Away from the traditional beach resorts, Mallorca the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a wealth of alternative experiences to offer the intrepid traveler. Not just for the package holiday maker, Mallorca is rich in history and natural wonders which makes exploring the Spanish isle an absolute must. 

The majority of visitors reach Mallorca via Palma Airport located just 8km outside of the city center. From here there is the usual option of picking between a taxi, private transfer or the shuttle bus which runs every half an hour during the summer months to Palma centre at a single fare cost of 2 euros. For those really wanting to explore the island though, a Palma Airport car hire is in order. Remember to bring a credit card with you when picking up the car as all hire firms insist on it for insurance purposes, regardless of how you paid. 

The first place to visit away from Palma de Mallorca city center is Soller, a 28km drive north. As well as getting here by car there is also a train service which runs from Palma to Soller five times a day, affording some fantastic vistas en route. The town itself lies in a valley flourished with orange groves and olive trees and a walk around this pretty Art Nouveau inspired town followed by tapas and some of the fine pastries available, is well worth a trip. Catch one of the trams to the main station and you will find a museum containing work by Picasso and Joan Miro or alternatively make your way to the Jardin Botanic museum and garden for a leisurely but fragrant meander. 

Surrounding the Soller is the Serra de Tramuntana which is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty. People come from across the world to walk, climb and observe the wildlife living on it. To cool down after all that exertion, there are two beaches located close by in the Bay of Soller. Feeling the need to retreat? Then maybe a trip to the Royal Carthusian  Monastery in Valldemossa a 25 minute drive from either Soller or  Palma is in order. Famous for being a hideaway for pianist Frederic Chopin and his lover the writer George Sand it unfortunately brought them no peace, as Sand vehemently wrote in her book Winter in Mallorca. However for thousands of others the former ancient monastery and charming village makes for a calming break from the hustle and bustle of the city or beach resorts. 

Journeying east from Palma, 66km or an hour’s drive, are the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon’s Caves). These awe-inspiring caverns are full of floor to ceiling stalactites and stalagmites which wind down to La Ventana (the window) through which one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lago de Martel, can be seen. A highlight of the trip is the classical music performances staged on the lake by musicians in boats, lit by atmospheric lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Visitors can sit and watch from within the naturally created amphitheater, all for the initial entrance fee of 7.5 euros. 

To experience something a little more adrenalin charged why not go to the races? Opened in 1965, the Hipodromo Son Pardo in Palma was the first floodlit race course in Europe and boasts Mallorca’s very own particular brand of horse-racing. Known as trotting racing it entails a jockey sat in a cart being pulled around by a horse who must be prevented from breaking into a gallop. If it all seems too much like hard work, then there’s always Mallorca’s acres of soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters to fall back on.

Author: Michelle Elkins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Netbook, Tablets and Mobile Computing

Away from the traditional beach resorts, Mallorca the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a wealth of alternative experiences to offer the intrepid traveler. Not just for the package holiday maker, Mallorca is rich in history and natural wonders which makes exploring the Spanish isle an absolute must. 

The majority of visitors reach Mallorca via Palma Airport located just 8km outside of the city center. From here there is the usual option of picking between a taxi, private transfer or the shuttle bus which runs every half an hour during the summer months to Palma centre at a single fare cost of 2 euros. For those really wanting to explore the island though, a Palma Airport car hire is in order. Remember to bring a credit card with you when picking up the car as all hire firms insist on it for insurance purposes, regardless of how you paid. 

The first place to visit away from Palma de Mallorca city center is Soller, a 28km drive north. As well as getting here by car there is also a train service which runs from Palma to Soller five times a day, affording some fantastic vistas en route. The town itself lies in a valley flourished with orange groves and olive trees and a walk around this pretty Art Nouveau inspired town followed by tapas and some of the fine pastries available, is well worth a trip. Catch one of the trams to the main station and you will find a museum containing work by Picasso and Joan Miro or alternatively make your way to the Jardin Botanic museum and garden for a leisurely but fragrant meander. 

