Things to do in Tenerife |
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Things to do in Tenerife |
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Things to do in Tenerife The island of Tenerife
is so small that it would be easy to drive around it in a single day and
you would be forgiven for thinking that the island is devoted entirely
to hedonism and revelry, given the press attention it draws every
summer. There
are two main airports in Tenerife; the North or the South and each is
ideally located to take you straight in to the heart of the lively bars,
nightspots and sun-drenched beaches. These are the areas that bring
Tenerife its infamous reputation as the world’s party headquarters,
with many internationally-acclaimed DJ’s and party hosts coming to air
their talents. Yet,
there is a quieter side to Tenerife; a world of hidden history and
stunning architecture that reflects the different styles that have
prevailed in each age. Churches such as La Concepcion de La Laguna sit
like well-preserved relics from the immediate post-conquest era. There
are Baroque and Neo-Classical buildings and monuments to be found in
Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, nestled alongside the more
modern-styled buildings of recent years. The
Painted Cave of Galdar, the Cueva Pintada, offers a stunning trip back
in time to see geometric patterns left by the early aboriginal
civilization that one blossomed here. Nothing comparable has ever been
found in any other cave in the Canary Islands. Or you can travel forward
in time and see the forts of San Gabriel; old-world architecture set
against Tenerife’s natural and unspoiled landscapes. There
is a plethora of festivals and celebrations taking place on the island
at various points through the year, some rooted in its aboriginal
history and others have their history founded in the various religions
that have established themselves here. Music
is a big part of Tenerife’s culture – and not just club music; the
island plays host to one of the most prestigious classical music
festivals in Europe in June, has is own opera season in the final three
months of every year and holds the Sabandeno
Festival in September – the international Folklore Music Festival. Tenerife’s
cuisine is often overlooked, but it is as eclectic and exciting as its
history; local produce is served up in a variety of styles that reflect
the island’s historical influences, a combination of traditional
Spanish recipes fused with Latin American and African flavours. A
selection of tapas will perhaps see you sampling Papas Arrugadas
(wrinkled potatoes) served with mojos – spicy or green sauces – or
the traditional gofio, a bread made from the flour of toasted cereals. A
glass of earthy Rioja or a Vino de Norte will doubtless complement your
gastronomic adventures. Many Britons now
are travelling further afield and taking advantage of the drop in prices
caused by the competition between airlines. Flights
to Tenerife can now cost as little as £250 from the likes of Cheap
Flights and FlyMonarch with
whom you can pick up cheap
flights to Tenerife from around £72 (one including taxes). |
