Premiere Suite’s Office Assistant, Tracy, has just returned from a trip to the Canary Islands! She has nothing but great things to say about this subtropical island oasis off the coast of Africa and has put together a list of her favourite things about this exotic destination. (All things that made travelling 22 hours with a 3 year old worthwhile!)
10 reasons to travel to the Canary Islands:
1. Beach Haven. Las Palmas on Gran Canaria is said to have one of the world’s best city beaches. Playa de Las Canteras’s sweeping golden sand stretches 3.5 km alongside the city’s promenade and is a popular vacation destination for travellers and locals alike.
2. Family Friendly. Spanish people adore kids, and they are welcome everywhere. You will never feel like a prouder parent, the way your children get doted over. With plenty of family-friendly activities offered on the islands (volcanoes, crocodile rescue parks, aquariums, etc), it is not hard to keep your little ones entertained. Although a bucket and a beach full of sand is an easy and inexpensive way to spend the days and a go-to in our family!
3. Endless tapas bar and quaint bistros. Where in many other parts of the world we eat to sustain, the Spanish make dining a lifestyle. Spain produces a pretty fine wine too!
4. Beautiful landscapes. From deserts to beaches, rich farmland to volcanic moonscapes, these islands see it all. I’ve always been a sucker for a good sunset picture!
5. Brush up on your travellers Spanish. Spain is a great place to practice your Spanish! Locals are happy to converse with you in their native tongue or in English, or a combination thereof. No need to feel lacking in your mastery of the language, people seem genuinely happy to accommodate you in any language and appreciate anyone trying, regardless of your skill level.
6. Gluten-free dining. Take it from a celiac who has done a lot of travelling and eaten a lot of salads on said trips. Some places are just easier than others to travel gluten-free. “Sin Gluten” is not only widely understood, but advertised in many restaurants on the Islands. It is not atypical to see a “Cucina Celiaca” and to find menus clearly marked with gluten-free options. Several gluten-free beers are on offer, including Mahou, Daura Damm, and San Miguel. Salud!
7. Great weather. The island’s geographic location, some 4* from the tropic of cancer and very close to the coast of Africa, means a consistently warm & sunny climate where the year-round temperatures only vary 6 degrees and the average temperature is between 18-24 degrees. Ahhhhh….
8. Architecture. More than just a beach destination, the Canary Islands is home to some architectural gems. The Spanish colonial period brought with it the European Gothic and Neoclassical architecture of the time. Traditional Canarian architecture
9. Manchego & more. Cured meats & cheese, and in abundance – what could be better? Manchego, made from sheep milk and Spain’s most famous cheese, is offered at nearly every tapa bar and restaurant. Majorero comes from the island of Fuerteventura and is reputed to be the best goats cheese in the world. It is even protected under European law with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Try it fresh or fried with fruit or honey.
10. Something for everyone. Whether you are interested in nature, history, architecture, finding nightlife, or just simply sunbathing on the beach, these islands have a little something for everyone to enjoy. Which is why we’ll be back.
