There's nothing more exciting than going somewhere new on holiday. Getting restaurant recommendations, seeing the sights and walking around for hours is the perfect way to spend a couple of days, and bonus points if it's nice and warm outside.

I love travelling and I try to go to a new city or country at least once a year. Having said that, I'm also a creature of habit at heart, and there's one place I've been to year after year that just never gets old. I first visited Playa Blanca in Lanzarote all the way back when I was nine years old, and it's become mine and my family's absolute comfort destination.

If you've been before, you'll know that it's really just like a home away from home. There are British and Irish holidaymakers everywhere, lots of seafront pubs showing football and serving up pints and fry-ups, and streets full of recognisable shops like Spar, Mango, Aldi and Lidl.

However, the hot sun, gorgeous beaches, unique terrain and beautiful villas make it brilliant, so it's not a surprise that my family and I really look forward to our trips there.

We've been that many times that all of the touristy spots have been ticked off the list. Timanfaya volcano, the cactus gardens and Mirador del Rio - a breathtaking viewpoint nearly 500 metres in the sky - are all worth visiting, but now when we go it's strictly for relaxation purposes.

But after returning from there earlier this month, I noticed a stark difference, and not a good one.

Like most other people, there's only one thing on my mind when I go on holiday - and that's food. Playa Blanca has a plethora of amazing eateries serving every cuisine you could ever want, from classic Spanish tapas and paella to sushi, curries, pasta and so much more.

There are restaurants we go back to time and time again, and new ones popping up all the time that are always exciting to try out. It's really rare that you'll get a bad meal anywhere in Playa Blanca.

But this year, many of the restaurants we visited were noticeably a lot quieter than they usually are. The island itself didn't look any less busy than usual, and even at peak times of the day, the eateries we passed or sat down at had a lot less customers.

One of my favourites, Asia Playa Blanca, was deserted when we stopped for lunch one day. One family came in, sat down and left again, which was so disheartening to see, especially considering the brilliant quality and presentation of the Japanese food.

La Bodegon, an excellent tapas restaurant on the seafront, also appeared to have less customers than I've seen previously. While Lanzarote does get good weather all year round, it's significantly quieter in the winter months, but this was May - and the streets were still as busy as ever.

The reason for this downturn in diners could be down to the fact that there have been several new, massive all-inclusive hotels built near the resort in the past couple of years. For families, staying here and opting for half-board is probably a lot cheaper and less hassle than having to choose a different place to eat every night.

If you're planning on travelling to Playa Blanca this year, I strongly suggest exploring the old town and trying out a new restaurant or two. If I had to choose, Imagine India, La Casa Roja and Primari for curries, paella and Aperol Spritz respectively. The staff are very pleasant and accommodating - you'll usually get a free Limoncello or honey rum after your meal - and potentially discover your new favourite dining spot.