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

You might be told that making a real estate transaction in Gran Canaria is simple, just a matter of visiting the Notary’s office. This is very far from reality, there are legal and tax implications that need to be considered carefully, or otherwise may cost a lot of money and/ or trouble. In any case you should contact a reputed lawyer or real estate professional. At Cardenas we have two in one. We are your trustworthy partner and ensure you a smooth purchase of your property in Gran Canaria, even if you have found it somewhere else!

* Daniel García Chagrin studied Law in Las Palmas and Granada and graduated at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He later followed a postgraduate course in Tax Law. He joined his parents’ company in 2004 and is nowadays responsible for the legal & tax department providing clients legal and tax support and advice and verifying each sales & rentals transaction. He speaks fluent Spanish, German, English and French. Email: daniel@cardenas-grancanaria.com

 By Cardenas News

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

It’s a tough time for tourism as the financial squeeze is felt around the world, so people are looking to the travel industry to take a lead. A quick check on where the travel experts have chosen for their annual get together, will underline the ever constant attractions of Gran Canaria. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) are heading for Maspalomas from Monday October 6 to Wednesday October 8, and their presence will alert many potential holiday makers to Gran Canaria as the place to get away from the gloom and doom that is hitting them every day in the media.

Around 1,200 delegates are expected to head for the Maspalomas Conference Centre at Meloneras, from travel agents great and small. They couldn’t have asked for a better setting, just 700 metres from the beach, with 8 out of the 10 chosen delegate hotels within walking distance of the convention and 200 hotel rooms donated free by the Gran Canaria tourist board.

By Cárdenas News - photo from Flickr, Xosé Castro

Dear Ramon
 
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how impressed I have been with Cardenas Real Estate, in connection with my renting of an apartment in Pueblo Mogan. Not only are we delighted with the apartment, the service from Cardenas in general - and from Theresa in particular - has been nothing short of superb.
 
Theresa not only went out of her way to negotiate the lease for the apartment with regards to furniture, etc., her advice when it came to opening a new bank account in Mogan and arranging a new phone line with Telefonica was invaluable.
 
I feel strongly that when I am pleased with the services of a company (which, sadly, isn’t always the case), I should make it known. So thank you, Ramon, for what has been an extremely efficient service so far - and for providing customers with somebody as helpful and professional as Theresa. I can’t praise her too highly.
 
Kind regards
 
Paul Guinness

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

The stretch will be ONLY 6,3 km. long and will have 2 dual-carriageways.

This means you will be able to reach Puerto de Mogán from Arguineguín safely and in NO MORE THAN 10 minutes!

No doubt that this, together with the currently attractive property prices in Gran Canaria (as in other places in Spain, many developers and also private sellers are struggling with their bank loans and have therefore reduced their prices significantly) promises a very interesting middle-term value increase for property investments in such an exclusive and charming place as Puerto de Mogán! 

Source: www.maspalomasahora.com

Marta has got many years experience in the real estate business across Europe and will be located in our office in Puerto Rico.

Marta speaks Spanish, English, German, Hungarian and Russian.

Take a look at our team at www.cardenas-grancanaria.com

By Cardenas News