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.

פחות

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. 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 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.

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. Your walk starts at the Perez Galdos Theater, reaching Santa Ana’s Square, where you can admire the facades of the Town Hall, the bishop’s house and the cathedral. Visit the Canarian Museum, the permanent exhibition is almost entirely devoted to the first inhabitants of the island. The exhibition is designed to explain the way these people lived over a period of time from about 500 B.C. to the 15th century, when the Spaniards conquered and colonized Gran Canaria. You’ll walk towards Pilar Nuevo Square to admire the beautiful façade of the Columbus House, which represents numerous aspects of the island’s architecture. You’ll drive through the university town of Tafira and visit Jardin Canario, one of the largest botanical gardens in Spain, to admire a vast variety of native plants.

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.