The Canary Islands - A Short Guide to an Affordable and Sunny Winter Destination

As wet and windy weather reaches the UK andon the lowlands. Gran Canaria, with a population of
Ireland, reports of increasing interest in cheap sunover 800,000 (making it the second most populous
holidays abroad are being widely reported across theof The Canaries), boasts both cooler and wetter
media. Recent data from Holidays Direct has shownlands in the north and a sunnier south warmed by the
that The Canaries are one of the top destinations forSahara. Consequently, there is a great array of flora
UK holidaymakers this year - which is not altogetherand fauna to be seen, such as the El Hierro Giant
surprising - but what keeps visitors flocking back yearLizard (found only on the island from which it takes
on year?its name), and the endangered Loggerhead Turtle.
Located just off the west coast of Morocco, inThe abundant marine life around the extensive
comparison to other island breaks The Canary Islandscoastline of the islands makes the area very popular
are close and easily accessible. The islands are afor recreational activities and sports such as scuba
Spanish archipelago with volcanic origins, perhaps bestdiving, surfing, swimming and sailing. Yet, perhaps
exemplified by the almost 4,000 metre tall Mountsurprisingly, one of the island's most well known
Teide on the island of Tenerife - and also the Hachasporting exports is not related to the water at all.
Grande mountain, Lanzarote.Canarian Wrestling (or Lucha Canaria) has been
Due to their geography and unique location, theofficially practiced since the 1800s and involves two
islands offer great diversity in terms of climate andcompetitors who must aim to push each other to
environment - with snow covering the peaks duringthe floor in a ring of sand, without the use of their
colder parts of the year and near desert conditionsfeet.