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Tenerife, Gomera, Hierro and
La Palma Travel Guide
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About Tenerife: Tenerife is often called a paradise island and for good reason! The island experiences sunshine around the year, has an abundance of world class hotels and offers an exceptional choice of cuisine set against the stunning background of Mount Teide. The choice of hotels in Tenerife is quite staggering with everything from affordable 3 star hotels to top class 5 star luxury hotels available. Whether you are planning a romantic break away, a quick 'run to the sun' or a fortnight long family holiday, Tenerife really does have something for everyone. Wikipedia: Tourism is more prevalent in the south of the island, which is hotter and drier and has many well developed resorts such as Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. More recently coastal development has spread northwards from Playa de las Americas and now encompasses the former small enclave of La Caleta. The area known as Costa Adeje (Las Américas-Los Cristianos) comprises many world-class facilities and leisure opportunities besides sea and sand, such as quality shopping centres, golf courses ( 9 in the island), restaurants, aquaparks, animal parks. In the more lush and green north of the island the main development for tourism has been in the town of Puerto de la Cruz. The town itself has kept some of its old-harbour town charm mixed with northern European influences. Islas Travel Guide: The island is dominated by the giant snow capped volcano Mount Teide, which at 3,700m high is Spain's highest peak. This will be the first sight you see when flying in, and it never ceases to take your breath away! Mount Teide effectively splits the island in two. The cooler northern part is a lush tropical paradise with banana plantations and palm trees. Here, you will have a number of more cloudy days, and perhaps even a few rain days. In contrast the south of the island is hot and dry with almost a desert like landscape. Flights to Tenerife from the UK take around 4.1/2 hours, landing at the Reina Sofia International airport in the south of the island. However, since October 2003 both Britannia Airways and GB Airways, a subsidiary of British Airways, also operate 2 flights a week into the magnificent new terminal at Los Rodeos airport in the north. Gomera Gomera
- Canary Travel: The Gomera scenery is surprisingly
varied and full of contrasts; impressive gorges, grand rock monoliths,
marvellous palm groves and the Garajonay National Park, which offers
an unprecedented ecological treasure of crystal clear waters and lush
laurel forests. There is such a variety of microclimates that just a
few kilometres away in the south west of the Island, temperatures are
pleasantly temperate, reaching 20ºC in winter and 29ºC in
summer. Hierro Hierro.com: El Hierro is the smallest island of the entire archipelago. Its 278 km2 offer a terrain of great diversity: from the fascinating volcanic formations in the south and west, passing through the dense pine and laurel forests of the central zone up into the northwest to fertile land of the El Golfo Valley with vineyards and plantations. On this little island
born of a volcano, clocks lose their purpose. As you breathe in its
tranquillity, you begin to abandon yourself to the earth’s force
which is evident in this whimsical theatre of twisted lava. Here, anything
is possible: bathe in a hillside salt pond, contemplate the multicoloured
capital, Valverde, or travel back millennia through the archaeology
of El Tagoror. La Palma Isla de La Palma Guide: Mountains and volcanoes, beaches and forests, a tropical rainforest, tiny villages and breathtaking views. On La Palma there is much to see in a small area. La Palma is, according to many people, the most beautiful Canary island, unspoilt by tourism and ideal for rest, peace and quiet, walking and hiking. The island has many surprisingly different areas of natural beauty and enjoys a stable climate: pleasant temperatures in all seasons, warm in the winter, not too hot in the summer. Tenerife Living Tenerife: With year-round average temperatures of 23C/73F, the climate is the envy of Europe. But this is only one reason why the Canary Islands attracts millions of visitors every year. Some seek nothing more than to leave with a healthy glow and postcard memories of snoozing on golden sand. Others are keen to explore the mysteries that lie huddled within mountainous folds and deep valleys. Whatever the reasons, at only four hours flying time from the UK, the province of Tenerife is a sub-tropical paradise that beckons you to return time and time again. Although geographically African, lying just over 150 miles off the west coast of Morocco, Tenerife is distinctly Spanish with whitewashed villages, swaying palm trees and a laid back demeanor that can switch into party mode at the merest mention of the word ‘fiesta’.
