Experience the best of La Gomera

La Gomera is one of the smaller Canary Islands, a round volcanic island cut by deep ravines that radiate from the centre to the sea. The high middle is covered by Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO-listed laurel forest of moss, ferns and mist, a survivor from ages when such forests spread across southern Europe. Terraced fields climb the steep valleys, and the coast is a series of black-sand coves and tall cliffs.

Silbo Gomero, a whistled language once used by shepherds to talk across the ravines, is still taught in the island's schools and is recognised by UNESCO. Valle Gran Rey, a green valley of banana plantations, runs down to the sea in the south-west, and from the water the basalt columns of Los Órganos can be seen on the north coast. Tenerife lies across the channel, reached by ferry.

Almogrote, a spicy paste of local cheese, and palm honey, syrup boiled from the sap of Canary palms, are the island's signature foods, with watercress stew, goat meat and gofio, a toasted-grain flour. The island is mild all year, with mist on the heights. The forest paths are cool and damp underfoot, even when the coast is sunny.