Already tired of traffic jams? From the subway? It's time to think about his next vacation and what to afford a nature getaway? The Canary Islands and the charming Ténerife, which offers activities for all ages: hiking, surfing, diving, whale watching and dolphins, fishing, canyoning, climbing, paragliding… There will be for the whole family! Especially during Carnival, during the first fortnight of February, where the fever took over the capital Santa Cruz. Unmissable!
With an area of more than 2,000 m 2 and 400 km of coastline, it is the largest island in the Canary Islands. But with less than 900 000 inhabitants, it is also the most tourist island. Nearly 5 million travelers come to spend their holidays every year, almost half of the visitors to the archipelago. Europeans in sunshine, especially Germans, English and Dutch, are traveling there massively even in winter, because the constant presence of winds keeps cool temperatures all year round, between 25 and 30 ° C. The Spanish also come to spend their holidays with family or friends. Whatever the visitors, Tenerife offers benefits for all budgets and activities for all ages: hiking, surfing, hiking, diving, whale watching and dolphins, fishing, canyoning, climbing, paragliding…
The island tower
In the south, the cities of Los Cristianos and Playas de Las Americas are not without recalling our Mediterranean seaside resorts particularly concrete of tourist complexes and buildings on the seafront, built from the 1960 s. Here, artificial white sandy beaches imported from the Sahara have been designed to satisfy the many families and the aficionados of sunshine and nightclubs.
The coast is not similar to the south coast but remains very urbanized and without great interest, inhabited by the premises, because the motorway serving the north island to the south passes through this side of the island. Some interesting villages visit here, such as Güimar and its pyramids or Candelaria.
In the large cities of the north such as Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz where the premises live, tourists are rarer but just come enjoying historic pedestrian centers and shopping. Many of them visit La Laguna; the center, a fine example of Canary architecture, is classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the west and north, picturesque villages are still visited despite the mass tourism on the island, such as La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and Masca. When the coastline is very steep, at the end of tortuous roads are small villages spared by the agitation and beautiful beaches of glittering black sand under the sun. On this peeled and rocky island there are two small forests in the Anaga massif north and in the Teno massif in the west, smaller.
The hinterland and the center of the island, far from the neons and shopping malls, are appreciated by hikers and tourists seeking tranquility, attracted by the Canary villages where there are rural finishes. They come to enjoy the many natural riches of the island, starting with the Pico del Teide.
Sports holidays
The Teide Park is an unmissable place as soon as its suitcases on the island are laid. Classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this volcanic summit is 3,718 meters. It is discovered on foot of course through the road of the ridges (even if the funniest can take their car!) and in cable car. For everyone, it will be an unforgettable experience to discover a world excavated by lava and the centuries…
Then, hikers will take the direction of the Anaga and Teno mountains. The Anaga Rural Park occupies a large part of the mountain massif located in the far northeast of Tenerife. It is a steep space with exceptional natural and cultural sites, very harmonious landscapes, fruits of the coexistence of human beings and nature. The Teno Rural Park is one of the most impressive natural areas on the island. With the richness of its avifauna and in order to conserve the different species of birds living there, the area has been declared protected space. From the Punta de Teno, you can also observe the absolutely spectacular panoramas of the Gigantes cliff cliffs that throw into the sea and reach heights of 600 meters.
If you will not forget to contemplate the lunar landscape of Granadilla, the nature reserve of the Malpaís de Güímar or the Montaña Roja, it is to the ocean that we will finish his holiday «100% nature». In the south, the most reckless will have the choice between canyoning descents in the barrancos or unforgettable kitesurf sessions on El Medano beach. Adventurers will go to discover the seabed. Among the most famous volcanic funds, Las Galletas will be the occasion to cross the beautiful lines and perhaps even sea turtles to catch the hour of appetizers.
For all, the island of Tenerife will be the occasion for a sporting and energetic holiday before coming back to the grisy of the beginning of winter. But it's not for now, because an extraordinary party is going on…
An Indispensable Carnival
This is an appointment not to be missed! By far the most important of Tenerife, it has been declared of tourist interest and is considered by some to be the second carnival in the world, after Rio! Outcome: an uninterrupted celebration for 24 hours that the Tinerfeños (residents of Tenerife) are looking forward to every year, just like tourists who come to this party. So don't forget to go ahead in advance to find accommodation.
Every year in February, streets are decorated and thousands of people disguise the streets. Parades and costume contests of all kinds, super heroes to pirates, hats, wig, strass, makeup, bariolated costumes and feathers invade the streets. More than 100,000 people gather in the city center for the occasion. The week is marked by various events: the gala of the election of the Queen of Carnival, the grand parade of coso, the burial of sardines, the murgas, the tangsas and the concerts follow each other. The Rue de la Noria in the pedestrian center is the nerve center of this colorful festival. Everything happens at night, but for several years we have also celebrated carnival. On Saturday of Pinata, thousands of people dance on the street with the family. The city is invaded by tangsas and their batucadas that play everywhere. To conclude your holidays in beauty!
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When is it? All year round. In the Canary Islands there is no low season proper because it is beautiful all year round and temperatures range between 20 and 30 ° C. For carnival in 2016, rendez-vous between 3 and 14 February.
Go there. Minimum price of a Paris-Tenerife or Paris-Gran Canaria flight: about 400 € depending on season and type of company.
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Useful. To best prepare his trip.
CANARY TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
SANTA CRUZ CARNIVAL OFFICIAL SITE - More information on the site
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