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If you’re visiting Spain for the first time, be warned: this is a country that fast becomes an addiction. It is a magnet for travelers all over the world. The Spanish way of life is irresistible! It’s impossible not to warm to a culture where food, wine, family and friends take priority over almost everything else. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself hooked by something quite different… the wild celebration of some local fiesta, perhaps, or the otherworldly architecture of Barcelona. Even in the best-known places to visit, from Madrid to the coasts, from the high Pyrenees to the Moorish cities of the south. There are genuinely surprising attractions at every turn, whether it’s hip restaurants in the Basque country, the wild landscapes of the central plains, or cutting-edge galleries in the industrial north. Soon, you’ll notice that there is not just one Spain but many.
  • Crowning an island of tall cliffs to the north and extensive beaches to the south, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city which offers sun, sea and an exceptional historic legacy. Mild temperatures throughout the year make for an enjoyable and racially diverse city. The combination of the aboriginal Guanche culture, its colonial past, and the fact that it is only 90 miles from the coast of Africa create a distinctive character resulting from the mix of Europe, America and Africa.

    The capital of the eastern province of the Canary Islands is made up of two key points: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Puerto de la Luz. The palm trees, which grow everywhere on the island, add exoticism to an urban layout of cobbled streets. Meanwhile, the importance of Puerto de la Luz since the 19th century and its trade links with Great Britain mean the city preserves some beautiful modernist buildings.

    The most historic point is the square of Santa Ana. Beside it stands one of the city’s greatest treasures: the Cathedral. The church has a mixture of styles which go from the Gothic to the Neoclassic, the result of a long period of construction.

    The House of Columbus is a must for those who what to learn more about the discovery of America. It is a former palace of the governors of the island which was used by Christopher Columbus as a residence during his stay on Gran Canary. Its buildings house a museum devoted to Columbus: maps, models and fragments of his diaries…

  • Volcanic sands, bays surrounded by cliffs and exceptional natural landscapes. This is the island of La Palma, an idyllic spot with numerous ecological treasures. It was shortlisted for the European Commission’s EDEN programme (European Destinations of Excellence), in recognition of its commitment to sustainable tourism.

    La Palma, known as the ‘isla bonita’ (beautiful island), is the greenest island in the Canary Island archipelago. From lush forests to steep cliffs hiding beaches of black sand, visitors will find the island endlessly surprising for its ecological treasures and exceptional scenery. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO, it is home to numerous protected natural spaces, including the Caldera de Taburiente National Park inland. The volcanic lava, which goes right down to the sea, has created a low, rocky coastline with small bays hidden away between steep cliffs.

  • The largest of the Canary Islands is a fabulous world of contrasts. The idyllic combination of sun and sand, nature and leisure, have made it one of the most popular tourist resorts in Europe.

    Its 269 kilometres of coast offer a wide variety of places to enjoy the sun and the sea. In the north, where the countryside is steep with cliffs, you will find small bays and natural pools, whereas in the south, such as in the municipalities of Adeje and Arona, you will find numerous beaches, most of which are volcanic in origin. You can swim and sunbathe all the year round thanks to the abundance of sunny days and moderate temperatures which range between 18 degrees in winter and 26 degrees in summer. The high quality of its hotel infrastructure and the wide range of leisure activities and complimentary services are just a couple of the reasons which bring thousands of people every year to Tenerife for their holidays.

    However, there is much more to discover on the island. Besides the Teide National Park and the Corona Forestal Natural Park, there are other beautiful natural areas on the island. Diving in the waters around the island is also a spectacular experience as the volcanoes have given Tenerife an original sea floor. Cycling, golf, hiking, surfing or hang gliding are just a few of the sports you can practice here. Together with the famous Carnival, there are other feasts in the different towns of the island where you will be able to get to know typical handicrafts like openwork and cockade; the gastronomy, especially fish dishes, potatoes and cheeses; and other popular and traditional customs of the islanders.

  • It is said that Lanzarote is the most volcanic-looking of the Canary Islands. Its “lunar” landscape, covered in craters, canyons and valleys of solidified lava, is one of its main attractions, but not the only one.

    Lanzarote is one of the oldest of the Canaries, the result of volcanic activity that started 22 million years ago. The passing millennia have moulded its landscapes and structure, giving it truly spectacular countryside, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve.

    The constant warm, spring weather means you can enjoy the beauty and contrasts of its coast at any time of year. There are beaches with black or golden sand, in the towns or in protected nature areas… There are also places of great ecological value to be discovered, such as Timanfaya National Park, where you can see a huge variety of volcanic formations, and the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Reserve, a refuge for many species of marine birds.