Gran Canaria may not be the first place on your list when it comes to thinking about a Christmas destination. The little Spanish island in the east Atlantic has a solid reputation as a warm weather holiday getaway location, but in fact it is also a great respite for (or is that from) the festive period.
The climate remains comparatively warm – so no aching bones, unlike the icy UK – and the beaches are much quieter than in the peak months in the middle of the year. Excellent flight links and smooth Gran Canaria transfers make the travelling process a piece of cake – so what are you waiting for?
A Canaries Christmas
All countries have slightly different interpretations of the Christmas tradition, so why not indulge your cultural curiosity, and treat it as the locals do? For the Spanish, this means a big Christmas dinner on December 24th, and a public holiday on the 25th – although bars and restaurants will still be open to satisfy the lazy holiday moods.
Fairs and images of the nativity will abound (Spain is after all an overwhelmingly Catholic country), with carol singers and concerts pumping out the religious messages too. Presents aren’t opened until January 6th though, so if you’ve got kids with you, you might want to relax that rule.
These traditions afford an escape from the rampant commercialism of Christmas, so you can run away from those humdrum festive adverts on television and, with an all-inclusive package, rely on someone else to do all the cooking.
Outdoor Activities
Do something really radical this Christmas: go looking for dolphins, or explore the interior on an off-road Jeep trip. Keeping occupied with fun, outdoor activities like this is the best way to take your mind off the stress back home. (Make sure you check availability of activities over the holiday period though as they probably won’t be running the 25th.)
The Beach
Imagine the dream of sunbathing on Christmas Day…well, in Gran Canaria you can! With daytime temperatures rarely dipping below 20 degrees, it is not only possible but positively encouraged. Add in the diversity of beaches – the busy ones with a party atmosphere, and the quiet ones that allow you to retreat from the crowds – and you’re onto a real winner.
Being away on Spanish island means you’re far as possible from having to worry about Christmas organisation, presents, or about argumentative family members. You can enjoy the festive period on your terms in Gran Canaria. Transfer from a state of anxiety, to one of total relaxation, with only yourselves to think about.
How to Get There
There are regular direct flights from all the major airports in the UK, operated by many different airlines and the journey takes around four and a half hours. Make settling in as straightforward as possible by making use of the convenient Gran Canaria transfers so you can reach your hotel quickly and with the minimum of fuss.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Gran Canaria transfers, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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