Travel
Where the Summer Lasts Longer - The Canary Islands
Rarely visited by Americans, and it is well worth going to
When you feel down in the dumps, or the weather is getting you down, you should cheer yourself up by planning a trip and the Canary Islands is somewhere you can be sure to get sunshine all year round. This is not the path most traveled by Americans, but worth visiting and very popular with Europeans.
These islands are under Spanish rule, off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest of the seven islands is Tenerife. it is an idea walking territory, with an amazing diversity of landscapes. As well as Spain's highest snow-capped mountain, Mount Teide, its also home to hidden valleys, lush plateaux and remote farming hamlets. Flora and fauna lovers have a field day here. Look out for more than 2,000 difference shrubs and 200 species of birds including the blue Teide finch, brown ptarmigans and the glorious white eagles. Visit the parador de Canades in the stunning Teide national Park. By day you can enjoy a guided walk of between 5 and 8 miles. The cuisine is wonderful, my favorite being cream of leek and pawn soup with saffron.
You can dance your socks off in Las Palma, Gran Canaria. Ceroc is easy and quick to learn and can be done by anyone, regardless of age. This modern jive dance continues to develop its own unique style. Lovely beaches, relax and stroll among the many bars, restaurants and cafes. The sub tropical climate makes it perfect year round golfing territory which is inexpensive. There are four courses Gran Canaria is the busiest and most cosmopolitan of all the islands. The lively capital of Las Palmas as well as San Augustin and Maspalomas are worth visiting.
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The 30 minute flight from El Hierro from Tenerife takes you to the most remote of the Canaries and suits those who want to be alone. It is reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, 1,000 volcanic creates with lots of sheep and bordered with dry stone dykes. Few tourists visit here.
La Gomera is the second smallest of the seven islands and sits on the horizon like half a walnut shell. Fringed by sharp ridges and deep ravines. This peaceful paradise is a great place to visit by hydrofoil from Tenerife which takes 35 minutes. The capital St. Sebastian is a sleepy provincial town which reminds me of the Caribbean.
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Don't miss the well at Pozo de Colon from which Christopher Columbus's ships drew water before setting sail to discover America. Garajonay National Park, a cloud forest filled with laurels, lichens. you will see banana trees, cacti with red prickly pears, bamboo groves, almond, avocado, papaya and orange trees.
This is a good place to rent a villa, ideal for a family. This would be a good place to spend a week as part of another European stop over. Enjoy life, take a trip. Never saw a tombstone which said "Did everything, died anyway"....
Maureen Jones
All Horizons Travel/Frosch
825 Santa Cruz Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650-961-2340 direct