Tenerife
THE SOUTH Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, with the popular resorts being in the south of the island. Holidays to Playa de las Americas offer you the best nightlife on Tenerife – as well as six sandy beaches and duty-free shops. This resort is a modern playground with an international atmosphere - perfect for families as well as young couples and groups of friends. The beaches are popular, water sports are brilliant and there’s a waterpark. There is an 18 hole golf course with views towards the resort centre and the sea. There are three dark sandy beaches, Playa del Bobo and the two Playas de Troya. Very popular in high season, they offer a wide range of water sports.
Holidays to Los Cristianos combine the bustle of a thriving port town, the simplicity of an old-fashioned beach resort. Pretty as a picture, the sprawling resort of Los Cristianos is the perfect spot if you like a bit of sophistication from your holiday. More low-key than its playful neighbour Playa De Las Americas, you can take things easy here. You can stroll around the old town where you can browse the upbeat bazaars, or get busy in the bustling town centre with its sleek shopping malls, al fresco restaurants and bright bars. The Sunday market is also well worth a visit. But if your idea of holiday heaven is big on the beach life, Tenerife’s top beach, Las Vistas Beach is around the coast towards Playa de las Americas.
Holidays to Costa Adeje are a cut above. The beaches have Blue Flags, the shopping comes with designer labels, and the hotels have luxury written all over them. If coming to Tenerife to simply chill out in peaceful surroundings sounds like your kind of holiday, Costa Adeje hits the nail right on the head. Forget high-rises and neon strips, Costa Adeje is life on the quiet side. Newly built, up-market and oozing tranquillity, this charming town spreads out from the glittering sands of the famous El Duque Beach. With its exclusive shops, chic restaurants and luxurious 5-star hotels, this destination really knows how to spoil its guests.
Holidays to Los Gigantes take you to a lively seaside town with a bustling marina and black-sand beach – plus the awe-inspiring Giants cliffs. This tranquil has a charming, village-like ambience. What’s here in the way of things to do? There’s the glittering black sand beach and snorkelling. Best of all, it’s rarely crowded here. There are bars lacing the harbour offering great cuisine. Nightlife-wise, it’s a low key affair with friendly bars and restaurants specialising in fresh seafood.
THE NORTH On the north coast is the resort of Puerto de la Cruz. Due to the trade winds hitting Mount Teide in the centre of the island the weather in the north tends to cloud over from midday. So if you are visiting Tenerife for the weather this is something to consider. With holidays to Puerto de la Cruz you get traditional restaurants alongside contemporary bars. The old town of Puerto de la Cruz, centres around the small fishing port which has remained remarkably unchanged. Old houses in the traditional style and the fishermen landing their catches give Puerto de la Cruz a charming atmosphere. The rocky coast with its three small black sand beaches is also the home of the newly refurbished Lido Martinez. The Loro Parque is a man-made nature paradise is in Puerto de la Cruz.
CENTRAL REGION Tenerife's central region is a dormant volcano, the vast Mount Teide, which rises to 3,718m and is often described as the highest mountain in Spain. The Parque Nacional del Teide is centred on the vast crater at its summit. There are plenty of hiking routes on offer. Wrap up warm, though; the chilly upper slopes of Teide are a marked contrast to the heat of the coast.
My top 5 recommended places to stay......
1. Hotel Vulcano in Playa De las Americas 2. Parque Santiago Apartments in Playa de las Americas 3. Arona Gran in Los Cristianos 4. Dream hotel Gran Tacande in Costa Adeje 5. Hotel Botanico in Puerto De La Cruz