properties are available.

The Shangrila Villa just outside Playa Blanca

was by far the most cost-effective option...

-Here we go.

-That's lovely. Very nice.

..but just didn't provide the comforts that they craved.

We need a little more luxury and a little more comfort

so that if we do need to be indoors a little more often,

it would be comfortable, and this just isn't.

The Marina Rubicon town house provided the perfect location,

but once again, it fell short on home comforts.

Not sure there's space for all of us to sit on the sofa,

so that is one concern.

This duplex at Playa Quemada has views and space

like none of the others.

Beautiful, beautiful view, yeah. Fabulous.

Lawrence loved what he saw.

It's a very nice duplex apartment. It has ticked a lot of the boxes.

Property four was big on both comfort and style...

I love it.

..but it's a distance away from the bustling area of Marina Rubicon,

and it left Lawrence wondering.

It means a drive in the car, or a taxi ride,

so I think it's just that bit too far to walk.

With each property, Josie and Lawrence have homed in on

what's most important for them when choosing a rental home for winter.

The question is, have they taken the plunge and left chilly Newcastle

behind for a winter lazing in Lanzarote?

-Hello!

-Hello!

Here we are in Lanzarote.

Beautiful sunshine, and away from the cold of the UK.

The story ends with Josie and Lawrence deciding

to go for property four, in the residential area of Playa Blanca.

-It's really homely, isn't it?

-It's beautiful, yeah.

We've even got the cover off the pool ready to have a soak later on.

-We've slept very well.

-We certainly have.

The bed is fantastic.

-I'm really over the moon with the bed.

-Good choice.

The villa, with its three bedrooms,

outside space and home comforts, was absolutely everything that Josie and

Lawrence had been hoping for in their winter rental.

We've got sunshine, clear blue sky.

We've already tried out one of the restaurants, and it was fantastic.

-Lovely food.

-Settling in very well.

-Bye!

-Bye!