Winter Holidays in Canaries
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The Canary islands have long been popular with holidaymakers from around the world. There are seven islands in the group and we covered three of them in last week’s issue – Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
In addition to these, Tenerife is a well-known name for many tourists and has gained a good reputation in mass tourism. The three smaller – and lesser known islands – La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma are situated to the western edge of the archipelago which lies off the Moroccan coast. They are much less frequented but they do offer holidaymakers the chance of more Canaries voyages of discovery in the future.
Tenerife - Holiday rentals
Its dominant feature is the volcanic crater of Mount Teide. The capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife with a port area, museums of archaeology and anthropology and the impressive 17th century Carta Palace. Close to Santa Cruz there are the beaches Las Gaviotas and Las Teresitas but one of the best views of the island panorama is from the top of Mount Esperanza 20 kilometres away. Very few visitors to Tenerife leave without going to the Mount Teide National Park. A cableway takes visitors 3,600 metres up the mountain and there they climb to the peak on foot and get the tremendous views at 3,718 metres – the highest mountain of Spain. Equally impressive is the volcano's immense crater, with a circumference of 80 kilometres which can be explored via four wheel drive car, then by foot to view some still active parts. Around Mount Teide there are several smaller volcanoes – Mount Rajada and Mount Chahorra.
Canary mini islands - Accommodation
La Gomera
Is called the “Island of Mountains” because of its central range which reach a height of 1,487 metres before dropping steeply to the sea. A large area, called the Alto de Garajonay, is a national park. An ancient custom still alive today is the inhabitants of the different valleys using a whistling language – likened to the yodelling of the European Alps – to communicate. Gomera comprises a series of small bays with fine sand but because of the island's steep coast in places the best way to get to them is by boat. Good beaches are at the small fishing village of Playa de Santiago and at Vallehermoso.
La Palma
Tiny but arguably the greenest island of the Canaries. Its La Caldera del Taburiente is the world's largest volcanic crater, with a diameter of nine kilometres and a depth of 770 metres and the best view of it is from Mirador de la Cumbrecita. Overshadowed by the volcano is the main town – and main arrival point by ferry – Santa de la Cruz La Palma on the island's east coast. Wandering the steeply inclined alleys, visitors can find 16th century buildings, some interesting places to eat and the Museum of Natural Science. South of Santa de la Cruz lie, Brenda Baja with its beautiful, but small, bays and fine beaches of sand, such as can be found at Playa de Cacaos. Near Mazo is a cave with prehistoric engravings and travelling around the island will reveal more volcanoes such as Teneguía which last erupted in 1971.
El Hierro
The smallest, the most southerly and the most westerly of the islands is for truly relaxing holidays away from any hustle and bustle. Its steep rocky coast is very different from the wide beaches which can be found around the rest of the Canaries group but at Golfo, Hierro has a beach 14 kilometres long. In the centre of the island among more volcanic craters and woodland lies Hierro’s highest peak, Malpaso which, at 1,501 metres, offers the best views over the whole of the island. The main town is Valverde with gardens and parks, a fortified church and a town square offering a great view over the sea.
Canaries Festival time
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March and April – Semana Santa is the Holy Week celebration with parades of hooded penitents.
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June – Corpus Christi is an eight-day fiesta which is second in importance in the festival calendar to Carnaval in February.
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June - July – Romerias is based on pilgrimages. Today they are colourful parades on foot or decorated cart to local shrines and are usually followed by a big fiesta.
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July – Fuerteventura hosts a world professional windsurfing speed and slalom event at Sotavento.
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