30 September 2009
Gran Canaria - an Island of Culture
- Music
In Gran Canaria you can enjoy concerts, recitals and festivals of all styles of music throughout the year. Music forms an integral part of island life, with music being heard in the various theatres and auditoriums, in the streets and squares and at the traditional festivals of the island. - Classical Music
Spain's first Philharmonic Society is in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and it was founded in 1845. The people of Gran Canaria evidently have an enormous love of classical music, as you can see from the continuous programme of classical music events, which includes the Canary Islands Classical Music Festival, the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival (named after the Canarian-born tenor), the Philharmonic Orchestra of Gran Canaria season of concerts, the Zarzuela Festival, the Guitar Festival, among others. - Modern Music
Gran Canaria is one of the few places where the World of Music, Arts and Dance (Womad) is held, which is one of the most important world music festivals. Rock, jazz and celtic music festivals, as well as concerts and recitals that include everything from the most traditional to the must current sounds, complete an extensive programme of musical events that take place throughout the entire island. - Dance, Theatre and Cinema
The various theatres on the island have continuous programmes of events, including theatre and dance shows that feature the best companies and professional artists on the scene. This array of cultural events is supplemented by a variety of specialised festivals, such as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Theatre and Dance Festival, Festival in the South -Drama from 3 Continents in Agüimes and the International Comedy Festival in Ingenio. As far as cinema is concerned, special mention must be made of the International Cinema Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: The best motion pictures from all over the world are entered in this festival, which is attended by celebrities of the “seventh art”. - Painting and Sculpture
Until the mid-19th century, the artists of Gran Canaria merely followed the various European schools of the time, without making any original contribution. However, from that time on, the island’s native artists put their own distinct stamp on the various universal artistic currents, such as modernism, expressionism, indigenism and abstract art. The artists that enjoy the greatest international recognition are Néstor de la Torre, Manuel Millares and Martín Chirino, names that have become part of the history of art. - Exhibition centres
In the various exhibition centres and museums on the island the visitor will find works of art that were produced on the island as well as works that were produced by exponents of more universal artistic currents. Some exhibition centres are the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM) modern art gallery, La Regenta Art Gallery, Christopher Columbus' House, Centro Insular de Cultura, the San Antonio Abad exhibition rooms and CICCA.
Source: grancanaria.com
25 September 2009
Anybody fancy a bit of......
ROPA VIEJA!!!Gran Canaria is known worldwide for its excellent climate, its magnificent beaches and its astonishing landscapes.
However, in the inland it keeps some treasures yet undiscovered for the visitor and are related to their inhabitants, their culture and their way of life.
Among them, its gastronomy has been ellaborated along several centuries with excellent raw materials (meat, fish, fruits and vegetable) combined in original and tasty recipes.
Among them, its gastronomy has been ellaborated along several centuries with excellent raw materials (meat, fish, fruits and vegetable) combined in original and tasty recipes.
If you've been to Gran Canaria, and you've tried some of the dishes, why not try and cook some of these dishes at home? The best idea would be to come over here www.clubvistaserena.com and try the authentic stuff...but give it a go!
"Ropa Vieja"
Ingredients: 1/2 Kg. of chickpeas, 1/2 Kg. of beef, 1/2 Kg. of chicken, 1 Kg. of potatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 1 pepper, 1 onion, 1 tomatoe, 1 small cup of white wine, 1 small cup of water or broth, paprika, black pepper, thyme, cloves, bay leaf, salt and oil.
Method:
1. Leave the chickpeas to soak overnight to tenderize them.
2. Wash them on the next day and place them in a pot along with the meat, salt to taste and water.
3. Once cooked, drain everything off and shred the meat. Next fry the meat and the chickpeas until they get crispy and set them aside.
4. Separately, make a frying base by first chopping up the onion, the pepper, the peeled tomato and the garlic cloves. Fry it all with the oil and add the black pepper and the cloves.
