How far in advance do you book your holiday? A few weeks, a few months or even a whole year ahead like some people are doing right now?
The growing demand for Gran Canaria holiday bookings for the rest of this year’s winter is causing a lot of bookings for next year’s winter, which has seen an increase of about 10% so far. The Nordic tour operators are finding it hard to find available rooms in Gran Canaria for winter 2012/2013, according to sources at this year’s FITUR trade fair in Madrid.
Yesterday employers at the trade fair claimed that Scandinavian tour operators searching for rooms to book in the Canary Islands, and Gran Canaria in particular, have not been able to make any bookings because of the strong growth in demand which has forced accommodation providers to reject offers, some at very good prices.
So perhaps there is a moral here somewhere. If you want to be guaranteed of some winter sun, you might want to book your winter 2012/2013 holiday quick before everything is full!
Tags: General · News
January 18th, 2012 · 1 Comment
Bruce Springsteen fans, listen up – Bruce is coming to Gran Canaria! 
Although the date hasn’t been finalised yet (few things in Gran Canaria ever are!) it is believed to be May 15th, 2012.
The other venues and dates are Seville on May 13th, Barcelona on May 17th and 18th, San Sebastian on June 2nd and Madrid on June 17th. After that he’s in Germany, Portugal, Italy, Holland and other European countries. Busy man! The tickets will be priced around 100 pounds.
Although I’m not especially a Bruce Springsteen fan, I did go and see Shakira in concert in Las Palmas and really enjoyed that.
Tags: Events
If you are living in Gran Canaria you might wonder how to renew your UK passport without having to return to the UK. Well I’ve done it by mail from Gran Canaria and it’s pretty easy.
Where to Get the Passport Photos
You can get the photos done at Maspacolor, which is the photography shop near the tulip roundabout in San Fernando, or the photo place in Arguineguin.
The passport photos must not have any lines on the back (which is why it matters where you get them done). There is a real shortage of passport photo machines. There used to be one in the Yumbo Centre but I’m not sure it’s still there. I don’t know where any others are.
Photo by Nathan17
How to Submit Your Application
You can find more information here:
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/how-to-apply/spain
including prices, where you have to send the documents, and requirements for the photos. Some friends of mine have had their passport photos returned for being on the wrong kind of paper or another breach of the rules, but I found the Madrid office pretty lax. In my passport photo, I have my sunglasses perched on my head and nobody’s ever batted an eyelid! 
Tags: General
I recently received an email asking whether there was anywhere to donate unwanted clothing or goods. It’s a common enough situation, especially if you have kids who grow up quick, but it seems a waste to throw their too-small clothes out, so what can you do with them?
Lions Club Gran Canaria
One of the best places to donate to is the Lions Club. They run a 2nd hand stall at Arguineguin and Mogan markets and raise money for families and elderly people in need.
If you have any clothes or goods you don’t want any more, I’m sure they’d be delighted with your donations. Drop them a line here or visit their website here for more details.
Photo by Howard Lake
TARA Gran Canaria
TARA also appreciates donations and this organization looks after unwanted animals. Perhaps you’re thinking of adopting a new pet, in which case you can have a look at their Facebook page or website. There are lots of animals needing homes at this time of the year.
Asociación Vecinos Las Lomas de Arguineguín
This company runs the local Food Bank and are always in need of donations: non-perishable food, clothing, toys, furniture, toys etc. If you are interested in helping out, they are in Arguineguin next to the Kindergarten, across from the jewelry shop. Go along any Tuesday between 5 and 8pm. You can also search for Las Lomas de Arguineguin on Facebook.
If anyone else knows of any worthy charities in Gran Canaria or anyone else who can make use of unwanted clothes or goods, then feel free to post a comment under this post.
Tags: General
You might have seen this article in the news recently but what is a Presa Canaria exactly? This dog is what the Canary Islands were named after. The Presa Canaria has a big square head which is the same width as the length. The jaw is big and powerful. The dog’s chest is broad and deep and these dogs have dense bones, powerful muscles and thick skins.
If you’re thinking about buying a Presa Canaria dog, you will need to be dominant and confident and understand about alpha dogs. Everyone in your home has to be comfortable around such a dog. These dogs are great guard dogs and the sight of them alone is enough to put anyone off robbing or attacking you.
This dog is quite inactive indoors so it will be OK in an apartment as long as you walk it daily. It needs occasional grooming (just brushing and perhaps the odd shampoo).
The Presa Canaria can be dangerous in the wrong hands but loving and loyal in the right ones. Daily pack walks to satisfy the dog’s migration instincts are a must, and you have to walk the dog beside or behind you, to reinforce your pack leader status. Unless you’re actually looking for a guard dog and you’re prepared to spend time training this dog correctly, it might be better to opt for another breed.
These dogs are believed to be related to the now extinct Bardino Majero breed, which was crossed with English Mastiffs. The Presa Canaria was bred in the Canary islands in the 19th century for dog fighting, which used to be a common and popular entertainment throughout Europe. Fights were staged in open fields in some countries like Ireland, but in pits or rings in the Canaries. Dog fighting is of course illegal now.
Tags: General
Pet shops in Gran Canaria are not like their British counterparts. You can buy cats, dogs and various other animals in Gran Canaria pet shops, although the 500 euros price tag for a Siamese or Persian kitten, or 700 euros price tag (average) for a puppy might be off-putting to some.
