Tenerife

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, offers a wealth of contrasting scenery and culture.At the centre, lies the volcano, Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain at 3,718m. But don’t worry; these days Teide is a ‘sleeping beauty’, which last erupted in 1906. The long sandy beaches, water parks, modern shopping plazas and nightlife of the southern resorts of Las Americas and Los Cristianos, contrast starkly with the north of the island and its more sedate cities and towns:

• Puerto de la Cruz, historically Tenerife’s first tourist destination and home of the world famous Loro Park;
• La Laguna, steeped in history and recently recognised as a World Heritage Centre;
• Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, with its museums, art galleries and architecturally stunning Auditorium, holding rock and classical concerts, ballet and opera.

 

For the more adventurous, Tenerife’s, soaring cliffs and hills, offer some of most spectacular paragliding to be found anywhere. Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, will find there are many on-road and off-road hikes, either under your own steam, by bike, or on horseback.

 Go just a little off the beaten track and explore lush hidden valleys and ancient woodlands, or marvel at the natural mineral deposits and twisted rock formations of the Teide plateau. Tenerife is home to species of plants and animal life found nowhere else on Earth. For the golfer, Tenerife boasts many fine courses such as Buenavista, Amarilla Golf and host of the Tenerife open, the Abama Golf course, different enough to satisfy both the novice and challenge the more experienced player. 

The crystal clear waters around the island’s coast are perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, wind surfing and deep-sea fishing.

 They are also home to many resident and migratory whales and dolphins and you can see these wonderful creatures up close on a boat trip from the harbours of Los Gigantes, Puerto Colon, San Miguel or Los Cristianos  Add to the mix the island’s diverse cultural heritage and cuisine and you will discover in Tenerife, a holiday destination second to none, with first class hotels and self-catering accommodation.