5. Once this base is ready, introduce the paprika, the wine, the thyme, the bay leaf and a small cup of water or broth.
6. Next, add the meat and the chickpeas and then leave it some minutes on the heat.
7. Finally, fry the diced potatoes and mix all the ingredients. You can also add to this dish certain vegetables like carrots or green beans.
souce: gran canaria.com
24 September 2009
The jewel in the crown...
...the 'Playa de las Canteras', the pearl the city does not hide. A long sand tongue that stretches for miles along the bay. A place of special charm, in the middle of the Island's Capital city Las Palmas. Locals say that Las Canteras is one of the Nation’s best urban beaches, and they have every reason to believe it. This is a beach blessed with fine weather practically all year round. A type of beach-style Central Park, where sports can be practised any day of the week. Don’t forget your swimming attire and your surf board!
Furthermore, the island is a large marine life reserve. Its sea bottom is home to a thousand fish species. On firm ground, it shelters tourists, fisherpeople, and surfers, and it has a peculiar attribute, what locals know as “La Barra” - a long rock formation spreading not far from the sand. A singular line of volcanic rock that protects a large chunk of the beach from the tides, and which turns our bay in the best place this side of the globe where to swim and walk practically on the water in days of low tide.
When a stroll is the undisputed choice, we recommend the long walk along the sand, passing through coffee shops and ice-cream parlours. The first thing you will encounter are the Puntilla sidewalk cafés and the fresh-fish restaurants. At the other end of the beach, the surfing environment around the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, with more sidewalk cafés and bars by the sea.
Las Canteras is known by all as the Changing Beach. It will never be the place you saw a day before. This is one of its special traits.
So now you know, the treasure of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria lies hidden only 5 minutes from the Bus Station Santa Catalina.
If you're staying at Club Vista Serena http://www.clubvistaserena.com/, make sure you ask one of us about Las Canteras, and we can point you in the right direction.
Source: grancanaria.com
23 September 2009
FORE!
Gran Canaria brings you golf tourism in the perfect setting. The island has a clear advantage over other golf destinations: the great climate makes it possible to play 365 days a year. Gran Canaria has a deep rooted golfing tradition. The island was a pioneer in Spain in this sport. The first golf course in the country was inaugurated in Gran Canaria in 1891. This course, used initially by British tourists and residents, was in the middle of the capital city, in the area which is now the central zone of Escaleritas. In 1957, the golf course moved to Bandama, a few minutes drive from the city, where it still bears the name of Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas.
The first members of the oldest club in Spain belonged to the significant English colony in Gran Canaria during this period, when European tourists first started visiting the Island.
However, not only tradition lies behind golf in Gran Canaria. Over the last few years, a complete infrastructure has been developed around this sport. The island offers a wide variety of courses, adapted to the tastes of the most demanding golfers.
Golfers can find nine courses on the island all within a 50 kilometre radius. Within a short distance, you can combine several courses in different settings. All of them have been developed by the most prestigious international designers and offer exceptional features for the game. This is why Gran Canaria has become the home of prestigious national and international tournaments over the last few years. It has also consolidated its reputation as an important golf destination among European players.
Gran Canaria’s exceptional geographical diversity, its splendid beaches, singular historical, cultural and gastronomic wealth and the wide hotel offer has made our island a favourite spot for holidaymakers looking for something a bit different, not too far from home, with all the advantages of an island which is part of the European Union and the daily incentive of feeding your senses with a whole new world of sensations.
Playing golf in Gran Canaria is more than just playing a sport – it’s an oasis of peace where you can calmly enjoy your game and the good climate.
Golf Courses in Gran Canaria:
- Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
- El Cortijo Club de Campo
- Oasis Golf
- Maspalomas Golf
- Salobre Golf and Resort
- Anfi Tauro Golf and Anfi Tauro Golf Pitch and Putt
- Meloneras Golf
- Las Palmeras Golf
Source: grancanaria.com
22 September 2009
Discover the natural treasures of Gran Canaria....
