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LIFE IS GRAN IN MOGAN

This island hideaway's a real treat

BY now you'd imagine that every inch of ground on Gran Canaria would be well known to Irish holidaymakers.

Not so! Twenty years ago, the little fishing village of Puerto Mogan on the south of the island was home to no more than 200 souls who looked to the Atlantic Ocean for their livelihood.

But, with a lovely little golden beach, it was inevitable that Puerto Mogan would not stay a hidden gem forever.

Slowly but surely the resort grew and it really took off four years ago with the opening of the Cordial Mogan Playa hotel, a superb property sited just 350 metres from that beach and beside the little shops and restaurants that give this resort its particular charm.

Puerto Mogan and the Cordial Hotel are ideal for two categories of holidaymakers, those bringing the kids along and those looking for a quiet time of their own.

It's not for those young in body as well as heart, who are hoping to meet the love of their life across a crowded bar or dance floor.

Stick with the bigger, better known resorts on Gran Canaria for that.

For families though, the hotel is a peach.With two big swimming pools, two kiddies pools, a brilliantly run club, there's any amount of facilities to occupy their minds and plenty of night-time activities too.

While the hotel caters brilliantly for children, the property is so big and cleverly designed that it is also lovely for older holidaymakers who just want to ease back and relax in the Canarian heat.

Suntrap

And it will be hot, regardless of what time of year you travel.

Statistically, Puerto Mogan is the hottest area of not just Gran Canaria, but the whole chain of islands.

The resort is at the foot of the mountains, and as it is caught between two over-looking cliffs, Puerto Mogan is something of a little sun trap.

Locals will proudly tell you that the temperature in the town will always be eight to ten degrees hotter than in the island's capital of Las Palmas to the north.

After a day at the beach, by the pool or exploring inland, you can stroll through the town of Puerto Mogan, which is known as Little Venice because of the bridges and canals that criss-cross it.

Given the town's history, it is no surprise that lovely fish restaurants are located on every corner. When you go into one, don't be afraid to experiment.

The waiter will always encourage you to pick the local produce, pointing out that those fish you are used to, such as cod, salmon etc, will all be frozen and imported.

On the other hand the dorada and its friends will all have been landed at the pier down the road that morning.

Sometimes when you are on holiday, Irish bars are best avoided - but Mogan's bucks that trend.

It's run by a family from Cork who discovered this place on a holiday of their own two decades ago and their business has grown with the town.

Colourful

And they've integrated so well with the local way of life that the pub often opens from 3am in the morning to allow the fishermen have a cup of coffee and breakfast when they land their catch.

We had a meal there, starters and main course each, bottle of wine and a drink to finish. Throwing a tip in, it came to €40. You just won't beat that.

On your way down to the town, try not to just rush through the Gardens at the Mogan Playa.

Over €1 million was spent on importing plants from other warm climates to create a beautiful and colourful walkway.

One thing that really impressed us about our stay in the Cordial Mogan was the number of Spanish holiday-makers we met.

No matter where you travel it's a good sign when the locals are on holiday there too.

John Brennan travelled with Sunway Holidays and stayed in the 4*plus Cordial Mogan Playa.

Sunway operates from Cork and Dublin to Gran Canaria with prices starting from €399 per person. Go to www.sunway.ie or call Sunway 01-2886828 for the latest offers and you might win your holiday with their €20,000 online giveaway.

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