The Island of Eternal Spring is easy to read Oleg. Island of Eternal Spring. Parrots from Puerto de la Cruz

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Manager of the travel company "Time-Tour" Natalya Kravtsova talks about the amazing Canary Islands.

- As you know, the tourist these days is a sophisticated one, and it’s difficult to surprise him with something exotic. What is special about the direction that Vremya-Tour offers to clients?

Despite the “selectivity” of tourists, the Canary Islands are very popular. Tenerife is not without reason called the Island of Eternal Spring - it is a year-round resort. There are unique climatic conditions here, there is no sweltering heat, it is very comfortable and warm. The island is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, which is considered cold. But even in winter the water temperature does not drop below +20C.

So, the islands are attractive to holidaymakers all year round. Of course, in the summer, competition comes from resorts on the Spanish continental coast. But in winter and in the off-season, Tenerife remains number one. Some tourists are embarrassed by the long flight - about seven hours. But this is perhaps the only inconvenient moment. Comfortable planes with business class fly to the island.

- Natalya, I heard that the level of service in hotels is simply excellent.

Due to the fact that this area is considered elite, there is a very strong hotel base: mostly very strong fours, 4+ and 5 stars. There are also three-star hotels, but they are not typical for Tenerife. There are many well-known hotel chains here - not only Spanish, but also world-famous: H10, Sol Melia, Iberostar. Naturally, they are famous for their high level of service.

Tenerife is a volcanic island, so many of its beaches have black sand. But some hotels import white sand and make artificial beaches. There are many magnificent tennis courts and golf courses built here - carefully maintained, with a unique design. Almost every hotel has magnificent spa complexes where you can enjoy chocolate or wine therapy, try a variety of treatments and various types of massage. If the ocean temperature seems too cold, heated pools are at your service.

By the way, about the cost. In principle, a tour package to Tenerife is not cheap - for a number of objective reasons. Nevertheless, we are trying to maintain a democratic and loyal pricing policy, which, in fact, distinguishes us from other companies. First of all, we try to focus on customers and offer products in different price categories - from fours to the most elite vacation. We have developed special bonus programs for agencies, including an increased system of discounts. So, with a standard commission on tours of 10%, which most tour operators give, in the winter months we give a 20% commission - and this is a lot. Naturally, our prices cannot but interest our clients.

- What can you do here besides playing golf? Any excursions, local attractions?

One of the most picturesque excursions is a sightseeing tour of the island with an ascent to the Teide volcano. By the way, the island is named after the volcano: “Tenerife” means “snowy mountain”. Today the height of Teide is just over 37750-0_bgblur_00 meters - it used to be higher. And its last eruption dates back to 1798. No matter which side you approach the volcano from, you are guaranteed the most amazing and beautiful views. Mountains and forests alternate here - with ancient relict trees; and above begins the volcanic landscape - with frozen lava flows, destroyed craters and weathered rocks. The landscape is very reminiscent of scenes from science fiction films. By the way, the films “Star Wars” and “One Million Years BC” were filmed here.

The most visited attraction is Loro Parque. Here is the world's largest collection of parrots and the largest penguinarium, Planet of the Penguins. Here you can admire the dolphin and seal shows, visit the zoo and botanical garden with unique exotic plants.

The island offers an excellent choice of "easy" holidays. Boutiques and shops of world brands, cozy restaurants and cafes, water parks and all kinds of boat trips, knightly tournaments and flamenco shows - everything is thought out to the smallest detail here. So, a holiday on the Island of Eternal Spring will not disappoint you.

Tenerife is rightly called one of the most beautiful and interesting places not only in Spain, but also in the world. And there is not the slightest doubt about this from the first minutes of traveling around the island. Surprisingly, on such a small island there are 7 climatic zones, from tropical forests with relict trees to lunar landscapes!!! And plus a volcano! Tenerife is even considered the remains of the sunken Atlantis. This is not only exotic, it is also a mystical place. You look, you see, you admire and you don’t understand...

To get an idea of the island, we decided to conduct reconnaissance in force and ride around its perimeter. We hoped that we would drive along the coast and be able to see all the bays, beaches, embankments and at the same time we would be able to swim wherever we liked - we wanted to combine the excursion program with a beach holiday. And we succeeded!

We slept, had breakfast, got ready, left Las Americas and took the high-speed TF-1 towards Adeje. From Las Americas, the road TF-1 towards the town of Guia de Isora smoothly turns into TF-62, and then into TF-82.

In the Adeje area we turned onto TF-47 in the direction of Puerto de Santiago (southwest coast of Tenerife). Puerto de Santiago used to be a fishing port, but now, together with Arena and Los Gigantes, it is a cozy resort area and it is not clear where one village ends and another begins.

Our stopover was the beach PlayadelaArena. We were seduced by photographs of this cozy beach, which are often found on postcards and guidebooks. The fine dark sand contrasts effectively with the blue water and white foam.

