AN INTERVIEW WITH ANTONIO GARCÍA DE CÁRDENAS
By Barrie Mahoney
Antonio García de Cárdenas is a man with a vision. Now officially retired, leaving his daughter Carolina to continue the success of Cárdenas Real Estate, his passion for life and his love of Gran Canaria are as strong as ever. At last, Antonio has more time to enjoy and continue to develop his home in the beautiful area of Monte León, which he built in the year 2000.
What made you choose to live in Monte León?
I love the feeling of space, and the natural landscape of Monte León, with views right down to the sea is simply marvellous. Besides, all the properties have large and beautiful gardens and more than enough space for anything you want to do. The area is safe and we have good neighbours here, but it’s nice to have sufficient space between each other to enjoy the peace and quiet. In Monte León, you get the feeling of being exclusive and special – as though this beautiful area were all just for you.
What makes Monte León so special?
Monte León is an island within an island. Here, you can get away from the crowds and the stress of daily life and be more in touch with nature. Much of the countryside surrounding Monte León is protected by Spanish law, so the natural beauty and wildlife are safeguarded and the area will never be overdeveloped as you see elsewhere on Gran Canaria. In Monte León, you feel as though you were in another world, and yet the area is well connected and everything is just a few minutes’ drive away – shopping centres, restaurants, beaches, golf courses, you name it.
What about the wildlife of Monte León?
Besides the many exotic birds that fly free from the nearby Palmitos Park, there are lots of wild birds in this mountainous area. It’s common to see birds of prey, such as the buzzard, hovering over the land as they hunt for food, for example. Wildlife keeps away from busy tourist and residential areas and here in the mountains the creatures are safe. In Monte León, you will also find a variety of beautiful wild plants that are unique to Gran Canaria and not found anywhere else.
What activities can you do around Monte León?
Many people come to this area for walking or cycling holidays because the roads are safe and the views are spectacular. There are many footpaths and trails winding through the mountains and the views of the reservoir at Ayaguares and of Palmitos Park are just lovely.
There are tunnels that carry water away from the reservoirs in large pipes that have enough space for walkers to pass through. In this way it is possible to take a short cut through mountain areas rather than go over them. By travelling on foot, you can get to parts of the island impossible for cars to reach and discover hidden areas of unique beauty.
What does the future hold, now that you are retired?
Now, I keep busy enjoying my family and continuing to develop my home and garden in Monte León. It’s wonderful to have the time to reflect and to take in the natural beauty of the area – time to enjoy the best of what life has to offer.