Surrounding the Soller is the Serra de Tramuntana which is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty. People come from across the world to walk, climb and observe the wildlife living on it. To cool down after all that exertion, there are two beaches located close by in the Bay of Soller. Feeling the need to retreat? Then maybe a trip to the Royal Carthusian  Monastery in Valldemossa a 25 minute drive from either Soller or  Palma is in order. Famous for being a hideaway for pianist Frederic Chopin and his lover the writer George Sand it unfortunately brought them no peace, as Sand vehemently wrote in her book Winter in Mallorca. However for thousands of others the former ancient monastery and charming village makes for a calming break from the hustle and bustle of the city or beach resorts. 

Journeying east from Palma, 66km or an hour’s drive, are the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon’s Caves). These awe-inspiring caverns are full of floor to ceiling stalactites and stalagmites which wind down to La Ventana (the window) through which one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lago de Martel, can be seen. A highlight of the trip is the classical music performances staged on the lake by musicians in boats, lit by atmospheric lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Visitors can sit and watch from within the naturally created amphitheater, all for the initial entrance fee of 7.5 euros. 

To experience something a little more adrenalin charged why not go to the races? Opened in 1965, the Hipodromo Son Pardo in Palma was the first floodlit race course in Europe and boasts Mallorca’s very own particular brand of horse-racing. Known as trotting racing it entails a jockey sat in a cart being pulled around by a horse who must be prevented from breaking into a gallop. If it all seems too much like hard work, then there’s always Mallorca’s acres of soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters to fall back on.

Author: Michelle Elkins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

Away from the traditional beach resorts, Mallorca the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a wealth of alternative experiences to offer the intrepid traveler. Not just for the package holiday maker, Mallorca is rich in history and natural wonders which makes exploring the Spanish isle an absolute must. 

The majority of visitors reach Mallorca via Palma Airport located just 8km outside of the city center. From here there is the usual option of picking between a taxi, private transfer or the shuttle bus which runs every half an hour during the summer months to Palma centre at a single fare cost of 2 euros. For those really wanting to explore the island though, a Palma Airport car hire is in order. Remember to bring a credit card with you when picking up the car as all hire firms insist on it for insurance purposes, regardless of how you paid. 

The first place to visit away from Palma de Mallorca city center is Soller, a 28km drive north. As well as getting here by car there is also a train service which runs from Palma to Soller five times a day, affording some fantastic vistas en route. The town itself lies in a valley flourished with orange groves and olive trees and a walk around this pretty Art Nouveau inspired town followed by tapas and some of the fine pastries available, is well worth a trip. Catch one of the trams to the main station and you will find a museum containing work by Picasso and Joan Miro or alternatively make your way to the Jardin Botanic museum and garden for a leisurely but fragrant meander. 

Surrounding the Soller is the Serra de Tramuntana which is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty. People come from across the world to walk, climb and observe the wildlife living on it. To cool down after all that exertion, there are two beaches located close by in the Bay of Soller. Feeling the need to retreat? Then maybe a trip to the Royal Carthusian  Monastery in Valldemossa a 25 minute drive from either Soller or  Palma is in order. Famous for being a hideaway for pianist Frederic Chopin and his lover the writer George Sand it unfortunately brought them no peace, as Sand vehemently wrote in her book Winter in Mallorca. However for thousands of others the former ancient monastery and charming village makes for a calming break from the hustle and bustle of the city or beach resorts. 

Journeying east from Palma, 66km or an hour’s drive, are the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon’s Caves). These awe-inspiring caverns are full of floor to ceiling stalactites and stalagmites which wind down to La Ventana (the window) through which one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lago de Martel, can be seen. A highlight of the trip is the classical music performances staged on the lake by musicians in boats, lit by atmospheric lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Visitors can sit and watch from within the naturally created amphitheater, all for the initial entrance fee of 7.5 euros. 

To experience something a little more adrenalin charged why not go to the races? Opened in 1965, the Hipodromo Son Pardo in Palma was the first floodlit race course in Europe and boasts Mallorca’s very own particular brand of horse-racing. Known as trotting racing it entails a jockey sat in a cart being pulled around by a horse who must be prevented from breaking into a gallop. If it all seems too much like hard work, then there’s always Mallorca’s acres of soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters to fall back on.

