Admission feesSalt factory, rum distillery and coffee plantation all good. The traditional Canarian lunch at the family run restaurant was terrible, very slow service, portion sizes far too small - six people were served one thin slice of tomato and not even one full slice of bread each, the wrinkled potatoes were cold, the crispy aubergine was anything but crispy just cold and soggy. The chicken peas and chicken with beef was presented as chicken and ham. More time in old town rather than the shopping mall.
If the Canaries were a meal, Gran Canaria would be the main course – and the dessert. This exclusive tour will give you a flavour of the island and its cuisine while taking in its natural beauty. A rum factory tour, salt flats, a visit to Arucas town and a typical Canarian farm are all on the menu. Maria, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘This is my favourite tour – the driving is well spaced out and each stop is a looker. Plus, you get to sample some typical Canarian specialities in a fabulous setting.'
First up is Salinas de Tenefé, where the salt flats are an important natural and cultural enclave where sea salt is produced as is has been for centuries. Next up is Arucas. Its colourful homes and flower-filled parks are overshadowed by the volcano-framed Church of St John the Baptist. You'll drop into the town's historic Arehucas distillery for a visit and to sample some of its famed oak barrel-aged rum. Afterwards, There's free time in town to explore on your own and grab some lunch if you like.
But the best is yet to come. The highlight of the day is the award-winning Finca La Laja – a typical Canarian farm – located in a deep, vegetation-filled gorge near Agaete. In this wild and rugged setting, you'll get to taste local wines, cheese, Teror chorizo, Canarian ‘wrinkly' potatoes, cake and the farm's trademark coffee, which is grown here. You'll also learn how to prepare spicy ‘mojo' sauces.
