In January 2022, I decided to treat myself to a winter getaway in Gran Canaria, staying in the off season, which made it very affordable. For the first time in my life, I opted for an all-inclusive hotel, and I was pleasantly surprised by the decent offering with good food, evening entertainment and all day bar. The only downside was that the hotel’s outdoor pools were not heated, so the water was far too cold for swimming.

I stayed in Maspalomas, a popular area known for its dunes and beaches. While the beach was nice, I quickly found that there wasn’t much to do on the island beyond the usual tourist traps. The main town didn’t stand out, and overall, Gran Canaria felt more like a place to relax rather than explore.

I booked a package holiday with Tui, and they did a good job, especially with the transfers from the airport to the hotel being seamless and stress-free. All in all, it was a peaceful and affordable break, but perhaps not the most exciting destination for those looking for more than sun and sand.