Saturday 17 September 2022 • Promotional Content


Visit the Canary Islands for the sun, the beach — and the shopping T


he Canary Islands are the ideal destination for enjoying the sun, the beach and the natural world.


Te archipelago is a great place to take part in watersports, relax in the sun and soak in the beautiful landscape. But as well as all of this, it’s also a brilliant place to indulge in some shopping. Make sure you leave room in your suitcase, because when you leave the islands you’ll have plenty of things to bring back home! For example, there are an abundance of handcrafted goods


and unique cosmetics that


make a brilliant present for friends — or for yourself. Many visitors come to the


Canary Islands for the beaches, the crystal-clear waters, the hidden coves, the wild nature and the beachfront meals, with fresh fish dishes accompanied by one of the fabulous mojo picón sauces (a delicous spicy red pepper sauce). However, the attractions of the archi-


pelago don’t end there. Te Canary Islands are also a magnet for those who love shopping abroad, whether that be for accessories, crafts, jewellery or gourmet products.


Unique items It’s hard not to fall in love with Canarian basketry. Many goods are available including baskets, hats, bags, bottle racks, lamps and brooms. Tese objects are made by hand with Canarian palm leaves. Te traditional methods used have been passed down from genera- tion to generation. In many parts of the Canary Islands it’s still possible to see locals engaged in the art of basketry. To buy Canarian basketry is to buy an eye-catching gift that will last a long time and that will help to protect an ancient artisanal tradition. La Graciosa is a small, dreamy island


just north of Lanzarote, which travel- lers can get to by ferry. On the island, there’s a popular hat called a ‘sombrera’. Another name for the hats is ‘sombreros gracioseros’. Te original shape means that the fashion item is a fun addition to any beach outfit. Another tradition that’s common on the island — and that provides a great spectacle for visi- tors — is braiding baskets, a skill that’s survived over generations. Jewellery lovers will adore the Canary


Islands. Special items include famous Canarian hooped earrings that can be made of gold, silver, or other materials. Tese items are made by hand by a pool of goldsmiths that work on the archi- pelago. As is the case with Canarian


basketry, every piece is unique. Tere are a great range of shapes and designs that all have the feel of being made in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the jewellery is even made from local volcanic materials or seashells for an extra special flourish of Canarian culture.


Cosmetics with a Canarian stamp Cosmetics lovers will find plenty to enjoy in the Canary Islands, as it has a tradi- tion of natural cosmetics. Cochineals are used in cosmetic-making throughout the islands — these are tiny animals that provide a reddish dye, which is used in food and drinks as well as fabrics, lipsticks, and other cosmetic products. Tere


are great, natural also so-called


volcanic cosmetics that are made with rocks such as pumice or pumice stone (a


exfoliant). In


addition, basalt and obsidian help make soaps and facial masks. Other typical Canarian products are those made with aloe vera and bananas. All of these cosmetics are made


without additives or chemicals. Most of them are created by hand and are suitable for all skin types. Visitors to the Canary Islands will find soaps, creams, scrubs, masks, shampoos, and other hair products in many parts of the Canary Islands. Te archipelago is one of the few places in the world where there are still numerous independent shops selling distinctive products, a world away from mass shopping. Tere are many creative, authentic products that show the strength of the islands heritage in crafts.


The best food Food from the Canary Islands is very special. It wins fans from all over the world thanks to its delicate taste and simplicity. In the archipelago, it’s easy to eat locally caught fish at a good price. Fish dishes are normally accompanied by salad and mojo picón sauces. Gofio is another local speciality — a ground and toasted cereal that’s common in the local area. It’s eaten as a starter or in desserts. To drink, visitors should try a white wine from Lanzarote with an original volcanic flavour. Te Canary Islands is also famous


for its cheese, with three varie- ties already having been awarded Protected Designation of Origin status: Majoron, Palmero and Flor de Guía. Majoron is made with goat’s milk from a native breed of the animal found on Fuerteventura; Palmero is made from raw palm goat’s milk; while


Te Travel Guide 17


Flor de Guía — from Gran Canaria — is prepared with sheep’s milk, and is the only cheese on the islands’ that’s made with a rennet from the thistle flower. Local cheeses are often on the menu in the restaurants on the archi- pelago. Tey’re eaten either as a starter (battered or fried) or in quesillos, which is a delicious type of flan. In La Gomera, there’s a cheese pâté called almogrote, which is spread on toast. At the same time, El Hierro island’s famed for its quesadillas, an exquisite typical sweet dish made with cheese. Nobody should leave a trip to the Canary Islands without trying


Te Canary Islands are also a magnet for those who love shopping abroad — whether that be for accessories, crafts, jewellery or gourmet products


one of the island’s favourite fruits,


the Indian tuno. Tanks to its nutritional power, it’s considered a superfood. It’s used in numerous recipes, from jams and juices to cheese toppings and gazpacho soups. It can also be found in some cosmetics. For those that want to experience more Canarian cuisine, a salt experience shouldn’t be missed. Te archipelago is one of the best places in the world for salt thanks to the quality of the traditional intensive small-


cut salt flats, which produce tasty salt in large quantities with few trace elements. Wine from the Canary Islands also


have a great reputation. Te islands have 11 Protected Designation of Origin wines. Tere are a wide variety of types suited to particular dishes and palates. Tere are also few better mementos than wine — buying a bottle means you’ll be able to toast the Canary Islands over a tapas dinner when you get back home.


hellocanaryislands.com


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