Author: Michelle Elkins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rates

Away from the traditional beach resorts, Mallorca the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a wealth of alternative experiences to offer the intrepid traveler. Not just for the package holiday maker, Mallorca is rich in history and natural wonders which makes exploring the Spanish isle an absolute must. 

The majority of visitors reach Mallorca via Palma Airport located just 8km outside of the city center. From here there is the usual option of picking between a taxi, private transfer or the shuttle bus which runs every half an hour during the summer months to Palma centre at a single fare cost of 2 euros. For those really wanting to explore the island though, a Palma Airport car hire is in order. Remember to bring a credit card with you when picking up the car as all hire firms insist on it for insurance purposes, regardless of how you paid. 

The first place to visit away from Palma de Mallorca city center is Soller, a 28km drive north. As well as getting here by car there is also a train service which runs from Palma to Soller five times a day, affording some fantastic vistas en route. The town itself lies in a valley flourished with orange groves and olive trees and a walk around this pretty Art Nouveau inspired town followed by tapas and some of the fine pastries available, is well worth a trip. Catch one of the trams to the main station and you will find a museum containing work by Picasso and Joan Miro or alternatively make your way to the Jardin Botanic museum and garden for a leisurely but fragrant meander. 

Surrounding the Soller is the Serra de Tramuntana which is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty. People come from across the world to walk, climb and observe the wildlife living on it. To cool down after all that exertion, there are two beaches located close by in the Bay of Soller. Feeling the need to retreat? Then maybe a trip to the Royal Carthusian  Monastery in Valldemossa a 25 minute drive from either Soller or  Palma is in order. Famous for being a hideaway for pianist Frederic Chopin and his lover the writer George Sand it unfortunately brought them no peace, as Sand vehemently wrote in her book Winter in Mallorca. However for thousands of others the former ancient monastery and charming village makes for a calming break from the hustle and bustle of the city or beach resorts. 

Journeying east from Palma, 66km or an hour’s drive, are the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon’s Caves). These awe-inspiring caverns are full of floor to ceiling stalactites and stalagmites which wind down to La Ventana (the window) through which one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lago de Martel, can be seen. A highlight of the trip is the classical music performances staged on the lake by musicians in boats, lit by atmospheric lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Visitors can sit and watch from within the naturally created amphitheater, all for the initial entrance fee of 7.5 euros. 

To experience something a little more adrenalin charged why not go to the races? Opened in 1965, the Hipodromo Son Pardo in Palma was the first floodlit race course in Europe and boasts Mallorca’s very own particular brand of horse-racing. Known as trotting racing it entails a jockey sat in a cart being pulled around by a horse who must be prevented from breaking into a gallop. If it all seems too much like hard work, then there’s always Mallorca’s acres of soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters to fall back on.

Author: Michelle Elkins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Credit card currency-exchange fees

Away from the traditional beach resorts, Mallorca the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a wealth of alternative experiences to offer the intrepid traveler. Not just for the package holiday maker, Mallorca is rich in history and natural wonders which makes exploring the Spanish isle an absolute must. 

The majority of visitors reach Mallorca via Palma Airport located just 8km outside of the city center. From here there is the usual option of picking between a taxi, private transfer or the shuttle bus which runs every half an hour during the summer months to Palma centre at a single fare cost of 2 euros. For those really wanting to explore the island though, a Palma Airport car hire is in order. Remember to bring a credit card with you when picking up the car as all hire firms insist on it for insurance purposes, regardless of how you paid. 

The first place to visit away from Palma de Mallorca city center is Soller, a 28km drive north. As well as getting here by car there is also a train service which runs from Palma to Soller five times a day, affording some fantastic vistas en route. The town itself lies in a valley flourished with orange groves and olive trees and a walk around this pretty Art Nouveau inspired town followed by tapas and some of the fine pastries available, is well worth a trip. Catch one of the trams to the main station and you will find a museum containing work by Picasso and Joan Miro or alternatively make your way to the Jardin Botanic museum and garden for a leisurely but fragrant meander. 

