Getaway from Toulouse. Against the grayness of winter, head for Gran Canaria!
Through Toulouse editorial office
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Gran Canaria (3 hour flight from Toulouse) is the third island of the Canary archipelago after Tenerife and Fuerteventura. “It looks like a scallop in shape and relief,” explains Paul Roger, a great lover of the island. A surveyor by trade, he landed here more than 20 years ago. He never left, he became a tourist guide.
The different faces of Las Palmas
Las Canteras is one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe, 3 kilometers long. The waves are very popular with surfers.
Sur loves the historic heart of the island’s capital, the Vegueta district, it is through these small alleys that the colonists arrived in 1478.
The house of Christopher Columbus
It is the cultural district, that of the museums, enter the Sainte-Anne cathedral (open during the offices) of navigation.
End your walk with the covered market and stock up on mojo verde and rojo sauces before crossing the frog square, admiring the island library and joining Triana and its magnificent neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings, it’s the shopping break of the trip.
The great experiences to live on site
Book a family hike with Paul Roger, a fan of active tourism, to discover secret corners in the company of the locals: 0034 696 86 92 79 or [email protected]
Treat yourself to a swim in the natural pools of El Puertillo near Las Palmas, an almost secret spot.
Visit the saltworks of Tenefé, the only ones on the island and taste the mango and avocado with fleur de sel, prepared by Manuel and his brothers. www.salinastenefe.com.
The oldest rum factory in Europe
Visit the oldest rum factory in Europe in Arucas, founded in 1884. www.arehucas.es
Go into ecstasies and climb the dunes of Maspolamas in the south of the island, a natural curiosity very popular with tourists, and stroll in the picturesque port of Mogan.
Visit the Viera y Clavijo botanical garden, the largest in Spain with 500 species endemic to the Canaries. www.jardincanario.org
Roque Nublo, the most emblematic basalt monolith
More than 50% of the territory is classified as a nature reserve, in the file towards the north of the island and its banana plantations. The platanos are the wealth of the island, Europe subsidizes the Canaries every year in order to prevent the United States from having a monopoly on the cultivation of bananas. The road is winding, the mist dissipates and lets appear the Roque Nublo, emblematic basalt monolith of Grand Canaria, at 1,813 meters, it is one of the largest in the world. Allow 40 minutes to climb and touch the sky. Remember to take a sweater …
To discover: the trees of happiness!
Along the way, absolutely stop in the village of Teror, for its typical Sunday morning market, sugar cane planters prepare the best mojito on the island, people also come there for its magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine, the patron saint of Gran Canaria.
Another village to discover, Arucas, it owes its splendor to a Frenchman, Francis Gourié. Visit its San Juan Bautista Church, carved in 1909 with local stones and marvel at these spooky dragon trees, emblematic of the Canaries. They are called the trees of happiness or knowledge!
Dorisse Pradal
What to know before you go
Where to sleep and eat?
Magnificent boutique hotel in the heart of the Triana district in Las Palmas: www.becordial.com
Superb oasis in Las Palmas, Santa Catalina de Barcelo: www.barcelo.com/fr-fr/santa-catalina-a-royal-hideaway-hotel/
Fincas and rural lodges in the heart of nature: www.grancanarianaturalandactive.com/
Dine at Triciclo, exceptional cuisine and services and have a drink at Rooftop La Azotea de Benito, magnificent! www.triciclobar.com
Between sea and mountains, lunch at Valle de Mogan (our photo) for its Canarian cuisine. www.valledemogan.com
Prepare your trip
www.salutilescanaries.com. Note, from February 11 to March 6, 2022, explosion of colors at the carnival of Las Palmas. The historic Canarian company has arrived in Blagnac, it offers direct flights all year round, twice a week to Gran Canaria. For the same price: connections are provided to the other islands. Flights from 85 euros one way. Top services and comfort on board Embraer or ATR to reach the islands!
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