Canary Islands: seven islands with all the landscapes of the world
Pristine sea, high mountain, dense and ancient forests, desert. And the cosmos in two steps.
Sea life all year round, certainly, but the Canary Islands have all-round entertainment possibilities thanks also to a temperature that even in summer generally does not exceed 28° and allows the tourist excursions through thick forests and lunar landscapes, observe the falling stars from observatories at over 2,000 meters but also pamper yourself with geo-therapy and aloe vera, lots of sport and "volcanic" wine.
Sotavento Beach - Fuerteventura
The Canary Islands are an archipelago composed of seven islands located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. They enjoy one of the best climates in the world: they are considered the archipelago of eternal spring, because the temperature is mild and constant throughout the year under the positive influence of the trade winds. Visiting the Canary Islands is not just about having a sea life, but discovering some unique natural treasures in the world.
1. El Teide, Tenerife - On the island of Tenerife is El Teide, the third highest volcano in the world, after Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The visit to the volcano can be done on foot, walking for 5 and a half hours, or by using a modern cable car that takes you 500 meters from the top. All around the territory constitutes the Teide National Park, the most visited national park in Europe and the second most visited in the world. More experienced hikers can follow a path that reaches the summit, at the Pico del Teide (3718 meters), for which a special permit is required. The view, both from the Belvedere, to the arrival of the cable car, and on top of the volcano will take your breath away.
2. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria - If you think that in the Canaries the beaches are made only of pebbles and dark sand, you have never been along the beaches of Maspalomas on the island of Gran Canaria. Here the sand is very fine and golden, in contrast with the deep blue of the Ocean. This oasis is the right setting for sunbathing and walking on the shore. Las Maspalomas extends for 3.5 km from La Punta, the southernmost point of the island and the ancient lighthouse, whose lantern was lit in 1890 and is still in use today: from the terrace you can enjoy a beautiful view. Behind the beach, sand dunes up to 10 meters high, where you can feel a bit in the desert, in fact there is no shortage of camel rides between palm trees and sand dunes. The most striking area is the first series of dunes of the Charco de Maspalomas lagoon.
Mas Palomas - Gran Canaria
3. Art and environment in Lanzarote - César Manrique, a native of Lanzarote, is the artist, architect and activist for the preservation of the territory of which the Canarios are very proud. His relationship with the landscape was not only aesthetic, but also a commitment to defend the Canary Islands and their delicate habitat. Jameos del Agua is a volcanic cone open on the surface where you can admire a natural lagoon of transparent and emerald waters that houses a native species of the island, a tiny, albino, blind and shimmering small crab of unknown origin. Mirador del Rio is a building located at an altitude of 500 meters on top of the Risco cliff that offers an amazing and suggestive view of Lanzarote. The headquarters of the César Manrique Foundation is built on a lava flow and uses, on the lower level, the natural formation of five volcanic bubbles to create a surprising living space.
4. Lanzarote, volcanic wine - The Canary Islands are an exceptional wine region due to the volcanic nature of the soil and the dry heat. The lava rocks are porous and retain moisture, those sparse drops of water that are created during the night taking advantage of the thermal shock, the roots of the vines are so safe and the soil traps heat and sunlight. In Lanzarote the rows of vines are protected from the wind by stone walls, in the shape of an almond and the vine leaves stand out in contrast with this lunar landscape. In the vineyard region fifteen wineries offer wine tasting and visits to vineyards, most of the wineries are included in the Timanfaya National Park.
Volcanic Wine - Lanzarote
5. Aloe Vera - The spas of the Canary Islands are known and exploit all the natural resources of the place to offer wellness treatments. Among the best known are the thalassotherapy that exploits the benefits of sea water, geotherapy that uses mud and volcanic clays, and above all therapies based on aloe vera, a medicinal plant already known locally since the time of the Guanches, the ancient and mysterious indigenous population. The variety that grows in the Canary Islands, the Barbadensis Miller is famous for its quality and its beneficial properties.
6. La Palma and the real stars ... - The Canary archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean, in front of the coast of Africa and the Sahara desert, off the coast of Morocco. The island closest to the mainland, Fuerteventura, is about 95 km from the African coast, and all the islands are 940 km from the European mainland coast. This inevitable "isolation" has made these volcanic lands a natural observatory of heavenly wonders. The sky of La Palma is one of the best places in the world for astronomy and the astronomical observatory of Roque de los Muchachos, at 2,396 m. above sea level, it hosts one of the most important telescope systems in the world. The observatory organizes visits to its structures, and there are astronomical visits organized by guides such as La Palma Astronomy Tours which also offer a gourmet experience: "Tapas and Stars".
Stars - La Palma
7. …Tenerife and Michelin stars - Tenerife has six Michelin stars distributed in five restaurants. Among these is the cuisine of the Roman Andrea Bernardi that you can try at the NUB, a restaurant built in a beautifully restored colonial building, its tasting menus blend Italian, Chilean and traditional Canarian flavors. While the famous Basque chef Martín Berasategui has his restaurant M.B. at the Ritz Carlton Abama hotel with its two Michelin stars. It is renowned for its interpretation of Spanish cuisine with influences from the Basque Country and selection of local ingredients. The Rincón de Juan Carlos, owner of a star, offers a choice of à la carte or tasting menus, with particular attention to seafood and seasonal produce from the island market.
8. Whales in sight in El Hierro - To bring out the natural treasures from the bottom of the sea, tourists must land on the islet of El Hierro, the smallest of the Canaries that was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2000. This island has also a marine reserve with steep slopes up to 300 meters, submerged terrace, sandy platforms and caves. Privileged site for diving with more than ten superior category spots, where the uniqueness of the volcanic territory together with the marine beauties merge. It is also the perfect place for whale and dolphin sighting, as several species can be seen all year round.
Charco Azul - El Hierro
9. Lush forests in La Gomera - Valleys filled with palm trees, deep gorges, black sand beaches with crystal clear waters, lush forests and ancient forests cooled by streams. We are in La Gomera, the last strip of land touched by Christopher Columbus in 1492 before the discovery of America, where the forests are lush and the valleys are covered with palm trees and pristine nature. It is a true natural paradise, where species that have disappeared elsewhere survive, and an ideal place for hiking thanks to a network of over 600 kilometers of trails. The island was awarded as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2011, in the category of excellences, for the uncontaminated nature of its marine and terrestrial ecosystems: for example the laurisilva, the laurel forest of the Natural Park of Garajonay, a green mass of vegetation prehistoric that survives only in La Gomera, thanks to its incredibly temperate climate.
10. Surf in Fuerteventura - Fuerteventura is known for its 150 km of white sand beaches and emerald green waters, a paradise immersed in the sun, perfect for relaxation and water sports. While the north of the island offers spots suitable for more experienced surfers, there are also less demanding places for beginners, the south is swept by reliable winds all year round which, together with the flat sea, offer some of the best conditions in the world for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
