23 October 2009
What do you think.....
...about Club Vista Serena? www.clubvistaserena.com
From time to time, I have a look at the reviews about our resort available to everyone on the Internet, just to see what people really think about us. It's good to get feedback from real people, the bad as well as the good :-)
Here are few that I have found on one of the review sites. What do you think? Do you agree? Did you have a similar experience? How would you rate and review our resort?http://www.clubvistaserena.com/testimonials.html
Ian from Edinburgh: We have stayed in a number of different complexes in and around Maspalomas over the years and Club Vista Serena was the last we stayed at, around three years ago. We enjoyed it then so booked ourselves in for 8 days in January 2009 before moving on for a week in Tenerife in an appalling (and much more expensive) apartment at Cristian Sur at Los Cristianos. When you arrive at Club Vista Serena it doesn't look all that special (and neither do the other little complexes around it) but the difference is immediate. They are most welcoming and the feeling when reaching your accommodation is how clean and well maintained it is. Everything works which is more than I can say for many other similar accommodations in the area. There were many thoughtful touches and all the extras like an iron (with spray starch and water spray), fan, tv with some UK channels, microwave and a decent fridge, were all there with no hidden extra charges. To be honest, the pool area is quite small but then so is the actual complex. We didn't use it this time, preferring our balcony. Neither did we use the bar area much though we personally found it to be friendly when we did. The only problem I encountered was that their brand new wi-fi system didn't seem to work and even if it had, it only seemed to cover the bar area in bright sunlight which made it useless. I used the "coin in the slot" computer while there which proved a lot more expensive but I'm sure that they will put the above problem right. Location may not suit some in that it sits about half way between Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas beach which usually means a taxi to everywhere but they aren't that expensive and we were able to walk into Playa del Ingles quite easily. The problem you might have is that if you are by the beach at Maspalomas it's quite a distance to Playa del Ingles and if you are in Playa del Ingles, it's quite a distance to Maspalomas so for me personally I found the location a good compromise. The point is, would we go back? The answer is "definitely."
Jules, Southampton: We've stayed at Club Vista Serena twice and loved it both times. Apartments are well equipped and spacious and have either a balcony or terrace where you can sit out and enjoy the Canarian sunshine. Whole resort is very clean, pool area never feels overcrowded, all in all a relaxing place to stay. Resort is located near other self catering resorts about 5 minutes drive to Meloneras where there's a great selection of restaurants to choose from. Pool bar also serves wide selection of cheap food which they'll even deliver to your apartment for you to enjoy on your balcony. Staff are very friendly and welcoming and always happy to help.
Sarah, London: This was our 2nd visit and we came back to exactly the same apartment overlooking the pool. We have 2 young children under 4 and the resort offered us the perfect place to relax. Our apartment balcony overlooked the baby pool and made for really easy entertainment - sun loungers for us, splashing about for the kids. Staff are all lovely, the place is beautifully cared for and landscaped, renovations are constantly underway and it feels small, safe and easy. Certainly a cut above the surrounding apartment complexes. The small reception shop is open 24hrs a day and makes life very convenient.
Anonimous Guest, England: Having read the various reports and widely ranging views I did wonder what to expect when we arrived. We found a small, quiet, clean resort. The apartments are small but well equipped. Note that satellite TV consists only of Eurosport and Sky News, no Sky Sports channels. The pool bar seemed popular although we didn't eat there and drinks were reasonably priced. Faro II shopping centre, a short walk away, isn't fantastic for shops or Restaurants although we had a lovely meal at Michel Angelo Restaurant. Give the Mexican Restauant a miss - that was poor. Very good facilities on last day if you have a late flight - check out 11am, luggage roon and courtesy showers/towels. They work very hard at keeping you entertained - probably 3 star+
Let me know about your stay @ www.clubvistaserena.com
20 October 2009
The Historic and Cultural Wealth of Gran Canaria
A large part of the historic and cultural wealth of Gran Canaria is represented in the Island's museums, where a large part of the Island's heritage is preserved, researched and exhibited. The broad range of subject matters that are covered by the museums include everything from the native past of the Island right up to its most recent contemporary history. You can also find houses that are kept in remembrance of the most illustrious sons of the island who have gained renown in various social and cultural disciplines as well as those houses where the popular customs and traditions of the island are preserved. Most of these places are well worth a visit simply by reason of the buildings themselves. These buildings are of artistic and historic importance and exemplify the varied and rich urban and rural architecture that sprung up here in the Canaries.
