A Miniature Continent

Holiday makers have been flocking to the Canary Islands for years, drawn by the promise of pristine beaches, high quality hotels, and practically guaranteed sunshine. Cheap air travel has also helped. However, each of the islands hides a depth of experiences behind the obvious attractions of the beach, and this is particularly true of the third largest of the islands, Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria has a reputation for being a continent in miniature, and there’s no doubting that it has an astonishing diversity of landscapes and things for the average tourist to do. Of course, one of the main charms is the remarkable quality of the hotels, so holidays in Gran Canaria pretty much guarantee top class accommodation. Of course, the place to start remains the beach. Unlike some of the other Canary Islands it is actually possible to find a stretch of sand, even in the middle of summer, with no one else on it – the only problem is that you might have to travel a little for it. That said, renting a car is by far the best way of exploring the island, with a little bit of planning you can really explore the island thoroughly in just three days, and if you don’t fancy getting your own car, you can do the whole lot by bus if you want to (although it might take you a little bit longer). The interior of the island is, in some ways reminiscent of the Scottish highlands (except for the climate). Steep mountains and hills and stunning views are the norm. Pony treks are a popular way to get around and see some of the most spectacular sites, and there are also hundreds of hiking routes. The north of the island is green and leafy, and there’s more trekking and exploring to be done here, or, if you’re a sun-worshipper, the south is practically a desert. The south is where the majority of resorts are found, and thus the majority of the tourists, so it’s worth exploring some of the northern towns for a slightly more traditional sense of life on Gran Canaria. Finally, the coast remains Gran Canaria’s greatest attraction, and if you’re feeling energetic there’s a whole world of watersports to enjoy. Obviously prices can be a little expensive in the height of summer, but otherwise they’re pretty reasonable. Gran Canaria is a wonderful place to go on a holiday, particularly if you’re looking for a little bit more than your average beach holiday, as well as the landscape, there are loads of great museums and the capital, Las Palmas, is a thriving port city in its own right and well worth checking out. You couldn’t ask for a better destination.