Tenerife
A Summer in Tenerife
Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands is situated approximately
200 miles off the coast of North West Africa even though it is a part of Spain. It
is an extremely popular tourist destination because of its year round sunshine and
abundant attractions for young and old, active and not so active!
The island is almost
split in two by the imposing Mount Teide. This dormant volcano dominates the centre
of the island. The surrounding Mount Teide National Park is a world heritage site
and no visit to Tenerife is complete without a trip to the area that was used as
a backdrop for films like Planet of the Apes and Star Wars. The Island is one of
contrasts with the North being mostly lush and green and typically wetter than the
South which is dry and arid.
Tenerife really does have something for everyone! Families
flock there for the moderate climate which is always a good thing with young children
to think about. It rarely gets `too` hot and the warm waters around the island make
swimming a thoroughly pleasant affair. Choose one of the quieter family-
Party animals head straight for Playa Las Americas in the South. Veronica`s
Strip is renowned worldwide for its lively bars, restaurants and clubs. Dance till
dawn to the music of your choice before a leisurely early morning stroll along the
promenade as the sun rises.
If you love nature then Tenerife will not disappoint.
Visit the underwater aquarium at The Loro Parque near Puerto de la Cruz to see over
300 different species in one place including penguins, sea-
For a more active day out, visit the Siam Park
near Playa de Las Americas. This park also houses a magnificent array of exotic wild
life but also boasts a man-
Other
attractions on the Island equally worth a visit are the Camel Park or the Banana
plantation at Los Cristianos, Aqualand in Costa Adeje, or The Guimar Pyramids on
the east coast. All of these attractions are accessible by local buses or organized
coach trips. Needless to say hiring a car opens up the entire Island allowing you
to explore as much or as little of it as you fancy. Drive to pretty coastal towns,
peaceful mountainous villages or secluded coves away from the usual tourist hot-
When you go out to eat in Tenerife you will not
be spoilt for choice. There is a great deal of competition which means a great deal
of choice both in terms of what type of food is on offer as well as the prices on
display! Choose from Chinese, Mexican, French, Spanish, Moroccan, Thai, Japanese
or Indian to name but a few.
Tenerife is a shopaholic`s paradise with many goods
carrying a duty free price tag. Check out the local markets for African and Spanish
crafts making for excellent souvenirs. Trendy boutiques bursting with the latest
fashion must-
Accommodation
on the Island ranges from luxurious to basic and is entirely dependent on your budget.
Getting to