I visited the Spanish island off the coast of Africa with laid-back beach resorts and 22C winters
HOW many litres of water does it take to feed one banana plant?
The answer is about 23. That’s a great fact — although I’m a little distracted munching my way through one of the sweetest, freshest bananas I’ve ever eaten to give the tour guide my full attention.
The fruit may not be what first springs to mind when you think of the Canary Islands.
Winter sun, affordable holidays and a glorious coastline are more likely to be your primary reasons for booking.
But tradition is a big part of what keeps Gran Canaria ticking over.
With a population of less than a million, this sun-drenched patch of volcanic land, just 93 miles from the northwestern coast of Africa, prides itself on being relatively self-sufficient, recycling enough seawater to supply the hotels and those that live here, as well as growing enough bananas for all.
A visit to the banana plantation in Trasmontaña is just one of several free activities offered to guests staying at the hotel Paradisus by Melia (other excursions include visits to a rum distillery and the Gran Canaria Museum).
The laid-back, beachfront resort has local culture and tradition at its heart, hosting activities to highlight the island’s natural beauty. The lobby and lounge areas are decorated with ceramics from the indigenous Guanche people, who lived on the island before the arrival of Europeans.
Stargazing is a must in this part of the world and it is free at the resort’s on-site observatory, which is home to two powerful telescopes.
The Canaries have some of the darkest night skies in the world, making them an ideal holiday spot for budding astronomers.
And it was the perfect way to end my final night, learning all about the shimmering planets from an expert guide before taking a closer look through a telescope so strong we could even make out some of the craters on the moon.
This is exactly why my mum and I had chosen the Paradisus by Melia Hotel — so we could blend culture with relaxation.
After all, when it’s a balmy 22C in the middle of winter, who wouldn’t want some time sprawled on a sun lounger being delivered cocktails on repeat?
Arranging a package trip with British Airways Holidays took all the faff out of organising flights, accommodation and activities separately, with the all-inclusive offer bundling everything into one.
It’s not something I’d normally opt for — all-inclusive, that is — out of fear that I’ll tire of the options available, but that didn’t happen here.
With seven restaurants to choose from, our bellies were kept satisfied with saucy Italian dishes, hearty salads and fish cooked over a smoky charcoal grill.
The standout for me, though, was the sushi at the hotel’s Lemon Fish, a Peruvian-Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant (try the pisco sours if you’re a cocktail fan).
There was a saxophonist performing while we dined that evening, something that’s not uncommon at this resort where musicians are dotted around restaurants and relaxation areas at all hours.
Deep pink and hazy purple
We enjoyed mellow tunes from a harpist during breakfast and favourite hits from a cover band in the evening.
With so much going on, the hotel rarely felt crowded, even at 82 per cent capacity in the half-term holidays.
Perhaps it was because we were booked into an adults-only room which gave us access to The Retreat — areas available only to those aged 16 and over.
Retreat guests have use of a separate pool with huge, comfy Bali beds, as well as a sandy area with loungers overlooking the beach, and a bar that can whip up pina coladas, spritzes and soft drinks delivered by a waiter.
Even the most basic of the Retreat bedrooms, the one we were staying in, felt luxurious — with a freestanding bath tub, the comfiest super king bed (with enough room for a family of four to sleep in!) and all the modcons including USB ports by the bed and a smart TV.
Make sure to book a sea-view room — that way your balcony will remain in the sun for most of the day.
On our last morning, following the advice of some fellow guests, we set our alarms for the early hours so we could pad down to the beach directly opposite the hotel and watch the sunrise.
To my surprise, we weren’t the only ones to gather on the sand.
Locals, couples and dog walkers had all paused to watch as an orange glow pierced the ocean’s horizon, transforming a misty sky into deep shades of pink and hazy purple. It wasn’t long until the entire beach was drenched in the sun’s warmth.
When every morning starts like that, it’s not hard to see why this winter sun spot is so popular among Brits.
GO: GRAN CANARIA
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria is from £1,549pp, including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in May. Price includes one checked bag per person. Book by April 8. See britishairways.com/grancanaria or call 0344 493 0787.
OUT & ABOUT: Guests staying from one to six nights get one free excursion, while those staying seven or more nights can opt for two. Guests staying four or more nights in a Reserve room will get a bonus experience.