EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Discover the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Gran Canaria and its colorful towns. Drive to one of the most important agricultural centers, Arucas, known as the banana capital of the island. Here you’ll visit a Banana Plantation and learn everything about this important and typical crop of Canary Island. You will also have the chance to taste one together with some local specialities! Next you will visit Jardin de la Marquesa. It originated as a small garden surrounding the summer residence of the marquis of Arucas and expanded to the lush gardens you’ll find today. This botanical garden has hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical flora. Flower lined lanes and ponds enhance the beauty of this place, where you may also encounter wandering peacocks. Taste a banana liquor at the Gardens, before rejoining the bus and head to the picturesque village of Teror, where colonial buildings grace the town's boulevard. Enjoy a walking tour and some free time before the drive back to pier.

Discover the archaeological heritage and history of the first inhabitants of the island and learn about this beautiful land. You’ll visit a lush botanical garden, the Painted Cave Museum and Archaeological Park plus enjoy a typical drink. Discover the archaeological heritage and history of the first inhabitants of the island and learn about this beautiful land. Drive to Arucas for a short photo stop to view its majestic lava-stone church. You’ll visit the Jardin de la Marquesa, which started as a small garden surrounding the summer residence of the marquis of Arucas. Today, this lush botanical garden has hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical flora. Flower lined lanes and ponds enhance the beauty of this place, where you may encounter free wandering peacocks. Relax and taste a banana liquor. Continue to Galdar to visit the Painted Cave Museum and Archaeological Park; taking its name from the remarkable rock paintings found in the cave. The museum was built around the remains of the aborigine settlement and preserves the great cultural heritage of the island, offering a journey into pre-Hispanic Gran Canaria.

Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands and the capital of Gran Canaria. Enjoy the ride to the enchanting Doramas Park, landscaped with native flora and dragon trees. Visit the model of a traditional village, located in the park. Continue to the historical section of the city called Vegueta, a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets and tiny squares. Stop for photos at Plaza Santa Ana with its bronze statues in honor of the dogs which probably gave the Canary Islands their name - canum in Latin. Facing the plaza is the Cathedral of Santa Ana with its impressive 19th century neoclassical Roman columns. Enjoy a visit to the lush botanical gardens with an impressive collection of native plants. Stop at the Altavista lookout point for stunning views of Las Palmas, Las Canteras Beach and the harbor with your ship in the background. Stop for pictures at beautiful Las Canteras beach, for outstanding views over the ocean and the modern auditorium as a background before returning to your ship

Discover the quaint village of Agaete and Puerto de las Nieves, with their pretty houses, lovely narrow streets and the seashore. Sample some local wines and autochthonous coffee locally produced in the beautiful surroundings of a plantation.

Drive to the north coast of Gran Canaria en route to Agaete, a quaint village with narrow streets and whitewashed houses surrounded by lush vegetation. Here you’ll have the opportunity to explore the village at leisure.

Discover the Barranco de Agaete – a lush haven where bananas, mangos, papayas, oranges, and lemons grow surrounded by the arid landscape of the island. You’ll see one of the greenest valleys on the island, Valle de Agaete and visit a plantation here. You’ll taste a selection of local award winning wines here accompanied by some tasty treats. On the way of back to pier, stop at viewpoint Auditorium for breathtaking views of the city.

Step back in time and walk through history on your crater trek. During the drive to the highest mountains of the island you'll start to discover the natural beauty of Gran Canaria. Your specialized trekking guide will lead you into the Caldera. Bandama, you will follow the trail bordered by lush pine trees, orange and figs trees to the centre of the crater. You will smell the eucalyptus while you discover the unusual features of the area, such as the abandoned farmhouses and outlines of terraced fields. Next, you will start the ascent to the top of Bandama crater, while you look out the stunning panoramic views of the north and west coast.

Afterwards, on finishing your hike, you'll visit a local winery where you will enjoy a wine tasting and some appetizers, before returning back to the pier.

Take advantage of this opportunity to experience two of the most popular resorts of Gran Canaria and enjoy some free time to do as you wish. Stop to admire the views at Maspalomas Beach, stretching 8891 feet/2710 meters along the southernmost point of the island. The amazing sand dunes here resemble those found in the Sahara and provide a habitat for a number of rare plants.

Continue to Puerto de Mogan, one of the smallest and loveliest resorts on the island, home to charming boutiques and cafes. The apartment’s roof top terraces are bursting with colorful and exotic plants - bougainvillea, banana, papaya to name a few. Enjoy approximately two hours of free time in this charming place. Browse the boutiques, take a swim or just sit back and relax. Optional activities including jet-ski rentals, pedal boat rentals and a submarine tour are available for an additional fee.

