Amerys Travels 2009- Gran Canaria- A very pretty town, and the biggest city

There is one small town which really stands out for prettiness, and it’s called Puerto de Mogan.

It has the most delightful waterfront, full of pretty little townhouses with bougainvillea and geraniums everywhere, and several small canals plus a lovely sandy beach. A great place for sitting in one of the many pavement cafés people watching, or watching the long distance sailors preparing their yachts for the Atlantic crossing to America.

If you would like to rent one of the best townhouses here, right on the waterfront, see the photo, and if you can’t read the phone number on the sign, ask me for it. A delightful place.

However, nice as Puerto de Mogan is, having had a good look around the island by now, we have no hesitation in recommending our favourite for your holiday here- exactly where we are lucky enough to be staying. Contact Geraldine at www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/maspalomas/35149



Las Palmas is the biggest city on the island, and has a lovely and well developed heart encompassing good shopping, lots of parking, and the jewel in the crown, Las Canteras beach- golden sand, sheltered by an offshore reef, and lined with a promenade of cafes. Driving in the city is a bit of a nightmare, and the outskirts are quite industrial, except in the older historical centre of Vegueta, where the rich used to live. If you manage to navigate to it via the one way system on your way into or out of Las Palmas, and if you manage to park, you will find lovely squares and buildings and a great cathedral. Of more interest to us, nearby is the little church where Christopher Columbus reputably prayed at before finally setting sail for America. Nearby, the prettiest building of them all- Casa de Colon, houses a delightful small museum (of the three in this area) dedicated to Chris Columbus and his voyages and ships in a historical building with a tranquil central courtyard and lovely balconies.

If you can fight your way over the dual carriageway from Vegueta to the Triana shopping area, walk Calle (ie road) Mesa y Lopes to find some of the best shopping in Gran Canaria, and all the big stores are represented.

Back in the city centre, while Christine researched in a new waterfront shopping centre, I discovered and very much enjoyed the Museo Elder technology museum. Very interactive, and I got to watch some chicks hatching and sit in a jet fighter cockpit, amongst other wonders.

Nearby Parque Santa Catalina is a pretty square, built over a main road – they are very good at burying road and car parks in Spain, and most town squares seem to have several levels of parking beneath them.

On the way to, and up in the hills away from the main coast road, two places we found of interest.

Firstly, at the head of the Barranco de Guayadeque (barrancos is a deep valley/gorge) is the famous Restaurante Togoror, a cave restaurant you can easily get lost in, where the rooms are of course all carved out of the rock, including the tables and chairs. Fascinating, good value food, but depressing and cold on the bum if you are there for an hour!

Not too far away, the town of Aguimes has bronze statues of children playing, bike riding, on a swing etc, and this makes an average town absolutely charming.

Next installment, we will take you up to the north of the island.

Richard and Christine