Animal Rescue Centres
There are also rescue centres where you can get a new pet for free or for a small donation. I got my cat from the vet in San Fernando. She was one of a number of abandoned kittens. You might like to look at TARA if you are looking for a new cat or dog. They often have unwanted or abandoned animals.
Cleo (8 years later and still just as lazy as ever!!)
Vets and Pet Supplies
Most vets speak English and I’ve used the one in San Fernando and the one in Puerto Rico. You can get pet insurance in Gran Canaria but to be honest I’ve never bothered with that and fortunately never been faced with a big vet’s bill.
You can get specialist pet food from the vet or you can get the regular stuff from most supermarkets. There are also pet supply shops in Vecindario and some other shopping centres, where you can buy dog leashes, cat litter trays, collars, and the like.
If you are interested in relocating your pet to Gran Canaria or bringing pets home from Gran Canaria, have a look at this post and the comments underneath.
Tags: General · shopping
The Gran Chaparral Shopping Centre in Playa del Ingles used to be known as the English centre. Although it still features many bars offering an English style and theme, where many of the staff are English too, the Gran Chaparral is also popular with other nationalities and this is reflected in international bars, especially Dutch and Scandinavian ones.
A lot of the Gran Chaparral bars are family-style ones where you can enjoy catching up with major TV shows, sing karaoke, watch a singer or show, or simply relax with a Sunday roast dinner and a pint. You can get a nice English breakfast at Britannia.
Rent bikes, cars, jeeps or motorcycles from the Gran Chaparral, or check out some of the shops where you can find tourist gifts. There is also a good Chinese restaurant in the Gran Chaparral shopping center.
You can find the Gran Chaparral Shopping Centre on Avenida de Gran Canaria, at the top of Calle de Noruega, and it’s open from late morning until 2am.
Tags: Playa del Ingles
At this time of year it is nice to get away for some sun and fun, and if you are interested in walking and hiking, you might be wondering what the Canaries have to offer.
Although hiking is not one of the main things the Canaries are known for, it is possible to enjoy a walking holiday because there are so many beautiful landscapes. Gran Canaria features a pine forest, various campsites, rugged cliffs and mountains. Walking and hiking in Gran Canaria can be as easy or as challenging as you like.
La Palma
The island of La Palma is another option and you can enjoy the black sandy beaches and thick forests. The volcanic landscape is exciting to explore and you can also visit the Caldera de Taburiente crater or the UNESCO Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve while you are there.
La Gomera
Another possibility is the island of La Gomera, which allows self-guided hiking while your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel. This means you can explore with just a rucksack at your own pace, and end up at a new hotel for the night with your luggage (and a hot meal) waiting there for you
La Gomera by Abrocke
There are black sandy beaches, green valleys and beautiful forests on La Gomera and if you want something quieter than Gran Canaria, either here or La Palma might suit you down to the ground.
Tags: General · Places
Gran Canaria is a great island to visit, whether you are a couple, a family, a group, or even a solo traveller, because there is something for everybody. You can choose from different resorts on the island, including Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, San Agustin, Las Palmas, Mogan, and Puerto Rico, depending on what you are looking for exactly.
For families, the island offers plenty to do. Most excursions are kid-friendly and you might like to try the dolphin trips in Gran Canaria or even sea fishing. The fishing boats have light-rods which a child can handle easily. The restaurants, cafes and some bars are also child-friendly, as are most of the resorts. Some hotels offer kids’ entertainment or kids’ clubs, but that’s something you need to check when you book.
Photo by Ajuaze
If you are booking a hotel in Puerto Rico it might be worth checking where it is exactly, since Puerto Rico consists of hills and valleys. Somewhere in the valley means you will be able to walk to the harbours, beach and shopping centres, but somewhere on top of the hill or even halfway up (they are steep hills!) means you might have to fork out for taxis every day if you don’t want to push buggies up and down the hills or if your little ones don’t want to walk too far.
Playa del Ingles is a lot flatter, as is Maspalomas, so you can pretty much book anything there. San Agustin is smaller, as is Puerto de Mogan, so you don’t have to worry about the hills. Taxis are cheap but paying multiple times a day every day to get around adds up.
There is plenty of choice when it comes to eating and drinking. There are Spar supermarkets all over the place (and Netto although that tends to be more expensive) so if you’re self-catering you can make your own food. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants, many of which are relatively cheap. Gran Canaria is a nice place for family holidays, since the weather is almost always good and there are lots of activities to entertain the whole family.
Tags: General
Meloneras is an upmarket and chic part of Gran Canaria. Situated close to Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, Meloneras is on the south coast. There are lots of high-end boutiques, designers shops and jewellers in Meloneras Gran Canaria, as well as great restaurants. The bars, shopping centres, cafes and restaurants offer all kinds of cuisines, not just Canarian cooking, and there are also wine bars where you can sit and enjoy a romantic sunset.
Photo by Habladorcito
Meloneras offers a sandy beach where you can soak up the sun or enjoy a swim, and at night there are lots of places you can go. You won’t find all the lager louts that you’d get in Puerto Rico or Playa del Ingles in Meloneras.
You might like to try the casino too. The hotels in Meloneras are four or five star and the Lopesan Baobab Resort is one of the nicer ones, or you can try the Lopesan Villa del Conde which is sumptuous as well.
If you are into golf, you will be pleased to know there is a newly built 18-hole golf course in Meloneras. If not, there is plenty of shopping you can do and the beach is also beautiful. Meloneras is a nice resort to pick if you want a really relaxing holiday in Gran Canaria.
Tags: Meloneras
