The winter blossoming of the Canary white retama broom plant  reveals one of the great ‘tricks’ of nature in Gran Canaria.

Someone seems to have unfurled a wintery white sheet over the ravines and hillsides in Gran Canaria. This mysterious-looking frost is, however, the result of the seasonal spectacle provided by the flowers on Canary white broom, on bushes that grow up to three metres in height. Their aromatic flowers take centre stage at this wintery scene, popping up at many different natural island settings, and are free to go and see.

The Winter solstice brings with it a spectacle of light and a surge of emotion at the summit of Gran Canaria.

The shortest day of the year actually begins the evening before, with a blanket of stars covering the stage before the performance begins. Under the steep slope of Mesa de Acusa, an abyss of ancient eruptions etched into the landscape, lies the stalls and the audience, on this occasion the lens of a camera, which points towards the spot where the real protagonist of the winter solstice at the summit of Gran Canaria is waiting in the wings: the first winter light.

The celebration of International Mountain Day reminds us of the wealth of high altitude landscapes there are all around Gran Canaria.

Gran Canaria digs its feet deep into the Atlantic, while its head stretches upwards and finds the sky. On 11th December the International Mountain Day is held, a date that serves as a reminder of the hidden gems that are tucked away around the peaks and summits on the island, and are just waiting to be discovered, for all those looking to come away with a full photo album of the island.