viernes, 29 de junio de 2012

TRAVEL/CANARY ISLANDS / SPAIN /A PARADISE IN EUROPE/ Viaje/Islas Canarias /España/ Un Paraíso en Europa


Hi again my dear friends, at last ,I'm back and as I promised some days ago, I'm going to tell you about a paradise in Europe, "THE CANARY ISLANDS" in Spain.  Seven marvellous islands where you will find all you need for your holiday!  Relax, gastronomy,  beaches, nature, culture, Natural Parks, Green Forests,  volcanoes, a unique sky, etc.  Are you going to miss it?

Hola otra vez queridos amigos, al fin he vuelto, y como prometí hace días, voy a hablaros sobre un paraíso en Europa, "LAS ISLAS CANARIAS" en España.  Siete maravillosas islas donde encontraréis todo lo que necesitáis para vuestras vacaciones. Relax, gastronomía, playas, naturaleza, cultura, parques naturales, bosques, volcanes,  un cielo único, etc.  ¿Os lo váis a perder?


THE CANARY ISLANDS
Are you thinking of a special trip, a different place, a unique site, a paradise on Earth?  Don't think any more, I'm going to give you the solution, go and see  the Spanish Canary Islands.

Would you like  spring weather all the year? The possibility of bathing into the sea all the year? No matter the season? Good climate and a better gastronomy? Hiking and  trekking ? The Spanish Canary Islands is your DESTINATION!

ADVANTAGES
** It's one  European destination.
**Current money:  the Euro.
**Language:  Spanish
**22º C all year (average)
**7 different islands.
**Friendly people.
**Volcanic landscapes.
**Quality and variety accomodation hotels.
**Spectacular gastronomy!
**Culture, traditions, festivities.
**Microclimates.
**Wonderful beaches.
**Great volcanoes.
**Unique forests



LET'S GO...



GRAN CANARIA ISLAND
This island is described  as a "miniature continent".  Microclimates and incredible landscapes are found there. 
The western half of the island is A Biosphere Reserve.  You can also find 33 protected areas. 

Its capital "Las Palmas de Gran Canaria" offers you a lot of museums, restaurants, bars, etc.  If you prefer the beach, "Las Canteras Beach" is in the capital . A beautiful white sand beach with a lot of hotels, places to have lunch or dinner, nightclubs, etc.

Go to the centre of the island, and visit "The Roque Nublo rock", the village of FATAGA and TEJEDA.  A marvellous landscape sometimes desertic sometimes full of palm trees. Unforgettable!

If you go to the south, the weather is hotter than in Las Palmas which is in the north and you will see "LA PLAYA DEL INGLÉS" and "MASPALOMAS beach" with its immense dunes.

I advise you to cross Gran Canaria Island from North to South and from East to West and you will understand why we say that it is a MINIATURE CONTINENT!
website: www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/gran-canaria-island

Gothic architecture, aborigin ruines and exotic food!

Don't forget to visit "Cueva Pintada" (VIth century) or The Cenobio of Valerón (350 caves).

The Colonial Neighbourhood (XVth century) is a "must" really beautiful!



TENERIFE ISLAND
The Highest mountain (and peak) in Spain is here, "THE TEIDE" which is a majestic volcano.

Tenerife island has got 2 World Heritage Sites, one National Park and 42 natural protected spaces.

Spectacular cliffs, wooden areas of the typical Canary pine that you will see going  up to the Teide. At that very moment you will experience the sight of "The Sea of Clouds" !  Incredible!

The theme park "LORO PARQUE" with a huge diversity of animals.

Beaches like "Los Cristianos or Las Teresitas"  will make you enjoy your holiday plans!

The capital "Santa Cruz" offers museums, shopping centres and a lot of cultural events.

website: www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/tenerife-island


LANZAROTE ISLAND
All the island is a volcanic place! 


Lanzarote has got a National Park ,12 natural protected areas and a Marine Reserve.

"THE TIMANFAYA PARK" is "a must".  You go around it  riding on a camel and looking at the moon landscapes which are simply incredible!

A visit to "LOS JAMEOS DEL AGUA" created by the architect and sculptor César Manrique (unfortunately already dead) is a special experience for the senses like sight and sound.  Anyway, César Manrique's presence is everywhere in the  whole island.  He loved his island and preserved it until his death.

