Sometimes, words spoken in the innocence of childhood can have a profound and lasting impact on our lives. This is exactly what happened to Héléna, whose dream, expressed several years ago, finally came true on La Gomera, a Canary Island rich in discovery and unique experiences. Here’s how that dream took shape, through a series of unexpected adventures and fascinating revelations.
Childhood dreams forgotten
At the age of 4, Héléna had declared that she wanted to live in Fuerteventura. This statement, which seemed like a simple childish reflection, was quickly forgotten, drowned out by vacation memories. Life went on without paying it any particular attention, and Héléna’s childhood dream remained buried among so many other thoughts.
First solo trips
At the age of 17, Héléna obtained her parents’ permission to travel alone, and chose to go to Kiruna, a Swedish town located in the Arctic Circle. There, she discovered an environment radically different from her everyday life, covered in snow and imbued with an almost unreal tranquility. This powerful experience awakened in her a desire to discover unusual places and explore distant horizons.
Kiruna, with its icy landscapes and long winter nights, left an indelible imprint on Héléna’s heart. The northern lights and snow-covered landscapes offered a unique perspective on life, in stark contrast to her sunny memories. This immersion in cold and solitude reinforced her desire to find places that, while different, would bring similar inner peace.
Discovering La Gomera
After exploring the icy charms of Kiruna, Héléna felt the need to find somewhere gentler, yet still peaceful. Leafing through photos and travel guides, she discovered La Gomera, an often overlooked Canary Island. Attracted by its lush landscapes and serene atmosphere, she decided to book a vacation to explore the island for herself.
La Gomera turned out to be a real hidden treasure. Its green valleys, primary laurel forests and impressive volcanic landscapes offered Héléna a totally different visual and sensory experience. The island, with its varied hiking trails and picturesque villages, proved to be the ideal place to recharge one’s batteries and discover a new culture.
Première expérience à La Gomera
Le séjour de Héléna débuta par une semaine au Parador de San Sebastián, un hôtel prestigieux situé sur les hauteurs de la ville. Offrant des vues panoramiques spectaculaires sur l’océan et les montagnes environnantes, cet établissement est réputé pour son service impeccable et son ambiance raffinée. Les chambres, avec leurs grandes baies vitrées, permettent de contempler les levers de soleil sur l’Atlantique, faisant de cet hôtel un lieu idéal pour se ressourcer.
Les excursions organisées par l’hôtel permettent de découvrir les merveilles locales, telles que les plages de sable noir et les panoramas époustouflants sur les montagnes. Les visiteurs peuvent également profiter de moments de détente dans le spa de l’hôtel, avec des soins inspirés des traditions locales et des produits naturels.
Après cette expérience luxueuse, Héléna chercha à explorer une autre facette de l’île. Elle passa donc la seconde semaine à l’Hôtel Valle Gran Rey. Cet établissement plus modeste, situé au bord de la mer dans la vallée éponyme, se distingue par son ambiance conviviale et sa proximité avec divers restaurants et boutiques locales. Avec une piscine sur le toit offrant des vues imprenables et un restaurant servant des plats locaux, l’Hôtel Valle Gran Rey devint rapidement un de ses favoris pour ses caractéristiques charmantes et accessibles.
Les soirées au bord de la piscine, les repas en plein air et les découvertes culinaires enrichirent l’expérience de séjour d’Héléna. La proximité de l’hôtel avec des sentiers de randonnée et des plages secrètes permet aux visiteurs de plonger dans la nature environnante et de profiter de la tranquillité de l’île.
Staying at Finca Argayall: A rewarding experience
Héléna was also lucky enough to stay at Finca Argayalla unique community located in Valle Gran Rey, on the west coast of La Gomera. This place, whose name translates as “place of light” in the Guanche language(Guanche, also known as Canarian Berber, Canarian Amazigh or island Tamazight, is the now extinct language spoken by the Guanches, the indigenous people of the Canary Islands. . Il appartient au groupe berbère de la famille des langues chamito-sémitiques) offers a fascinating and enriching community living experience. Nestled on a four-hectare property adjacent to a tranquil bay, the finca promotes the values of exchange and sharing.
The stay at Finca Argayall was a memorable one for Héléna. The community is known for living in harmony with nature and for the warm welcome it extends to its guests. Residents live and work together, creating an environment conducive to learning and meeting other travelers from diverse backgrounds. Héléna particularly appreciated the community aspect and the concept of sharing experiences and knowledge. This type of stay is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in an alternative lifestyle while discovering the local culture from another angle.
However, it’s important to note that, although the atmosphere is friendly and international, Spanish is not the main language spoken; English and German predominate, which can make learning Spanish a little less immersive. Despite this, exchanges with community members and other guests offer a rich intercultural experience.