Let me explain right away, there are three types of beaches in Tenerife: with light sand, pebble and black volcanic sand. Pebble beaches are mostly wild beaches that are not in demand among tourists (the majority of them are in the east of the island). Beaches with light sand are mostly of artificial origin, equipped specifically for tourists (there were many of these in our Las Americas). The sand for them was brought from nearby Africa. In general, nothing special.

And finally, black sand beaches! Local landmark. This sand is said to have healing properties. Radiculitis, arthritis, osteochondrosis, back sprains, and fractures are treated with natural heat and minerals of black volcanic sand. I don’t know how true this is, but we certainly rolled around hard in the sand.

PlayadelaArena — The most beautiful natural beach with black volcanic sand in the southern part of the island. Surrounded by small but numerous hotel and apartment buildings, the beach is located in a rocky bay that protects it from wind and strong waves. It is no coincidence that Playa la Arena is protected by UNESCO as a heritage of humanity.

In Tenerife, all beaches are public and free. The concept of “hotel beach” does not exist here. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for an additional fee. At all municipal beaches, there are always lifeguards on duty and there is honey. office, shower. I was amazed by the attitude towards people with disabilities. At the entrance to the beach, I saw a stand with special crutches on suction cups so as not to fall under the sand, and wheelchairs for swimming. For me, a person from Russia, this was amazing. Having subsequently visited Germany, Italy, Austria, you understand that there is actually nothing to be surprised at, this is how it should be. But, unfortunately, not with us.

Beaches throughout the island are necessarily surrounded by breakwaters, so the water near the shore is calm and children can swim. Leaving your car near the beach is not a problem. There is usually a special parking lot nearby, which we took advantage of.

Above PlayadelaArena There is a promenade that runs along the beach, where we saw numerous restaurants and shops. But by the time we got there and lay on the beach, it was time for lunch and, of course, siesta!!! Which had a very unpleasant effect on us: all the cafes and shops were closed. Siesta lasts from 13.00-17.00.

Next we headed to the neighboring Los Gigantes, whose name speaks for itself. Here, hot lava once met the sea, rising in ridges to a height of three hundred meters. Yes, it is frozen in black rocks, around which lies black sand. The height of the rocks reaches 600 m. This is a miraculous splendor! The local Guanche aborigines believed that in this very place was the edge of the world.

Next the path lay to Maska! From Los Gigantes we left at TF-82, and after Santiago del Teide we left at the corresponding sign for TF-436. This section of the road (TF-436) in Tenerife is truly serpentine! The road is narrow and winding, winding between the mountains.

Although this road is at a high altitude, it is studded with villages and detached houses. The view is wonderful! Masca- This small mountain village is located on a mountain road in the Teno Mountains, at an altitude of 600 to 800 m. Along this road, high mountains surround the tiny villages and there is a small high-altitude peak near the center of the village. The combination of palm trees and cypresses in this area is striking. In ancient times, the village was pirated, and was never attacked by enemies due to its difficult approach. The troublemakers of the pirate village were seen in advance and the robbers had enough time to go down to the ocean and sail away on ships. They say that even the storm of the seas, Barbarossa (Red Beard), was seen in these waters. The white houses of Maska, surrounded by flowers, were completely isolated from the outside world for a long time; until the 1960s, it could only be reached along narrow rocky paths.

And in the 1960s, the village gained automobile access. There is a church built decades ago and several observation platforms that offer beautiful views of the ocean and where you can take great photos.

The Atlantic Ocean is visible several kilometers away. I can say one thing: you should definitely visit Maska, without being afraid of roads and passes. This place is worth it.

From Masca we moved further towards the town of Buenavista. On the way around the town LasPortelas we saw a bizarre hill that looked like a cut pie. The hill is “cut” by landslides. Personally, I was not impressed by this view, but I read on all the forums that tourists like it. Buenovista is the westernmost village on the island. Nothing remarkable. From there towards Garachico take TF-42. Around the village of Los Silos, banana plantations are visible for many kilometers.

Smoothly moving to the north of the island, we felt the climate change ourselves.

Approaching the ocean, Cape Teno appeared before our eyes.

6 km from Los Silos we descended through another pass into a small town Garachico) on the northern coast, founded at the dawn of the colonization of the island by the Spaniards.

Until the beginning of the 18th century it remained the most important port of Tenerife. Ships with full holds of wine departed from the port of Garachico for Europe. And from there, galleons of the Spanish fleet arrived at the port with goods from distant countries. In the spring of 1706, the eruption of the Montaña Negra volcano wiped out the port and most of the city, creating a peninsula of lava. After the eruption, only the fortress of San Miguel (1575) and the Church of St. Anna survived. During the 18th century. on the site of old Garachico, on a semicircle of solidified lava in the sea, a new city was built.

As a result, the coastline consists mainly of volcanic ruins.

