Overview
** CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN **
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It’s one of the smaller islands and not really
Much going on for kids. It’s great as a relax vacation. They do have a water park but the weather to iffy when we arrived.
I went to Lanzarote in November 2020, during the pandemic to escape the lockdown in London (where I am based) as the Canary Islands did not have the same restrictions as the mainland, Spain. EU citizens were allowed to enter the Canaries without quarantine or the requirement to show a negative covid test. Most hotels were opened but I decided to look for an airbnb as I wanted to be as independent as possible. So I rented an amazing Airbnb in Tias called “bungalow tias with heated pool and amazing panoramic sea views” just check it out and you’ll be amazed. The villa is exactly as you see it in the pictures with a fantastic terrace to drink wine and watch the sunset. It’s also perfectly located as it’s near the sea and the airport as well. I also went to Gran Canaria for one day to explore the sand dunes and canyon. After visiting these other islands I would recommend to stay in Lanzarote and travel to the other islands during the day if you want to visit something in particular.
I arrived after a 4hr 45min flight (sooooo long after a night of good times with friends celebrating my birthday!) I can say they all were texting me to ensure I made it to my flight!!
The airport is reasonably small and easy to navigate. In the taxi I asked to be taken to the Hard Rock Tenerife. The cabbie said hotel or cafe?! Which I thought was strange but now I know in Tenerife they are separate. The hotel was very accommodating in getting my room ready. But since it wasn’t they immediately directed me to a shower area where I could change and prepare for a pool party! The Hard Rock is famous for pool parties! The one in Vegas is amazing! So get there too. This party was adult only. Yahooo! Because here I was thinking there wouldn’t be many kids around for the weekend but there were tons
I head out to the pool party and have a great time. Naturally I met many people. I don’t know what it is….do they feel sorry for me because I’m rolling solo or is there something in my spirit that makes people want to talk to me?!
I decided to go to the steakhouse for dinner that night. Montauk. It was pretty good but well over the cost allowable in the meal plan I got. (I did a half board plan which included breakfast and dinner–but only a supplement. ) I ordered a ribeye and spinach as a side. The restaurant agreed to bring my remaining dinner to my room but it never made it. I complained and received a lot of excuses. But oh well.
The next day I went to the breakfast buffet. It was nice but I slept in and went late. Public Service Announcement: parents please manage your children at the buffet. I mean kids who are under 12?! I don’t know but watching them drop tongs and replace them back on the plate, picking up items with their hands and other inappropriate things gave me pause.
Thanks to my waitress for free champagne lol! Because once I sat down I didn’t get back up
I headed to the pool for some chill time and a tan. I think people are surprised that I actually lay out…but there is nothing like having a glow and people asking on your return where have you been?!! Lol!
A very chill and relaxing day. I decided to try Ali-Ole the tapas restaurant this night and it was fantastic! Yesssss! Grilled octopus, papas bravas , and garlic prawns! My love of seafood is so real and I am grateful I got to enjoy so much of it. The staff in this restaurant was great and very accommodating to me. Shoutout to Isi, Ishmael, and Grace! Y’all are good people. Also know that the meal plan went much further in this location.
On Monday I went into the city. The Hard Rock has a shuttle that takes you to then Hard Rock Cafe. The good news is this is on the beach and it’s awesome! Go there. It’s also in the more party town of the city. I’m glad I opted to stay on the other side. For those who know me know I love to rest when it’s time! Hahahha.
I shopped and relaxed most of the time here. I did stumble upon a nice tattoo shop and had a session with an artist in vacation from Italy! we both said how much it was meant to be. Alex! You’re a super cool guy and thank you for your work! He was visiting at Black Mamba Tattoo.
Rocking my heart on my sleeve
Afterwards. If you know me…I ate! Jerk wings! Dedos for the win! Who knew they would be pretty decent in Spain. I am always amazed at the number of people who are so happy to see someone from America. They talk to me all day. I always say ‘yep I’m from Tennessee.” I get a strange look and confirm that it’s the place where Jack Daniels is made! Hahahha! Thanks mr Jack!
I headed home Tuesday morning. What a fantastic way to celebrate another year on this earth. I know this post isn’t as detailed like the others mostly because I was in a beach and chill town. However know that I celebrate my birthday ALL month and additional foolery will come.
Quick shoutout to Chase sapphire Reserve and lounge access in airports! The one in Tenerife was really nice! Grateful!