....Trekking!
Gran Canaria is commonly known as the “miniature continent” on account of the natural environment that the island offers to its visitors. The mild weather conditions that reign throughout the year is an invitation to practise a large variety of sports right in the heart of nature.
Gran Canaria is a real paradise for nature lovers, especially for trekkers. This is undoubtedly the ideal way of discovering the natural and historic treasures hidden within the island’s 32 protected natural areas, trekking the extensive network of trails.
The island is almost circular in shape, with the highest point sited right in the middle of the island. This has led to its characteristic cone-shaped relief, criss-crossed by deep gorges fanning out from the centre, and large depressions caused by volcanic activity or erosion. Its legendary climate really is extremely mild and, depending on where you are and the altitude, you could experience any one of the different micro-climates that divide the island.
The island terrain is criss-crossed by an intricate network of foot paths ranging from easy forest paths and bridle paths to tracks and trails that are strictly for expert hikers.
The size of the island and its rugged relief, have created short, but very steep routes. Depending on their layout, these trails can go from “coast to highlands” with very gentle slopes and almost in a straight line when they run along a gorge, or concentric or transversal, which tend to be more circuitous and steeper, as they cross these features of the land.
For sports enthusiasts, there are inexhaustible opportunities to combine the practice of their favourite sport with the enjoyment of the verdant landscapes of the interior or the spectacular areas along the coast. (source: grancanaria.com)
Club Vista Serena....come and stay with us, it's the right place to be! www.clubvistaserena.com
17 September 2009
Relax and take care of yourself....
Health tourism is one of the oldest forms of tourism known in the world. The first tourists who came to Gran Canaria were Health Tourists. They had been attracted to the islands by the stories of miracle cures that were circulating throughout Europe, and even by the advice of the doctors themselves, who recommended the climate and mineral waters of Gran Canaria.Today, a century and some decades later, Gran Canaria maintains its prestige as a health resort and a place to rest, having developed a wide range of services and facilities for consultations and the treatment of different disorders or just to pamper your body and relax as an alternative to conventional tourism.
On the island, you can find spas whose waters are rich in minerals and blended with sea water that are ideal for rehabilitation treatments. In these spas you can find all kind of techniques and services ranging from algae wrap, sea mud, hydrotherapy, salt bath, bandages with aromatherapy, mud bath to thalassotherapy, thermotherapy, pressotherapy or lymphatic drainage, reflexotherapy, chyromassage, specific massages, vichy shower, turkish bath, jacuzzi, sauna, swimming pool with jets, among many others
But Gran Canaria is a destination for health tourism for more reasons than just its specialised centres. The entire island is a paradise where you can forget about stress, exhaustion, the need to break away and all the ailments that are provoked by the daily hustle and bustle. All you need is a therapeutic walk on the golden sands of the island's expansive beaches, or a swim in its warm and crystal-clear waters, or to be oxygenated by some contact with nature, where you cannot help but relax.
Club Vista Serena is all about that too, carefree and relaxing holidays in the sun! http://www.clubvistaserena.com/
Source: www.grancanaria.com
16 September 2009
Music Festival In Gran Canaria!
It's here again...the Heineken Campus Rock Festival. On the 26th September 2009, the following acts will be performing in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:
- El Canto del Loco
- Nena Daconte
- Taxi
- Sidonie
Campus Rock started way back in 1993 under the name UNIVERSIDAD ROCK '93 (University Rock). It was originally for students, teachers, and the university community. Almost 16 years later, Heineken Campus Rock is now a classic for the lovers of Spanish Pop-Rock.
If you're on the Island around the 26th, why not give it a go?
15 September 2009
Join us on Facebook!
Club Vista Serena now has a profile page on Facebook, so come and join us!
You can find me under the following name: Rachel Vistaserena
You can find me under the following name: Rachel Vistaserena
I have this photo set as my picture, so it's easy to find me:
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]