Class Discussion: La Palma Volcanic Eruption

By now I´m sure you´ve heard about the tragic volcanic eruption in La Isla Bonita, more commonly known as La Palma, one of the stunning islands in the Canary Island archipelago. Here in the Canaries, we´ve been inundated with the tragic news from our neighbouring island. Observing my students live, albeit indirectly, through this historic…

Get Lost in Gran Canaria May Events Calendar

Get Lost in Gran Canaria May 2019 Events Click here if you´re looking for June 2019 events in Gran Canaria. Spring is in the air! Aside from some damp and gray days over the last month, spring should be in full force over the next couple of weeks and full of all the good stuff…

Get Lost in Gran Canaria April 2020 Events

Get Lost in Gran Canaria April 2020 Events Spring has officially sprung (which isn´t saying much considering the lack of winter this year)! But the days are getting longer, the nights are getting warmer and the Gran Canaria cumbre is fully in bloom with wild flowers and fresh, spring air. It´s a perfect time not…

Almond Blossom Festivals Canary Islands

Almond Blossom Festivals in the Canary Islands Fiestas del Almendro en Flor Islas Canarias When the first almond blossoms burst into bloom along the slopes and valleys of the Canary Islands, spring fever starts to set in. One of the most charming spectacles on the islands are the first almost blossoms in January and February,…

Get Lost in Gran Canaria February Events Calendar

Get Lost in Gran Canaria February 2020 Events February may be the ¨coldest¨ month of the year in the Canary Islands, but with Carnival fever spreading like wildfire there will be plenty to keep you warm! The month starts off quietly enough with the always lovely almond blossom festivals in Tejeda, Valsequillo and Tunte, along…

Canary Islands Culture: La Noche de Finaos (not Halloween!)

La Noche de Finaos is a tradition in the Canary Islands, linked to All Saint´s Day and held on October 31 annually (the same day as Halloween). Like All Saint´s Day, Finaos in the Canaries celebrates, honors and remembers friends and family who have passed on. Families get together to share a meal, play music and remember stories of deceased loved ones.

Get Lost in Gran Canaria October Events Calendar

Get Lost in Gran Canaria October 2019 Events Autumn is in the air, there’s a chill in the breeze and the leaves are changing shades from green to gold… Just kidding! This is Gran Canaria and the weather forecast expects bikini season and high temperatures at least through November 😉. And since Canary Islands summer hasn´t…

Ultimate Guide: Apartment Hunting in Tenerife

I´ve lived in the Canary Islands since 2014 and my first home was Tenerife. I´ve lived in both Santa Cruz de Tenerife and in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and I´ve definitely learned a thing or two about apartment hunting in the islands.

Barranco de las Vacas Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has a bit of everything packed into it’s 1,560 square kilometers. Black, volcanic beaches, Sahara-like dunes stretching to the sea, impossible rock formations balancing from mountain peaks and dramatic cliffs and ravines dotted with deep, ancient caves that once housed the indigenous Canarii.
If you thought this photograph was shot in Utah’s Antelope Canyon, think again. This intricately carved ravine is located right here in Gran Canaria. Come see it for yourself!

Fuerteventura Off the Beaten Track: Camping in the Canary Islands

With only five days to explore Fuerteventura – the second largest of the Canary Islands – we would need to do a lot of moving around. We arrived without an itinerary, determined to follow the advice of locals on our search for the most beautiful beaches, and daily weather reports to avoid the wilder winds (Fuerteventura, after all, translates to “strong wind,” and for good reason.

Free Museum Entry to 7 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Museums

From centuries-old houses transformed into museums showcasing local artists and poets, to ancient cave paintings by the indigenous Canarii, there’s something for everyone in and around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Read on for the definitive list of 7 Gran Canaria museums that offer free entry on the first weekend of the month, and get to know a deeper side of this island paradise.

Carnaval in the Classroom: ESL Lesson Plans

One thing I’ve learnt Teaching English abroad is that there are many great opportunities to share your language, culture, traditions and celebrations, but if you want to keep your students completely engaged, try bringing their culture into the classroom! As an added bonus, you’ll learn a ton about local history, culture and traditions from your students! Read on for 10 Carnival activities and lesson plans for the ESL classroom!

Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife: The Biggest Bash in the Canary Islands

Usually January is considered a time to tighten up the budget and the post-holiday buns and to settle in for the less festive side of winter; but as most of Spain is packing up their poinsettias and nibbling on the last crumbs of turrón and Roscón de Reyes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is just warming up for the real party… Carnaval.

Getting Lost in 2017: A Year in Photos

The end of the year always leaves me with notes of nostalgia, and this morning as I lazily sipped my coffee I got to thinking about all the places I’ve gotten lost in 2017 (and some plans for the coming year!)

‘Tis the Season! Celebrating Christmas in Spain

Glittering fairy lights, oversized Christmas trees and the smoky scent of chestnuts and honey almonds roasting on an open fire. Dulce Navidad is playing in the shopping centers and long lines loop through El Corte Inglés. It’s the end of November and beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over Spain.

11 Ways to Overcome Homesickness Abroad

After the anticipation and farewells back home and the buzz and stress of getting started in your new ‘home’, it finally hits you. You’re here alone. Maybe you won the roommate jackpot or were blessed with a coworker that’s taken you under their wing, but if you’re like many brand new expats, this is probably the time that loneliness and homesickness are starting to set in.

La Fiesta de La Rama: Agaete’s Premiere Summer Party

We arrived around two and the fiesta was already in full force. Squeezing through the mobs of sweaty fiesteros and fishermen selling eucalyptus branches for 2 bucks a pop, we made our way through the crowded, narrow streets to Plaza de la Constitución, the heart of enchanting Agaete.

La Ruta del Pincho: Thursday Tapas in Historical Vegueta

Every Thursday night in Vegueta, the scent of mojo and mariscos fills the air and hungry patrons – both locals and guiris alike – fill every bar, terrace and square inch of sidewalk. It’s the weekly Ruta del Pincho aka Tapas Thursday in the historic center, where friends gather together to share a bucket (or 10) of botellínes and sample the countless pinchos on offer.