Tenerife Highlights Barranco del Infierno The main attraction of Adeje is the nearby Barranco del Infierno, the deepest gorge in not only in Tenerife but the Canary Islands. The very impressive steep sides of the deep Hell's gorge Barranco del Infierno can be reached by a trail from Adeje. Allow around 4 hours for a return hike. Strong footwear and additional clothing advised. There is a small 80 metre high waterfall in the upper reaches of the ravine, with amazing views to be seen. Mount
Teide - Spanish living:Tenerife ’s most famous feature is its
extraordinary volcanic landscape. The island is home to the world’s
third highest volcano – majestic Mount Teide which at 3,718 metres
is the tallest peak in Spain. The volcano is the centre piece of Las
Cañadas national park which is littered with eerie lava formations.
And the black sand and shingle of many of the island’s beaches
are further reminders of Tenerife’s volcanic nature. The 14-minute
cable car ride to the summit of Mount Teide is top of the excursion
list for most visitors to the island. The crater is a staggering 20
kilometres wide and has an 80-kilometre circumference. It’s home
to one of Spain’s most unusual government-owned Parador hotels
where guests enjoy the unique experience of sleeping inside an extinct
volcano and waking up to the most breath taking views imaginable. San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the former capital of Tenerife, is an historic Canary Islands city with a long university tradition. Its model colonial layout, awarded World Heritage status, contains several of the island's major religious buildings, including the Cathedral, as well as a multitude of ancestral homes from the 17th and 18th centuries. Garachico
- Puntoinfo: King Juan Carlos I awarded the town the Fine Arts Gold
Medal for paying special attention to its artistic and historic heritage
and for taking such good care of its streets, squares and gardens. Garachico
has won other national distinctions and prizes too. Garachico was declared
a place of cultural interest, with the category of "Historic Site",
by the Canary Island regional government in March 1994. Los Gigantes Rocks: The word giants that describes the cliffs is gigantes in Spanish. These giant cliffs form part of the mostly rugged landscape of the Teno mountain range that stops on the shore just before Buenavista del Norte. Los Silos borders the same valley and, the Teno further to the east. The gigantic rocks rise steeply out of a 30m depth from the ocean bed. They often scrape the clouds going 600 meters up in some parts. Days Out
Lago
Martianez
or, Lagos de Martianez has become one of the world travel destinations
for Tenerife tours. It offers several water parks a casino and restaurant Flipper Uno Masca Bay: Sailing out of the harbour of Los Gigantes aboard the Flipper Uno on a 2.5 hour excursion to find whales and dolphins. You will be served sandwiches and drinks whilst enjoying the cliffs of Masca Bay and Los Gigantes. The Flipper Uno sails to Teno in the north to Playa San Juan in the south before returning to Los Gigantes. In the bay of Masca you have the opportunity to go for a swim in the clear blue waters surrounding Tenerife. Chicken paella, bread and fruit is also served and included in the whole price of the excursion. Castle San Miguel is an incredible construction consisting of an expanse of 6,000 square metres and made of Canarian canto stone, with principal towers of more than 16 metres in height and wide parking areas on a terrain of 20,000 square metres .From the moment you enter the grounds, you find yourself in an authentic medieval world. The entrance is decorated with historical armour, swords, chests and scrolls of the medieval epoch. The Count, Don Rodrigo, and his daughter, the young Countess, receive you with greetings and wishing you welcome to their Castle. The friendly subjects of Count Rodrigo will escort you to the Tournament Room, where they will carry out a complex performance of medieval fighting and games in the presence of the Count, who watches from his spectator box. Festivals: While Tenerife's art, music and film festivals are at the top of their game, the island's popular festivals maintain a traditional, folk and even rural vibe. For example, one of the most popular ways to honor the various patron saints is with what is called a "romería," a colorful pilgrimage of sorts featuring oxen-drawn carts, folk music, and traditional Canarian attire. As you'll see, a
pretty hefty chunk of Tenerife's cultural agenda consists of festivals
linked to the Catholic calendar- Christmas, Easter, Corpus Christi,
towns' patron saints' days, etc. However, since the religious connotations
for many of these festivals were added as an afterthought to formerly
pagan celebrations -the Tenerife Carnival, for example-, these local
religious festivals double as a showcase of typical Canarian culture-
clothes, music, dance, traditions, superstitions and so forth.
