Choosing Between the Canary Islands

Choosing which of the Canary Islands to visit is a real dilemma for the winter break tourist. All of the main seven islands, that are located just off the north African coastline, share similar climates, but the major differences lie in the way each of these islands has grown up and the level of urban development progression in each. Some of the resorts on these islands have their roots back in the 1950's and so exhibit some dated and, for some, unattractive architecture while the resorts that have only recently gained popularity boast modern developments that are more pleasing on the eye.

For the winter traveller who is looking for more than just a beach holiday (and the islands can certainly provide that) there are a host of other attractions from 15th century Spanish settlements, a number of spectacular national parks and a wide choice of art and culture to satisfy a range of tastes. On Lanzarote its most famous resident, artist Cesar Manrique, has left his impression all over the island with his distinctive style of sculpture, architecture and painting. The artist was sadly killed in a car accident on the island of Lanzarote in 1992 but has left his mark following his enthusiastic pursuit of sympathetic planning regulations resulting in a lack of high rise development on the island. His work reflects an acceptable form of modern functional design and includes the spectacular viewpoint at Mirador del Rio and the amazing Jameos del Agua, a cave system transformed by Manrique into an auditorium and breathtaking swimming pool and gardens. The excellent acoustic properties of the auditorium see it hosting several events including shows, concerts and regular discos.

Falling under the same administration as Lanzarote, Gran Canaria is one of the larger islands in the group and accordingly has a more established urban buzz and city feel. That's not to say it is not attractive as a resort for many visitors. A cheap flight to Gran Canaria in the off-peak season should be affordable enough to make it a suitable destination for a weekend city break. It has a varied selection of all the elements of city life including culture, restaurants, bars and clubs. The city also has a very important marina development given its location and it plays host to frequent regattas.

Gran Canaria has developed in popularity largely because of its amazingly mild climate. The temperature barely leaves the 20-30 degrees centigrade range making it pleasantly warm but never too hot. The trade winds bring pleasant breezes to create a comfortable environment for sightseers and sportspeople alike. In fact the sport of windsurfing has seen Gran Canaria establish itself as one of the world's most favoured destinations for top surfers. There a re plenty of sheltered location for newcomers to the sport but the more experienced are likely to head for Pozo Isquierdo where powerful winds provide all the thrills and challenges the best in the sport demand.

For British holidaymakers, the island of Tenerife has been a favourite ever since the 1950's. It's the largest of the Canaries and has seen its fair share of development which is still ongoing. The resorts being built now offer some of the highest quality amenities you will find anywhere in the island group. There are waterparks and golf courses, diving and sail bases. The island is now also home to many Brits who have chosen to live there permanently. Again the climate and abundance of frequent flights to several UK airports make it an easy choice compared to other ex-pat destinations like southern Spain which don't boast the same constant mild weather.

For the traveller who favours more a natural attraction rather then the bustle of establish tourist traps, the less well-known island of La Gomera provides an refreshing alternative as it is home to one of the best preserved laurisilva forests or humid sub-tropical laurel forests. The evergreen hardwood trees grow to height of up to 40m and harbor a wealth of endemic plant and animal species. Many forests of this type in the world have been devastated by logging activities so La Gomera provides one of the most accessible locations to experience these rare natural features.

So a flight to the Canaries can be a gateway to a mild winter break, a trip to visit friends and relatives or the start to a trip full of exciting natural and cultural experiences.