Explore the historical district of Vegueta, visit the Canarian Museum to learn about the first inhabitants of the island and enjoy one of the largest botanical gardens in Spain. Join your guide for a walk through the historic quarter of Vegueta, one of the most beautiful sections of the city. La caminata comienza en el Teatro Pérez Galdós hasta llegar a la Plaza de Santa Ana, donde puedes admirar las fachadas del ayuntamiento, la casa del obispo y la catedral. Visita el Museo Canario donde se expone una colección permanente, dedicada casi por completo a los primeros habitantes de la isla. La exhibición ha sido diseñada con el objetivo de explicar la manera en que vivieron estas personas desde alrededor del año 500 antes de Cristo hasta el siglo 15, cuando los españoles conquistaron y colonizaron Gran Canaria. Caminarás hacia la Plaza del Pilar Nuevo para admirar la hermosa fachada de la Casa de Colón, la cual muestra numerosos aspectos de la arquitectura de la isla. Pasarás por la ciudad universitaria de Tafira y visitarás el Jardín Canario, uno de los jardines botánicos más grande de España, para apreciar una amplia variedad de plantas autóctonas.

Enjoy Gran Canaria’s clear, calm waters and typically wonderful weather while having some fun paddling a kayak. Follow your kayaking guide for a walk to a nearby beach. After getting into your wetsuit and receiving safety instructions, your fun begins. You’ll spend approximately one and half hours along with an experienced instructor enjoying the calm waters off the town's beach.

OVERVIEW

Tour a coffee plantation in Agaete Valley near the island’s northwestern coast and enjoy a traditional Canarian lunch with a variety of local wines. Coffee has been cultivated in the valley since the late 19th century but not in great quantities. Connoisseurs consider it a specialty coffee because of its rarity, elegant taste and aroma of licorice and chocolate. You will be served a cup of this Arabica Typical coffee with dessert, but not before being served a spectacular multi-course meal at the restaurant Casa Romantica. Creamy locally sourced goat butter and goat cheese are ingredients in many of the dishes. You will also be offered a choice of entrées that typically include grilled beef entrecote with vegetables, or White Canarian fish with watercress pil-pil sauce. The artisan sourdough bread is from one of the island’s oldest bakeries. It all leads up to the rice pudding dessert, served with coffee from the Agaete Valley.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a Agaete Valley plantation that grows a rare variety of coffee with an elegant taste.
• Dine on a multi-course lunch of characteristic Canarian dishes.
• Savor a rice pudding for dessert with a cup of coffee from Agaete Valley beans.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend a magical day at the Canaries best and most popular zoological and botanical park - a great time for any age group and something the entire family will enjoy. This tour offers you the general admission and transfer to the park accompanied by an escort. The park is surrounded by mountains and a huge variety of fauna and flora. The colorful parrot and birds-of-prey shows will keep you entertained.

One of the highlights is the dolphin show, where these intelligent mammals display their outstanding skills and strength. Primates, fish, and other beautiful animals are to be found in the park, as well as a butterfly house with hundreds of colorful butterflies. As you explore the park, you may also discover the orchid house and the cactus garden with many interesting plants. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the streets of Old Town in an eco-friendly electric tuk-tuk and stop along the way for tasty tapas that reflect the local Canarian cuisine. The tuk-tuk – a three-wheeled rickshaw of sorts for just four passengers – will offer a unique perspective of Vegueta, the city’s oldest neighborhood. You will first pause on Calle Mendizabal, affectionately known as “Tapas Street” for the abundant restaurants and bars that serve these small-plate specialties. Although the tapas change frequently to take advantage of the freshest available ingredients, you can expect to sample dishes such as Spanish croquettes and fried cheese with blueberry jam. Similarly, at the second venue, you will be served more delicious tapas that will likely include papas arrugadas, a traditional potato dish accompanied by mojo sauces for dipping. The tapas will always be thoughtfully paired with beverages, which at the third venue will be a classic from the bar’s nearly 80 wines by the glass.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Buzz around Old Town in a three-wheeled, open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk.
• Stop at three venues for tapas that are characteristic of the local cuisine.
• Sample specialties such as Spanish croquettes and a traditional potato dish.
• Enjoy a beverage at each venue that pairs beautifully with the tapas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gaze out over an ancient volcanic crater before dining at an exquisite restaurant surrounded by vineyards that blanket the surrounding hills. A violent volcanic eruption about 2,000 years ago created the Caldera de Bandama, a deep crater that is now within a protected natural park. It is named for a Dutch merchant that planted vineyards there in the 17th century. You can expect to see hikers along the crater trails and perhaps the remains of stone houses and a grape press. Not far away, you will dine at Bodegón Vandama, a restaurant that offers panoramic views of the volcanic landscape, traditional Canarian cuisine and wines made from indigenous grapes that flourish in the island’s volcanic soil. The dishes will be thoughtfully paired with a selection of red and white wines. The menu will likely include grilled sausages, Iberian pork tenderloin and mushroom risotto.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stop at a viewpoint overlooking a deep volcanic crater where a vineyard once flourished.
• Learn about the volcanic nature of the island and how it has positively affected the wines.
• Dine on traditional dishes and complementary wines at a traditional local restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.