Tours Freebird Jeep Tours specialises in offering a wide range of tours encompassing the highlights of both Tenerife and the neighbouring island of La Gomera. The chauffeur driven fleet of Open Top and Closed VIP Jeeps with guides who converse in 10 languages, provide extensive coverage and knowledge of both the island and local traditions and cultures, with friendly and informative commentaries. The Open Top Jeeps provide an entertaining adventure for all ages and the VIP Jeeps allow guests to experience the excursions relaxing in the comfort and luxury of our air conditioned jeeps. Dolphin
and Whale Watching:
The clear Atlantic water’s around the Los Gigantes region are famous
world wide, amongst marine biologists, as they serve either as a permanent
home, or as a temporary feeding ground, for an astounding array of Whale
and Dolphin species. The trips offered by theNashira Uno provide visitors,
young and old, the opportunity to observe these gentle giants of the
deep. The most common species encountered are the Bottlenose Dolphin
and the Long Finned Pilot Whale. EuroSol: Tours in Tenerife are many and varied. Local Operators make changes to their tours regularly, and always seem to come up with something different, to keep the itinerary fresh and the tours different for those who like to go on them regularly. All official tour operators offer professionally conducted tours, carry full public insurances and provide knowledgeable and well trained staff. Some of the most popular tours are described below
Isango
Tours: Tenerife is often called a paradise island and not without
reason. The island experiences sunshine around the year and has an abundance
of world class attractions set against the stunning background of Mount
Teide. Take a step back in time as you explore the castle of San Miguel
in Tenerife. A spellbinding display of horsemanship and heroic acts
by the medieval knights will bring alive the medieval era. Medieval
Knight Show at San Miguel Castle, Tenerife. The ideal way to explore
the coastal attractions of Tenerife is by taking a catamaran cruise.
The sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic are a delight to behold. You
can also spot pilot whales and dolphins splashing around in the waters. Tenerife
Trail Bike Tours:
Here's a unique opportunity to enjoy the drama and excitement of both
on and off road biking in the balmy climate of the Canary Islands. We
offer you a unique opportunity to explore the Canary Islands by off-road
routes; routes known to experienced guides who have explored the Canaries
by bike for many years. The senior guide has personally designed our
routes for your enjoyment and to meet all levels of experience. The
most unusual aspect of riding in Tenerife is the rapid scenery changes
- from desert-like to mountains and craters to thick woodland or open
plains, all within the space of a few kilometres. Medieval Knight Show at San Miguel Castle: Take a step back in time as you enter the castle of San Miguel in Tenerife. Cross the drawbridge and you will be ushered by the king and his loyal knights to your seat in the grand medieval arena. A spellbinding display of horsemanship and heroic acts by the medieval knights will keep you riveted to your seat.Enjoy a scrumptious dinner with a free flow of wine whilst watching horseback tournaments and medieval games. The evening draws to a close with a great dance for the ladies and their knights followed by ‘The Drifters’ show playing music from the old sixties. A fabulous display of acts of bravery by the knights, lavish medieval style dinner and melodies of a grand orchestra will make your evening in Tenerife truly special.
Holiday Company Descriptions Tenerife:
We have specialised in Tenerife for over 10 years becoming the market
leaders in Tenerife Holidays. With our own Ground handlers in Tenerife,
we are in constant contact with all our hotels, and therefore have the
very latest offers and information before many of our competitors, giving
us that leading edge required to ensure that your holiday is a perfect
one. Thomson: There's more to luxury holidays in Tenerife than sun, sea and sand. While it's fair to say this is the island of everlasting spring and ribbons of sparkling shore - it's not all about the beach. Away from the waters edge there's a generous helping of 5 star hotels, spas and restaurants, all waiting to inject your Tenerife luxury holiday with a touch of class. Customized Charter Sailing Vacations: Our yacht is based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an excellent locations to explore the surrounding islands. The Canary Islands, paradise of unequalled beauty, have ideal conditions for sailing. The trade winds which blow with remarkable regularity in the Canaries, keep the temperatures mild (annual average 22ºC) and suggest interesting sailing trips in time of the year. The varied types of coastline, from cliffs to wide beaches, are just a preview of the beautiful and interesting inland scenery. These gifts from nature, its