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Christopher Columbus didn’t discover Gran Canaria -- that honor goes to the Castilian navy, which arrived decades earlier -- but the island was the first stop on the explorer’s famed 1492 adventure. Columbus found soft sands, waving palm trees and a still harbor here, just as modern visitors do. This is a tranquil, tropical spot -- one that begs for rediscovery by a host of intrepid travelers.

Las Palmas, the island capital, holds most of the local attractions. Spots like Vegueta, the cobble-stoned historic quarter, and Playa de Las Canteras, the city’s most popular beach, are sure to please. Just outside the city, the twisting desert dunes of Maspalomas and intricately carved wooden homes of Teror are stunning sights.

Gran Canaria also is known as a World Biosphere Preserve, preserving the island’s wild variety for future generations. Hidden in a canyon, Palmitos Nature Park offers snorkeling excursions and bird watching tours. Towering on the horizon, Bandama, an extinct volcano, lures hikers looking to escape the forest canopy for sweeping views of the island.

Language: Spanish     Currency: Euro (EUR)