Ed Sheeran’s 2014 song “Tenerife Sea”, is a reference to the island of Tenerife which according to Sheeran, the blue colour of the sea, matched the colour of the eyes of his girlfriend at that time.
Tenerife is the largest and most heavily populated of the Canary Islands which are located off the north-west coast of Morocco. Tenerife is the most popular destinations of the four islands in the group and like the others has volcanic origins. Mount Teide in the centre of the island which is located in the Teide National Park is the three largest volcano in the world when measured from its base.
A cable car will take you from the road will take you most of the way to the summit, but up to access the summit itself you will need to reserve a permit in advance. Numbers are normally restricted to 200 per day.
Tenerife is an all year round holiday destination with a dry, warm climate. It lies at the same latitude as central Florida and enjoys an average temperature of 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) in the winter and 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) in the summer. The coastal areas get less rain and less variation of temperature compared to the interior of the island where snow on the mountains is a possibility. If you have hired a car to visit the Teide National Park then you should also add Masca village to your list of day trip destinations, Masca is described by many as Tenerife’s most beautiful village. The population of the village is around 90 inhabitants, but it is a popular tourist destination so it’s best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. The houses appear to cling onto the edge of the mountainside and there are dramatic views from the village. The church in the centre of the village has only room for 8 worshippers at a time.
There are many legends about the village, but it was most likely used as a refuge for locals when pirates attacked the island. Inland villages like this are a common feature along various parts of Spanish coastal areas. Be warned that road up and therefore back down is tight and twisting but provides an adventure in itself. You can take a small coach up and walk down if you wish.
If Masca has been described as Tenerife’s most beautiful village, then Garachico has been variously described as the Tenerife’s most charming, prettiest and unluckiest town. Three hundred years ago it was the most important port on the island, it was a major stopping point for vessels plying their trade across the Atlantic. That all came to an abrupt stop overnight when Montaña Negra erupted, spewing out rivers of lava that swept through the town to destroy the harbour and therefore the town source of wealth.
However let’s not forget why most of us will be heading for the island. Its beaches. There are over one hundred to choose from, so you will be spoilt for choice. There are many black sand pebble beaches on the northern coast, while on the south and south-west coast of the island, the beaches have typically much finer and clearer sand with lighter tones. Some of the beaches like Las Teresitas are artificial. White sand was imported from Africa to help develop the tourist industry. Tourists are said to prefer white sand to black sand. How about you?
Book with Maggie to experience the charm of Tenerife.
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