Alive with varied natural beauty, Gran Canaria has long attracted visitors, from ancient navigators to beach-bound tourists. An island of sudden changes of landscape, Gran Canaria offers great beaches and sand dunes, rich agriculture, harsh mountains and tranquil village squares. Parts of Gran Canaria have been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO recognizing its environmental importance and its stunning sand dunes of Maspalomas, volcanic mountainous interior and world famous, fabulous golden sand beaches make an ideal winter escape.
Located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura, this volcanic island enjoys year round warmth and sunshine with very little seasonal change with an average annual temperature of around 24 degrees. Summers are hot and dry while winters are a little cooler with a few showers.
With lots to explore, a well-signposted network of tracks and trails will lead you to nature reserves on foot or by bicycle. With more than twenty locations with excellent conditions for surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing Gran Canaria is without doubt a perfect destination for the watersports enthusiast. Scuba divers will be amazed by the beauty of marine life; great ship wrecks; lots of sheltered shores; night dives; boat dives and snorkeling. Golf enthusiasts will relish Gran Canaria’s ten magnificent courses, all developed by top designers. This island is a golfer’s paradise for beginners and budding masters alike! And Canaries cuisine is excellent and the local wine well worth a try.
The quieter parts of this lovely island are Maspalomas in the south and Las Palmas and Arucas in the north. More independent travellers may find the charming rural base of La Hacienda del Buen Suceso more appealing; from here you can reach the beach and local villages, or visit Las Palmas (15 minutes by car). The surrounding countryside is good for hiking and mountain-biking. Visit the top of Mount Arucas for stunning views – on a clear day you can see Mount Teide in Tenerife. Perhaps consider combining a stay in La Hacienda with a beach hotel – Palm Beach would make a good modern contrast to La Hacienda, on the beach in Maspalomas, an area offering plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.
Ultimate Destinations is an independent luxury travel agent based in Chorleywood in Hertfordshire and we would be delighted to help you arrange a great winter break to Gran Canaria or further afield. We work with excellent luxury travel operators such as Prestige Holidays to create holidays just for you. Contact us today on 01923 284148 or email info@ultimatedestinations.co.uk.
