La Gomera is the Canary Islands stripped bare. Its beaches are quiet, its villages are sleepy and its countryside is fleeced with forests and dramatic mountain ridges. The catalogue of valleys and ravines make the island an obvious choice for walkers. But trekking isn’t the only activity on offer here. Scuba divers can swim through bath-warm waters as they search for tuna, parrotfish and trumpet fish.
If you fancy getting to grips with La Gomera’s rugged interiors, this trip is ideal. You’ll set off from La Gomera’s capital, San Sebastian, which is packed with low-rise, brightly-coloured houses, and narrow, winding streets. The Valley of Hermigua, which is well-known for its sprawling banana plantations, is first on the agenda today. You’ll get a good look at the vast fields on your way to Agulo, a pretty village that’s surrounded by a huge basalt wall, which measures 300 metres high. There’ll be a photo stop here, so you can get out and enjoy the panoramas across the Atlantic Sea. If you’re really lucky and the weather is clear, you’ll be able to see Tenerife in the distance, too. Finally, you’ll drive through the sweeping Garajonay National Park, an ancient ecosystem that’s part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage collection. Look out for wildlife unique to the area, as you pass Jurassic-sized ferns and spiky cacti. There’ll be one more stop en route to the ship at Agando – an area of bizarre basalt rock formations that have formed over thousands of years.
La Gomera moves at a much sleepier pace than its Canary Island neighbours. The island’s main attractions are its lush valleys, rocky mountains and sprawling greenery, and this driving tour will give you a great introduction to the landscape. It begins in the peaceful capital, San Sebastián, where you’ll board a coach at the city’s harbour, before trundling past the rainbow-coloured houses that tumble down the hillside. Once upon a time, San Sebastian was the HQ of Christopher Columbus, and you’ll pass La Asuncion Church where he and his crew attended mass before setting off to find the new world. Leaving the capital behind, you’ll head south to Los Roques de Agando, a well-known viewpoint that looks out over a surreal rock formation. After a photo stop here, you’ll continue through the pretty villages of Chipude and El Cercado, the latter of which is famous across the island for its beautiful pottery. There’ll be a final stop in the village of Arure, where you’ll enjoy a demonstration of the local whistling language, ‘El Silbo’. Afterwards, you can sample some of the local liquor, Mistela – a sweet mix of grape juice and brandy – before you head back to the ship.
La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park is an ancient ecosystem that stretches for over 15 square miles. Its deep gorges and thick woodland have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the hundreds of walking trails here mean visitors can enjoy it from every angle. On this tour, you’ll don your hiking boots for a trek through the park’s humid depths. You’ll set off with your guide through the Laurisilva Forest first of all, making tracks for Garajonay Rock. At over 1,487 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point on the island and, on a clear day, the views stretch all the way out to Tenerife and La Palma. Continuing through Laurel Forest, you’ll pick a path along a watercourse, which eventually leads to a tiny chapel. Then, you’ll journey through El Cedro Forest, which is set in the heart of the park. Ancient trees, blackberry bushes and cacti line the bumpy paths here, and you’ll follow them to the end of the trail, ready for a scenic drive back to the ship.
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