23 September 2010

11th Sept……We checked out at 9am and transferred to Arrecife airport for our inter island flight to Gran Canaria with Binter Airlines. We were served water and a snack on our 40 minute flight and arrived in Gran Canaria at 11.30am. After checking in the 4* Marina Suites in Puerto Rico, we had lunch followed by 2 hours free time. Most of us used this time to have a swim in the gorgeous infinity pool and a dip in one of the jacuzzis’s. We then had a short walk around the harbour, where we boarded a catamaran which took us to the resort of Mogan. This is a very quiet laid back resort with lovely cobbled streets and a canal running through it which is why it is known as Little Venice. We had site visits at two properties The Cordial Mogan Apartments (a fabulous self catering choice ideal for families) and The Cordial Mogan Playa Hotel ( a stunning hotel set in beautiful botanical gardens with superb facilities) Following this we had a tour of the Meloneras area which is close to Maspalomas and has numerous 4 & 5* properties, boutiques & restaurants all along the promenade. Seaside hotels was our next stop and after a site visit at the Sandy beach Hotel we transferred to the 5* Seaside Palm Beach Hotel where we had an outstanding meal in one of their restaurants before viewing the hotels rooms and facilities, including a brand new kids area making it perfect for luxury family holidays. 12th Sept….. We were picked up by jeep this morning and drove into central Gran Canaria around cliff edges which had us holding on for our lives! The scenery was spectacular and ideal for those looking for an adventure holida.y I managed to settle my nerves long enough to go on a zip wire across the gorge! This was a bit scary but pretty amazing. We didn’t arrive back into Puerto Rico until after 5pm and had a couple of hour’s free time before meeting in the hotel restaurant for our farewell dinner. 13th Sept…. Checked out of our hotel at 9am and made our way to Palmitos park where we spent over 3 hours in these amazing botanical gardens, exotic zoo, aquarium, birds of prey, parrot shows and a dolphin show. An ideal day out for all the family and great on a hot day as the whole park is very shaded. We then transferred to The Gloria Palace San Agustin Hotel where we had a site visit and lunch before trying out their fantastic seawater thalasso centre. After this most of the group had to leave for the airport, but I got to spend an extra night at this hotel as my flight wasn’t leaving until the next day. I enjoyed an evening meal in the main buffet restaurant and a very lively Flamenco show before retiring for the night. This twin centre was a great experience and proved to me how easy it can be to combine two Islands in one holiday.

23 September 2010

8th Sept…. Our journey started on a Monarch flight from London Gatwick to Lanzarote on the afternoon of the 8th September. It was my first time flying with Monarch and I was impressed by the airline, especially the in-flight meal which was excellent. We arrived at Arrecife Airport at 1925 and then transferred to our accommodation where we would spend the next 3 nights. The Rubicon Palace is a beautiful 4* property in Playa Blanca with numerous facilities and activities for families. 9th Sept…..After a beautiful buffet breakfast at the hotel, we were picked up and taken to Puerto Calero where we thoroughly enjoyed a Submarine Safari and a visit to the Whale and Dolphin Museum. Both attractions were fantastic and are suitable to most age groups, although the submarine would not suit those with mobility difficulties. Our next stop was the Timanfaya National park which is a must do activity while in Lanzarote. This volcanic area which was declared a national park in 1968 is an amazing sight and although the last eruptions were in 1824, the site looks as though an erruption has just occurred due to lack of rain and erosion. You can have a camel ride here and eat lunch in the El Diablo restaurant which serves food cooked on a cast iron grill placed over a large hole in the ground. Our evening was spent with a site visit and dinner at the Princess Yaiza 5* hotel in Playa Blanca. This was another beautiful hotel with lots of facilities for adults and children including a lovely Jazz Bar with entertainment every evening. 10th Sept….. This morning was spent visiting the jameos del agua & Cueva de los verdes caves in the north of the island. These were spectacular sights and are actually tunnels formed from the lava flowing from the volcanos. A very big surprise also awaits anyone visiting the Cueva de los verdes. I can’t tell you what it is or it would spoil the surprise! After a site visit to the 3* Lanzarote Gardens in Costa Teguise ( a very good choice for families on a lower budget) we had lunch at the Monumento al Campesino (a peasants monument) before spending a couple of hours at Rancho Texas near Puerto del Carmen. This park is a fantastic place for families due to the amount of activities available. There was a parrot show, sea-lion show, birds of prey show and lots of other animals to view. A boating lake and children’s adventure playground were also included in the one admission cost. Our final evening was spent at the Timanfaya Palace hotel where we had a site visit and enjoyed a beautiful evening meal. 11th Sept……We checked out at 9am and transferred to Arrecife airport for our inter island flight to Gran Canaria with Binter Airlines. *** See Gran Canaria journal 11th September 2010 ***