"Contrast" is the keyword for the Canaries.  

You can find lively and crowded beach scenes - with backdrops of high -rise hotels and discos that blare and rock until dawn . . .

or -

You can hike into desolate landscapes of stark and incomparable beauty and not see another person all day.

The Canary islands really have it all - and also a climate that is very close to perfection.  The average temperatures only range between 65 degrees F. in the winter to 75 degrees F. in the summer.  They get more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Europe, and pleasant ocean breezes are the norm.

In these seven islands, nature has provided every possible kind of geography.  The natural wonders will provide a perfect counterpoint to the other plentiful activities for visitors -  the high-life and night-life of the major cities and tourist areas.

 

 

Tenerife:

Tenerife is the archipelago's largest island, it's most varied, and it's most touristed.  It has the highest mountain peak in all of Spain (Pico del Teide),  the most popular wintertime beach in Europe (Playa de las Americas), and carpets of banana groves that stretch on for miles. The two cities of La Orotava and La Laguna are quiet little jewels set back away from the hectic beach scenes.  Of course, the whole of the Parque National de las Cañadas del Teide is a "must see" for nature lovers and everyone else. Tenerife will be your introduction to the islands and gateway to the other wonders in these "islands of eternal spring." The Parador Las Canadas Del Teide is situated at the highest point of any building on the island, and is the only building allowed inside the Teide Nature Reserve.  The hotel dining room offers delectable local specialties and beautiful views of Pico del Teide.

     

Visits: Teide Peak (3 km). At 12,195 ft. - the highest peak in Spain. La Orotava (42 km) Puerto de la Cruz (48 km) Icod de los Vinos (52 km) Drago Milenario La Laguna. 'World Heritage City'. Episcopal palace, cathedral and museums Masca Ravine, Macizo de Anaga Santa Cruz de Tenerife (70 km)

Activities:   Golf Storytellers Telescope viewing Trekking

Typical festivals: Rug festival La Orotava, 42 km. Romería (procession) La Orotava, 42 km.

La Gomera:

The "Island of Columbus" - the little round island of the unique "whistling language."  La Gomera has what is thought to be the oldest forest on the planet - located in the mist-shrouded Garajonay National Park.   There are few beaches here - this island is for hiking in the wilds, strolling the streets of the main city, San Sebastian, or just relaxing in the stylish Parador. The Parador La Gomera (view from entrance above left) has an interesting mix of architectural styles .  The view across the ocean to Pico del Teide on Tenerife is breathtaking.  They have a well-cared-for garden of subtropical species and a fine restaurant that serves dishes you'll find nowhere else in the world.

     

Visits: San Sebastián de la Gomera. Torre del Conde, Columbus' House Garajonay Nature Reserve (15 km). Declared a World Heritage Site Demonstration of 'silbo de La Gomera' (Gomera whistle language) (20 km)

Activities:   Mountain bikes Swimming Trekking Underwater fishing 4x4 Routes

Typical festivals: San Sebastián 20 January, San Sebastián de la Gomera Canary Islands Day 30 May, throughout the island Puntallana 2 October, in Puntallana, 8 km.

 

La Palma:

La Palma - the "isla bonita"   - the pretty island, and "the hilliest island on the earth."  It is the location of another incredible national park - the Parque National de la Caldera de Taburiente.   This park contains one of the worlds largest volcanic craters whose walls drop straight down to the dense pine forests that cover the crater's floor 2000 feet below!  La Palma is the wettest of all the Canaries, and you'll be refreshed by the many shades of green in the islands beautiful interior.  The newer Parador La Palma offers all the comforts one has grown to expect and appreciate from the wonderful Parador chain.  The rooms are very tastefully appointed in traditional Canary Island style.