The next point of our independent program was Icod de los Vinos (Icod de los Vinos). From its founding (1496) it was called Icod, and only in the middle of the 16th century, due to the increase in the production of excellent world-famous wine, the “nickname” was assigned to it - de los Vinos. The place is cozy, located in a picturesque valley, we drove along the ten-kilometer coastline. One of the oldest cities in Tenerife is famous for the fact that it is here that the amazing Dragon tree or Dracaena draco grows. His image is even on the city coat of arms. This is great dragon tree about 25 m high, 10 meters in girth.

There are different versions about the age of the dragon tree (according to one guide, the tree is 912 years old, but the reality is that the dragon tree does not have growth rings and the exact age cannot be determined, let alone yearly). in fact, it is a bush. In 1501, when the city was founded, the dragon tree was already here - that's a fact. It is also known that this tree grows very slowly, so let’s come to terms with this knowledge that the tree is very old and has seen the Guanches, conquistadors, the Inquisition, etc., and now it has greeted us calmly and with dignity. There are two explanations for the name of this tree - firstly, its unusual appearance, and secondly, its red sap. Local residents considered the tree sacred, and its unusual juice - “dragon's blood” - medicinal. When combined with oxygen, it acquires an unusual blood-red color. An old legend says that dragon trees grew from the spilled blood of dragons where they were killed. In Europe, the dragon tree has been known since ancient times - its “blood” was used in the manufacture of seal wax, paints and ointments. They say that the dragon tree was once worth its weight in gold for its ability to cure bleeding, various wounds and dysentery. The Guanches used dragon tree sap to embalm the dead. Incredible but true: The dragon tree in Icod de los Vinos is the oldest plant on the planet. Near the observation deck from which the dragon tree is usually photographed, on the Plaza de Lorenzo Cáceres there is the Church of San Marcos. It was built in the first half of the 16th century, and the stones for the construction of arches and columns were brought from the island of La Gomera. The church, which is representative of the true Canarian style, houses the largest silver cross in the world.

Having entered the city, we followed the signs for Drago Milenariu. These signs led us to a paid parking lot near the square.

It costs a few euros to visit the dragon tree park, but even there it is impossible to get very close to the tree. We decided to limit ourselves to a free observation deck. Millennial dragon tree is a Monument of National Importance since 1917 and, together with the Teide volcano, is a symbol of the Canary Archipelago.

A little higher up is the Plaza de La Pila, surrounded by houses from the time of the conquistadors and in the center of which there is a peculiar fountain topped with a plant. Very nearby there is a tree with seven branches supported by metal ropes, against which tourists willingly take pictures. Down from the Church of San Marcos and the observation deck there is a tropical butterfly garden - Mariposario del Drago. Approximately 2,000 butterflies flutter freely in this tropical-climate structure. But by the time we got there, the butterfly museum was already closed and we couldn’t get inside.

Before the Spaniards, the islands were inhabited by the Guanches, a local people engaged in hunting, fishing and agriculture. Scientists say that the Guanches were tall, blue-eyed and with brown hair; they were the descendants of the famous Atlantis. The Spaniards conquered the Guanches, some of whom converted to Catholicism, while others chose death over captivity. Only a few local names and some words in the local Canary dialect of Spanish have been preserved from the freedom-loving people. And researchers also say that the great Homer, describing in the Odyssey the paradise islands that are located beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the Strait of Gibraltar), means the Canary Islands. Another great one, Shakespeare, highly praised Canarian wines. Columbus stopped here on his way from Spain to America.

The Canarians say that it is summer all year round on their islands. A controversial statement, given the fact that when there is African heat on the southern coast of the islands, there is snow on the top of Mount Teide (by the way, the highest point in the country) until June. Rather, it is always eternal spring in the Canaries. Judging by the riot of colors. Officially, it is believed that the archipelago has a moderately hot climate, softened by trade winds blowing from the north and the cold current of the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe this is why the winter temperature in the Canaries rarely drops below +10 degrees Celsius and rises above +25. Well, in summer the air temperature on various islands ranges from +20 to 40 degrees. It is clear that thanks to this natural factor, hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists from many countries flock to the islands every year. Especially in winter, when it’s cold and dreary in Europe, but you really want to go to the sea and the sun. The three most popular islands among tourists are Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. In eight days I managed to visit them and literally “get sick” of the Canaries.

