La Gomera is the second smallest of the seven islands which form the Canarian archipelago. It is almost circular in shape, with an area of 369 km². It is situated next to the island of Tenerife, separated by 28 km at the closest point.

Geologically speaking, it is the oldest of the seven Canary Islands. It last volcanic eruption took place two million years ago. This has given the island certain characteristics, principally produced by erosion. This erosion has formed spectacular ravines and impressive peaks above the surface and coastal cliffs of singular beauty. The centre of the island is formed by the peak of the Garajonay. It is the highest point of the island, ascending to 1.487 m. The peak receives its name from the national park or "Parque Nacional de Garajonay", a protected space covering 11% of the island surface in an exuberant green carpet.

The municipal district of Valle Gran Rey is situated in the SW of the island of La Gomera. A land of extraordinary and beautiful rural landscapes, where erosion has sculpted a peculiar terrain of steep slopes and fertile valleys in a living example of how man has lived side by side with nature. The land is intensively terraced between palm groves and traditional architecture of great historic and cultural value.

Farming, livestock and traditional fishing formed the foundation of the municipal economy until the late seventies. From then, the development of the tourist industry took its first steps. Tourism and the primary sector now make up the driving force of the economy of Valley Gran Rey.

Of all its traditions, we should draw your attention to the "Ofrenda del Ramo", or the Branch Offering, which takes place in Arure during the Fiestas of San Salvador, on the sixteenth of August. This offering of hand made local produce like fruit, flowers and traditional pastries and cakes is one of the most traditional characteristics of the fiestas of La Gomera.

In accordance with ancestral customs, a family is chosen to prepare the offering in payment of a promise made. On the day of the Fiesta, their family home is an open house for everyone wishing to take part in the celebrations. The branch is carried in procession to the rhythm of "chacaras" (a kind of large castanet) and drums and placed at the feet of the Saint as an offering. It is then offered to the family chosen to carry on this peculiar tradition the next year.

This custom of offering a branch in thanksgiving has now spread to other festivities held in the municipality. Some examples of this are the festivities Nuestra Señora de los Santos Reyes, the sixth of January, as the two patron saints of Valle Gran Rey, and Nuestra Señora de La Salud and San Buenaventura, held on the fourteenth of July in Arure.

Apart from those mentioned above, other leading fiestas include the fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de Fatima, the thirteenth of May in Arure, San Antonio de Padua, the thirteenth of July in Vueltas, the Virgin del Buen Viaje in Tagaluche on the last weekend in August and the Virgin del Coromoto in Las Hayas on the first weekend in September.

Valle Gran Rey has managed to maintain its traditions, whilst at the same time fighting for sustainable development, thus offering visitors a range of top quality alternatives in a setting of outstanding beauty.