City 26 down and 4 more to goal this year. I hope to surpass it
I did the Canary Islands as a solo trip…. I went to Tenerife and Fuerteventura … I rented a car and took a ferry between the two. The villa I stayed in Tenerife was La Concha boutique apartments… amazing and very affordable for what it is …. there is enough to keep u busy if u don’t want to lay on the beach all day but all very chill things ….. the wineries in Tenerife was my favorite part …. in Tenerife: Lagomar Museum, Castillo de Santa Barbara, Cesar Manrique Foundation, Mirador Del Rio Bodega, La Geria, Charco de los Clicos, Timanfya rock formations of Los Hervideros, Playa Flamingo (Blanca, nude beach) or Quemada…. on the other island I just relaxed at my hotel
I absolutely loved Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The island is so beautiful and clean. There was a lot for us to get into. We rented a car & drove to Firgas, where we walked around to admire the small town. We ate lunch at a local restaurant called El Chiringuito. We went out to the ‘Old City’ and had drinks. We went horseback riding in Maspalomas, then stumbled upon a resort where we chilled at the beach and hung out in the casino. Our AirBNB was about 3 blocks from Las Canteras Beach so we had plenty of food and shopping options. We weren’t able to park near our AirBNB so we had to walk about 20 minutes each time we arrived at the apartment. The island felt safe as we walked the streets at night. I definitely recommend Gran Canaria.
Went to Tenerife and La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Let me just start off by saying both countries are amazing , the views, the vibe.
Tenerife: The nightlife in Playa de las Americas is amazing they played American (Rap, trap, hip hop, r&b etc), Jamaican and African music in all the clubs its easy to get to if you stay in Costa Adeje or in Playa. The restaurants are amazing, some even open at 7am. The locals are friendly as hell because they clearly want you to support their business. As for the other tourist who are from Germany, Russia and other European countries where black people seem to be limited all they did was stare at us in awe! Its quite funny actually but they were friendly. We booked our activities through travelocity, booking locally in Euro’s was too expensive. You have to visit Teide National park, go to the boat parties and the several beaches. We didn’t visit Santa Cruz (Capital) but we have heard its amazing. Tenerife is mostly for couples, families. If you are a single you can still have fun but the vibe is different from Oct to May. They have pool parties in summer time where the younger crowd flock this area, so this is time for the single people to come in. Her and Cyprus are the cheaper version to Ibiza in the summer time.
The food in both Canary Islands wasn’t spectacular mostly German cuisines they had a lot of American fast food franchises there.
La Gomera: A very small island that we took a ferry from Tenerife to get to. This island is beyond breathtaking. I would visit there again for sure, if you’re into Instagram as much I am. Both islands will give you that picturesque vibe you desire. We walked, shopped and took lots of pictures. We didn’t experience any nightlife here. Its so small a day trip is all you need. But if you’re into hiking and all that extra nature activities this is the island for you.
I would recommend both islands. Would I return no, because there’s other places I need to see that I haven’t been.
I visited Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands with my friend. We went in the month of January and it was pretty hot. We got a pretty cheap flight from London with easy jet.
We stayed at the Barcelo which was a pretty good hotel. It was half board. So it included breakfast and dinner. The hotel staff were pretty friendly for the most part but spoke very poor English. The half board didn’t include drinks so we had to pay out of pocket for that.
There wasn’t too much to do here. We went to the beach every single day. The hotel provided a free shuttle to the beach so we would go there to relax. The beach was actually a nude beach which we had no idea so there were people who were naked and some had on swimwear. When going here be mindful that there are nude beaches.
We rhode a camel one afternoon through the desert and that was pretty cool for the most part. We went out one night and it was just awful. The nightlife here was horrible. We went to a club called China White thinking it was the same as the one in London but we were sadly mistaken. The music was horrible and the alcohol tasted like cheap vodka. Like the kind that would give you a terrible hangover the next day.
Gran Canaria is very small. It actually catered to the LBGT community. A lot of stores had huge pride flags blowing in the wind outside of the store. This is also another country who is fascinated with black people. I was the only black persons I saw. I take that back. I saw African women on the beach and they were so intrigued with me. They were surprised to learn that I was from the United States.
The food was affordable but tasted okay. Nothing spectacular.
This trip was mainly for relaxation and that’s all we did. I’m not a huge fan of Gran Canaria and probably will not return but im glad I experienced it at least once. Maybe next time I would visit Tenerife or Lanzarote. If you’re looking to just relax. Then I would recommend Gran Canaria.