Thursday 23 Feb 2012
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Rural Travel Guide for the Canary Islands, Spain

The Spanish Canary Islands are a small paradise located between northwest Africa and Southern Spain, where you will get a chance to rejoice in warm, lovely weather regardless of the time of the year. This archipelago is comprised of seven islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura)  the most popular being Gran Canaria and Tenerife. If you’re looking forward to enjoy some idyllic rural vacations in these unique islands, this article will provide you with some general information to help you organize your journey.

 

 

The Canary Islands are a perfect place for rural tourism, and you might be surprised to find that vacationing in this area is actually not too expensive. There are many cheap flights available to the bigger islands in the archipelago, and there are ferries and domestic lines connecting most islands together. Asides from the major touristic hotspots, there are superbly quiet places waiting, such as traditional country villas and small cottages. In fact, to enjoy the most of the canaries, you should make sure to roam through the wondrous natural sceneries in these volcanic islands. To this effect, you can easily find a car for rental that will provide you with mobility freedom.

Get to know beautiful Tenerife

Los Gigantes, Tenerife by Chrissi NerantziEven though there is much to see and do across the Canary Islands, you might want to focus on a single island, especially if you’re travelling on a budget. If that’s the case, one of the most recommendable islands is Tenerife since it offers a diverse mix of activities and natural sceneries. If you’re looking to rent a car in this island, you will easily come across car hire Tenerife South Airport or car rental Tenerife North Airport. This is one of the best available options for moving around, especially if you want to get a chance to explore all the wondrous landscapes available in Tenerife… although there are also some interesting walking paths you may want to consider (more on that later on).
If you’re spending a few days in Tenerife, there is much to see and do besides enjoying the local beaches, and maybe trying some of the widespread water-based activities like scuba diving, sailing and snorkeling…. Although these are some activities you may want to consider as well. Did you know that about half of the land mass in the Canarias is protected nature reserves? Exploring this region of the globe will provide you with a chance to observe various species of plants and animals which are unique to this region of the globe.
Anyone who enjoys the thought of strolling around vast banana plantations and tropical fruit gardens, breathtaking coastlines and volcanic landscapes will very much enjoy spending some leisurely time in the island of Tenerife. Did we mention that all of the Canarias feels like a quiet little dimension, somewhere between spring and summer? As a matter of fact, Tenerife is known as the island of eternal spring. Worrying about the weather is the last thing you’ll have to do, while planning your Canaries holidays. Your only concern while visiting these islands will be seizing the most of every day, from all the available options.

Things to do in Tenerife

When visiting the lovely island of Tenerife, you can get access to wondrous natural landscapes: dorsal mountain ranges, valleys and ravines, volcanic tubes… asides from the much popular coastline areas, of course. If you want to take a peek at the cultural events in Tenerife, you should enjoy the Carnival of Santa Cruz, the colorful romerias (pilgrimages) or the Virgin of Candelaria. Tenerife is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so when it comes to entertainment and culture you will find no shortage of offerings in the island… but still, the most impressive highlight of Tenerife is probably its unique biodiversity and delightful natural sceneries.

Walking routes in Tenerife

To get the most enjoyment during your time in Tenerife, you should consider going for a bit of trekking through some of the local walking routes. For example, you can try the circular route within the Anaga Mountains, from Cruz del Carmen to Chinamada – this walk feels like a journey through ancient times, that will take you through old merchant trails, amazing barrancos and unique forests.  You can also find wondrous walking routes around the Crater of Mount Teide, which are unlike any other trekking paths you may have experienced; you may recognize some of these landscapes from movies such as Clash of the Titans.

Get to know the Gran Canaria

One of the most interesting islands to spend some time at is to be found just southwest of Tenerife: the Gran Canaria. If you want to explore more than one island in the archipelago, this is probably the second best option; you will be surprised with its diverse array of available activites, from canoeing and splashing in the local water park (Aqua Sur) to visiting botanical gardens to camel riding! There are also some noteworthy museums such as the Christopher Columbus museum and the Canarian museum, where you’ll be able to learn more about the history of the archipelago prior to Spanish occupation.
When most people think about visiting islands such as Tenerife or Gran Canaria, they usually think of touristic hubs such as Playa de las Americas or Playa del Ingles. This is a shame, really… since there are so many more available options in these islands. You should consider indulging the pleasures afforded by Eco Tourism and Agro tourism… you won’t have to spend nearly enough money, and you’ll get access to unique opportunities to spend a relaxed vacation nestled among natural wonders unavailable elsewhere in the world.