Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Tenerife - A natural jewel
Tenerife is a natural jewel - the largest of the Canary islands. The island's beauty is breathtaking - with Spain's highest mountain Teide, pine forests, and lush green vegetation and flowers in the north.
OK - it's well known for the concrete party resorts in the south, but it's easy to get away and see the real Canaries. The south west of the island is very dry indeed - and it's pretty much a desert but the bonus is lots and lots of sunshine.
Great spots are Vilaflor - mountain village nestling often in the clouds beneath the Teide national park and El Medano, with the beautiful shaped Montana Roja (red mountain) and nearby sweeping sandy beach. This small fishing town is famous for windsurfing - but there are sheltered spots nearby for plenty of sunbathing. The capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great place with a very Spanish big city feel - and the nearby Las Terisitas beach has echos of Rio!
It's really handy for the UK with lots and lots of flights (not dirt cheap but often reasonable). Lots of foreigners have settled on the islands, so for a more authentic way of life one may need to stray of the well-beaten tracks. Prices are quite high, but you get year round sunshine and potentially a year-long tourist season if you choose to rent out your new abode / apartment / finca.
OK - it's well known for the concrete party resorts in the south, but it's easy to get away and see the real Canaries. The south west of the island is very dry indeed - and it's pretty much a desert but the bonus is lots and lots of sunshine.
Great spots are Vilaflor - mountain village nestling often in the clouds beneath the Teide national park and El Medano, with the beautiful shaped Montana Roja (red mountain) and nearby sweeping sandy beach. This small fishing town is famous for windsurfing - but there are sheltered spots nearby for plenty of sunbathing. The capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great place with a very Spanish big city feel - and the nearby Las Terisitas beach has echos of Rio!
It's really handy for the UK with lots and lots of flights (not dirt cheap but often reasonable). Lots of foreigners have settled on the islands, so for a more authentic way of life one may need to stray of the well-beaten tracks. Prices are quite high, but you get year round sunshine and potentially a year-long tourist season if you choose to rent out your new abode / apartment / finca.
// posted by Your House Abroad @ 2:47 PM 
