A good sized town in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province of Tenerife, Icod de los Vinos is also the capital of a municipality of the same name, it is in the northern area of Tenerife and has a population of 24,179. Not especially noteworthy as a tourist destination, it is however famous for its Dragon Tree, said to be over 1,000 years old, and whether this is true or not it is a fine example, and makes the town worth a look if you are passing nearby. The municipality which also takes in an area of coastline, comprises mostly fertile agricultural land, which has made the town prosperous through its orchards, banana plantations, and particularly its vineyards, for winemaking is the towns main enterprise. The town of Icod de los Vinos is 57 km drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
October 26, 2010
Los Realejos Tenerife
Located on the northern coast of Tenerife, to the west of Puerto de la Cruz, the town of Los Realejos is in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province of the island. Divided into two areas, Los Realejos comprises Realejo Alto and Realejo Bajo, meaning roughly the high town and the low town. Historically the town is significant as the place where the ultimate surrender of Tenerife took place, as the indigenous Guanches gave way to the superior forces of the Spanish invaders. Today it has a population of 37,559, and also gives its name to a municipality, Realejo de Arriba, which runs from the Orotava Valley to Teide, it includes some areas of coast with some popular beaches. Los Realejos is approximately 42 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
October 25, 2010
Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife
The biggest and most popular tourist resort on the north coast of Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz has a population of just under 32,000, and a history going back to the 17th century, when it was founded as Puerto de la Orotava, a port serving the town of La Orotava, and for a time significant for the export of wines produced in the area. The decline of the port due both to a drop in wine production and to the severe weather conditions experienced along this stretch of Tenerife’s coast, meant much of its activity was moved to santa Cruz de Tenerife. Renamed Puerto de la Cruz in 1831, the town began to attract tourists by the end of the 19th century, and towards the end of the 20th century, saw something of a tourist boom, as thousands visited Tenerife, to enjoy some winter sunshine and escape the dreary weather of their native countries. Having the disadvantage of rough seas and less than perfect beaches, Puerto de la Cruz, saw the construction of man made beaches, lidos and seawater pools to enable holidaymakers to get the most from their visit.
October 22, 2010
Bajamar Tenerife
Located in the north-east of Tenerife, the former fishing village of Bajamar is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination, though it has of course attracted visitors since the early days of Tenerife’s tourist boom. Lying close to the stunning Anaga Mountains, Bajamar offers the opportunity for walking and cycling, as well as the traditional beach style holiday. Swimming is a little different in Bajamar, to other popular resorts, as it mostly takes place in seawater pools, due to the fact that the sea is very rough here, and not really recommended for even the strongest of swimmers. For something a little different you can take a look at the 17th century chapel of San Juan Batista, or head a little north to the Punta del Hidalgo, which offers spectacular views of the coastline. Bajamar is about 27 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island.
October 15, 2010
Playa Meloneras Palace Hotel Gran Canaria
Playa Meloneras Palace Hotel
Perfect for your holiday in Meloneras on the island of Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, the Playa Meloneras Palace Hotel has over 370 rooms all with private terrace, bathroom, TV, internet, Mini-bar and safety deposit box. The hotel is set in beautiful gardens with swimming pools, sunbathing areas, and poolside dining, other facilities in the hotel include fitness centre, Jacuzzi, gourmet restaurants, sports centre, internet, bar and lounge, ideal for your Gran Canaria accommodation. Rooms in the Playa Meloneras Palace Hotel are offered from just 88 euros per night. Meloneras is a newish built for tourism resort in the south of Gran Canaria, it is a developing resort with fabulous beaches, wonderful weather, and a good range of facilities, it is close to the Maspalomas sand dunes, amongst the best known landmarks on the island, it is also handy for the amenities of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles, which together form the largest holiday resort in Gran Canaria. Meloneras is around 38km from Gran Canaria airport, which is on the east coast of the island.
See a map of Meloneras here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/meloneras-map.html
And get info on Gran Canaria here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/gran-canaria.html
October 4, 2010
El Pinar Hotel El Hierro Canary Islands
El Pinar Hotel El Hierro
For your visit to the island of El Hierro in the Spanish Canary Islands, you should consider the El Pinar Hotel, which offers good value rooms in this beautiful place. This family friendly hotel offers just 13 rooms on this island which has very few accommodation opportunities, being totally unspoilt and not yet on the tourist trail to the extent of its neighbouring Canary Islands. Hotel facilities include restaurant, bar, twenty four hour reception, café and laundry service, it also offers internet access, so you can keep in contact with the outside world (should you wish). Rooms are available in the El Pinar Hotel El Hierro from just 30 euros per night, very economical for your stay on the island. El Hierro is the smallest and least visited of the main seven Canary Islands, it is a unique place and is in fact a UNESCO biosphere zone with amazing protected landscapes and wildlife. You can visit El Hierro any time of year, as its weather is mostly typical of the Canary Islands in general, being warm and pleasant both winter and summer. If you want to get away from it all, then El Hierro is the place to head for, with a limited number of hotel rooms on offer, you will not run into any crowds here.