Finca Argayall was recently hit by a landslide in November 2020, but the community’s resilience has enabled it to continue welcoming visitors. The site offers a variety of programs, including the “Argayall Experience”, a month-long transformational program for young people, allowing participants to experience intense community living. The program offers workshops on sustainable living, meditation and group activities, creating an environment conducive to personal growth.
For those wishing to visit Finca Argayall, it is advisable to visit their website for details of bookings and programs on offer, as well as to support the community through donations if desired. Staying at Finca Argayall not only allows you to discover a magical place, but also to experience a way of life that encourages personal reflection and connection with other individuals in an exceptional natural setting.
Love at first sight for the island
That first visit to La Gomera was a defining moment for Héléna. The island’s breathtaking beauty, secret beaches and tranquil lifestyle captured her heart. The island proved to be the ideal place to realize her plans. This dream, formulated as a child in Fuerteventura, was no mere fantasy, but a harbinger of the path her life would take. Today, Héléna works passionately to make this dream a reality, and the future promises many more discoveries and achievements on this magnificent island.
A new start on La Gomera
It’s in La Gomera, with its wild landscapes, lush forests and peaceful atmosphere, that Héléna has decided to make this new start. Every day, she immerses herself a little more in the local culture, learns the language with passion, and carefully plans every step of her project.
This island, less touristy than its neighbors, offers an exceptional quality of life. The inhabitants of La Gomera live in harmony with nature, with a slower, more serene pace of life. It’s this simplicity and authenticity that appealed to Héléna, and which is attracting more and more visitors in search of tranquillity.
Practical information for travellers
If, like Héléna, you’re dreaming of discovering La Gomera, here are some practical tips for getting there from Switzerland.
From Switzerland
To reach La Gomera, you first need to fly to Tenerife Sud, the closest island to La Gomera with an international airport. From Switzerland, you have several options. You can fly from Basel or Geneva airport with EasyJet, or from Zurich with Swiss or Edelweiss. The flight takes around four and a half hours.
On arrival in Tenerife South
Once you’ve arrived at Tenerife South airport, you have several options for getting to La Gomera. If you’ve rented a car, it’s advisable to pick it up at the airport. This will enable you to transport your luggage comfortably and get to the port of Los Cristianos, around 15-20 minutes away. It’s important to note that not all car rental companies allow you to cross between islands. Only CICAR, a local company, allows crossings from Tenerife to La Gomera. CICAR is reputed to be a relatively expensive option, charging around 35 euros per day for car rental. This rate is similar on the island of La Gomera, where other local agencies charge comparable prices. However, choosing CICAR can offer greater flexibility if you plan to travel between islands with your rental car.
Take the ferry to La Gomera
At the port of Los Cristianos, you can buy your tickets for the crossing to La Gomera online or directly at the ticket office. Two main companies serve the island: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express. The crossing takes around 50 minutes and costs around 100 euros for two people with a car, or around 30 euros for one person without a car. Residents of the Canary Islands benefit from substantial discounts, reducing the fare to just 10 euros per person.
If you don’t rent a car, on arrival in Tenerife Sud, leave the airport and follow the signs for cabs. Ask the driver to take you to the port of Los Cristianos, a journey that costs around 30 euros. Once at the port, buy your ferry ticket (approx. 30 euros per adult) and wait in the port hall. Your luggage will be taken care of free of charge, allowing you to board the boat with the other passengers, unencumbered by your suitcases.
On board the ferry
Once on board the ferry, you’ll find snacks to refresh you during the crossing. Although the sea can be a little rough at times, the crossing is relatively short, lasting just 50 minutes. The ferry is a fast and convenient way to reach La Gomera, while offering beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding islands. It’s a chance to relax before arriving at your destination, with the excitement of discovering the magnificent scenery that awaits you on the other side.
On arrival in La Gomera
Once you’ve arrived at the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, the island’s capital, you have several options for reaching your final destination. If you have a car, you can head straight for the road. La Gomera’s roads are in excellent condition, but they are winding and can be demanding for drivers not used to mountain roads.
If you prefer to use public transport, buses are also available to take you around the island. You can consult the timetables on the official La Gomera transport website. Buses are a convenient and affordable option, 5 euros from San Sebastian to Valle Gran Rey to explore the island without having to worry about driving on winding roads.
If you don’t have a car, take a cab to your destination. For example, a trip from San Sebastián to Valle Gran Rey, one of the island’s popular tourist destinations, costs around 75 euros. Alternatively, you can choose to spend a night in Tenerife before taking the ferry, depending on the time of your arrival flight.
There’s another, much smaller Fred Olsen boat that stops at san sebastian, playa santiago and Valle Gran rey. There are several boats a day, costing 20 euros from san sebastian to Valle Gran rey.
Conclusion
Héléna’s journey from Fuerteventura to La Gomera is a story of perseverance and passion. Her project is still a work in progress, but the foundations have been laid to transform her childhood dream into a reality firmly rooted on this magical island. This adventure has only just begun, and La Gomera, with all it has to offer, seems the perfect place to make this dream a reality.
