Gran Canaria (Spain)

A holiday to Gran Canaria is the place to go for sand, sea and non–stop fun with resorts suitable for all types of holidaymakers. MonsterTravel has a great range of deals to Gran Canaria from all the largest tour operators such as Thomson, First Choice and Thomas Cook together with flight plus hotel packages from all kinds of airlines and hoteliers, including Riu and Princess.

Puerto Rico is a firm family favourite, nestling in a horseshoe shaped bay in the South West of the Island, basked in sunshine. Its position gives it calm waters and soft sands and provides non–stop entertainment to holiday makers. The man made resort of Amadores with its fantastic beach is less than half a mile away as is the more upmarket Playa Taurito and Puerto Mogan with its marina full of yachts and designer shopping options. Playa del Ingles is Gran Canaria's largest resort and is extremely lively, whilst only being 2km from the amazing dunes of Maspalomas, moulded by the winds carrying Sahara sands across from Africa. Maspolomas is much quieter than Playa del Ingles and is more suitable for families. Meloneras provides a more classy air to the outskirts of Maspolomas. Bahia Feliz literally means 'Happy Bay' and is a small compact town where daily life focuses around the picturesque village square.

Gran Canaria is the ultimate sun–fun island with great all year round temperatures. You can count yourself extremely unlucky if you encounter any rainfall at all! It is famous for its magnificent beaches that ring the island and the amazing sand dunes, particularly around Maspolomas. Gran Canaria also has much more to offer with its lively resorts of Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles, together with its cosmopolitan capital, Las Palmas. It also features lesser known gems such as the Venetian style canals of Puerto Mogan and the more upmarket Meloneras with its chic designer boutiques and high class restaurants.

Despite its richly deserved reputation as a fun island, Gran Canaria still has much to offer the culture vultures. If you are a fan of art and culture head for the cosmopolitan capital of Las Palmas. A climb to the top of the Santa Anna Cathedral provides spectacular views over the city rooftops, whilst you can also visit the home of Christopher Columbus, Casa de Colon. The Caldera de Bandama lies at the heart of the island and is a stunning extinct bowl shaped volcanic crater that will simply take your breath away. Mundo Aborigen is an open air museum that celebrates the original inhabitants of Gran Canaria, the Guanches, whose origins are the subject of many myths, including one that they are the sole survivors of Atlantis.

Gran Canaria offers a whole range of activities from a gentle horse trek through the gorgeous interior to buggy riding in the sand dunes or a trip to Aqua Sur, a tropical lagoon style oasis, the island's largest waterpark. If you are more of an environmental enthusiast visit the Jardin Canario, for its amazing display of botanical Canarian beauty, including giant cacti and exotic palms. Playa del Ingles caters strongly for the tourist trade with theme parks and go–karting.