The island of Tenerife appeared on the map about 8-12 million years ago like the rest of the Canary Islands. Originally, there were three islands with the mountain ranges of Teno, Anaga, and Valle San Lorenzo. Thanks to the massive volcanic activity, the areas merged together and formed Tenerife as we know it today. Tenerife features an extremely varied plant life.
The large, wooded mountains, and extensive areas are overgrown with tomatoes, bananas, potatoes, and other agricultural products. Its rocky coast is lined by cliffs in some places, while in other areas there are beaches covered with soft black and gold sand. Due to the volcanic nature of Tenerife, many of its beaches are not natural, but man-made. The increasing popularity of the island of Tenerife as a tourist resort caused the development of Tenerife’s man-made golden sand beaches. For those who want to see the beauty of the island, it is highly advisable to have tours in Tenerife.
Boat Tours in Tenerife
For those who want to see whales and dolphins, there are boat tours in the town of Adeje. Many companies offer boat trips for visitors, varying from a “booze cruise” on a cruiser offering drinks, lunch, and water sports, to a tour around the island on a catamaran or sailing boat. One of the most popular attractions is the opportunity to see dolphins and whales in the wild. Boat tours go from either Puerto the port at Los Cristianos, or Colon in Playa de las Americas. Moreover, most operators provide their customers with a free bus service from the larger hotels in the main resorts.
Boat tours are always a great option for your holidays. It does not matter if you are a family with kids, romantic couple, or group of friends, this adorable outdoor activity is a perfect choice and here are the main benefits of boat tours. Boat trips are highly advisable to do in the beginning of your holidays. Sound of waves, a comfortable yacht, light ocean breeze, and warm sun will definitely take away all your worries and problems. After such a boat tour you will disconnect from your stress and job and will start to enjoy your time and get pleasure from your holidays.
Whales and dolphins, which you will see during your tour, will not leave indifferent neither adults nor kids. Leaving a harbor of Puerto Colon, the boat will take the direction of the island of La Gomera and make a stop there. This point between two islands – La Gomera and Tenerife – is a permanent home of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins. The trip organizers guarantee that you will definitely see one of these graceful and intelligent animals playing just near the yacht. Just imagine what a great pleasure is to combine the refreshing swimming in the clean waters of El Puertito with sunbathing on the board of the boat. Anyway, here you will be able see other Tenerife residents – the turtles.
Those who like the incredible natural landscapes of Tenerife and the sea, should choose a boat trip to Los Gigantes, which normally takes five hours. Moreover, here you will have a chance to get one more unforgettable experience – enjoy the picturesque view of Los Gigantes cliffs. No one can describe what a person feels looking at these enormous rocks, rising directly from the azure water. So now you understand see why boat tours in Tenerife are a must do activity. But if you have not decided yet what to do, we have another argument left: in Tenerife, there is an extensive selection of boats, from yachts with the small number of passengers to huge ones. The tour duration varies from three to five hours.
Volcano Tours in Tenerife
If you are going to visit Tenerife, you should definitely experience the dramatic scenery in the Teide National Park, which is an amazing evidence that the Canaries were formed by prolonged volcanic activity. Take a volcano tour, which will take you deep into the breathtaking landscape of giant lava flows, rock formations, and strange colors and shapes one can only imagine on another planet. Here you are able to put on your walking shoes and ramble between lava flows, watch sunbathing lizards on a walk near the base of Mount Teide, and feel the dry, high altitude air on your face.
In 2007, the Teide National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Currently it is one of the most popular national parks in the whole world. Since the air here is very dry, it is recommended to wear some warm clothing, especially in winter when Mount Teide is even more photogenic being covered with white snow.
You will have a chance to make as many stops as you need to take spectacular camera shots. On your way down from the mountains, you will be offered to take a break for a typical island dish and a glass of the finest wine. As on all our guided tours, you will get much information about the island of Tenerife and here one or two funny stories and anecdotes.
Tour to the City of Conquest
This tour is a perfect choice for those who would like to have a closer look at the history of Tenerife, at its roots, feudal conquest, and embedded in religious culture. Originally called Aguere, Alonso Fernández de Lugo called it San Cristóbal de La Laguna in 1496. In 1999, the La Laguna’s historic center was announced to be a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It is the original capital, where the nobility, the wealthy, and the intellectual and administrative classes first lived and the Palace of Nava and Grimón, where you will visit the House of the Jesuits and the Museum of History and Anthropology are examples of a cultured past.
Your walk through La Laguna will finitely make you feel rather peckish so you might want to try a delicious tapa in one of the town’s many small inns or sample some of the finest honeys and wines at La Casa del Vino, a short distance away. After visiting one of the most beautiful churches in the Canaries, Nuestra Señora de Santa Catalina, which is located in the agricultural town of Tacoronte, you should have a pleasant walk through Los Lavaderos, a paradise of pools of water and gushing fountains where women once did their washing.
Taganana Route and the “Classic” Island Tour
If you want to know what the Canaries might have been like until not so very long ago, the Taganana Route is what you need. Away from the modern life, Taganana still remains isolated and almost unaffected by progress. The route lies deep amongst the valleys of the island’s oldest mountain range and runs in and out of ravines, from the amazing coastline of picturesque beaches and cliffs once used by pirates for landing their treasures right up to the rain forest in the Las Mercedes peaks.
There are no doubts that these sights are beautiful and simply magnificent. The varieties of plant and tree species, contrasting colors, and beautiful mountain hamlets where electric light was a novelty even in the 1990’s will keep your mouth dropped open. The Taganana rout is the place where locals still live off what the land provides for them and a simple but tasty tapas lunch can be washed down with a glass of the finest local burgundy wine.
An all-day island tour will take you to the oldest villages in Tenerife. Starting off with a free pickup from the Los Cristianos/Las Americas area, the coach will head for the village of Vilaflor and then onto Mount Teide. Descending the other side of the volcano, the coach arrives at the beautiful town of La Orotava. There you will have a chance to explore the ancient village, including the “Street of Balconies.” Your next stop will be Icod de los Vinos with its popular dragon tree, which has been standing for a few thousand years. From there, you will move to the quaint “hidden gem” village of Masca.
Shopping and Evening Wine Tours in Tenerife
If you are a shopaholic, then you will definitely like one of many shopping tours in Tenerife. Usually, your trip will start and end at your hotel anywhere in Tenerife. The Canary Islands are VAT free economic zone with no or very low taxes for different goods what makes it a perfect shopping destination and the capital of Tenerife is the best place to go shopping.
During the shopping tour with an experienced guide, who speaks your language, you will be able to see the best shopping destinations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, such as Meridiano and El Corte Ingles shopping malls, the Calle del Castillo (fashion shopping), the shopping streets around Plaza de Candelariaand Plaza de Espana.
Before coming back to your hotel, you will have a chance to visit African Market with lots of exotic, fresh and natural fruits, spices, herbs, vegetables, and souvenirs. You can store your things in the car, so could shop in relaxing atmosphere without carrying your heavy bags. Probably, you will want to stay longer in one mall or another one. In this case, you should prolong the shopping tour up to your wish.
If the last island tour was the perfect choice for shopaholics, do not think that this one is only for alcoholics! After being picked up from your hotel, you will find yourself in a Bodega, or winery. There, you will be able to sample the finest wines and buy some if you wish. After sampling wine, you will be taken up to the typical Canarian restaurant, where you will be able to try a selection of delicious Canarian dishes.
You may every dish you want to. Once you have decided which dish tastes better, you can order it for your dinner. On offer will be such things as croquettes, meatballs, rabbit, goat, and, of course, the traditional Tenerife food, gofio.