Chasing the Blue Bird
It turns out that the bluebird of happiness exists. And nowhere, namely in the Canaries. More precisely, on the island of Tenerife, the largest in area of all the islands of the archipelago. This is a pinson azul - a blue finch. Local endemic, small and very cute bird. There is also a “paloma turke” - a blue pigeon. And many other curious representatives of flora and fauna. Take, for example, the same “tahinaste” plant - a symbol of the islands. Or the local cactus - cordon, from the juice of which the same Guanches prepared a sleeping pill that helped them catch fish. Or local Canarian dogs, used by local peasants for traditional hare hunting. It is curious that in Tenerife the dogs are brown, on the island of volcanoes Lanzarote - black, and in Gran Canaria - brindle, the color of the local sand. Blue finch, as well as canaries and parrots, are very popular on the islands. I think it is no coincidence that the emblem of the Gran Hotel Bahia Del Duque Resort, a chic five-star hotel included in the list of the world's best hotels The Leading Hotels of the World, was the image of a pinson azul. The hotel complex itself is a kind of medieval palace with many restaurants, swimming pools, bridges, and turrets. It feels like you're in a fairy tale. That a kind wizard will come out from around the corner and give you something desired and beautiful. The hotel is located in the south of the island, on the Costa Adeje, the most popular tourist area along with Playa las Americas and Playa de Los Cristianos. There are excellent conditions for recreation for every taste: comfortable hotels, many restaurants and shops and, of course, beaches and the sea. A little further north, in the town of Abama, the construction of a Golf Hotel is being completed, the concept of which is “an oasis in the desert”, causing admiration. A huge red complex, reminiscent of Arab palaces in architecture, is visible from afar. Twenty tons of sand from Sazara were brought here specifically to create the beach. Ninety thousand plants create coolness, and a special breakwater protects swimmers in the picturesque bay. In general, there is something to be surprised about.

However, Tenerife is surprising not only with tourist areas and hotels built in the traditions of local architecture. Isn't it a miracle to see a pod of dolphins and small whales very close by - from a cruise ship? Or admire the Canarian balconies in the town of Orotava, where every year at the beginning of June the streets are literally filled with flowers, and the central square, Ayuntamiento, is covered with a multi-colored carpet from the volcanic soil of Teide! The step pyramids found in the town of Guimar are also surprising; they are the same age as similar buildings in Egypt, Mexico and Peru.

But, of course, the biggest shock for tourists is object number 1 on the island - the Teide volcano. This is a symbol of the entire archipelago. Scientists say that the “white mountain” (and this is how Teide is translated from the Guanche language) is about 600 thousand years old. And although the last eruption of Teide occurred at the end of the 18th century, traces of its activity can still be periodically observed - emissions of sulfur and the remains of black lava, which is used by local peasants as fertilizer for growing Canarian potatoes - small, wrinkled, but very tasty. The excursion through Teide National Park, when you rise from the coast to sky-high heights, is impressive. Along the way you admire the beauty, Canarian pine, cacti. And you freeze on the spot with admiration at the sight of the Roques de Garcia - rocks of bizarre shapes that were depicted on old Spanish money! Dozens of layers of lava of various ages, compositions and colors, incredible stone sculptures, craters and rocks - all this can be seen and photographed in the Las Cañadas mountain basin. And you can look at all the natural splendor almost from the top, where the funicular takes tourists. If you're lucky, you might see the Teide violet, a plant that can survive at an altitude of 3,500 meters. And other rare plants, prehistoric, are still found in the Laurisilva tropical forest - in the north of the island, in the Anaga region. And in the northwest, the steep cliffs of Los Gigantes, the “Giants,” evoke admiration. And in the town of Icod de los Vinos, a thousand-year-old dragon tree is also a Canarian endemic. Once upon a time it was worth its weight in gold - for its ability to cure many diseases. The famous German naturalist Alexander Humboldt, having climbed Teide, burst into tears - his feelings from what he saw were so overwhelming.

Island of wonders and "surprises"
I think that Humboldt would have been absolutely delighted with the island of Lanzarote, which is only 50 minutes’ flight from Tenerife. The unique beauty of the landscape is the most characteristic feature of Lanzarote, often called the “Island of the Moon Landscape”. There is little greenery here, unlike Tenerife, the climate is drier. But there are amazingly beautiful mountains and volcanoes, thanks to which UNESCO declared the entire island a biosphere reserve. The most striking place and popular among tourists is the Timanfaya National Park. It is also called the Fire Mountains. A visit to the park begins with various “tricks” that cause genuine delight among tourists: the eruption of hot steam, hot sand on cool ground. Next door there is a restaurant where meat and fish are cooked in volcanic heat. The excursion itself is carried out by bus along a specially paved road. Walking in Timanfaya is strictly prohibited. Through the bus windows you can see amazingly beautiful multi-colored mountains and sands, black lava forming bizarre figures. The feeling that you are virtually traveling around some other planet in a science fiction film.

"A continent in miniature"
Gran Canaria is often called this way in guidebooks because of the abundance and diversity of natural landscapes and various attractions. The latter can rightfully include the crater of the Bandama volcano, to the bottom of which tourists descend to a depth of 220 meters along a narrow path. And what a magnificent panorama of the entire island opens from the top of the crater! Or the famous Maspalomas beach, which is a whole 8 km of sand dunes. Interestingly, the temperature of the water washing this place ranges from +20 to +24 degrees all year round. Las Palomas is the oldest resort area of the island. Mostly Scandinavians vacation here. Well, the most famous resort area, famous for its nightlife, is Playa del Engles. And in the far south there is a very calm beach called Playa de las Meloneras, the pride of which is the five-star Hotel H10. Playa Meloneras Palace.

