I booked myself a last minute package holiday to Gran Canaria. I looked at booking each part separately, but the package was cheaper. The weather was lovely and warm, with a breeze. Given it is 'winter' there the weather was brilliant.
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| San Augustin Beach |
I stayed in San Augustin in the south of Gran Canaria, an island that used to grow tomatoes before tourism kicked off. The beach at San Augustin comprised of a beach with dark sand, but the sea was good for paddling in. The promenade runs along the beach and along part of the base of the cliff. The hotel was maybe 150m from the beach - vertically!
I took a trip to Mogan, taking a boat along the coast to get there from Puerto Rico. Mogan is a very pretty little coastal town and is a popular destination for shopping, with a market alongside shops, restaurants and bars. The market definitely came with a Spanish and African flavour but also included more mainstream items. The harbour in Mogan has lots of Yachts and is also home to a wide variety of fish, which were very pretty to watch. The boat had a glass bottom where you could sit in the bottom of the boat with glass panels. On the return journey the boat stopped to feed the fish, so there were a swarm of fish to see.
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| Mogan |
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| Mogan Harbour |
The other thing that you can do in the Canary Islands is take a catamaran trip to look for dolphins and pilot whales. I didn't do this on this trip, but have done it previously and would certainly recommend it. Dolphins and whales are so beautiful and elegant in the wild and it is a nice half a day out.
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| Watching the fish in Mogan |
March is also carnival time in the Canary Islands, something I found out by accident a few years ago, so if you want to catch it look up when and where it is held before you travel.
I spent a lot of time relaxing by the hotel pool. Due to the time of year the water was freezing, but it did warm up come the afternoon. The entertainment team wasn't the best I have encountered, maybe because it is their winter season. The hotel allowed companies in each evening to sell goods. The food was good but as with most buffets in all inclusive, was very similar each night. It was a 10 minute walk down to the shops and bus stops, so it is by no means in an isolated location and you can get out and about if you wish to.
There is a lot less light pollution in the Canary Islands so it is a great place for star gazing too. Gran Canaria originally translated as the island of the big dogs, left behind by the Romans.
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| Coast of Gran Canaria |
The Canary Islands are a perfect place for a bit of winter sun and adventure or relaxation alike. The islands are quite popular with tourists and are pretty accessible. You don't have to do the package holiday thing, but I was after a relaxing break without having to put in a lot of effort myself.
