La Gomera painting vacation in Canary Islands

Planet

Environmental concerns are paramount to me and I think carefully about each trip and its potential impact on the environment, nature and wildlife.
La Gomera is a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve and there are many places on the island that take great pride in (and responsibility for) this accolade.

In the first instance we reach La Gomera by ferry. There is a small airport but I
believe the boat to be a more enjoyable way to travel as well as less polluting. there are a choice of two ferries and we take the slightly slower, cleaner one and have time to watch the magnificent cliffs loom ever nearer on our approach, which is often accompanied by dolphins.

The water on La Gomera is perfectly safe to drink and is delicious so there is absolutely no need for plastic bottles during this trip and their use will be seriously contested.

Sketching by its very nature is a pretty benign activity and during our stay we will be quiet, peaceful and respectful of the places we visit. Using marked trails we will leave only footprints and take only sketches, bringing all our rubbish with us at all times. La Gomera does not yet have a serious litter problem but bags will be available at all times to collect any we may find during our walks.

The hotel in which we stay, although fairly luxurious, has strong environmental policies in place which include solar panels supplying 45% of energy needs, LED lighting, timeflow taps, movement sensors in dimly-lit public areas, non-automatic changing of towels and recycling, including composting and waste water treatment. With their own water supply, they have won various tourism awards for their ongoing commitment to and improvement of their environmental policies.

They also have an organic permaculture garden which supplies some of the delicious fruit, vegetables and herbs available in their restaurants.

People

Traveling out each day to a different painting location we use a local driver and minibus.
Although we take breakfast and dinner each day in our hotel there will be lots of opportunities to sample the delicious local cuisine and many stops at small cafes.

The hotel itself uses locally sourced and produced goods wherever possible, and is involved with 2 children's charities both locally and internationally.

There will be the chance to try, and to buy the local 'palm honey', an unusual, delicious and sustainable product which the locals are very keen to keep alive, not only because it is traditional but also its production helps to keep the palms from being cleared and brings an added income to small-scale farmers .

We will visit the excellent interpretation center where we can learn about the history and culture of this unique island and how the locals are keeping their traditions alive and we will have the chance to visit locally-owned, small jewellery shops where they use the lava in bracelets and necklaces.