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Soak up the sun on The Canary Islands
Why go on holiday to Gran Canaria? on The Canary Islands Whether
you think a beach is somewhere to flop for a week, a place to party all
night, or just a spot to stick your surfboard, Gran Canaria is in many
ways an ideal year-round destination with sunshine almost guaranteed.
This
might not be the most attractive of the seven Canary Islands, but it is
worth exploring if only to marvel at the contrast between the pine
forests in the fertile north and the sand dunes in the south.
How much does it cost? A
seven-night self-catering package costs from £350 in July, flights only
are from £120 with charter bargains as low as £65, and a hotel room
will cost roughly £15-£20 a night. All prices vary, especially with the
seasons.
When should I go? You can bet on
getting a tan at any time of year, with year-round temperatures of
18-24C (65-75F). December to February is the coolest period but it is
also the island's busiest time of year, so prices are higher.
The
best deals are around between March and May or from November to
mid-December. Party animals should aim to be there for Carnival in
February and March when the island is in celebratory mood and there are
weeks of parades and fancy dress contests.
*Feeling inspired? Book a break to the Canaries.
Land of contrasts on The Canary Islands
What should I do when I'm there? Most
people base themselves in one of the main beach resorts on the south
coast, where you can just lie back and soak up the sun, indulge in some
watersports - sailboarding is particularly popular - or hire a car and
see the island.
It's so small that it would take only a couple
of days to drive right around Gran Canaria, but hire a car for longer
if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace.
What's the terrain like? Gran
Canaria is often described as a continent in miniature due to its
contrasts. A short drive from the desert beaches brings you to the arid
interior with its crumpled ridges, which eventually gives way to pine
forests as you approach the fertile north.
What's there to do in the capital? Las
Palmas in the north is the only place on Gran Canaria with a big-city
feel. It has busy shopping districts, a thriving port and a fab beach.
There is also an interesting historic quarter with museums, churches
and monuments.
When you're tired of sightseeing, you can rest your feet in one of the many restaurants or bars that line Playa de las Canteras.
What's off the beaten track? Some
interesting towns in the north include Teror, whose ancient square is
home to some fine old houses, and Arucas, which boasts an extraordinary
neo-Gothic cathedral.
Not to be missed is the Caldera de
Bandama, one of the biggest extinct craters on the island, with
fantastic views over the island. Also interesting is a troglodyte
hamlet, about 9kms from Aguimes, where some residents live in caves.
Young and lively Canary Islands
Where's good for nightlife? The
vast array of bars, clubs and restaurants in the biggest beach resort,
Playa del Ingles, is a honeypot for the young and lively crowd. Yumbo
Centrum, the multi-storey shopping centre has the highest concentration
of nightspots.
Las Palmas is also buzzing at night, but it's a
long way from the main beach resorts in the south. If you like your
nightlife to come with a Union Jack, try Puerto Rico which has lots of
British pubs and cafes.
What's the food like? Resorts
have cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Many serve
international fare (fish 'n' chips, bacon and eggs, etc) but there are
some fantastic local dishes such as sancocho - a mixture of fish,
goat's cheese and garlic potatoes.
Try sama a la sal - fish baked in salt - and don't skip the delicious papas con mojo - hot, spicy potatoes.
What should I buy? The
Canaries are a duty-free paradise and prices are cheaper in the shops
on the islands than at the airports or on flights back home. All the
resorts have shopping arcades, and electronic goods can often be found
cheaper than back home.
One of the best places for electronic
goods is around Parque de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas. For other
goods, try Centro Comercial Las Arenas in the capital, or the
fashionable Avenida de Mesa y Lopez.
Locally-made products to
look out for include pottery, cutlery with bone handles, embroidery,
hand-woven baskets, hand-woven silk and cigars.
What is there for children to do? There
are lots of theme parks in the south - including Palmitos, which has
230 species of bird and an aquarium; the Holiday World amusement park
with white-knuckle rides; and the Aqua Sur and Ocean Park water parks.
Tourist office Spanish
National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel.
020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
Gran Canaria Towns
Many
people's comments about Puerto Rico and/or Playa del Ingles include the
famous line "It's not very Spanish, is it?" Puerto Rico is around 30
years old and Playa del Ingles around 40 years old. Before the resorts
appeared, all that exhisted was arid, barren countryside (and a nice
beach in the case of Playa del Ingles). The resorts were purpose built
for tourism.
To
see and experience the Canarian way of life or any Canarian or Spanish
traditions, you're going to have to venture out of the resorts and go
and visit any one of a huge number of towns or villages scattered
around the island. Head anywhere other than the south of the island and
you'll find a rich culture of traditions, festivals, architecture and
gastronamy. More typical Canarian towns well worth a visit...
AGUIMES
Canary Islands
(population
17,500) San Sebastian Church in Aguimes houses various works of art
including paintings and sculptures and is one of the most well
maintained structures of worship on the island, having being completed
in 1952 (construction began in the late 18th century!), and the designs
are based on the Cathedral of Las Palmas. Located not far from the
caves of Guayadeque
and adjacent to "Barranco de Balos". It's at this barranco (valley)
that you can find the sacred Guanche site called "Lomo de los Leteros".
The Basalt slope there is inscribed with pre-hispanic, geometric
designs and sketches of human figures.
