Every time we visit friends and family in the States they are curious to know what it feels like to live here.

Quick and to the point I answer, "It's like living in paradise!".

If someone had told me that I would end up living on a tiny island off the northwestern coast of Africa I would have laughed and then ignorantly asked, “What island?".

Today's a whole different story and the island of Gran Canaria is now our home. Why is it like paradise to me?

The first thing that stands out to me the most is the ocean. We're surrounded by it!

If it wasn't for the occasional views in the distance of the islands of Fuerteventura and Tenerife I'd swear we were completely isolated from the known world.

Would we be so lucky!

When I first got a taste of the wrinkled potatoes and the typical "mojo" sauce I just knew I was never going back to Texas.

(Well, except to visit the family of course!)

I just pictured myself with some wrinkled potatoes and mojo relaxing on the beach....

Ah yes, speaking of beaches, the third thing that I love most about Gran Canaria are all the beaches!

The island is mostly known for its beaches and rightly so. There are so many to choose from its unbelievable.

What I like to do most is to take a swim in the cool water of the Atlantic and then come back to shore and throw myself on the hot sand. Yes, it's very relaxing.

You can visit beaches like Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico or Las Canteras.

These beaches happen to be some of our favorites and we pay them frequent visits. We mainly enjoy walks on the beach and an occasional meal with ocean views.

Lastly, what we love most about the island is the climate. It really is a miniature continent.

For example, heading towards the center part of the island you will find La Cruz de Tejeda.

It's a small town that offers rural tourism. In the winter it can get really cold up there.

But where else can you visit a town like this during the winter and then drive about 45 minutes and sunbathe in the hot sun in Playa del Ingles?

Only in Gran Canaria!

We really enjoy living here and it's really hard to think that one day we may have to go back to Texas.

But then again, like everyone else, we can always look forward to vacationing in the Canary Islands.

While living here we've explored different parts of the island and have put together some helpful information for visitors.

Feel free to look around our site and we look forward to your future visits.

Gran Canaria Vacation takes this opportunity to introduce you to a beautiful destination off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara. Grand Canary, as some call it, is an island which makes up one of the seven known as the Canary Islands. It's the third largest island of the archipelago. It's the most populated and developed island of the seven. The capital of the island is Las Palmas. The island is very unique in that it has various possibilites in climate. Due to its geographical position, landscape, and fortunate trade winds the island is generally known for its mild climate year round. On this island, peculiarly, you can roll around in the snow on the island's highest peak during some winters. Later, drive an hour and reach the beach to sunbathe or explore the desert like sand dunes in the Maspalomas Natural Reserve. Such diversity has given Grand Canary the nickname of "Miniature Continent".

View Larger Map Click here to see a detailed map of the "Miniature Continent". Still want more Gran Canaria information? Take a look and click whatever you require. Island Transportation Webcams Gran Canaria airport Gran Canaria ferries Flights Markets More G.C. Websites These are the official Gran Canaria tourism websites: www.grancanaria.com www.canariasturismo.com www.spain.info Websites will open on a new page.

Okay! Here is some additional island info: Area: 1.560 km2 Coastline: 236 kilometers, nearly 60 kilometers of that are beaches Highest point: Pico del Pozo de Las Nieves, aproximately 1,949 meters above sea level. Capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or just Las Palmas for the locals. Island Population: practically 1,000,000 Official Language: Spanish Money: Euros Climate: average temperature 23º C: Get today's weather forecast.

History: The Canary Islands were inhabited by a pre-colombian society known as the Guanches. In the 15th century, Spain began its conquest and colonization of the islands. Today, the Canary Islands form an autonomous community of Spain. Culture: Islanders like to describe themselves as having the hearts of Latin Americans and the education of Europeans. This is what I love about the people of this island.