In this island of volcanoes, you will see how the peasants of Lanzarote have cultivated their crops by covering them of black volcanic sand and for example, they have obtained a typical Canary wine which is well known and appreciated around the world.

**Lanzarote has been declared one of the universal models of sustainable development.

**Beaches like:  "Caletón Blanco", "Guacimeta" , "Las Coloradas" ,  "Janubio", "Las Cucharas" or "Famara"
http://www.turismodecanarias.com/
http://www.turismolanzarote.com/



FUERTEVENTURA ISLAND

Long, untouched beaches but also surprising landscapes, volcanoes and lava flows, sand dunes.

Discover THE SACRED MOUNTAIN which was considered by the aboriginal as "a magic place".

Traditional architecture, fishing villages,  and charming villages in the interior of the island.

The oldest rocks of the archipelago were found here.

Surfing and windsurfing can be practised as well because of the winds.


LA PALMA ISLAND
  
This island is called "LA ISLA BONITA" because of the multitude of colours that you can see there!

It is considered one of the best skies in the world in terms of astronomic observation so the most important astrophysics observatories are situated here.

A Biosphere Reserve with paths, forests and vegetation from the dinosaur's age!

Charming beaches!  One of the biggest craters in the world which is also the  National Park Caldera de Taburiente!
www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain-tourism-office/la-palma-island

EL HIERRO ISLAND

El Hierro is a paradise for diving!

A Biosphere Reserve with unforgettable volcanoes and lava fields, fertile valleys, forests, reptiles that were thought to be extinct...

It's impossible to find so much diversity in such a small territory!
www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/el-hierro-island


THE GOMERA ISLAND

This island is described as "a jewel of nature".

The National Park of Garajonay is a surprising forest and ideal for people who like hiking.  You will be impressed by the ravines which drop into the ocean!  A landscape sculpted by the erosion over million of years! 

In La Gomera you will see the cultivated terraces on steep slopes created by the human intervention. 

Bays of black sand and crystalline waters!
www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/la-gomera-island


HISTORY   -  THE GUANCHES

**I would like also  to speak  about the first pre-Hispanic inhabitants of  The Canary Islands called "The Guanches" who first appeared in TENERIFE ISLAND.
**It is believed that they were "bereber" origin and when the Kingdom of Castilla began the conquest of the Canary Islands firtly they resisted but then they integrated.
**Some of the first famous Guanches were:  Bencomo, Bentor and the Princess Dácil (Bencomo's daughter) who fell in love with a Castilian captain "Fernán García" and finally they got married.
**The Guanche language soon disappeared and today it's almost impossible to know somebody who could speak it.
**However, there are many archaeological artefacts from the Guanches that have povided a valuable information of history about them.

ACCOMODATION AND GASTRONOMIC INFO


**GRAN CANARIA > Maspalomas Beach > RIU HOTELS, http://www.riu.com/
Maspalomas Beach > SEASIDE PALM BEACH HOTEL > http://www.hotel-pal-beach.es/
THE ENGLISH BEACH > Bohemia Suites and Spa > http://www.designhotels.com/

**LANZAROTE> LA CASONA DE YAIZA > www.casonadeyaiza.com  in Yaiza, it's a hotel,a  restaurant  and a cellar.


A restaurant: "CASA GINORY"  in Arrecife . you will find an excellent fish, sead food, "la ropa vieja" that is a typical dish. http://www.ginorylanzarote.com/
A special  bar and restaurant situated in the former  Omar Shariff's residence : "LA CUEVA DE LAGOMAR"  http://www.lacuevadelagomar.com/

**TENERIFE> BAHÍA DEL DUQUE HOTEL in Costa  Adeje, it is a hotel, a beach club and an excellent restaurant. http://www.bahiadelduque.beachclub.com/


**The Typical "Mojo Picón Sauce" with potatoes is a "must" and it's delicious. You can find it "red" or "green".  Taste it, please!!!

**Canary bananas are famous all around the world!  They are the best!

HOW TO GET THERE...
**Low cost companies such as EASY JET, VUELING AND RYANAIR can offer you flights at an excellent prize!  Look at them on the Internet!

**From your country, city or place of origin, you can consult flights, airlines and offers on the Internet too.

I HOPE YOU'LL LIKE THIS VIRTUAL JOURNEY THAT WE HAVE JUST DONE! AND I HOPE YOU'LL FLY TO THE CANARY ISLANDS  AS WELL!

SEE YOU!