Travel to Gran Canaria

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Gran Canaria, Spain, The Canary Islands

Located in the centre of the Canaries archipelago, between Tenerife in the west and Fuerteventura in the east, Gran Canaria has a great variety of landscapes which make it comparable to a miniature continent. West of Playa del Inglès, the principal seaside resort of the island stretches across several miles of the Maspalomas sand dunes, creating a 'Lawrence of Arabia' atmosphere. These shifting hills border huge beaches which offer numerous seaside activities. In the north, the Agaete region is surrounded by fertile valleys and a bit further on you will discover the Cenobio de Valeron, a cliff with more than 300 caves. The Roque Nublo stands in the west and culminates at 5,577 ft; it is a sacred site for the Guanches, a mysterious people who popûlated the Canaries before the Spanish arrived. Among the island's unmissable excursions, you must not overlook the Guayadeque barranco, the charming little city of Aguimes and the cultural wealth of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. For nature lovers, the magnificent landscape in the centre of the island offers an ideal setting for hiking.

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pros

•  The well set-out and equipped beaches.
•  The amazing diversity of the landscapes.

cons

•  The seaside resorts are devoid of authenticity and charm.

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Visit Gran Canaria

• To see

  Skip the seaside resorts and instead, visit Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, to admire the Santa Ana Cathedral, the La Luz Castle, Las Canteras Beach and the beautiful Casa de Colon (Columbus' house). The small city of Aguimes deserves a detour with its perfectly preserved city centre and cathedral square (Plaza del Rosario), where you can observe many statues and sculptures.

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  To do

  Any sport lover who wishes to indulge in kite surfing, windsurfing, golf, horse riding, diving or hiking will never get bored in Gran Canaria. An excursion across the impressive cliffs of Barranco of Guayadeque is a must: this stunning valley is full of houses that were built by the Guanches and that are still inhabited today. Set off on the road that leads you to the Tagoror restaurant; built into the caves and a real underground labyrinth where you can enjoy speciality dishes on stone tables! On the left hand side of the road as you go up, do not hesitate to stop and look at the beautiful chapel which is also nestled in a cave.

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  To think about

  Live your days like the locals: the Spanish rhythm means that the afternoon starts at about 4:00pm. and extends to 9:00pm, dinner is not eaten before this time! Stores and offices close between 2:00pm and 5:00pm, but most will reopen their doors until 8:00pm or later.

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• To avoid

  Culture fans should avoid the southern coast as it is overrun with seaside resorts which lack any charm or authenticity. Opt instead for a trip to the northern coast, which offers a calm and natural environment more appropriate for excursions.

  Avoid talking about Francoism (Franco started the civil war in the Canaries), as it may make the local people uncomfortable.

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  To try

  The traditional dish in the Canaries is a meat and vegetable soup that is typically served with rabbit. All dishes are accompanied with papas, Canarian potatoes served with the local sauce known as mojo. The dessert is usually the huevos mole, an egg-based mousse and the frangollo, a rich and creamy dessert available in different flavours. Do not hesitate to taste the Tenerife red wine for it is delicious - we recommend the Tacoronte.

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  To bring back

  While there isn't a large variety of local handicrafts available in Gran Canaria, you can take home sculptures, jewellery and herbs and spices. Be aware that the Canaries archipelago is a tax free port where you can buy a lot of non-taxed products.

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Hotels reviews by the Easyexperts

Lanzarote's well-kept secrets

When my editor told me that my next destination would be Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, it was like someone had just thrown me in a cage full of greedy immobile sunbathing hyenas that would move only to gorge on fried foods. The images haunted me for days until we arrived on the island, where we were ...

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Gran Canaria in pictures

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Rubicon H10 Palace

 

Score 8/10

susan humphries 27/01/2012 : "A great family friendly place to stay in a good location, near shops and the sea front. Basic accommodation rather than luxury."

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Hesperia Playa Dorada

 

Score 5/10

Chris Elliott 13/10/2010 : "How luck you are, Dennis! We went to the Hesperia Playa Dorada which was TERRIBLE!!! We often go to Lanzarote but this time it was awful."

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Hesperia Hotel Lanzarote

 

Score 9/10

Dennis Walker 13/10/2010 : "Wonderful quality hotel with great views, good food, lovely surroundings! Nearest beach for swimming a little far but the peace is worth it."

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Hotel reviews Spain, The Canary Islands

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