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Helena shares her tips for a family holiday in Gran Canaria
Flight attendant and mother of two, Helena, loves to travel both for work and pleasure, and after a long stay in Gran Canaria with her family, she has several good recommendations and hidden gems to share with us. Get to know Helena better and get her tips here!
- Name: Helena Jönsson
- Position: senior cabin crew member
- Residence: based in Copenhagen, Denmark, but live in Lomma, Sweden.
- Other: I have visited 34 of the states in the USA and hope to visit them all, I love American roadtrips!
What is your favourite destination for a family holiday?
- Gran Canaria! I think this is a great destination for families with young children. And it's not too far away, just about 5,5 hours from Copenhagen.
The island has the perfect combination of big city vibes, small town cozyness, shopping, beaches, mountains and last but not least many well kept playgrounds! The weather is perfect and it's small enough so that you can explore a big part of the island in a short time.
Helenas top three recommendations in Gran Canaria:
- Where to stay: Arguineguín
- - I recommend staying in Arguineguín, it has a very kid friendly beach, Playa Costa Alegre. It is sheltered from the waves of the ocean and the kids can swim safely there. The town is also located close to the popular beaches Amadores and Anfi del Mar and has plenty of fun playgrounds for the kids.
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![beach and palm trees seen from sideways angle]()
Photo:private - Best tapas: El Bistro Tapas in Arguineguín
- - It's a small restaurant located in an older looking shoppingcentre but don't be put off by that, the food is amazing! Even though the location is quite hidden the good reputation isn't so make sure to reserve a table in advance.
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![tapas spread on a table]()
Photo: private - Explore: Fátaga
- - Rent a car or take the bus to explore the island. Visit the small villages in the mountains and be amazed by the breathtaking mountain views. Why not start with Fátaga that is less than 40 minutes away from Arguineguín.
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![small village in mountains]()
Photo: private
Do you have a travel tip when flying with children?
- Pack plenty of things to keep them occupied, toys, crayons (that are easy to remove if the kids accidentally color on the tray table 😂), activity books etc.
I bought the Norwegian Plus plus airplane and it kept my 4 year old occupied for half the flight to Gran Canaria.
What do you always pack in your suitcases?
-It's not exactly in my suitcase but I always travel with a backpack cooler as handluggage. I usually bring some extra snacks and food for the kids on flights, and that way I can keep it fresh for longer. And at the destination it's perfect for keeping things cool during sunny beachdays!
How did you land in Norwegian?
-I was working for two other airlines before coming to Norwegian and I kept hearing good things about Norwegian. But it was first when one of my friends started there and confirmed that it was actually a great place to work that I decided to apply. I got the job and here I am 12 years later!
What's the most fun or unusual thing you’ve ever experienced while working?
-Seeing a passenger sleeping with his ears and eyes covered and mouth taped shut. I didn't know if he needed help, was on a bachelor party or did this willingly, but a fellow crew members assured me that it was a only a new trend to sleep with your mouth taped.
I also had a passenger recognizing me from my Instagram page @flightattendanthelena, I dont have that many followers so what are the odds!
What does the Norwegian way mean to you?
-Its about having a big heart and being a person that can talk to anyone about anything, a good listener and someone who is serviceminded down to the details.