The peculiarity of the island, the third in area after Tenerife and Fuerteventura, is its long and deep ravines. They start in the center and end at the sea, where there are many natural sandy beaches. In one of the ravines there is Palmitos Park, a botanical garden and zoo, where you can see Canary parrots, butterflies and even a large monitor lizard from Komodo Island. And nearby there is a fashionable hotel for tennis lovers. A visit to the island capital, the largest Spanish seaport of Las Palmas, is worth interest. And in it: the house-museum of Christopher Columbus, the Cathedral, the Canary Museum, Caam (the Atlantic center of contemporary art). In the Barranco de Balos gorge you can see prehistoric paintings. And in the town of Guayadeque there is a house of local residents in caves, a cave church and even a restaurant. By the way, it turns out that living in a cave is quite comfortable: it is not cold in winter, and not hot in summer. That's what the locals say, at least.

Gran Canaria is famous for its unusual holidays. First of all, the grand carnival that takes place at the end of January. But about him - a special conversation. In the town of Santa Brigita they organize a foam festival - here they pour water on everyone. A cheese festival is held in the town of Gia. And in Marsagan there is a water festival. In another place there is a puddle festival, when locals and tourists dive into a large body of water and catch small fish with their hands. And in the small village of Agaete there is a festival of branches: when crowds of people hit the ocean with tree branches, punishing evil spirits for the drought. “A Storm Frozen in Stone” is about the mountains in the town of Tejede, which offers the most beautiful view of the island, which you want to return to again and again. As in general, the archipelago of paradise, which is just a stone's throw away - just 7 hours of summer...

Do you dream of a place where excellent weather conditions reign all year round - warm and sunny, but not too hot, and a refreshing sea breeze blowing on your face? Would you like to go on vacation to an island, but a trip to distant tropical countries seems too long and difficult for you?

Or maybe, in addition to lying on the beach and swimming in the sea, you want to look at the wonders of nature and interesting monuments? If this is what your dream of a vacation paradise looks like, then we invite you to Tenerife - one of the Canary Islands.

Spanish archipelago IslasCanarias» consists of seven main islands that are located in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa, near Morocco.

The human eye is not able to see that the pieces of land located one after another, like links in a chain, on which more than two million people live today, are practically the tops of huge volcanoes immersed in the ocean.

Some of them are still active today. On the island of La Palma, the Teneguia volcano (200 meters above sea level) was last active in 1971. In turn, on the island of Lanzarote, even today we can observe flames and clouds of steam emerging from the craters of Montanas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire) in the Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya).

Despite the fact that the archipelago is located near Africa, administratively it belongs to Spain. The first guests from the Iberian Peninsula appeared here at the beginning of the 15th century and fought for possession of these territories for almost a century.

The local Guanche people heroically defended their land, but in the end they were defeated (the last island captured was Tenerife). Those who did not die at the hands of the Spaniards gradually assimilated. Very little of the Guanche culture has survived to this day.

Near the towns of Güímar ) and Icoddelos Vinos in Tenerife there are stone pyramids built by a former civilization. And the museums house ancient tools and mummified remains of the Guanche people, and the yellowed pages of ancient chronicles tell what the Spanish invaders were able to record about their language, religion and customs.

Pyramid in the city of Guimar

Joyful Islands

Today's islanders - especially villagers - cultivate ancient traditions and customs. In this way they maintain continuity between the past and the future. The main source of income here is tourism. Trade and agriculture also play an important role here. For example, the miniature Canarian banana is very popular - it is not only smaller, but also much sweeter than other varieties.

Walking through one of the huge banana plantations is like a childhood dream come true. Only spiders swinging among the leaves will prevent us from going too far into the thicket full of fragrant fruits.

Residents of the Canary Islands love to celebrate, dance and play instruments. The main holiday on the islands is the carnival in honor of the end of winter - the Carnival de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is sometimes compared to the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro, the Colombian Barranquilla or the American New Orleans. At this time, the Canary towns look festive, and the streets are full of people dressed in colorful outfits. The hot rhythms of salsa and meringue, which are in the blood of the locals, encourage everyone to dance, and even small children sway their hips as if they have inherited this skill.

The Canary Islands owe their excellent climate to the large number of sunny days and warm trade winds. Winters here are mild and summers are not too hot. Thus, the archipelago can be visited at any time of the year.

White Mountain

The name "Tenerife" comes from the language of the indigenous people of the neighboring island of La Palma from the words shade(mountain) and ife(white). Of course, this name refers to the snow-capped peak overlooking Tenerife.

Rising to a height of 3,718 meters above sea level, Mount Teide is the highest point not only in the Canary Islands, but throughout Spain. Next to it is the Pico Viejo volcano, which translates as Old Summit (3135 meters above sea level). The last time it erupted was in 1798.

The surroundings of Mount Teide are not only the most unusual, but also the most threatening places in Tenerife - it was against their backdrop that many commercials and science fiction films were filmed (for example, One Million Years BC and Clash of the Titans).

