Here begins a journey of the senses around Gran Canaria, through the colour blue, one of the island’s essential elements.

Some living beings from Gran Canaria inhabit an ever blue territory, because the sea and the sky are the canvass on which their lives are etched. The first shearwaters, Atlantic birds par excellence, begin nesting in March high on the crags on the island. At nightfall these marine tones are intensified, and the birds can be spotted flying round in groups, skimming over the water, gliding for a few minutes before shooting forward once again with five or six flaps of their wings. Suddenly, they plunge under the sea in search of fish, splitting the frontier between the two immense blue expanses of Gran Canaria.

She, Gran Canaria, also celebrates March, woman’s month. Women have shaped the history of the island with the same wisdom with which María Guerra, the potter from La Atalaya de Santa Brígida, shaped her pieces of clay as she turned them into unique pieces of art. Take any mountain, beach, monument, rock or any landscape whatsoever, behind each of these you will always find some mark left by women, without which Gran Canaria would not be what it is.

The Maspalomas International Carnival, the sunniest in Europe, will provide a crazily happy time on the ocean’s edge.

Don’t worry. Your eyes and your head aren’t deceiving you. At this time of year it is quite normal to see some extremely fun-filled and strange goings on at the south of Gran Canaria. For example, you might see a group of people crying around a giant sardine that they are dragging along the shore. This is what goes on at the Maspalomas International Carnival, this year dedicated to the millions of European tourists who make their dreams come true at this holiday paradise.

A visit to the Arehucas Distillery, the oldest rum maturing bodega in Europe, offers a truly sensual experience.

The statue of Alfredo Martín Reyes welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Arehucas Distillery, in Arucas (Gran Canaria). In 1935 Don Alfredo reopened the old Factory of San Pedro, originally inaugurated back in 1884, but this time dedicated exclusively to rum production. Today, from his pedestal, Don Alfredo seems proud of his legacy, an international landmark in rum culture. Indeed, these facilities are home to the oldest rum maturing bodega in Europe.

The first ever winner of the Drag gala at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival dusts off his platforms and his memories

Evening starts to fall on the bay of Las Canteras, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Hundreds of people soak up the last few rays of sun down on the beach, as do some crabs in their prívate hide-outs, in a corner of La Puntilla, where the ocean laps over the age-old strips of volcanic lava giving them a polished finish like a skin covering a thousand year old black, dormant dragon. Nearby some fishing boats bob up and down, in view of diners from all over the world who are finding out what a papa arrugada salted potato and a chunk of sea bass taste like.

American Timothy Allen Olson is living proof of the magnetic pull of the Transgrancanaria, with participants from 70 countries.

Timothy Allen Olson was born in Wisconsin, in the United States. It was the mountains in Ashland, in Oregan, however, where he developed his passion for Ultra Trail racing. Timothy insists he feels the energy from the trees, mountains, and wild life in general, and now also at the volcanic and oceanic heart of Gran Canaria. On the night of the 24th of February, this health, nature and family loving sportsman will be on the starting line in Agaete taking part in the 125 kilometre version of the Transgrancanaria –the mother of all mountain races- alongside other world famous running stars.

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Opera Festival reaches its fiftieth edition with a world class programme.

The ending is a familiar one: the applause fills the air like a swarm of flapping doves, with cheers and admiration of an awe-struck crowd. The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Opera Festival is into its fiftieth year, during which time it has been a “cornerstone” in its role in making the city one of Europe’s leading musical capitals, as Ulises Jaén, the event’s current musical director, proudly puts it. Jaén himself has had a season ticket for this event since he was just sixteen years of age.

Gran Canaria extends its viewpoints network > to enable visitors to get a closer look at the summit and coastal landscapes.

Can you hear that? It is the deep voice of Gran Canaria. “Come and look at me”, it booms. This year, the island is increasing its network of viewpoints to provide more views over the coast and the summit. A total of fourteen new viewpoints will be created for visitors to stop off at during their walks, and let them look all over the island’s fine landscapes. Two existing viewpoints are also to be refurbished.

The 2017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival kicks off on 10th February with the slogan ‘Eternal Spring’.

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival will be hitting the streets between 10th February and 5th March 2017. But let’s be serious for a moment. Carnival lovers, both male and female, take little notice of dates on a calendar. The people who breathe life into this fiesta actually start thinking of next year’s disguise as soon as they wipe the make-up off their faces and take off their wigs this year. The carnival has a programme, but it is really all about a sentiment, a huge wave that everyone is invited to dive into. Fancy taking the plunge?

The baking business featuring the almond in Gran Canaria reveals a whole host of tales from its ovens.

This story is laced with honey, almonds, sugar and cinnamon. The tale comes to us from the sweet, chirpy tones of Rosa María Medina, something quite normal in someone who spends day after day making sweet delights at the Dulcería Nublo de Tejeda, an establilshment she runs with her husband, José Antonio Quintana. Any culinary route linked to the almond in Gran Canaria should include a visit to this historical business premises.

The Cajasiete Gran Canaria Marathon brings tens of thousands of people together on 22nd January, with runners, volunteers and public all taking part

The almond trees in bloom sprinkle the summit and hilltops of Gran Canaria in a white and pink tint. This is call out for a celebration!