PLAYA DE LAS AMERICAS

Once renowned as the party capital, over the last few years the resort has undergone a regeneration programme, it now has tree lined pedestrian walkways stretching from the Los Cristianos border along to the extremely upmarket Costa Adeje area.

New high class shopping centres and modern bars and restaurants have sprung up all over and given the resort a real cosmopolitan flavour. With its great beaches and attractions, Playa De Las Americas is back in fashion.

LOS CRISTIANOS

The resort is often described as the little brother of Playa De Las Americas, a popular choice with families because everything is within easy walking distance.

The fishing port which can be found in the centre of resort is lined with restaurants offering the opportunity to sample the day’s best catches or you can take a boat from here to watch the whales and dolphins at play.

PUERTO DE LA CRUZ

Puerto de la Cruz was founded in the beginning of the 17th century. Originally it was called Puerto de la Orotava. A big harbour was built there and the city became an important centre of commerce and navigation. The most important export articles until the 19th century were sugar and wine. Nowadays the main source of livelihood of Puerto de la Cruz is tourism. Despite of mass tourism Puerto is still a genuine Canarian town.

The heart of the city is the Plaza del Charco de los Camarones which is the meeting place of both the tourists and the natives. The square is surrounded by big Indian laurel trees and several bars, cafés and restaurants. Choose an outside table and have a cup of excellent Spanish coffee or a pint of perfectly drinkable Dorada beer or a colourful cocktail. It is a great pleasure to just sit there and slowly sip your drink and watch the hustle and bustle of people from all over the world around you.

SANTA CRUZ

The capital of Tenerife is the second most populated city of the Canary Islands with more than 200,000 inhabitants. Its present importance comes from the development of its port and its commercial calling which made it progressively absorb the civic centres of La Laguna until it reached the status of capital at the beginning of the last century.

Its greatest development was originated by the decree of free ports in 1852 when the consequent intense commercial traffic contributed to the progress of a middle class intent on making the city grow.

Today, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a city with large landscaped areas which preserves the calm of the modernist architecture. Its tree lined avenues, parks and squares are ideal for strolling because the green of Santa Cruz complements its peacefulness and the sunny climate which it enjoys all year.

For a few years the city has also had a maritime park designed by Cesar Manrique, where the old trade docks are used for recreation.

MASCA

Masca is one of the most picturesque parts of the island and is the tip of the northwest that is covered by the Teno Mountains.

Deep ravines interlaced with lush green flora accompany the winding roads. The road leading from Buenavista del Norte passes along narrow hairpin bends towards the village of Masca.
It was until recently virtually unknown, but has now become a centre of attraction for those touring the island. The setting of the village is magical and its houses perch precariously on the narrow ridges of dramatic rock formations.

Reputed to have been a Pirate hideaway, the small Bay of Masca on the coast is a three-hour walk from the village through stunning scenery.

MOUNT TEIDE

At a height of 3,718 metres, the summit of El Teide is the highest point of not just the Canary Islands, but also the whole Iberian Peninsular. Declared a National Park on the 22nd January 1954, its 130 square kilometres extend through the municipalities of Santiago de Teide, Icod de los Vinos, La Orotava and Guia de Isora. In 1998 it received 3,500,000 visitors, outnumbering any other National Park in Spain.

The ascent through the foothills takes in an abundant variety of flora and fauna and offers spectacular views over the lower lying parts of the island. At the height of about 2,000 metres the vegetation starts to give way to the characteristic lava landscape of Las Cafladas and then to the central plateau from which the impressive mass of El Teide's peak towers upwards. Other mountains of considerable height including El Cabezon, Guajara, El Roque de Grietas and Montaña Colorada surround this whole area.

By far the most comfortable way to climb the volcano is by the cable car, which will take you to within 200 metres of the summit. From this point it is possible (with a permit) to venture to the very mouth of El Teide and inhale the sulphuric fumes that prove that there is still volcanic activity deep within this ancient but dormant volcano. The peak was formed by eruptions in the late 18th century, which also moulded the surviving lunar landscape.

LA OROTAVA

Corpus Chisti is celebrated with vigour throughout Spain, and Tenerife is no exception. In the town of La Orotava the event is noted for the beautiful carpets of flowers that cover the streets for one brief day of festivities.

The very precise flower pictures and patterns are created using natural sand, coloured salt and flowers and completely cover the main streets, so watch where you tread. The most spectacular carpet is based in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

In addition to all this there is, of course, a queen of fiestas, music and much merrymaking. This is a stunning time to visit the town and enjoy its magnificent and monumental buildings, characteristic shaded Canarian patios, squares and ancestral houses. There are also three dark-sand beaches - El Bullulllo, Martín Alonso and El Rincón - to be enjoyed.