Gran Canaria, its name originally meaning 'Great Island of Dogs', is the second largest of the Canary Islands in terms of population. Like the rest of its sister islands, it is a popular year round destination for visitors hoping to make the most of its great climate and the hotels Gran Canaria has to offer only enhance its reputation for luxurious relaxation and the good life.
All of the hotels Gran Canaria plays host too are used to catering for the discerning international traveler and are committed to providing the very best in terms of both service and facilities. By taking such pride in its hotels Gran Canaria is helping to cement its reputation as a haven for tourists in need of some rest and relaxation, so it is no surprise that everyone here seems so helpful and keen to please.
The hotels Gran Canaria contains will almost all have their own pool and in many cases will benefit from both indoor and outdoor swimming pools for year round access to the water. Many travelers choose the Canary Islands as a winter sun destination, offering great warm and sunny weather when much of the Northern hemisphere is still stuck in a dark and chilly winter. Temperatures remain remarkably stable throughout the entire year, although visitors should go in July, August or September if a dedicated sun worshipper and want to really catch some rays. These summer months are also often entirely dry, so there is little risk of rain interrupting the holiday.
Despite the constantly warm temperatures, weather does differ depending location on the island and it is these climatic differences, along with the wide variety of landscapes that has led to the island becoming known as a 'miniature continent'. Long stretches of beautiful golden sand and seemingly never ending dunes share the island with green ravines and character packed villages.
A third of the entire island is protected by a UNESCO preservation order, making it a Biosphere Reserve which seeks to help maintain and conserve interesting and important natural habitats. Luckily, most of the most developed tourists facilities are confined to the south of the island, leaving plenty of space for nature to flourish and creating some fantastic destinations for nature hungry day trippers.
For those who prefer a more traditional holiday and don't want to stray too far from the hotel complex, Palmitos Park is a large bird park in the south of the island. This botanical garden is coupled with an aviary to become home to many species of local and international birds. The park is set in the countryside in a valley overlooked by magnificent mountains whose vistas alone would merit a trip to this part of Gran Canaria.
Visitors who prefer to get a little bit closer to nature should try Animal Encounters. This attraction can be found in Maspalomas and offers intrepid travelers the chance to swim up close and personal with sea lions. There are also horses, camels, buffalos and snakes and even some crocodiles ready to snap their teeth at everyone.
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Casa de Colon, or home of Christopher Columbus, has been turned into a history museum that charts the story of this famous discovery, as well as exhibiting some of his personal effects such as drawings and diaries.
As well as the beaches that lure many a person to visit the island for a week or two of serious sunbathing, stopping only to dip a toe in the warm sea, many people come to Gran Canaria because of the golf. There are many courses to choose from, with the Campo del Golf de Maspalomas being one of the best regarded. The temperature warm climate is absolutely ideal for golf and so be warned that many a traveler has become addicted to strolling around the holes in this part of the world.
Spare some time, too, to visit Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in a little more detail. The capital city was the initial staging post of Christopher Columbus' journey on his way back from the Americas and many historical or cultural sites of interest remain. The Museo Canario is the most important archaeology museum in the Canaries and the Cathedral and the main square, Plaza del Espiritu Santo are also well worth a visit.
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