This perfect holiday island is the third largest in the group of Canary islands, North of Africa it gets fantastic all year round sunshine and is only a short flight making it very poplular with tourists looking for winter sunshine but prefering not to make the long trip to exotic further afield places. Famous for its vast expanse of golden sand dunes framed by stunning green mountains Gran Canaria makes for some amazing photo opportunities and remains a firm favourite with British holiday makers of all ages, not surprising as all the beaches here have been awarded the coveted blue flag.

The south of the island is the most popular and offers the better weather, if that is at all possible, here you will find resorts such as Puerto Mogan a quaint cosmopolitan village also known as little venice, take a trip and find out why and sample some mouthwatering food at one of the many restaurants or take a stroll to the Marina and watch the yatchs bobbing around in the cool blue waters. On the South you will also find Maspalomas, perhaps most famously known for its sand dunes and also home to the islands nudist beach, lively Puerto Rico which renoun for its hilly location making it not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties but offering a great choice for the shopaholic, and the clubbing capital of the island Playa Del Ingles home to an amazing expanse of find sandy beach which stretches to meet the dunes of Maspalomas. Water sports such as windsurfing, jet skiing and pedolas are widely available in Gran Canaria and can be found on most of the beaches

Car hire is very popular in Gran Canaria and comparativly cheap making it the best and most convenient way to explore those places off the tourist track, the chic capital of Las Palmas has to be on your list of places to see especially if you like to shop, or visit an extinct volcanoe, maybe you just want to find an uncrowded beach, sink you toes in the soft sand and relax in the heat of the sun. A must for anyone no matter what age has to be a visit to the water park and with 3 to choose from you really are spoilt for choice depending on what you want ranging from the smallest, Aqua Sur in Maspalomas to the larger Ocean Park and Aqua Park in Puerto Rico which ever you choose there are enough rides and water chutes to keep everyone happy.

After a lazy day on the beach then it must be time to eat, where do you start, most of the resorts offer every style of eatery from snack bars, cafes and fast food outlets to upmarket sophisticated restaurants where you are sure to find something to suite your palet whatever your tastes. Generally you find that the ones serving the local foods offer the best value for money there you can try local thick soups or delicious meats served in a spicy sauce, try a bottle of the local wine they are always excellent value for money.

For that holiday bargain haggle in the markets for local hand made embroidery and lace, the tobacco produced here is also cheap and the local cigars are of outstanding quality.