HOLA TENERIFE, ADIOS INGLATERRA (Tenerife)

Member Name: geelayz

Product:	Tenerife
Date:	02/03/02 (586 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing weather, Amazing people, Wonderful Culture

Disadvantages: It depends where you go!

Tenerife, situated in the Canary Islands, near Ibiza and in the Mediterranean. Paradise!
But Tenerife hardly displays the tacky, sex driven ambience of Ibiza. Some areas of Tenerife (Las Americas)are geered towards the British Tourist with pubs, clubs, strip joints and every restaurant serving ham and chips! I am not saying that this is bad. If you want to go on holiday and then end up at home again but with a sunburn then go to Las Americas.If you want to interact with the Spanish Culture, learn a bit about about the Spanish way of Life and maybe change your philosophy on Life then steer clear of Las Americas.

Tenerife is only a 3 hour flight from Luton and can cost from £38 depending which airline you take. Leaving the UK is the highlight of the flight until you reach Tenerife when you fly relatively low and can see the amzing islands of the Mediterranean.It is a sight to remember.

When you arrive at the airport customs fly by and you are hit by the warm wind and the dazzling sun. There are many places that you can visit but the place that I go to is Puerto del Cruz, near Mt Tede(the Beautiful island volcano). It is is beautiful town with a traditional Spanish square which holds fiestas every month and radio promotions which are extreley fun. I suggest that you try and rent a house rather than a hotel room. It is more expensive but well worth it!

The weather is wonderful most of the year even during Christmas and a tan is easily available. Most of the shops speak English if you need it but it is always fun to learn a few things before you go out there.

While on the Island, one thing that you should try is climbing Mt Tede, the island's volcano. Tenerife is a volcanic island. This means that is was formed by an erupting volcan millions of years ago who's spilling lava cooled when it touched the sea, forming an island; Tenerife! Climbing Mt Tede does not mean buying expensive climbi
ng gear or any gear whatsoever! You are able to drive up to e very high point and there are tours and guides to inform you about the volcano. Plus the panoramic view from the tom of Mt Tede is unforgettable. You will literaly cry if you forget your camera!

In the hills around the town are beautiful restaurants such as "El Monasterio" which is an amazing enclosure of small Spanish restaurants lit by what seems to be candle light from a distance. When you go into the old monatery you can see a small pond with different birds and fish. The food there is wonderful and I suggest that you try the Tapas and the Entrecot a la parrilla en ajillo. This is steak cooked on hot volcanic rock with a garlic flavouring. It is delicious!!!!It is an experience that you will never forget.

If you are hoping to lie on a beautiful white sandy beach and get a tan then Tenerife may not be for you. Because the island is volcanic, the beaches are black(black sand). It is a very sureal experience and should be tried but this is just a warning so that you are not in any way disappointed by the lack of traditional beach!

But do not worry if you get home sick! There are plenty of small English bars dotted around which are extremely entertaining. My favourite of which is called Harlequins, which is half way down the main street near Buccaneers. Here there is Karoake after 12 and all night on Thursday. They have a huge selection of songs, and within minutes you form a friendship with the owners who sing professionally together every night. It has a wondreful family atmosphere and I promise that you will love it. If you fail to find it, the taxi service(which by the way is extremely cheap)will take you directly there.
One place not to go to is Buccaneers. It used to be excellent but now it is under new management and it has gone downhill. Harlequins is the place to go!!!!!

A very special time to visit Tenerife is over Christmas a
nd the new year. There are two English Churches in Puerto del Cruz if you want to go to their fun services on Christmas day. New Years is very special too. Puerto it filled with the Spanish and tourists and all locals wear black tie for the entire evening. It is a very formal dress but a great deal of fun! It is a very different experience!!!

So I hope that you have enjoyed what I have written because it is all based on personal experience! I hope to go out there this christmas and hopefully, I'll see you there!

Mi saluda atentamente

Giles

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