Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the seven islands in the Canary Island group in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Canary Islands is an autonomous community independent from Spain.  Santa Cruz is the capital of the island and shares the capital seat with Las Palmas for the Canary Island group.

Tenerife has two airports, Tenerife North airport and Tenerife South airport, making Tenerife the tourism and economic centre of the island groups.

Activities

Tenerife offers many tourist activities providing family fun and pleasure in the sun.  Here are a few of them.

Water parks and theme parks are very popular on this island. There is Siam Park with a Thai theme where you can bathe on Siam beach, enjoy the rides or shop at the floating market.  Restaurants are on the premises to satisfy your hunger and you can even hire a villa or a cabana for the day.

Then there is Aqualand with its fun filled rides and a great variety of entertainment for children.  The park has a dolphinarium that holds daily dolphin shows.

There are a couple of wildlife parks where a big variety of wildlife can be seen.  Between the parks you can view primates, reptiles, large cats, exotic birds and birds of prey.  At Monkey Park you have a feeding option to include in your entrance fee which allows you to feed certain animals.

Enjoy rides on quad bikes and go karts.  Tenerife has a quad bike park of 50 acres with rough terrain, ideal for quads.  Equipment is supplied and experienced guides will accompany you on trips.  Visit the Tenerife Karting club for a go kart adventure.  It has two circuits, with one for the exclusive use of children.

Treat yourself to a submarine ride with the Yellow Submarine Safari.  Passengers aboard the submarine can experience an ocean view through large windows as the submarine travels to a depth of 60 metres from the coast.

Horse riding is another popular activity.  You can sign up for guided tours through banana plantations or ride to the mountains. Riding lessons are available if you are not up to gear with horse riding.

Attractions

Tenerife offers many guided day tours to view the most popular places, but for many of these places you need more time and make a day trip to certain locations.One such place is the Orotava Valley with the La Orotava village.  The valley is fruitful with many fruit and vegetables plantations.

The village has many historical buildings and houses and worth the visit. Masca Valley has steep and narrow paths leading there and is best explored with an all terrain vehicle, but the scenery and wildlife makes the ride worth it.  Also visit the El Teide volcano for a great view at a great mountain.

Food and cuisine

With more than 600 restaurants, Tenerife caters for every taste, but the local cuisine of Tenerife is surprisingly very normal and not as exotic as one would assume.

With many fruit and vegetable plantations, there is an abundant supply, especially of potatoes, tomatoes and bananas.  Chestnut plantations provide for a big variety of chestnuts.  In October the wineries open their doors and visitors can enjoy a taste sensation of wine and complimentary nuts and cheese.

Tenerife also has plenty of beekeepers to provide the island inhabitants and visitors with delicious honeys.  Honey is used on its own, but mostly in desserts and honeyed drinks.

Fresh fish is plentiful in the form of tuna, mackerel, sardines, sea breams and cuttlefish.  The meat lovers can enjoy exquisite traditional dishes made from pork, goats’ meat or rabbit.

Conclusion

Discover the island of Tenerife and indulge all your senses on this beautiful island. Bring the whole family as here is truly something for everybody to enjoy.