EUROQUEST SideTracks

In yet another "Treasures off the Beaten Track" contribution on Gran canaria, we shall continue to draw attention away from the mass tourist resorts of the South and offer alternative trajectories to visitors of Gran canaria. As on previous occasions, we shall focus on the island´s capital LAS PALMAS as a gateway and outline several itineraries in the North and Center of Gran Canaria that allow a more insider perspective of local culture and traditions. This holds particularly true to venues frequented by locals and visitors alike, where the constructive dialogue between both leads to greater cultural awareness and a better understanding of the Cultural Other - the Sunday Market Day in Vega de San Mateo is a perfect example of just that. See the full gallery on Posterous To this end, it may be a great idea to get up relatively early on a Sunday and combine a visit to the Market in Vega de San Mateo with a hiking excursion around the island's mountainous cent...

See the full gallery on posterous Nothing better on a sunny Sunday than to escape San Diego's urban area and head 20 miles on I-5 in the direction of Los Angeles to the charming communities of San Diego's North County. Once past the Mormon Temple near La Jolla and the exclusive community of Del Mar, we reach SOLANA BEACH and Encinitas - perfect getaways for a day trip away from the city. Both boast gorgeous coastline and pristine beach areas, but it is the alternative charm of Encinitas that makes it stand out in Greater San Diego, and no better time to witness this than on a Sunday, when the seaside resort's FARMERS' MARKET is in full swing. Our first stop in Encinitas, however, is the San Diego Botanic Garden, formerly known as "QUAIL BOTANICAL GARDENS", a green sanctuary of over four miles of park and trails featuring more than 3300 varieties of plants including the nation's largest Bamboo collection. Admission is not cheap but helps to ensure surviv...