If you drive an SUV towards the volcano, you will be able to observe lunar landscapes that will take you to a completely different, mysterious world. All the way to the horizon, you will be surrounded by a lava desert: next to huge black rocks and unusual screes, rocks rise to the sky, alternating with the pastel colors of minerals.

It is difficult to believe that any life develops on this barren land. However, rare species of flora add extraordinary diversity to the landscape of the Las Canadas caldera area. Teide and its surroundings are now part of the Teide National Park (Parque Nacional del Teide), so every rock and every plant is protected here. Local residents care very much about nature. It is therefore not at all surprising that almost half of the island's area (48.6%) is protected area.

Pilot whales (large cetaceans from the dolphin family, or bottlenose dolphins) still live in the sea between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera.

Voyages are organized here for tourists in search of these sea creatures. If you're lucky, you'll get to see them with your own eyes. On the western coast of the island, steep basalt Rocks of the Giants (Acantila dos de los Gigantes), several hundred meters high, rise directly from the ocean, which are best viewed while on board a boat or yacht.

On the north side

Located in the geographical center of Tenerife, the Teide peak not only gives the island its characteristic contour, but also divides it into northern and southern parts. It is the most symbolic natural monument of the entire archipelago. Her fiery image can be seen in the middle of the coat of arms of Tenerife. In addition, the Teide motif is often used by the creators of Canarian handicrafts, postage stamps and manufacturers of various souvenirs.

If in the south of the island the landscape becomes almost deserted, then on the second side of the mountain lush vegetation develops. The most beautiful parts of the northern coast include the western region of Isla Baja, where tourists are attracted by unusual natural attractions, beautiful peaks, cliffs and gorges, as well as picturesque villages cut off from civilization.

One of these villages is Masca, located in the valley of the same name. They say that it was once a hideout for pirates. Now she radiates incredible calm. And on the slopes of the surrounding mountains you will find numerous caves. As legend has it, pirate treasures are still hidden in some of them.

The real pearl of the region is the town of Garachico with a population of five thousand - once the most important port of Tenerife. This is where the family of Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), the Venezuelan liberator of South America, came from. Today in the Plaza de la Libertad you can see a statue of this great hero.

In 1706, Garachico was destroyed by a powerful eruption of the Trevejo volcano (Arenas Negras). Lava flowing towards the ocean over the coast created a small cape on which the destroyed houses of a former fishing village were rebuilt.

Another place worth visiting in the Isla Baja region is Icod de los Vinos. It gained its fame, first of all, thanks to a specimen of a huge (18-meter) dragon tree ( Dracaenadraco), which is considered the oldest representative of this species in the world (according to some estimates, its age is a thousand years old, hence its Spanish name DragoMilenario).

An oxidizing red resin oozes from the damaged tree trunk, which locals attribute to healing properties. The Guanches used this so-called dragon's blood ( sangrededrago) as a medicine and for embalming the dead.

Parrots from Puerto de la Cruz

One of the most famous resorts on the northern coast of Tenerife is Puerto de la Cruz, picturesquely located in the La Orotava valley, which the famous German naturalist and traveler Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) called the most beautiful in the world. The local port began to develop here after the destruction of Garachico.

Today, well-preserved houses with beautiful carved balconies and churches for more than several centuries in Puerto de la Cruz create an atmosphere typical of old cities. Janitors sweep squares and alleys here with huge palm leaves. This city is famous for the parrot park (Loro Parque), where you will see not only these colorful birds, but also gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, penguins, various types of fish (including dangerous piranhas, sharks), turtles, lizards and other animals, as well as exotic plants (for example, orchids, palms, Canary dragons, cacti and fig trees). During musical performances of trained dolphins, sea lions and killer whales, the captivated audience applauds with joy, and the performers themselves give the impression that they enjoy it too.

The natural coastline around Puerto de la Cruz, with black sand and rocks, discourages some swimmers. For their convenience, the Lago Martiánez beach complex has been built with an artificial lake in the center, a group of seawater pools, tropical gardens, and restaurants. This complex was designed by César Manrique (1919-1992), a Spanish artist who spent most of his life on the island of Lanzarote.

For the same reason, another beach, located in the northeast, Las Teresitas Beach, was also redone. It is located in the town of San Andrés next to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is one of the most popular beaches in Tenerife. Las Teresitas Beach is covered with tons of silky, yellow sand brought here straight from the Sahara.

Two capitals and an entertaining south

In the north-eastern corner of the island there are two capitals of Tenerife: the former San Cristobal de La Laguna (universally known as La Laguna) and the current Santa Cruz de Tenerife or simply Santa Cruz. The elder capital was the first unfortified colonial city built by Spanish colonists.

Due to the fact that to this day we can observe the original urban structure and many buildings from the 16th-18th centuries, in 1999 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

While the former capital fascinates us with its centuries-old monuments, the current one has grown into a truly cosmopolitan city of 200,000 people. Next to the old buildings in Santa Cruz, more and more new houses, elegantly designed shops, modern office buildings, and shopping galleries are appearing.