If you're here with the family, why not try the 'Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología'? It's a great place for the kids to learn about Science and Technology and have fun at the same time. Their motto is - 'FORBIDDEN NOT TO TOUCH'.
There are over twenty display areas devoted to the reconstruction and reproduction of mankind’s greatest scientific advances. The museum is housed in a building that has a surface area of close to seven thousand square metres, most of which is used as exhibition areas. Due to the interactive and didactic nature of most of the exhibits, the museum has become an indispensable resource for all students – as well as members of the public in general – who wish to learn more about the world of science. The museum also has a cinema projection room with a big screen.
It's open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm.
Source: grancanaria.com
14 October 2009
Pick up a bargain!
Check out the Car Boot sale that is held every Sunday at the Faro 2 Shopping Centre in Maspalomas - Gran Canaria, in the carpark from 7 am to 3pm!It's well worth a visit, and you never know you may pick up a bargain!!
If you're staying with us at Club Vista Serena - http://www.clubvistaserena.com/, you can easily get to the Faro 2 Shopping Centre. It's a 10 minute stroll away, and we can easily direct you on how to get there - all you have to do is ask!
Happy bargain hunting!
07 October 2009
2 perspectives - something for everyone
A child's perspective:Every year my parents and I spend our holidays on an island called Gran Canaria. We stay in some apartments called Club Vista Serena. It's a really nice place and all of the people are really friendly.
The beach there is like a desert but next to the sea and you can swim all the time. It’s called Maspalomas.
We go to the beach a lot because the weather’s always good and my mum loves to sunbathe. My dad’s not really into sunbathing so he takes me off to loads of places. I love visiting water parks and going on the slides. This year I can use the big slide, which loops around. I’ve also been along the coast with my dad on a boat from the port of Puerto Rico. We saw dolphins from the boat. What I like best about my holidays in Gran Canaria this year was seeing dolphins so close. And mum missed it all just because she wants to be really brown when she goes home. I think that’s just silly, especially when you can do fun stuff like watching dolphins...
We go to the beach a lot because the weather’s always good and my mum loves to sunbathe. My dad’s not really into sunbathing so he takes me off to loads of places. I love visiting water parks and going on the slides. This year I can use the big slide, which loops around. I’ve also been along the coast with my dad on a boat from the port of Puerto Rico. We saw dolphins from the boat. What I like best about my holidays in Gran Canaria this year was seeing dolphins so close. And mum missed it all just because she wants to be really brown when she goes home. I think that’s just silly, especially when you can do fun stuff like watching dolphins...
Mum's perspective:
I think I’ll go back to Gran Canaria again this year. There are miles of beach just for me, perfect for an evening stroll and then a quick dip in the sea before dinner.
My husband takes the kids all over the place, going out in a boat to watch the dolphins and goodness knows what else... So, they leave me to sunbathe in peace (just amazing after a whole year of running around and stress...).More to the point, when travelling with a gang like mine, I’d rather be safe than sorry. I don’t want to experiment. So I think I’ll go back to Gran Canaria this year...
source:grancanaria.com
02 October 2009
Let the fun begin!
Gran Canaria can offer you a thousand and one alternatives to make your holidays one long party. The Island is young and fun providing a whirl of colours and flavours at any time of day.
Gran Canaria lives outdoors all year round. If you just can’t sit still, make the most of the coast, the ravines and the fantastic climate. You can take part in sports such as climbing, trekking, windsurfing, surfing or scuba diving, among others. If you want, you can enjoy more than a hundred days of holiday in this miniature continent, trying outdoor and adventure sports.
Gran Canaria lives outdoors all year round. If you just can’t sit still, make the most of the coast, the ravines and the fantastic climate. You can take part in sports such as climbing, trekking, windsurfing, surfing or scuba diving, among others. If you want, you can enjoy more than a hundred days of holiday in this miniature continent, trying outdoor and adventure sports.
