Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has plenty of astonishing sights to offer, some of them very impressive to the eye. I particularly like this one, a Canary palm tree (miraculously spared by the fire in the summer 2007), which actually takes its roots from a large stone underneath. It can be seen along a lovely mountain road on the hill side almost overhanging Los Palmitos Park. Some meters further, you reach a belvedere commanding an impressive view on the valley and reservoir of Ayagaures,  the surroundings mountains and the “Roque Nublo”, Gran Canaria’s emblematic mountain, all of it within walking distance from Monte Leon, a splendid place to live “in the heights” but with your feet well on solid ground, like this “Phoenix canariensis”.

More about Monte Leon:  www.monteleon-grancanaria.com

By Rolande Chagrin Chevènement

Gran Canaria is a vibrant modern island with an extensive road network that allows tourists and locals to explore in relative ease. Of course some people are always eager to take up a challenge and test themselves to the limit. Last weekend 340 brave souls took part in the Gran Canaria Running Challenge from Puerto Mogan to the capital, Las Palmas, a distance of 75 kms.

There was none of this taking the easy option of using main roads, the runners used rough tracks to make their way up to the highest peaks, catching a little rain on the way, and back down through San Telmo park to reach the finishing line.

Give a big cheer for the winner, Alejandro Tejero, the 34 year old recorded a time of 8 hours, 38 minutes and 58 seconds. It was a close call at the end, second placed Antonio Calzadilla was a mere 19 seconds behind. There were several categories, the womens race was won by Cristina Quevedo in 11 hours and 16 minutes, quite a tough day though for everyone involved.

More info: http://www.burbujita.com/campeonatos/index.php?id=9&camp=4

By Cardenas News

For once it’s not just the salt you can feel in the sea air around Gran Canaria, there is a strong feel of excitement and expectancy as the island prepares for the ARC 2008, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. The biggest trans-ocean race is already fully booked with 225 boats and crew from all over the world, all fine tuning for the November 23 departure from Las Palmas.

The race was established in 1986 and has grown in stature and anticipation each year, as crews brace themselves for the 2,700 nautical mile trip to St Lucia in the West Indies, the expected crossing is between 15 and 17 days. Already yachts and catamarans have arrived to get in some practice, and to enjoy the friendly rivalry that goes with the race.

To take part a catamaran must be between 8.23 metres (27 feet) and 18.29 m (29 feet) long, cruising mono-hulls can be slightly longer, up to 25.91m (85 feet). Two weeks before the race start, a full programme of social events swings into action in and around Las Palmas, with the backing of the Gran Canaria tourist board. Barbecues, cocktail parties and mini boat races keep everyone happy, but a whole day is devoted to safety awareness and involves the coastguard.

As the crews put their craft through pre-race training, the magnificent sleek lines of the yachts and catamarans will be seen around the coast, and crews and the large world media presence will all get to see plenty of Gran Canaria to learn about its charms.

By Cardenas News

Gran Canaria is proud of its reputation as an island that attracts families, not just for the sun and beaches, but also for great entertainment. This August that reputation received a big boost when Palmitos Park re-opened to the public, bigger and better than ever.

When fire ravaged the south of Gran Canaria in July 2007, one of the hardest hit places was Palmitos Park, the iconic bird, animal and flower park that had been a magnet for families since it opened in 1980. Large areas of the magnificent gardens were destroyed and 70 animals were killed, leaving the park a mammoth task of re-building.

Just replacing what had been lost was not an option, the park owners decided to go a stage further and add new attractions to the park and make further commitments to long term nurturing of endangered plant and animal life with an uncreased bredding programme.

All the favourite colourful parrots are still here and featured in their own regular shows through the day, as well as similar displays from birds of prey and exotic birds. There is also an orchid house, cactus garden and butterfly house, plus plenty of food and drink stops. Car parking can cope with 600 cars a day and there is easy access by bus from the surrounding areas such as Puerto Rico and Mogan.

Maspalomas is in the heart of the tourist south and also boasts 2 large golf courses and excellent night life. It’s no wonder it is a popular and thriving area for people to settle down and make a new home.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Palmitos Park
• Barranco de los Palmitos
• Maspalomas
• Tel (34) 928797070
• Open 7 days a week 10 am to 6 pm
• Adults 22 euros, Children (3 to 12) 16.50
• On line booking  10% discount 

By Cardenas News - picture from Flickr, Isemantics

We have a new shopping centre in Arguineguín with more than 1.200 m² shopping area and 200 parking spaces. The shopping centre has shops as Natura, Burbujita, Springfield, Women’s secret among many others and of course the supermarket Supercor from El Corte Inglés.

Arguineguín and the whole municipality of Mogan has now more to offer than ever being highly demanded as location for second home residences.

By Cárdenas News

There are so many pleasurable sights and sounds in Gran Canaria, but let’s not forget the memorable tastes as well. The British based Guild Of Fine Foods are certainly aware of the tastes of Gran Canaria, they have announced that the 2009 World Cheese Awards will take place on the island, at a venue yet to be decided. It’s quite a coup, as it’s the first time the awards have gone outside the British Isles.