Surrounding the Soller is the Serra de Tramuntana which is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty. People come from across the world to walk, climb and observe the wildlife living on it. To cool down after all that exertion, there are two beaches located close by in the Bay of Soller. Feeling the need to retreat? Then maybe a trip to the Royal Carthusian  Monastery in Valldemossa a 25 minute drive from either Soller or  Palma is in order. Famous for being a hideaway for pianist Frederic Chopin and his lover the writer George Sand it unfortunately brought them no peace, as Sand vehemently wrote in her book Winter in Mallorca. However for thousands of others the former ancient monastery and charming village makes for a calming break from the hustle and bustle of the city or beach resorts. 

Journeying east from Palma, 66km or an hour’s drive, are the Cuevas del Drach (Dragon’s Caves). These awe-inspiring caverns are full of floor to ceiling stalactites and stalagmites which wind down to La Ventana (the window) through which one of the largest underground lakes in the world, the Lago de Martel, can be seen. A highlight of the trip is the classical music performances staged on the lake by musicians in boats, lit by atmospheric lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Visitors can sit and watch from within the naturally created amphitheater, all for the initial entrance fee of 7.5 euros. 

To experience something a little more adrenalin charged why not go to the races? Opened in 1965, the Hipodromo Son Pardo in Palma was the first floodlit race course in Europe and boasts Mallorca’s very own particular brand of horse-racing. Known as trotting racing it entails a jockey sat in a cart being pulled around by a horse who must be prevented from breaking into a gallop. If it all seems too much like hard work, then there’s always Mallorca’s acres of soft, white sand and sparkling blue waters to fall back on.

Author: Michelle Elkins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Creditcard Currency Conversion Fee

Photo by JAsha J

If you are looking for some winter sun and fancy a change, why not try a holiday in Spain villa rental on the tranquil island of La Palma? La Palma is also sometimes known as the ‘Isla Verde’ (the Green Island) and is one of the smallest and least known of the Canary Islands. It has a fantastic climate and benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year — warm in winter and not too hot in the summer. It is an ideal destination if you are looking for holiday rentals in Spain, particularly a holiday in Spain villa rental in the winter season. On La Palma you can go hiking in the mountains in the morning, swim in the sea in the afternoon and dine al fresco in the early evening.

La Palma is a paradise for holidaymakers who want a holiday in Spain villa rental in a quiet, relaxing spot. Unlike some of the other larger Canary Islands there are no large hotel complexes here but if you are looking for privately booked holiday rentals in Spain on a delightful island with beautiful countryside then you will find La Palma irresistible. Whether you want beachfront apartments to rent in La Palma or perhaps villas with a pool in Spain in a more secluded rural setting, there is a variety of accommodation available to rent direct. La Palma is for the most part unspoilt, as there is very little tourism and is heaven for those who like nature and walking in the countryside. Other outdoor activities which are popular with visitors include cycling, horse riding, scuba diving and paragliding.

There are not many beaches in La Palma so if you want beachfront apartments to rent in La Palma the main beaches are at Puerto Naos, Tazacorte and Los Cancajos. However if you have come to the island to go scuba diving there is plenty of holiday in Spain villa accommodation available at various locations. In the summer the water temperatures which are around 24 degrees are ideal for diving and in winter time they still reach about 17 degrees. Los Cancajos is one of the best places to go diving and you may be lucky enough to see some of the vast array of sea-life including moray eels, garden eels, cuttlefish, octopus, lobsters, barracuda, trumpet fish, scorpion fish and black coral. If you book beachfront apartments to rent in La Palma you may just want to laze on the black ‘volcanic sand’ beach and top up your suntan!

Many visitors to the island rent a holiday in Spain villa here to take advantage of the fantastic walking and hiking trails. La Palma is a paradise for hikers. Its wide network of hiking trails will give you the means to thoroughly explore this intriguing island. There are hiking trails to suit most walkers from an easy stroll among the colourful flora and through the spectacular landscapes to hiking up to the top of the Bejenado or Birigoyo peaks. However you must ensure that you have suitable hiking equipment, especially sturdy boots, as in some areas you will be walking over hardened lava which can have sharp edges. If strenuous activity is not for you why not relax in the sun outside your apartment or villa holiday rentals in Spain and write some postcards or read a good book!

