Islas Canarias
The Canary Islands are teaming with culinary curiosities for any adventure-seeking traveler. Considered one of the most popular tourist destinations for Spaniards, the islands are far less known to us Americans. Zingerman’s Food Tours is thrilled to team up with our long-time Spanish Partners, John and Ana, to explore the canarios culinary traditions.
We’ll eat and drink our way through these incredible islands as we dine on fresh fish, indigenous grape varieties, puchero canario, and even learn about the importance of bananas.
This tour will keep us on the move. We’ll island hop on local flights, boats, and ferries. It is unlike any other tour we’ve done before, and we’re so excited about it!
Canary Islands
Dates - February 24 - March 3, 2024
(We advise arriving Feb 23)
SOLD OUT
Price - $10,500 Per Person
Who?
The trip is designed for experienced travelers with a passion for great food made the traditional way. The activity level on this tour is Med/High; you can expect long walks, hiking, wading in the sea, and several boat rides.
Jura Cascades
What About Accommodations?
You will be staying in gorgeous 4- and 5-star lodging for this entire tour.
What’s Included?
Amazing food—all breakfasts, most lunches, and several dinners. We will enjoy traditional regional specialties made with local, fresh ingredients.
Behind-the-scenes visits with artisanal producers, local farmers, and hands-on cooking experiences.
All transportation during the tour, including inter-island flights and ferry rides.
A Zingerman’s tour host and our guides will be at your disposal at all times.
Hotel accommodations
What’s Not Included?
Airfare (to and from your home destination)
Alcoholic beverages (other than beverages with dinner or when they are specifically included in the itinerary)
Personal spending money
Additional Tips
Itinerary*
Day 1
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Welcome to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We’ll start out the day in the late morning with a welcome gathering before heading to the market.
Today we’ll be joining a local chef at the market while we shop for our afternoon cooking class materials. This afternoon we’ll learn how to create a handful of regional dishes before we sit down and enjoy our first meal together.
After lunch, which will include a local tasting experience of a very special vodka from Ingenio, Gran Canaria, we’ll make our way back to our hotel.
In the evening, you’re welcome to stroll the local scene with us for a light dinner or enjoy an evening cocktail by the pool.
Day 2
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
After breakfast, we’ll check out one of the most interesting places in Las Palmas with our local friend Carmen: Pueblo Canario, Nestor Martin Museum.
From there we’ll make our way through the historical downtown and go for tapas for lunch.
After getting a feel for Las Palmas, you’ll have the evening to continue exploring the city or relax at the hotel, as you’d like. We have a very exciting and full day tomorrow with an early departure.
This morning we depart early because it’s time to fly to Lanzarote.
Upon our arrival, we’ll go straight to the Salinas de Janubio salt flats and enjoy a curated salt tasting.
From there, we’ll head to one of the four National Parks on the Island, Timanfaya. While in Timanfaya, we’ll have lunch—including volcano-roasted chicken! Afterward, we’ll take a short walk around the park.
Lanzarote is known for its wine, so we couldn’t leave without a visit to the vines at one of the island’s best wineries (with its traditional vines planted in volcanic soil). We’ll enjoy a tasting and a lovely dinner amongst one of the most stunning landscapes in the wine world.
Tonight we’ll be staying in Puerto del Carmen.
Day 3
LANZAROTE
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll hop on the bus to take the ferry in Playa Blanca to Corralejo in Fuerteventura—where we’ll go to a farm to see the production and taste camel milk!
After a very exciting morning, we’ll enjoy a typical lunch in Fuerteventura of Cabrito Frito and Cabra Guisada at El Luchador in Valles de Ortega.
After lunch we’ll venture to a local creamery that makes Majorero Cheese from milk of the local goats of the island.
From the farm, we’ll make our way back to the airport where we’ll fly back to Gran Canaria, where well enjoy a light dinner in Las Palmas.
Day 4
FUERTE-VENTURA
The past few days have been pretty full, so we’ll depart a little later this morning before heading to lunch at restaurant Bodegon Vandama. After lunch, we visit the winery of Vandama and stroll around the vineyard.
From there, we’ll take the bus to La Cruz de Tejeda in the middle of the island, where few tourists go, to taste regional pastry (bienmesabe and pastas).
Tonight you can expect a light dinner of tapas for anyone who wants to go out for a walk and a bite to eat—casual and fun.
Day 5
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll make our way to El Goro to visit an Aloe Vera Plantation and factory. We’ll hear a brief explanation and try their products.
From there we’ll go to Vecindario to visit the Zafra Museum with our specialist in Gofio, Inma Melian, who runs the oldest working Gofio mill on the Canary Islands. While there we’ll enjoy a tasting of tomato, salt and olive oil. From there we’ll walk to visit the Gofio mill and to taste different types of gofio, (flour, corn, garbanzo...).
After our stroll, we’ll head to Guayadeque by bus for a lunch of Canary black pig at the restaurant Tagoror.
Tonight you’ll have time to relax on your own. We can help with suggestions if you’re still hungry after our big day. The city is yours to explore.
Day 6
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Get ready for a big fun-packed day! Eat a good breakfast.
Today we head to a platano plantation for a visit with the plantation owner. From there, we’ll head down the way for our next visit of the day at a local rum distillery, Arehucas.
Next it will be time for a pick-me-up at Los Berrazales coffee plantation, with a tasting and some snacks.
Afterward, we’ll visit an incredible creamery, El Cortijo Montañón en Galdar, with a tasting led by the cheesemaker.
Phew, it’s been a full day, and now it’s time to relax and enjoy an early dinner at a local fish restaurant on the island’s north coast.
Day 7
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
This morning you’ll get to enjoy some free time in Las Palmas until it is time for us to leave for the south coast. We’ll have a light lunch in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria before a boat ride along the coast. Swimming is optional, but encouraged—these waters are brilliant and meant to be enjoyed. As the sunsets, we’ll enjoy our last dinner at the restaurant, Mahul, in Puerto de Mogan.
Day 8
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
After breakfast we will say our goodbyes. Some of us will be leaving today, and others may be staying on for further explorations.
Day 9
Departing
*One thing to note: this itinerary is the current plan, and things may change. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described above. However, the nature of the places we’ll be visiting—not typical tourist destinations—means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.
