The Finca de Osorio is an old country estate surrounded by laurel, cork oak and chestnut forests. You need permission to visit but it is a great spot for a walk and a picnic. 

Bananas don't grow on trees and won't exist in 20 years. The plants hate growing alone and wander about in their fields. Here are ten surprising facts about the happy yellow fruit that you never knew. Watch the video right to the end for the talking banana.

The Catholic church rather than the local tourist authorities still decides when to open church doors in Gran Canaria. This means that some of the island's prettiest churches, such as the Puerto de las Nieves hermitage, are often closed during the day.

There's more to Arucas old town than the great big church. Walk up the narrow cobbled streets behind the cathedral for great old Canarian houses and local street life, then head down narrow Calle Gourié to the High Street (Calle León y Castillo).

Arucas town is famous for its colossal Gothic church built with bug money (see below). Oh, its also got a rum distillery and one of the best preserved town centres on the island.