Gran Canaria throws parties all year round including the smallest villages, particularly in the summer. Pilgrimages, shows and local festivals welcome thousands of people offering endless parties and grand traditions.
Extroverts can find passionate, hair-raising activities in Gran Canaria trying adventure sports such as windsurfing, climbing, surfing or scuba diving. Do you also fancy a night out?
The Island’s capital and tourist area in the south offer an attractive nightlife. You can party the night away until the early hours of the morning in busy bars, pubs and discos.
The Island’s capital and tourist area in the south offer an attractive nightlife. You can party the night away until the early hours of the morning in busy bars, pubs and discos.
Terraces offer the other main focus on this Island where the privileged climate means you can socialise in the open air, all twelve months of the year. Gran Canaria nightlife combines partying, great weather and lots of fun.
souce: grancanaria.com
01 October 2009
WOMAD is back!
Together with Australia, Spain has become the most popular country outside the UK for WOMAD festivals; and since 1989 the festival has visited Caceres in Extremadura, Granada, Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.A country with an insatiable appetite for fiesta, and with a warm and welcoming climate, Spain is a natural choice for festivals.
The Canary Islands make an idyllic setting for the festival, with blue skies, sandy beaches and stunning natural scenery providing an Atlantic Ocean holiday backdrop for this hugely popular event.
The event is presented entirely free due to the generous support of local government and commercial sponsorship, and is widely attended both by Canarians and many international visitors to the islands.
WOMAD (WORLD OF MUSIC, ARTS, AND DANCE) returns to the Canary Islands this November for another weekend of music, arts and dance from around the globe - all in the beautiful beachside city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The venue, as in previous years, will be the Parque de Santa Catalina - a city square close to the centre of Las Palmas, and just 200 metres from the Playa de las Canteras, one of the island's longest and most spectacular beaches.
This year, WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will feature performances by many artists from around the world eager to share their music with you, DJ sessions, workshops for adults and children alike, plus, a Global Market and the Children's Procession, which will take place on Sunday afternoon.
This year, WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will feature performances by many artists from around the world eager to share their music with you, DJ sessions, workshops for adults and children alike, plus, a Global Market and the Children's Procession, which will take place on Sunday afternoon.
Yippee! All parts of the festival are free and open to the public.
ARTIST LIST:
· Bibi Tanga and The Selenites (Central African Rep./France) · Eliades Ochoa (Cuba) · Imelda May (United Kingdom) · Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara with Justin Adams (United Kingdom) & Juldeh Camara (Gambia)· Melingo (Argentina) · Oumou Sangaré (Mali) · Roy Ayers (United States) · Zenet (Spain) · Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) · Najma Akhtar & Gary Lucas with Najma Akhtar (United Kingdom) & Gary Lucas (United States)·
Chiwoniso (Zimbabwe) · Depedro (Spain) · Forro in the Dark (Brazil/United States) · Laura Vane and The Vipertones (United Kingdom) · Manel (Spain) · Márcio Local (Brazil) · Siyaya (Zimbabwe) · Snowboy (United Kingdom) · Spiro (United Kingdom) · The Black Swan Effect (United Kingdom) ·
Las Palmas is at the north of the island of Gran Canaria, around 20 minutes drive from Las Palmas airport.
The Parque de Santa Catalina is a city square in the centre of Las Palmas. It is approximately 200m from the city's main beach, Playa de Las Canteras.
The Parque de Santa Catalina is a city square in the centre of Las Palmas. It is approximately 200m from the city's main beach, Playa de Las Canteras.
There is no camping available near the festival site. However, there are many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars and shops in Las Palmas and other parts of the Island.
Make sure that your accommodation is in the city of Las Palmas itself if you want to be within easy reach of the festival, but if you're looking for a bit of sun and relaxation aswell - come and stay with us at http://www.clubvistaserena.com/
Make sure that your accommodation is in the city of Las Palmas itself if you want to be within easy reach of the festival, but if you're looking for a bit of sun and relaxation aswell - come and stay with us at http://www.clubvistaserena.com/
Please Note: Although it is unlikely that the event will be cancelled, or change dates or location, please note that WOMAD will not be responsible for refunding travel or accommodation costs should this occur. Please ensure you have travel insurance to cover you in these circumstances.
Source: womad.org
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