Canaries in Context

Breezes of Tenerife

The Canary Islands, a chain of volcanic islands similar in size, number, and age to Hawaii, are a self-governing province of Spain located off the west coast of Morocco in the Atlantic. The main island of Tenerife can be reached via a 3-4 hour nonstop flight from Madrid or London, making total travel time from most points in North America 10-12 hours.

The Canaries offer the best...

beaches on either side of the Atlantic rim, and the main volcanic cone of Teide on Tenerife is arguably one of the most beautiful mountains in the world (and the third highest, measured from the sea-floor). It harbors an amazing array of wildlife on its fertile slopes, which helps to make this one of the top spots for bird-watching worldwide. The people - North Africans and Spanish - are warm and welcoming, and the cities across the chain are in the midst of a cultural and architectural Renaissance.

Your journey to the Canaries focuses on the main island of Tenerife, avoiding the overdeveloped, mass-market resort areas of the southern coast and the neighboring isle of Fuerteventura, and instead presenting you with a dramatic natural and cultural context while affording you considerable style and luxury. You'll arrive at the southern airport on the island, and pick up your convertible for a drive halfway up the 12,000 foot slope of Teide, where you'll be welcomed by a cozy room and a terrace, taking in one of the most stunning views on the planet. A government-managed ecotourism lodge, this Parador promotes local tradition, and features excellent cuisine and guided excursions on the volcanic slopes: you'll relax and acclimate your second day and night for a hike on the third (five hours to the summit from the parador, one from the cable car depot if you cheat).

After your third night on the mountain...

you'll drive down to the northwestern coast to the beautiful fishing town of Garachico, set back into the seacliffs and offering vistas reminiscent of Capri. Here you'll stay for three nights in a postmodern design hotel carved out of a 17th century aristocratic manor house - the San Roque. You'll have the Tower Suite all to yourselves, offering a beautiful sweep of the sea from your balcony. While here, you can take a fishing excursion or even arrange a ferry trip to a neighboring island, but you'll most importantly make some Canarian friends while shopping in the boutiques and folk markets, dining in the marina, and visiting historic sites if you like.

A final drive will take you...

across the northern coast of Tenerife to Puerto de la Cruz, a busy port with an upscale residential neighborhood similar in slope and scope to San Francisco. Spa treatments await you at the Oriental Spa Garden of the Hotel Botánico, one of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World.

The view from your terrace Santa Cruz Opera housewill look back up towards the volcano where you started your journey. By day you'll visit the remarkable Loro Parque zoo and relax on the beach (a short shuttle ride away), and by night enjoy fine dining and an opera or dance performance at the magnificent new auditorio in Santa Cruz.

You'll fly home after nine nights of a unique and very different type of honeymoon in this wonderful corner of the world. Please inquire about the opportunity to extend this trip with some overnights on the other islands in the chain - while more tourism-oriented, there are intriguing natural and cultural experiences to take in on neighboring Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.

Who will enjoy this trip:

Couples enjoying hiking, driving, and being treated like royalty in a more remote environment. Those enjoying European island culture and nightlife, and access to great beaches.

Who should avoid this trip:

Those without a sense of cultural or physical adventure; couples who wish to avoid any driving. Travelers seeking a pure beach destination in the Canaries with little moving around should consider an all-inclusive resort, though finding a good one can be difficult!