For a spectacular holiday that offers time to relax and plenty of sun, you may want to consider a holiday in the Canary Islands. Situated just off the western coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands are a Spanish territory that have long been popular with “Brits Abroad” and discerning travellers alike for the combination of sun, sea and sand, and the taste of North Africa. However, there is more to the Canaries than meets the eye.
The Canaries consists of seven major islands including Gran Canaria (which has the capital Las Palmas), Lanzarote and Tenerife. Perhaps the best known and certainly the biggest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is blessed with incredible beaches it’s perhaps no surprise that Tenerife is the biggest tourist draw of all the islands. Sunbathing is an art form on Tenerife although it also attracts divers from around the world to experience the rich and diverse ocean life, easily accessible from the island. Perhaps less well known is Tenerife’s volcano, El Teide, active until very recently but now believed to be dormant. Because Tenerife is considered part of Spain, as a result El Teide is considered the highest point in any Spanish territory.
The capital, Las Palmas is the only city on the islands – in fact, it’s Spain’s seventh largest city with the kind of shopping and culture that you would expect from a major urban centre. While it’s still a magnet for tourists, it’s a far cry from the resorts, offering an escape from the pleasures of the coastline to indulge in new kinds of hedonism in the vibrant and urbane nightlife of the capital.
Lanzarote is famous for it’s large resorts and home-from-home English comforts. However, if you want to just relax in an unpretentious atmosphere with some fellow Brits without the hassle of language, exotic food or a high price tag then Lanzarote is the place for you. It’s worth bearing in mind that, while the “Brits abroad” tag is still largely appropriate, in recent years there have been moves to create more upmarket holiday destinations in the area.
For more serious travellers who are here to explore, it’s worth scheduling a visit to the nearby island of Madeira, with its compact but beautiful capital Funchal. Funchal has a number of sites that are well worth visiting including the Cathedral, with its roof intricately carved from local wood. Of course, a tipple of the eponymous wine should accompany any visit to this tiny but welcoming island - perhaps drizzled over the island’s second most famous export, bananas.
There are plenty of reasonably priced deals available to the Canary Islands available online through airline companies, such as Fly Monarch, who offer cheap flights to Tenerife and other destinations at great prices. Meanwhile, take a look at Lastminure.com for deals on cheap hotels.
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