The capital of La Palma is Santa Cruz de la Palma which can be found on the east coast of the island. It is not a tourist resort and has little purpose-built tourist accommodation. If you wanted a holiday in Spain villa to rent you would be better looking in the more rural areas. In Santa Cruz the road that runs along by the sea has a blend of old traditional Canarian houses with the distinctive large balconies and some new buildings. If you visit the town you can see many historic buildings and museums and at the northern end is a local market, a castle and a replica of the Santa Maria ship.

Author: Clive Long
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Photo by Olga Díez (Caliope)

El Paso in La Palma

Little-known and little-travelled, El Paso is the hidden jewel of La Palma. El Paso lies in the centre of La Palma and is a perfect getaway for nature lovers who like fantastic scenery and peace and quiet!

Things to Do in El Paso

The lush forest La Cumbrecita surrounds the awesome volcano, Tacande. One of the prettiest places in La Palma, the forest seems to roll on forever and a cover of misty clouds overhangs the volcano, providing some amazing opportunities for holiday snaps! Also worth a visit in El Paso is the Parque Paraiso De Las Aves where tropical birds fly free!

La Palma contains one of the most scenic national parks you’ll ever see! The Taburiente National Park is close by to El Paso so spending days wandering around it is easy! If you like the thought of musical waterfalls, cloud-covered peaks and humid-forests, then this is the place for you!

El Paso also hosts the Nuestra Senora Del Pino festival every couple of years in August so it’s worth booking around this time – the locals really know how to throw a good festival party!

Although El Paso has a lack of beaches, there are some close by and we’re sure that the amazingly beautiful surroundings will make you forget all about beaches!

Fuencaliente in La Palma

The scenic Fuencaliente lies on the south coast of lush La Palma. This one time hot-spring resort now offers a place to get away from the madding crowd and enjoy some of the best scenery on the island!

Things to Do in Fuencaliente

Like the rest of La Palma, Fuencaliente is swathed in evergreen forests full of song-birds and volcanic landscapes. Nature walks are the activity of choice for most people as there is so much to see and explore! Vineyards can be found all through Fuencaliente as the resort is the main wine production place in La Palma! It’s absolute bliss to enjoy the local wine over a traditional tapas while you watch the clouds swirl around the mountainous peaks!

Fuencaliente has the clearest waters of La Palma so scuba diving is defiantly on the cards! All around you’ll find small coves and small beaches that remain for the most part deserted – what could be better than relaxing on the warm black sand listening to the waves of the ocean?

The Princess Hotel and Spa is perhaps the best hotel in Fuencaliente. The Princess Hotel is a five star luxury hotel that has everything you could possibly want. If you love pools, the Princess Hotel has eleven! Like good restaurants? The Princess Hotel has one for every day of the week, serving up some fantastic food! With its own spa and astounding views, the Princess Hotel is one of the best hotels in all of La Palma!

La Palma is an unspoilt island and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with Fuencaliente which offers the best of La Palma!

Author: Mark Ian Nettlemill
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Photo by UggBoy 七転び八起き (nanakorobi yaoki)

The average person in the United Kingdom in 2010 is facing up to the grim reality that the UK is harder hit by the global credit crunch than either the USA or the Europe. With families income severely cut and unemployment rising the holiday industry has reacted accordingly by across the board price cuts on Mallorca holidays. For over 50 years Palma de Majorca has been a supremely popular tourist destination for the British that go there to take some weeks in the sun, to relax and enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate. 2009 is a year when many will be weighing up whether a holiday away this summer will be possible or not. The answer indeed seems yes when considering a cheap holiday to Palma, capital city and major port city of Majorca. Cheap flights to Palma are now at a lower level than they have been in years and many British people are taking advantage of this right now.

