Tenerife
All You Need To Know

"One island: two very different holidays. Go south for sunshine and nightlife; head north for dramatic scenery and sophistication."

Dramatic volcanic scenery and sandy beaches vie for your attention on an island that is drenched in year round sunshine. Tenerife may be closer to Africa than Spain but the atmosphere is definitely Spanish – relaxed and unhurried by day, the pace hots up as the sun goes down.

Tenerife is dominated by the mountains that divide the island into the south and north. At just over 12,000 feet, the volcanic Mount Teide, in Las Canadas National Park, is the highest mountain in Spain and has a cable car which runs almost to the top. The resort of Puerto de la Cruz boasts stunning views of Mount Teide , a picturesque waterfront and excellent shopping and entertainment. Here you can stroll through the old town, replete with balustraded wooden balconies, beside the main square. The south of the island is hotter and sunnier and has an impressive lunar landscape. The buzzing resort of Playa de las Americas is located here.

Beaches

Tenerife offers a choice of beaches from dramatic black to Saharan sand golden shores. The warm, clear seas are perfect for water sports.

Tax free shopping means that you can take advantage of cheap goods from perfumes to the latest fashion must-haves. There are a wide range of shops and department stores to suit all tastes.

Nightlife

Playa de las Americas is known to have the most happening nightlife on the island, with an array of bars and clubs open until the early hours. The other resorts offer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere and a greater variety of restaurants, putting the onus on long meals and lots of laughs.

Sightseeing

Tenerife 's turbulent volcanic past has created some beguiling landscapes. Mount Teide , used as a backdrop in the film Planet of the Apes, is at the centre of this landscape and is a stunning reminder of the power of nature. By contrast, to the north you can find lush vegetation and banana plantations.

It's well worth tearing yourself from the coastal resorts to explore the inland rural hillside towns and villages. Set amongst bizarre landscapes of twisted lava-rock with giant cacti, banana plantations and pine forests, they offer an interesting contrast to the bright and breezy holiday resorts. For those in need of a burst of culture, the cosmopolitan capital, Santa Cruz , is home to three museums as well as a busy harbour.

Local Specialities

Spanish tapas and Canarian specialities dominate the menus though in the main resorts your favourite fast food joint is never far away. If you're tempted by the local cuisine why not give 'samu' a try? It's a local fish baked on a bed of salt and served with small jacket potatoes and 'mojo', a spicy garlic sauce. Seafood plays a large part in many of the local dishes and is a real treat since it is nearly always fresh. To finish off your meal why not try a gooey but tasty liqueur made from bananas grown on the island.

Mount Teide Towering at an enormous 12,402 ft, Mount Teide is Tenerife 's most famous landmark. As you make your way up the mountain the panoramic views along the journey are spectacular, ever changing the higher that you are, and it is certainly recommended that you bring a camera to take advantage of all the sights. You will also notice that the climate changes through 4 distinct temperate zones, showing off Tenerife 's flora and fauna in its colourful entirety. A cable car to 12,000 ft is available weather permitting, and it is here that the breathtaking vistas of Tenerife and the rest of the Canary Islands greet you.

As our Mount Teide excursion departs in the morning, there are fewer queues for the cable car, ensuring that you are back around lunchtime. Why not combine Mount Teide with the excellent Loro