On the southern side of the island, in the coastal zone of the Arona and Adeje districts, the largest tourist center of Tenerife operates. Those looking for relaxation and entertainment will find beautiful hotels, beautifully maintained beaches, wonderful restaurants, a bustling city life, as well as the opportunity to engage in various water sports.

The famous Playa de las Américas, stretching from Mount Chayofita to Playa del Bobo, and located in the Arona and Adeje districts, is characterized by the fact that there is nothing Canarian here. At every step you will find restaurants, Irish pubs, Italian pizzerias or American fast foods. This is because Playa de las Américas is mainly visited by tourists from Northern Europe who, after a whole day of relaxing on the beach, want to have fun in the nightclubs or those who have not yet gotten used to the tastes of Spanish cuisine.

Tenerife can be safely considered an ideal destination for tourists of any age. In addition, a stay on this island of eternal spring will satisfy both lovers of blissful laziness and people who like to spend time more actively. It's hard to imagine a better place for a successful holiday.

P.S. You will find the best prices for air tickets to Tenerife on the website. !

They say that once upon a time the earth goddess Gaia gave the ruler of Olympus Zeus and his wife Hera three golden apples for their wedding. Hera planted seeds from them...

...on paradise islands, turning them into gardens. These gardens were guarded by the daughters of Atlas, the nymphs Hesperides with wonderful voices. But one day rumors reached Hera that the Hesperides themselves were stealing apples from her. For this, the goddess assigned them a dragon with a hundred heads speaking different languages.

But since then, the paradise islands have haunted the sailors who searched for them and died - the Hesperides lured them with their wonderful voices and gave them to be devoured by the dragon.

All this is a legend, but the paradise islands really exist - they are called the Canary Islands and are associated with the legends about the Gardens of the Hesperides and the monastery of the blessed Elysium. And this is not surprising - it is the mild, healthiest climate in the world of these places that allows Europeans to relax while being close to home. Therefore, the Canary Islands have long become a favorite place of pilgrimage for tourists.

In the center of the Canary archipelago is the largest island, Tenerife, which amazes guests with its natural contrasts. Judge for yourself: there are majestic mountain ranges, magnificent fertile valleys, tropical and subtropical forests, volcanic deserts, mountain gorges and sand dunes. There is never winter here, but there is no suffocating heat in summer either - it is always a mild spring, without any special temperature fluctuations! The average annual temperature here is unusually comfortable - 22°C, and there are practically no transitions between seasons. At the same time, the unique combination of climate would not be beneficial for vacationers if it were not for the most amazing nature and relief. One of the wonderful advantages of Tenerife is its beautiful beaches, where you can enjoy the sun and sea all year round. At the same time, there are beaches for literally every taste - volcanic in origin, with black shiny sand, and extensive, with golden sand.

And the relief is given its originality by bizarre natural pools that were created by lava during volcanic eruptions in ancient centuries. Having reached the sea, the lava cooled and formed unique forms, for example, natural puddles and pools of sea water in the north of the island.

The seabed off Tenerife is diverse and unique: it delights with its rich colors and abundance of marine life. This is a real paradise for divers: sea anemones, stingrays, turtles and two-meter conger eels are found here in abundance! You can also find other types of fish typical of this area: rock perch, white gar, redfin pagella and vieja parrotfish.

And volcanic eruptions dotted the bottom with stones, decorated it with caves and sand spits and deep slopes descending to the depths of the Atlantic. 350 kilometers of coastline, where sea water maintains an average temperature of 17-25? C, opens up a breathtaking underwater world for diving enthusiasts!

But it’s not just diving and beach tanning that attract vacationers. There are plenty of opportunities for organized leisure time here, including Aqualand Costa Adeje, a water park with attractions for all ages! Loro Parque is more than just a zoo: the stars of the best show here are four fantastic killer whales. In the ethnographic park of the Pyramids of Guimar you can find all the magic of the pyramids of Tenerife, reminiscent of the pyramids of the Mayan culture. The Eagle Park features a recreation of the jungle with wild animals and eagle shows.

The Cesar Manrique Marine Park has salt water lakes, swimming pools and everything you need to enjoy the sun in an unusual setting. Large-scale models reveal the most characteristic landscapes and architectural structures of the Canary Islands in the Pueblochico Miniature Park.

Siam Park is Europe's largest water park and the only air-conditioned outdoor park. Magnificent, well-equipped water attractions, made in the architectural style of ancient Thailand, give an extraordinary feeling of joy, and interesting engineering ideas pleasantly surprise with new accents in the recreation industry. Under the leadership of an outstanding architect and university professor in Bangkok, famous engineers and a world-famous Italian artist, it was possible to create a unique atmosphere of the ancient kingdom of Siam, combined with the modern world of water attractions and adventures. The opening ceremony of Siam Park in Costa Adeje, one of the most attractive corners of Tenerife, took place on September 15, 2008 in the presence of Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. On the island you can go trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, diving, and deep-sea fishing. Here you can watch whales during their migration and mating season!

