Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Gran Canaria walking holiday, independent reviews
 Reviewed 9 Nov 2008 by Fenneke Wolters-Sinke |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our cosy cave house, the varied walks and stunning views from the high mountains and of course our delicious packed lunch boxes each day!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want to escape mass tourism, want to experience a unique kind of accommodation and want to enjoy the quietness of nature, this is the holiday for you. Take plenty of warm clothes and extra layers with you, because it can be very cold in the mountains.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We enjoyed delicious local food in the small bars and restaurants in Artenara that are owned by Canarian people. We went to bar-restaurant Tamadaba twice and were the only guests. The owners gave us a warm welcome and could tell us a lot (in very good English) about the local area and the food supply (nearby forest). Although we tried to avoid long distance driving, we went to the beach (due to the bad weather in the mountains) for one day which is about 1,5 hour driving. The rest of the week we used the car only where necessary. We think it would help the environment if the car hire company changes their policy. Now you receive your car with a full tank and have to return it with an empty tank and they charge a fixed rate for that. We had a diesel car so you would have to drive a lot in order to fully use the tank. It would be much fairer environmentally and financially if you have to return the car with a full tank.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent! I would definitely recommend the tour operator that organised this holiday. They are very professional, you receive a lot of information about the area and accurate walking routes. We are thinking of going with them again, but then to Slovenia.
| Reviewed 24 Mar 2008 by Susan Lucas | |
We have just returned from a holiday in Gran Canaria and would like to thank you for putting us in touch with such a great company. We had a wonderful time living in a cave, walking in the volcanic hills, and enjoying the mild weather. The company provided an excellent guide, hire car and stacks of useful information about the area. They are certainly doing their part in behaving responsibly and we would certainly recommend them to our friends.
| Reviewed 29 Feb 2008 by Laura Slade | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to choose; living in a cave house, meeting and chatting to the locals (in Spanish) in Barranco Hondo & the museum there, the first organised walk or exploring on our own, the food in Bar Diaz and Bar Tamadaba and the Botanical Gardens were amazing.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You will get much more out of this holiday if you can speak some Spanish - everyone was very friendly and had time for a chat. You do not have to be super fit but it helps to not be unfit (like me). Walking poles are a good idea as are waterproof trousers - it can (and did) rain. You do need nerves of steel for the driving! Check out what local fiestas and carnivals are on before you book your dates.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We only bought local produce for us and for gifts and only ate in local restaurants - which were excellent. Some car use was unavoidable but we offset our carbon. Hope the local people no longer think British tourists are beer swilling English only speaking sun worshippers.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good, wish I could have stayed for longer than 5 days and picked the week before which everyone said was really hot! Am likely to do it again.
| Reviewed 8 Jan 2007 by Michael Pitt | |
We had a wonderful time up in the mountains of Gran Canaria over Christmas. The skies were blue and the walking was superb - far better than we had anticipated. It is difficult to choose just one memorable occasion but I guess for us it was climbing down volcanic rock into the heart of an extinct volcano, having to cling on to the rock-face as we negotiated steep and narrow ledges - fabulous (and nerve racking!). This was certainly walking to make the heart and soul sing. Special thanks to Tina, the manager - she was great.
Hopefully these low scale holidays will bring some much needed business to the small local villages. Some advice - if you are vegetarian (as we are) - be prepared to do some cooking - there are loads of good local produce - as the local cafes struggle to cater for vegetarians. Overall I would give this four stars - if you are looking for peace, solitude and beautiful walking, this is for you.
Just to say, we were looking for an escape from Christmas (we lost family in the tsunami in 2004) and this was a perfect solution.
Hopefully these low scale holidays will bring some much needed business to the small local villages. Some advice - if you are vegetarian (as we are) - be prepared to do some cooking - there are loads of good local produce - as the local cafes struggle to cater for vegetarians. Overall I would give this four stars - if you are looking for peace, solitude and beautiful walking, this is for you.
Just to say, we were looking for an escape from Christmas (we lost family in the tsunami in 2004) and this was a perfect solution.
| Reviewed 6 Jan 2007 by Elizabeth Kirkham | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The welcome on the first night when we were greeted by the manager and a beautifully lit cave house. It was warm and very welcoming to three tired travellers, there was even a stew cooking for us! It was also tastefully decorated in a Christmas style. The accommodation was all I had hoped for and the walking was superb and our manager even provided us with mince pies and mulled wine on Christmas day! Her local knowledge was excellent.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just be prepared to enjoy yourselves!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We ate and shopped locally and all the food our manager used to prepare our packed lunches was bought locally. It was a pity that the village didn't have any recycling.
4. Any other comments?
**** I feel I could give it five stars but although we all came back very relaxed I wouldn't say I was reborn!!