people, warm and friendly with the visitors, its modern marinas, comfortable and safe, makes the Canaries the real Sailors Paradise. On The Beach: The fascinating island of Tenerife truly does have something for everyone; the best way you can experience this is to enjoy a cheap holiday to Tenerife. This is the perfect location to spend your holidays no matter your age group or your personal taste, and you will be ensured the best holidays of your life simply by visiting the amazing island of Tenerife. Tenerife holidays are like no other, so why visit anywhere else? Lets Go Canaries: Tenerife holidays are ideal for those who enjoy visiting tourist attractions, spend lazy days soaking up the sun or sampling the beautiful scenery, or enjoy a wealth of sporting activities. By night the choice of a quiet, sophisticated evening or enjoying the pace of Tenerife's "electric" nightlife is yours. An all-year-round superb Summer destination to enjoy as the mood takes you! Corona Holidays: A Canary Island holiday to remember. When considering a Canary Island holiday with Corona Holidays, you can often seem spoilt for choice. Our range of hotels, apartments and villas in the Canary Islands is vast. Canary Island holiday hotels, apartments and villas cover every type and category - we have something to suit everyone. Your next Canary Island holiday could be at any time of the year as there is little difference between the summer and winter climates. 'Strawberry
World' is the easiest way to research, reserve and pay for your
Tenerife holiday online ...at unbeatable prices! We are not another
'automated internet hotel booking' company. We are a registered Tour
Operator offering a friendly personalised service and we have negotiated
the best possible rates for you in hotels that we personally know, regularly
visit and can fully recommend. Take a look at the 'online hotel booking
sites' or your local Tour Operator brochures and see for yourself how
you can reserve hotels in Tenerife with us ...at unbeatable prices!
Hotel
Playa la Arena****
is situated on the coast of Puerto Santiago, against the backdrop of
the famous cliffs of Los Gigantes and it is only metres away from a
pretty volcanic beach. Hotel Playa la Arena offers magnificient views
of the island of La Gomera and the sea. Space, serene tranquillity and
a vast blue sea reflecting often perfectly cloudless skies. The
Hotel Vulcano**** is a quality hotel in the South of Tenerife, in
the nicest part of Playa de las Américas. It is only 300 metres
from the beach and the best shopping and entertainment area. Tenerife
Getaways: Tenerife offers the unique experience of swimming and
sunbathing on a beautiful beach while just a few miles away snow sparkles
on the crest of Mount Teide. The island’s central mountain stands
at 12,200 feet, the highest in Spain, and a cable-car ride to the summit
offers unrivalled views of the lunar-like landscape of the volcanic
slopes. We offer you the chance to rent one of our fantastic apartments,
all of which are located in the plush Playas De La Americas area of
the island. Sheraton La Caleta Resort: Come experience the cozy comfort of the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper(SM) Bed – you'll find it in all 284 of our guest rooms and suites. Gather with friends or family to satisfy your appetite at our restaurants or lounges. Or stay in and enjoy 24-hour room service. Spend the day in our “Pool Village” with three outdoor pools surrounded by sub-tropical gardens, mini golf, and a Kids club with a pool and recreation area. Or simply relax at our spa, a member of the Starwood Spa Collection. Based on the Seven Pillars of Well-Being, it offers multifunctional treatment suites, each with their own private solarium, water heated vitality courtyard pool, two outdoor plunge pools, lifestyle showers, sauna, steam bath, and health club. The Bahia Principe Costa Adeje hotel. The Hotel BAHIA PRINCIPE COSTA ADEJE is on the southern limits of the partial plain of Playa Paraíso on Costa Adeje, on lands of 48,000 m2 alongside the sea. The area is known for the little port and the proximity of the Los Gigantes cliffs (accessible only by sea) and the new Adeje golf course. Under 30 minutes from Tenerife Sur airport and 10 minutes from Playa de Américas. There are three different areas in the project: a shopping and leisure areas called "Pueblo Príncipe"; the reception and hotel service area and from here; access to the rooms and common gardened areas and pools. At the end there is a pool on the cliff. Aparthotel
Riu Adeje:
The Costa Adeje is most certainly an ideal place for your holidays.
Here you will find modern shopping centres, well-tended gardens with
benches for taking a rest, the promenade, and a splendid offer for leisure
and amusement. From the Costa Adeje golf enthusiasts can easily get
to the two golf courses that are located about 15 kms away.
Article:
Why Tenerife is a big hit Tenerife Photo Log by Martin Junius
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