For 50 you can now get a return to Palma and enjoy a holiday that has something for every tourist. Although sales of UK property and overseas property to British people have fallen away, holidays are proving to be the one luxury that people really will strive to protect. In addition to the cheap flights on offer there is also a wide range of cheap Palma accommodation, Palma self catering flats, cheap hotels in Palma and cheap car hire in Palma all on offer to the tourist in a buyers market. With Majorca relying heavily on the British for a large percentage of its annual tourist profit, the local businesses have dropped prices in the light of the situation that the UK is in. With so many great deals to Palma on offer it is a strong recommendation that you take full advantage of this. Booking in advance now will save you more money, although there will no doubt also be some Palma late deals available in June, July and August 2009.

When visiting Palma for your holidays, you arrive in a modern cosmopolitan city center that also has a historic side to it with history dating back to the Roman Empire and before. There is a massive array of historical cathedrals, churches and castles to visit, then on to the modern attractions of bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, art galleries and places of public interest to visit. You will never be short of something to do in Palma, but when you are tired of all the activity, go and relax on the beach of Palma, sit back and soak up some Mediterranean sunshine.

Author: Michael M Katz
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Photo by pericomart(busy, W7 SO problems)

Photo by Berto Garcia

Photo by pericomart(busy, W7 SO problems)

Capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palma de Gran Canaria is an attractive holiday destination enriched with culture and heritage. Form historical sites, rich architecture to exotic beaches, Las Palma has lots of imposing activities to offer for an incredible holiday.

Below are some of the things to do and see when holidaying in Las Palma:

Pueblo Canario

Designed and structured by Nestor and Miguel Fernandez de la Tore in the year 1930, this tourist attraction is a canary village formed by island houses, turrets, atriums and gates. Tourists and visitors on a holiday in Las Palma can shop for arts and crafts in the large square situated at the centre of the village. The centre square is also famous for being a venue for shows on the island’s folklore.

Parque Santa Catalina

Popular as a park and a town square, this tourist attraction is an amazing beauty of Las Palma. Those holidaying in Las Palma must visit this square which presents superb nightlife with discos, bars and clubs as it gets dark. The same site is completely different during the day time with most of the activities being a centre for shopping, cafes, a place for people to sit, relax and play chess, cards, and dominos or simply have a relaxation time with friends. On the other side of the square stands another tourist attraction, the museum of science and technology.

Reptilandia

Situated close to Agaete, this tourist attraction displays a variety of reptiles and crawlies. The major attraction of this park is the largest lizard, Komodo dragon. Other such remarkable attractions offered in this park are tortoises, snakes, monkeys, spiders and turtles.

Beaches

Tourists and visitors looking forward to some beach time during their holiday in Las Palma should not miss the Alcaravanera and Las Canteras beaches. Known as a major tourist attraction, Playa de Las Canteras is a 3 kilometer long beautiful beach that attracts sports lovers and swimmers alike holidaying in Las Palma. The best way to relax when on a holiday in Las Palma is to take a stroll along the beach and enjoy its cafes, restaurants, snack bars and shops. You can also find impressive street entertainers. Playa de las Alcaravaneras is the second longest beach as well as a sandy tourist attraction of Las Palma. The beach is the pride of the local people and attracts many tourists and visitors holidaying in Las Palma. You can take a stroll on the beach, drink the local beer called Cana de Tropical and enjoy the local cuisines.

Festival

When on a holiday in Las Palma do not miss its most important town festival. The Las Palm Carnival is a yearly tourist attraction that is held during the month of February and presents a glimpse of the amazing tradition and culture of the Canary Islands.

Best time to holiday in Las Palma

This canary island is cooler as compared to other islands in Gran Canaria. The ideal time for a holiday in Las Palma depends upon the purpose of holiday. The summer temperature varies from 26 C to 28 C or more, the winters in Las Palma are somewhere between 22 C and 24 C.

Author: Luki Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Photo by mauro_ventura

Shopping in Las Palmas is, nowadays, an activity that attracts locals as well as tourists. Las Palmas is the capital of the eastern Canary Islands, with about 400.000 inhabitants. This gives you enormous shopping possibilities. To tackle all the great shopping areas in Las Palmas, you will definitely need a good pair of walking shoes!