Just to make your mouth water, here are some of the reasons that Gran Canaria is a recognised centre for fine cheeses. They produce several types, made from cows, sheep and goats milk, or from a mixture of all three. One of the islands most famous cheeses is Flor de Guia, which is made from rennet produced from a cotton thistle. Depending on your taste buds, you may chose to try a fairly conventional cheese, a half cured variety that has a greasy texture, or a cured type which has a strong and slightly spicy taste.

The cheese awards will be followed by an international exposition of great cheeses but the events wont take place until September 2009. It would be cruel to wait that long to experience the wide range of cheese on offer in Gran Canaria, so get down to your local shop and try something new. Accompanied by a delightful Gran Canarian wine , you will discover that even eating a drinking is a pleasure in Gran Canaria.

By Cardenas News

Once again it is the high point of the summer for Puerto de Mogan - every year on a Sunday in mid-July our lovely harbour witnesses a very special and joyful event.  “La Virgen del Carmen” - Patron of the fishermen - is joyfully and lovingly transported by boat from Arguineguin, and welcomed into Puerto de Mogan amidst much festivity from hundreds of happy spectators.  The arrival is accompanied by a large flotilla of local craft of all sizes - whose owners and guests have a truly wonderful time, barbecuing, dancing and singing along the way.  Drenched in local atmosphere, this is a delightful and unforgettable tradition marking the beginning of the eagerly-awaited “Fiestas del Carmen” celebrations here in Puerto de Mogan, which will continue this year until Sunday 3rd August.

By Cardenas News

As you lay on the vast expanse of sandy beach at Maspalomas, with the waves rolling in and the sand dunes behind you, work of any sort will be the last thing on your mind. It’s your bodies turn to get pampered and tanned, and your brain can enjoy a nice little snooze with just the odd spurt of exercise as you consider which testy restaurant or lively nightspot you would like to visit tonight.

It’s each to their own in Gran Canaria, but education is taken very seriously on the island, something to bear in mind, if you are toying with settling over here and bringing your children up in the education system. Schools have long summer holidays but there are lots of opportunities for extra learning via the Summer University of Maspalomas, part of the renowned Las Palmas University.

This summer it is in its 17th year and 1,500 students will be tackling a range of courses that vary from climate change to electoral reform or even obesity and nutrition. The short courses start on July 7 and run through to August 1, and take place at the Hotel Gloria Palace, not quite your average classroom.

Maybe they could do courses on property investment, finding the perfect location or negotiating the legal maze of buying a home. All sounds a bit of an effort, especially when there is all that beach to enjoy, thankfully clients of Cardenas Real Estate have all this taken care of for them by experts with years of experience. So if you want to join the growing number of Brits making the move to Gran Canaria, let Cardenas do your homework for you.

By Cardenas News

Gran Canaria is such a well known family holiday island, you would think it would be very difficult to find a quiet secluded coastal town with good beaches and easy access to the bigger more well known resorts. Think again, Patalavaca fills all those requirements and more, and as well as making a great family home, it is a great investment for the future.

Patalavaca nestles just between Puerto Rico and Arguineguin, and is a cosy place to live, with bags of charm and character. The sandy beach is unspoilt and a short drive or brisk walk away along the promenade, you will find the fishing harbour of Arguineguin. This is a world away from the nightclubs and loud music of the bigger neighbouring resorts, but if you want to go and sample them, you know you can always return to your own delightful back water to take things at a more relaxed pace. Golfers will find Patalavaca especially enticing as it is close to the modern Anfi Tauro golf resort, another haven of tranquility.

This is what you get when you deal with a real estate company like Cardenas Real Estate that has grown up over 28 years in the area, based at three agencies in Arguineguin, Puerto Rico and Playa de Mogan. Local knowledge counts for a lot in Gran Canaria, and Cardenas know where to find the best properties and the right people to deal with to make the buying process quick and efficient. Patalavaca is just one of many hidden gems that Cardenas has among its current list of 491 properties, and they are changing all the time, so keep a regular check on their website and find your ideal home.

Remember the name, Carla Suarez, this 19-year-old Las Palmas born tennis player is already turning heads, and forced her way through from the qualifying stages to reach the Quarter Finals of the French Open in Paris last week.

It was an amazing achievement for the rising star, and there was no shame in going out to Serbia’s, World number 3 ranked Jelena Jankovic by 3-6 and 2-6 in sets. Carla has had a taste of the big time and wants more, and is already practicing for Wimbledon. The French success will rocket her up the World rankings from 132 to about 50, and she can go straight into major tournaments without having to fight her way through the preliminary event.

It’s hardly surprising that Gran Canaria is a breeding ground for sports stars, it has the perfect climate and a great range of facilities for residents and holiday makers alike. That’s always a big plus for property investors when they think about a better life for themselves and their children. Cardenas Real Estate know the value of an active outdoor life to people moving to live in Gran Canaria and they can always be relied on to produce an ace.