ARUCAS
Canary Islands
(population
30,000) One of the main places of interest in Arucas is the neo gothic
church of San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist), constructed between
1909 and 1977. Arucas is also the third largest town on Gran Canaria
and has it's own rum distillery worth a visit (and some sampling!) too.
"The Marchess's Garden" is a 10 minute walk from the church, a
botanical garden with a huge collection of both local and tropical
plants. If you get to the top of "Arucas Mountain" (an old volcano),
you'll find a traditional Canarian restaurant up there.
ARGUINEGUIN
Canary Islands
This
is one of the most populated areas along the south coast of Gran
Canaria. A typical Canarian fishing village, it's home to many locals
rather than being a tourist resort. Here you'll find some excellent
bars and restaurants, the latter specialising in fresh fish caught that
day. Tuesday is market day (the largest on the island). The harbour
here hosts a ferry service to Puerto Rico and Mogán whilst another
popular way to reach the town from Puerto Rico is by trecking over the
mountain between the two towns.
AGAETE
Canary Islands
(population
5,600) Agaete is located in the far, north west of the island at the
foot of the Tamadaba pine woods, also on the outlet of one of the most
beautiful, fertile valleys of the island. Here they produce lemons,
oranges, avocados and coffee whilst Agaete is more famous through the
archipelago for its "Fiesta de la Rama", celebrated during the first
week of August annually. The port of Agaete is very well known for its
fish restaurants, the area being a fisherman's haven. The port also
hosts frequent ferry services to Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
One of the views from the port is "Dedo de Dios" (God's finger -
pictured above) being a spectacular rock formation just a few yards out
to sea. The area around Agaete is one of the most richest and fertile
areas of the island. As well as traditional and tropical fruits are
grown alongside the coffee plantations there and the natural mineral
water produced in this area is thought to have medicinal properties!
BANDAMA
Canary Islands
It's
at Bandama that you'll find the most perfectly formed crater in the
Canary Islands, it has a diameter of 1000m and a depth of 220m. At the
bottom of the crater you will see a farm which can only be reached by a
steep and narrow path and making it (so I'm told) the only inhabited
crater in the world. With views to the picturesque town of Bandama
along with its 18 hole professional golf course, the oldest in Spain
(founded 1891), this is very much an area worth a visit.
FIRGAS
Canary Islands
(population
5,750) Again one of the more picturesque towns of Gran Canaria I have
found, Firgas is famed locally for it's natural mineral water. Nearby
is the "Azuaje Ravine", the waters of which are believed to have
curable properties and many other natural springs in this area have
brought about the construction of the islands main bottling plant for
mineral water.
GALDAR
Canary Islands
(population
21,500) Seat of the ancient Guanche rulers and the first capital of
Gran Canaria prior to Las Palmas. The church of Santiago de Los
Caballeros another stop-off point here, known for its 4700 pipe organ
and the green font where, tradition has it, the Aborigines were
baptized. It also houses one of the best collections of art on the
island, both of paintings and sculptures. Also worth a visit if your in
the Galdar area is "Reptilia Park"
located on the outskirts of town heading towards Agaete. Reptile park
with the largest lizard in captivity and several species of (cute)
monkeys too. Recently re-opened are the "painted caves", an historical site of pre-historic caves which are both preserved and restored for display to the public.
GUIA
Canary Islands
(population 12,500) Birth place of the famous painter Lujan Perez, Guia
is better known for the "Casa Quintana", built in the 16th century.
It's also famous for its cheese and Canarian Knives. On the outskirts
of the town you'll find "Cenobio de Valerón", an area of 300 or so
caves once inhabited by the aboriginals. Many of their original tools,
utensils and so on are to be found there on display. Close by is "EL
Gallego", an area of caves where the aboriginals conducted their
funerals.
INGENIO
Canary Islands
(population
21,500) "Ingenio de azucar" means sugar refinery and it was here that a
sugar refinery was built when the Spanish first colonized the island.
Ingenio also has a museum to visit showing how crafts have developed
over the centuries. You can see the "openwork skill" that has been kept
alive for centuries and is still to be displayed here. The "Sequero"
district and its buildings date back to the 15th century. Not to be
missed if you're here mid October is their festival of the billy goat
(second Saturday of October) in which the whole town participates in
finding the best goat and parading it around town all afternoon whilst
feasting on huge amounts of food and drink! Also, close by are the
caves of Guayadeque.
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The only divecenter in the Canaries based on a fully equiped and comfortable hardboat.
All year round daily departures for guided dives from monday till saturday.
Playa del Ingles - Maspalomas
Playa del Ingles - Maspalomas Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria Michael (0034) 660 291 891
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Puerto Rico online guide, all the information about the resort in one
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check the best pictures in the resort and much more. Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria 928 18 50 52
Property Cleaning and Maintenance in the South of Gran Canaria
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Index to Rental Homes on The Canary Islands for a Spanish Holiday. CANARY ISLANDS This paradisiac group of islands, enjoying a wonderful climate, with a constant mild temperature through all the year, and splendid beaches of fine sand, consists of 7 larger islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro) and a few smaller ones (Alegranza, Graciosa, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste and Lobos). Surprisingly, the landscape of each
island is radically different to the others.