On this trip you’ll see why Gran Canaria is described as a miniature continent. You’ll leave behind the long sandy beaches that run like bunting along the south coast of the island, and make your way to the north. The landscape here is a canvas of mountains, banana plantations, and protected natural areas. And it’s in one of these natural areas that you’ll make your first stop. The Bandama Natural Monument is protected for its unique geological features. There’s a gaping volcanic crater here that’s more than 1,000 metres wide in places. The slopes of this caldera are mossy green and teeming with unique plant species. The hike to the bottom takes half an hour, but this trip gives you a much less exhausting way to soak up the scenery. You’ll head into Bandama Royal Golf Club on the rim on the crater and enjoy the views over a cup of coffee. From here, you’ll carry on your drive around the north of Gran Canaria, stopping to take photos at a second volcanic crater, before you arrive at a local cattle ranch. You’ll meet artisans, who are specialists in making Gran Canarian cheese. Have a taste, but don’t fill yourself up, because the next stop is lunch. The menu at Bascamao is as unique as the views it serves up from its terrace. Expect authentic island dishes like sancocho soup and oven-roasted pork ribs. You’ll end your day with a visit to Arucas, where Spanish colonial architecture and a grand church make a surprising contrast to the vintage farmland that surrounds it.