- Take the time to explore Tenerife from east to west, using your rental car and GPS to get around
- Stay in a collection of beautiful hotels in historic properties
- Get those hiking legs working with guided walks in the Teide National Park and the Anaga Massif
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Route
TOUCHDOWN IN TENERIFE
Your getaway to Tenerife starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some nibbles and refreshments in the airport lounge as you await departure. Flight time to Tenerife is about four-and-a-half hours, plenty of time to get stuck into your holiday read and brush up on your Spanish before touching down. On arrival, collect your hire car and travel an hour to Garachico, one of the oldest and most beautiful towns on the island. Your first hotel is a charming property steeped in history, where you’ll be staying for the next five nights. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with our local Concierge who knows the island through and through. This is a chance for you to get a general introduction to the island and the wider archipelago. You can discuss weather patterns, distances between points of interest, the best roads to use, the must-dos to weave into your itinerary, the landscapes, the history and the best hiking trails. It is also an opportunity to learn a little more about everyday life in the Canaries and to pick up a few handy tips and tricks for your journey ahead. The rest of today is yours to play with. We recommend heading out for a stroll around town before heading back to the hotel for a sunset aperitif and a delicious evening meal.
DISCOVER GARACHICO
Your first full-day in Tenerife is all about discovering the scenic and cultural delights of the quaint little fishing village of Garachico. Overlooking the waters of the Atlantic, the charms of the village lie in its serene atmosphere and beautiful architecture: churches, convents, elegant residences and tree-lined patios are dotted along pristine cobbled streets. Partly rebuilt after the volcano erupted and engulfed the port in 1706, Garachico has nevertheless risen from the ashes to become one of the best-preserved and culturally vibrant towns on the island. There are also a number of beautiful beaches nearby, perfect for a leisurely afternoon lazing in the sun, as well as the wild Montanera pine forest. You can spend the day exploring Garachico at your own pace or we can arrange for you to see some of the village’s best sites in the company of a friendly local guide.
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
The next three days are all about slowing down, reconnecting with nature and savouring the wild landscapes of the north coast, with its mountains, beaches and wonderful hiking trails. One of our favourite things to do on the island is a hike in the Teide National Park, which you’ll embark on with an experienced local guide. Soaring out of rich and diverse volcanic landscapes are two huge stratovolcanoes, Teide and Pico Viejo. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an outstanding example of a relatively old and geologically complex volcanic system that is slowly evolving. The lava flows form an extraordinary palette of colours and shapes, and support an exceptional array of flora (including the Teide broom, Descurainia and knapweed) as well as over 700 species of insects, reptiles and birds of prey. We can also whisk you off to a banana plantation to learn about the unique properties of the Canary Islands’ banana.
TRAVEL ALONG THE NORTH COAST
The time has come to bid farewell to Garachico and hop across to the other side of the island. Your next destination is San Cristóbal de la Laguna, the ancient capital of the island. The journey takes around an hour, but there are plenty of beautiful spots en route worth stopping at, including La Orotava, which dazzles visitors with its rich architectural past. On arrival in San Cristóbal de la Laguna, settle in for your final two nights in a beautifully-renovated hotel in the heart of the historic centre. To wind down after a day of travelling, we recommend making use of the soothing spa before settling in for a delicious organic evening meal at the restaurant.
HIKE IN THE MOUNTAINS
It’s your final full-day in Tenerife and what better way to spend it than with a hike in the mountains? After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll be met by an experienced local guide, who’ll be leading you on a scenic walk through the Anaga massif, a mountain range in the northeast of the island that reaches an altitude of over 3,000ft at the Cruz de Taborno. The path winds through luscious vegetation made up of laurels, ferns and tree heathers. This is also a great opportunity for a spot of bird watching, before reaching a collection of isolated hamlets that practice traditional agriculture. Head back to the hotel this evening for one last evening of delicious local food and wine before journeying home tomorrow.
JOURNEY HOME
Sadly, your time in beautiful Tenerife has to end at some point. After a hearty breakfast this morning, drive one hour back to the airport in the south of the island. Drop off your hire car, whizz though security and take the opportunity to stock up on any last-minute souvenirs before boarding a four-hour flight back to the UK.
A la carte
PRIVATE TOUR OF GARACHICO
Head out in the company of a private local guide to discover beautiful Garachico. The village, like most old Canarian villages, was built at the end of the 15th century. For several centuries it acted as the port of the small town of Icod de los Vinos, overlooked by the Teide volcano. Partly rebuilt after the volcano erupted and engulfed the port in 1706, Garachico has nevertheless risen from the ashes to become one of the best-preserved and culturally vibrant towns on the island. It still boasts lava flows and period buildings made of volcanic rock, as well as invigorating natural pools formed by lava that has cooled in the ocean. The main square and the Santa Ana church are also well worth a visit. Round off your day with an aperitif in the magnificent patio of the Quinta Roja mansion.
VISIT A BANANA PLANTATION
Head to the Valois family plantation at the foot of the Teide and Pico Viejo volcanoes, one of the oldest in the Icod Valley, to learn about the history and unique characteristics of the Canary Islands’ banana. Unlike the West Indian banana, the bananas produced here have a longer maturation process. This maturity gives the fruit much more flavour and aroma, as well as a particular sweetness and a creamy texture.
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