First we take a little look at some locally produced goods worth shopping. Second, we list the mayor comercial areas of the Las Palmas area.

Local products of the Canary Islands

Rum: The Canary Islands produce a huge quantity of rum each year, and they are very proud of their product. This is what they drink at local fiestas, without a doubt. Brands like Ron Arehucas, Artemi and Cocal fill up the liquor shelves in each and every store. There is also a sweet honey rum, Ron Miel. All of this you can buy at a very low price.

Electronics: The Canary Islands have a lower VAT than on the spanish mainland. This means that certain products are cheaper. In Las Palmas youll find a lot of Bazaars selling electronics, and you should always compare their prices with the ones of the larger chains like Mediamarkt and Corte Ingls.

Cigars: The Canary Islands have always been known for its tobacco production and youll find a huge offer of cigars and cigarettes. And these products are indeed very cheap, definitely among the lowest prices in Europe.

Wine: Even though the Canary Islands are not internationally known for its wine production, local wine is produced in all islands. Look for Via Frontera (El Hierro), Malvasia (Lanzarote) and El Monte (Gran Canaria).

FoodWell, the list of food worth buying is abundant. The Canary Islands have always had better meat than their fellow spaniards, since the port of Las Palmas received the south american cargo boats shipping the meat straight from Argentina and Uruguay. The canary island banana, or pltano as its called, is much sweeter and tasty than its central american counterparts.

ClothingSpain has always been keen on fashion, and surely youll find the clothing youre after. Spanish chains like Massimo Dutti, Zara, Cortefiel, Mango, Springfield offer an incredible amount of good shopping. Not to mention the shoes. Even though chinese shoe production is gaining market shares, the spanish shoe production is still significant.

Mayor shopping areas of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Almost all of the shopping centers below are easily accessed by car or by bus. Every mall but Mesa y Lpez offers abundant free parking as well. The places described below are not in tourist areas, thereby granting you the same excellent shopping possibilities as natives.

Mesa y Lpez: This is a huge shopping street in Las Palmas where you find stores like El Corte Ingls, Zara, Cortefiel, Zapatos Navarro, Quesada I can recommend La Oca, a fantastic store for home decoration.

Triana: A traditional shopping area for pedestrians. Stroll along this beautiful street, sit down to have a cortado (small espresso with milk) and just enjoy life.

Corte Ingls: They have two high street stores in Las Palmas, one in Mesa y Lpez, and one in 7 Palmas. They have about everything you need, as well as a lot of staff that help you find what you need.

7 Palmas: This is a fairly new area of Las Palmas, integrating residential areas and great shopping. Here you find Media Markt, which is the largest electronics mega store in the islands. You also find Zara, Cortefiel, hair dressers and a nice caf at the bottom floor. Tip: In the garage you can have your car washed and pressed while you go shopping. And its very cheap too!

La Ballena: This was the first mall of Las Palmas, constructed in the late 80s. They have all the shops that you need, as well as a cinema complex.

Las Arenas: Inaugurated around 5 years ago, this is a really nice shopping area, located not more than 100 meters from the world famous Las Canteras Beach of Las Palmas. Here youll also find Carrefour, definitely one of the bigger supermarkets on the island. Dont forget to stroll down the beach afterwards!

El Muelle: This is the newest one of them all, situated in the Port area of Las Palmas, not far from the famous Santa Catalina Park. The place is huge and offers everything. Tip: After some frenetic shopping, sit down outside by the wodden deck to have a cold caita, a small beer.

La Estrella: This one is situated next to the highway south of Las Palmas. They offer an enormous supermarket, Alcampo, as well as Leroy Merlin, an outlet for home decoration and construction. On the other side of the road is Decathlon, a giant sports outlet.

Atlntico: Further down south along the highway, in Vecindario, youll find this gigantic mall, offering all the known shops and a huge Carrefour Supermarket. There is also a McDonalds situated just outside the mall, one of not too many hamburger restaurants in the island.

As you can see, Las Palmas is a shoppers paradise, with enough shopping to satisfy any interest. Dont forget the walking shoes though!

Author: Anders Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Import duty tariff