Canary Islands: the islands where it is always spring

Beaches straight out of a fairy tale, majestic volcanoes, lush forests, UNESCO World Heritage towns and traditional culture:
the Canary Islands are a land of great beauty, one of the most fascinating attractions of island Spain.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, this archipelago is dotted with places able to captivate every kind of traveller, with the addition of surprising food and wine and a hospitable, welcoming population.

The guarantee of an ideal climate all year round and of a perpetual spring makes this fast-rising, many-faceted destination even more appealing.

Let us discover it together!

Tenerife, or the Canaries “in a nutshell”

Made up of 8 islands, the Canary archipelago offers great natural variety. Tenerife is the largest island, dominated by the Teide volcano, set in the National Park of the same name.

But Tenerife is not only about varied landscapes: there are also unmissable villages and small towns, such as Masca and Garachico. Nestled in a natural gorge, Masca offers an unmissable view over the rich surrounding vegetation, reminiscent of the tropical forests of Central and South America.

Garachico, lying on the north-western tip of the island, unfolds through little squares and alleys that make it a human-scale town, perfect for a half-day excursion.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the former capital of the Canaries, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999. It is the most beautiful city on Tenerife, as well as one of the island’s most important dioceses.

La Gomera, a paradise of nature

From Tenerife, with a short ferry crossing, you can also reach La Gomera, one of the most unspoilt and wild islands of the entire archipelago. Also known as “the Columbus island” for its link with the discovery of America, La Gomera holds 16 protected natural areas, among which the Garajonay National Park stands out for its incredible beauty.

Fuerteventura, or “The Canaries: a user’s guide”

The island of Fuerteventura is home to 150 km of heavenly beaches and has largely been a Biosphere reserve since 2009.

It offers an endless range of possibilities: crossing the sober, austere landscapes of the interior; exploring the many villages suspended between past and present; visiting small, charming coastal resorts; tasting fresh fish, accompanied by delicious cheeses with Designation of Origin.

Worth mentioning, for example, are the fishing village of El Cotillo, with the castle of El Tostón, a small, evocative circular fortress; and the Corralejo Natural Park, with the iconic white beach of Las Dunas, where, among other things, you can admire endangered wildlife.

When you sit down to eat in Fuerteventura, do not miss the “queso majorero”, undoubtedly the most traditional and best-known cheese of the area.

Lanzarote, nature in the age of volcanic eruptions

An island known for its unique landscapes, it is marked by volcanic scenery and formations that make it unforgettable.

The destination is known above all for the Timanfaya National Park, named after the volcano whose eruption devastated and reshaped the island: the result is an incredible mix of dried lava fields, basalt rocks, black and reddish earth, leafy palm groves, and beaches of white and golden sand.

Art and culture also play a fundamental role, making Lanzarote even more attractive: impossible not to mention César Manrique, the local artist who scattered the island with fascinating installations that highlight the natural beauty of the landscapes.

We might mention, by way of example, Jameos del Agua, a unique complex of caves and tunnels of volcanic origin, from which a salt lake and an underground concert hall have been created.

Gran Canaria, the aboriginal culture that is UNESCO World Heritage

Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, situated on its north-eastern tip. In the maze of its streets and squares stands the cathedral of Santa Ana, built in the 16th century, flanked by the Square of the same name. Around this core lie the best-known monuments, such as the neoclassical Casas Consistoriales, the Palacio Episcopal and the Casa Regental, a perfect example of Renaissance art.

But the attractions of Las Palmas do not end there: the city is also the setting for a nightlife among the liveliest of the entire archipelago, guaranteeing a lifestyle that is sparkling and relaxed at the same time.

What makes the island of Gran Canaria so fascinating is its anthropology: scattered across many sites, burial places of the aboriginal culture have been found, along with figurative and wall-painting evidence inside caves and caverns. The island’s museums also hold an art collection linked to aboriginal expressions: prized pieces of pottery, religious icons and terracotta utensils.

Many questions still surround the native culture of the Canaries; the mystery of the aboriginal peoples remains as fascinating as it is dense.

5 experiences to enjoy in the Canary Islands

After this brief overview of the main islands and their principal attractions, we have selected a few activities you can do during an escorted tour of the Canaries, truly suitable for everyone, regardless of age:

1. Visit coffee and banana plantations on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria;
2. Take part in thrilling whale and dolphin watching off the waters between Tenerife and La Gomera;
3. Join surprising tastings of local wines, cheeses and dishes, accompanied by typical exotic sauces;
4. Admire the starry sky from Lanzarote, Fuerteventura or Tenerife, discovering all the secrets of the constellations in the total absence of light pollution;
5. Let yourself be carried away by the vibrations of an intoxicating nature in the lush National Parks and along endless beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.

Why choose a Guiness Travel Tour

For us at Guiness, a journey is a wonderful frame of life.
Our aim is not to “show” places, but to accompany travellers as they immerse themselves fully in the culture and beauty of their chosen destination.

All our itineraries are 100% independently planned, carefully designed and tested for over 30 years, thus allowing the product to evolve constantly, reaching a high, wide-ranging cultural level and guaranteeing maximum comfort in the services on the ground.

This is why we created the Guiness Exclusive Tour:
a unique travel experience, mindful of sustainability and rich in experiences, designed to give you maximum comfort, leaving you free to think of nothing but enjoying the moment.

Every one of our trips comes with guaranteed extras:

• Tour leader departing from Italy and accompanying the group for the whole duration of the tour
• Exclusive departures with a limited number of places
• Departures possible from all over Italy
• 24-hour assistance on every departure
• Cancellation without penalty up to 45 actual days before departure
• No surprise extra costs on arrival
• Free minibar service on board the coaches (guaranteed in all the countries visited)

Click HERE and discover the GRAND TOUR OF THE CANARY ISLANDS – Art, Food and Wine and Experiences

Team
Guiness Travel T.O.