MORE than two million of us Brits take the four-hour flight to Tenerife each year to bask in its subtropical climate.
But if you don’t venture beyond the bright lights of the tourist zones, you’re missing out on a stunning side of the biggest Canary Island.
Sleepy Spanish towns, spectacular mountain scenery, restaurants loved by locals, not to mention sublime stargazing and adventures on the high seas are there to be discovered, if you can tear yourself away from your sunlounger.
So I set out on a trip to sample real island life with local guide Jaime Munoz from Feel Tenerife tour company, whose mission it is to spread the word about wonders to be found in less visited areas. My first destination was San Cristobal de La Laguna in the north, the first colonial settlement in Tenerife that became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1999.
It was founded in the 1400s and was the original capital city. Its grid street layout provided a model for many colonial towns in the area. It’s a lovely town to just sit sipping coffee in the sunshine and watch the world go by, or wander around taking in the architecture, historic buildings, courtyards and pastel coloured houses.
The daily food market is a real treat for the senses too.
I stayed at the four-star Hotel Laguna Nivaria, an impressive 16th-century mansion in the heart of the old town, overlooking the leafy main square.
The breakfast buffet leaves you spoilt for choice while dinner in the restaurant serves up fresh local dishes – the pork fillet in a moreish dark Pedro Ximenez sherry wine reduction was amazing.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 20, 2024-Ausgabe von The Herald.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 20, 2024-Ausgabe von The Herald.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Van Gogh oil protest pair are jailed
TWO Just Stop Oil activists have been jailed for pouring soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, after they came close to “destroying” the masterpiece.
Whittaker is wanted but happy to remain a Pilgrim
ARGYLE FORWARD HAS ASPIRATIONS TO PLAY HIGHER, BUT NOT JUST YET
How Argyle played a role in Merson taking Walsall job
EX-FOOTBALLER turned Strictly Come Dancing star Paul Merson made his name winning trophies with Arsenal and starring for England in the 1990s - but his ill-fated career as a manager proved less successful.
Coming home to an Albion win cured my holiday blues!
THANK goodness for that, we are finally back to enjoying the sweet taste of a home win, after sneaking a victory over Leicester Lions last weekend at the Brickfields Fortress.
Dame Maggie dies, aged 89
OSCAR-WINNING actress Dame Maggie Smith has died, aged 89.
Guitarist denies fatal crash charge
GUITARIST Josh Klinghoffer, a former Red Hot Chili Peppers member who has also played with Pearl Jam, has pleaded not guilty through his lawyer to a misdemeanour manslaughter charge over the death of a pedestrian.
Mary's magic will sweep you away!
THE cast has been announced for Disney’s Mary Poppins ahead of its arrival in Plymouth early next year.
Pension claims are up
PENSION credit claims have hit almost 75,000 amid Government efforts to boost benefits take-up.
Danger of Lebanon crisis 'escalating much wider'
THE continuing tensions between Israel and the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group present a risk of spiralling out of control, the UK Defence Secretary has said.
Diamond days after struggle
AFRICAN ADVENTURE ‘THE PERFECT TONIC'