Despite the fact that the entire island is a unique natural monument, the main attraction of Tenerife is Teide National Park. Here, the volcano of the same name, the highest point in Spain, rises above the volcanic landscape of Las Cañadas. At its foot lies an amazing landscape reminiscent of the moon! It consists of weathered rocks, frozen lava flows, destroyed ancient craters - you will never believe that this is possible on our planet! It is no coincidence that the films “One Million Years BC” and “Star Wars” were filmed here. And all this - Las Cañadas del Teide National Park - the most visited natural park in the country.

It is to this volcano that the island owes its name - Tenerife means “snow mountain” in the language of the Guanches, the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands, who inhabited the island hundreds of years ago. Once upon a time, the Teide volcano was much higher, about 5000 meters high, but in 1706 the top of the volcano collapsed due to a strong eruption and it became lower - now the height of Teide is 3718 m. It is visible from approaching ships almost 200 kilometers away and has long been served as a guide for sailors - it was admired by Columbus and Cook, Bellingshausen and Humboldt!

And Charles Darwin even wrote in his diary: “On the sixth of January we reached Tenerife... The next morning we saw the sun, emerging from behind the bizarre rocks of the island of Gran Canaria, suddenly illuminate the Tenerife peak, while the lower parts of the island were still hidden behind the curly clouds. It was the first of those delightful days that I will never forget."

No matter from which side you approach the volcano, the road will pass through the amazing landscapes of the natural park, reminiscent of the Moon, Mars, or our planet from the time of dinosaurs.

Tenerife is also called “the island with two faces”. Tourists can choose between two different holiday options, as the island's mountain range divides it into two climatic zones: the humid north, covered with varied vegetation, and the arid south. If in the north the air temperature is always several degrees lower, the ocean is more turbulent, and cloudiness and precipitation are unpredictable, then the south, “fenced” by mountain peaks, is an ideal place for a beach holiday throughout the year.

The fashion of going to the northern part of Tenerife for the winter arose in the 19th century. European doctors recommended their patients to spend time at the resort, because the island's climate is ideal for treating all diseases associated with age and blood circulation.

The south of Tenerife became a popular holiday destination much later, in the 80s of the last century. Due to the high mountains that act as a barrier to the clouds, the southern coast remains cloudless even when the clouds gather over the northern part of the island. Despite the fact that only a few tens of kilometers separate the south from the north, the difference in climate is colossal - as if you are in completely different countries! Thanks to this unique climate feature, yachting is very popular here.

Which part of this wonderful island you choose is up to you. And maybe somewhere in the shady thicket you will be lucky enough to see one of the Hesperides nymphs flash by?..

Puerto de la Cruz. It was the first city in Tenerife where tourism was born. Despite the countless number of hotels and restaurants, it has managed to retain its flavor and atmosphere of a truly Canarian city.

One of the main attractions of Puerto is Lago Martianez. Created by the famous Canarian artist César Manrique, this complex of seawater pools is an ideal place for swimming and sunbathing.

Look: the church of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, the chapel of San Telmo, the castle of San Felipe, the Customs House, the old promenade where small fishing boats still moor.

La Orotava. This town is located in a fertile valley bearing the same name. The ancient quarter of La Orotava, filled with family mansions of traditional Canarian architecture, has been declared a monument of historical and artistic importance.

Look: the churches of Concepcion and San Juan, both from the 18th century, as well as the beautiful houses of Casa de Monteverde and Casa do Los Balcones.

Icod de los Vinos. Its old quarter has a special charm reminiscent of its colonial past. Icod gained great fame as a center for the production of Malvasia wine, which in ancient times was considered the best in the world.

Look: the 16th-century Church of San Marcos, the Church of San Agustin, the Church of Las Angustias and the Monastery of San Francisco.

Garachico. It is a colorful semi-circular city with stone and historic buildings, located at the tip of a solidified lava flow.

Look: Castle of San Miguel, built in the 16th century next to the sea to repel pirate attacks; Church of Santa Ana, Palace of the Counts of La Gomera, monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo.

La Laguna. La Laguna is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the oldest city on the island. Tenerife and its first capital.

Look: Casa de Lercaco (Museum of History), Casa del Corregidor (City Hall), Salazar and Nava palaces.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is the capital of Tenerife and a beautiful city with gardens, alleys, parks for walking and boutiques of the world's most famous brands. Greenery is an integral part of it, as are the street sculptures scattered throughout the city.

All along the southern and western coasts, from where you can always see the exotic neighboring island of La Gomera, new resort centers have sprung up such as Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Americas Beach, Los Gigantes and other small towns.

One of the most modern areas of the southern part of the island is Costa Adeje, where you can find a large number of exclusive hotels. There are impeccable beaches with all amenities, such as El Duque, Fanabe or Troya.

The calm embankment, as well as the squares and streets of the city, where there are many cafes, bars and high-quality restaurants, deserve special attention.

Look: Ada Gorge, the Church of Santa Ursula, the churches of the monastery of Guadalupe and San Pablo, Casa Fuerte (XVI century).

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