About Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the main tourist destinations in the Canary Islands thanks to its exceptional beaches and promise of a warm and dry climate all year round. Home to around 838,000 people, it is the second most populated isle in the archipelago after nearby Tenerife and, while it is located in the Atlantic Ocean close to Africa, it is undoubtedly a Spanish island. While it has a thriving business sector in its capital city Las Palmas, Gran Canaria's main industry is tourism, with British, German and Scandinavians making up the largest proportion of visitors. There are currently 2 direct routes from mainland Spain to Gran Canaria Island sailing from the southern Spanish ports of Cadiz and Huelva. Due to the distance between the mainland and the Canaries, crossings are not overly frequent and are generally long in duration. The ships used on these crossings are usually of a high standard though so a pleasant time at sea is likely. Most of the ferries arriving in Gran Canaria are travelling from the other Canary Islands with numerous routes offered from Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and Tenerife. Gran Canaria's position between Tenerife and Fuerteventura naturally make those the easiest islands to get to and from. There are 2 active ferry ports in Gran Canaria. Las Palmas, the main port of arrival, can be found on the north east side of the island and is where the ferries sailing from Spain and the other islands arrive at. Puerto de las Nieves, the picturesque village port of Agaete is on the north west side of Gran Canaria and connects you with Tenerife. Gran Canaria's main attraction is its weather. During the summer months temperatures soar to the 80s Farenheit and even during the winter it is unusual for it to be any colder than the mid 60s F. This climate makes the island great for beach holidays, with families typically heading to the resorts in the south of Gran Canaria such as Maspalomas and Puerto Rico. Key attractions in Gran Canaria include the Palmitos Park Zoo, Aqualand Water Park and the Maspalomas sand dunes.

About Madeira Islands

Madeira is a small Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean comprising a namesake island, Porto Santo and a few unpopulated islets. Famed for its year-round mild climate and stunning scenery, Madeira has rightfully earned the nicknames ‘islands of eternal spring’ and ‘pearl of the Atlantic’. It’s also renowned for producing the popular Madeira wine and exquisite cuisine, helping it become one of Portugal’s most visited regions. The capital, Funchal is set before dramatic coastal mountains, boasting beautiful architecture, excellent snorkelling spots and a bustling ‘Old Zone’ with quirky streets and superb restaurants. While Madeira Island is the archipelago’s cultural hub, the idyllic Porto Santo offers nine kilometres of white sandy beach and a refreshingly laidback atmosphere. Ferries run frequently between the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo, operated by a popular local ferry company, making it even easier to explore the beautiful Madeira Islands.