        

Visits: Santa Cruz de la Palma (8 km) Old quarter declared Historical-Artistic Area Los Llanos de Aridane (30 km to the west) La Caldera de Taburiente National Park (35 km) Los Sauces (30 km). Los Tilos forest (lime trees) International observatories (35 km). On the 'Roque de los Muchachos'

Activities:   Paragliding Snorkeling Trekking 4x4 Routes

Typical festivals: Fiesta de la Cruz 3 May, Sta. Cruz de la Palma Fiestas Lustrales Descent of the Virgen de las Nieves, from 2 to 18 July

 

El Hierro:

El Hierro - "La isla chiquita"  - the little island at the edge of the world.  This is the least visited and most peaceful of the seven main islands.  No tourist hub-bub here. Its mountains drip from the almost continual clouds that cover them - thus providing precious irrigation water for the rural and largely agricultural lands and villages below.  Valverde is the islands quaint inland capital.  It rests in misty, introspective serenity. The Parador El Hierro (view from room balcony above left) is perfect for the traveler who relishes real "get-away-from-it-all" peace and quiet.  It occupies a completely isolated spot at the foot of a mountain and only a stone's throw from the calm waters of the Atlantic ocean.  For some, sitting and soaking in the tranquil views from the restaurant terrace, or your room's balcony while sipping a glass of wine and dining on the freshest of seafood - will be very close to holiday perfection.

     

Visits: Viewpoints of Isora (32 km), Bascos (52 km) Faro de Orchilla (67 km) Valverde (27 km) Valle del Golfo (53 km) Restinga Route (55 km) Al Árbol Santo (Garoe, 31 km)

Activities:   Boat trips Diving Fishing Hiking Miniature golf Mountain bikes Paragliding Snorkeling Swimming Trekking

Typical festivals: Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes once every 4 years, all over the island (for 35 Km), 21 km. from Valverde, the closest point

 

 

Gran Canaria:

The four-star Parador Cruz De Tejeda sits at an altitude 5,117 feet above the Atlantic ocean in the very center of the island of Gran Canaria.  It is surrounded by pine forests, and cleaner air you will never breathe! For those who love nature, this is a spectacular setting for a hotel.  This is a mountainous area overlooking Roque Nublo and the canyons, arroyos, and cliffs that lead down to the coast far below. The village of Cruz de Tejeda is nearby.  The Parador Cruz De Tejeda is known for its magnificent views out over the island and for the huge rock cross presiding over the entrance.  In the restaurant you can choose: Baifo (kid), potaje de berros (watercress hotpot), conejo en salmorejo (rabbit in sauce), papas arrugás y mojos (wrinkled potatoes with a hot sauce) and bienmesabe de Tejeda (a kind of almond syrup dessert). Parador Cruz De Tejeda is a wonderful place for hiking and nature walks. You will be in an environment of tranquility where the nights produce the the most fragrant and healthy air you may have ever breathed! This is the perfect place to truly unwind.

        

Typical festivals

	Almond Blossom Festival. Tejeda (9km.) First two weeks of February.
	Festival of the Virgin of Soco Tejeda (9 km.) Starting the second week in September.
	Our Lady of the Pine Teror (20 km).
	Carnival. February. Throughout the island.

 

The Canary islands have a reputation for being over-run with tourists.  They do get a ton of younger sun-seeking types at the "name" beaches and major cities on the main islands, but there is another world to be discovered here - a world absolutely unique.  

Nature has gifted the Canary islands with a rare and singular beauty.  For those with even a little curiosity for something other than the "usual tourist hash"  - these islands guard hidden delights that patiently await discovery.

 

 

 

Madrid:

Madrid is hands-down winner of the title, "Europe's Liveliest City."  Madrilenos don't really get their day into high gear until after dinnertime - and dinner usually starts around 10:00 p.m.!  Then they flood their beloved city's streets and "pasear" (stroll around) or "tapear" (hop from tapa bar to tapa bar) until dawn. Some speak of Madrid as being drab, but how far from the truth that is!  Granted it suffers, as do many of the world's major cities, from urban sprawl - but once you get past the concrete jungle outskirts, you'll discover a city that provides endless surprises and discoveries. There are many pockets of very old buildings that contain odd assortments of shops, tiendas and bars.  You'll happen upon eighteenth-century Bourbon squares, pleasant plazas and quaint restaurants at every other turn.

Must Sees:  The Prado museum - the Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza galleries, the Plaza Mayor, the Retiro Park, Gran Via - and the list could go on and on.

But really - the thing that makes Madrid so special are the street scenes, the people and the energy that makes this the night-time, high-energy capital of Europe.