September 21, 2010
Fuerteventura Canary Islands
The second largest of the Spanish Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is located to the south-west of Lanzarote, off the coast of north-west Africa, it has an are of 1,660 square kilometres and a resident population of around 74,983, over one third of whom live in the capital Puerto del Rosario. Fuerteventura has some of the best beaches in the entire Canary Islands group and has areas of sand dunes similar to those found around Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. Not quite as well known as a holiday destination, Fuerteventura still attracts thousands of holidaymakers each year, they arrive to enjoy the sunny weather and most are looking for a beach style holiday but without the crowds of Lanzarote, Tenerife or Gran Canaria. Not yet developed to the extent of neighbouring islands, Fuerteventura only has a few resorts of any note, the main one being Corralejo, while others exist at Jandia and Caleta de Fuste. The island can be easily reached by air (the airport is near to Puerto del Rosario) or by ferry from Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
September 16, 2010
Oasis Club Maspalomas Gran Canaria
Oasis Club Bungalows Maspalomas
One of the more popular holiday destination on the island of Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, the Oasis Club Bungalows in Maspalomas offers a total of 334 bungalows all in a wonderful landscaped setting with palm trees, swimming pools and sun lounging areas. Ideally situated in the popular beach resort of Maspalomas the Oasis Club gives the best features of an established holiday resort, with the uniqueness of a private bungalow rather than just another hotel room. Handy for all the great facilities of both Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles, the Oasis Club is ideal for family holidays and breaks and is especially popular for winter holidays as the weather in this part of Gran Canaria is mild and pleasant right through the winter months. Other facilities offered by the Oasis Club Maspalomas include 24 hour reception, internet, laundry, children’s play areas, supermarket and on site parking if you choose to hire a car for your stay. Maspalomas is situated in the extreme south of Gran Canaria and has some of the best attractions on the island including Holiday World and Aqualand, so the kids will be well catered for while you relax and enjoy the sunny weather. Prices for the Oasis Club Maspalomas start at just 45 euros per night (around £37), so staying there will not break the bank! Maspalomas and the Oasis Club are around 30 kilometres from the airport at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island. Gran Canaria Map.
September 15, 2010
Lanzarote Princess Hotel Playa Blanca
Lanzarote Princess Hotel Playa Blanca
Lanzarote Princess Hotel Playa Blanca – If you are looking for a winter holiday this year you could well be considering the Canary Islands, among the most popular winter holiday destinations. One of its top holiday islands is Lanzarote, a volcanic island which only has about three major resorts, of which one of the best is certainly Playa Blanca, right in the south of the island away from the over developed Puerto del Carmen. If Playa Blanca is you choice of resort in Lanzarote, you will be looking for a hotel in which to stay, and one that you will no doubt consider is the Lanzarote Princess Hotel which is one of the largest and most popular, with over four hundred rooms, and perfectly situated only three hundred metres from the nearest beach. With superb outdoor swimming pools and sun terraces for enjoying the marvellous Lanzarote weather, this fine hotel has everything you would need for an enjoyable family holiday, and rooms are offered in the Lanzarote Princess Hotel from just 47 euros per night (about £40), so it is very affordable for your holiday in Playa Blanca. The resort and hotel are about 30 kilometres (25 minutes drive) from Lanzarote airport, which is located at Arrecife, taxis, transfers and buses are available to get you to the resort. Lanzarote is the most northerly of the Canary Islands.
Learn more about Playa Blanca here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/playa-blanca.html
July 30, 2010
Puerto Rico Gran Canaria
For the best family holidays on Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, you need look little further than the resort of Puerto Rico. Though at times Puerto Rico receives some negative press, it has everything needed for a splendid family beach style holiday with 2 calm and safe swimming beaches, with all the usual facilities, sun loungers, parasols, lifeguards, toilets, beach bars, restaurants etc. Puerto Rico has some excellent water sports facilities including jet-skiing, swimming, fishing, scuba diving and windsurfing. Puerto Rico, similar to all the southern resorts of Gran Canaria, benefits from a terrific all year round climate, with the weather in Puerto Rico comprising wall-to-wall sunshine throughout the year (actually more pleasant during the traditional winter months). Night time entertainment is second to none on the islands with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and clubs in which to wine, dine and while away the evening hours, in the daytime there are boat trips to be enjoyed, coach trips to the island’s attractions such as Palmitos Park or Holiday World, and beaches to laze on and enjoy the sun. What more could you want in a Family holiday?
Learn more about Puerto Rico here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/puerto-rico.html
And get the latest weather here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/puerto-rico-weather.html
June 16, 2010
Gran Canaria Resorts – Maspalomas
Despite the fact that the 2 Gran Canaria resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles have now almost merged into one huge resort, Maspalomas still boasts something of an upmarket image. Perhaps this is due to a number of luxury hotels which were built in the resort or maybe due to the atmosphere created by the famous sand dunes, which give it a unique feel, whatever it is, Maspalomas stands out as something special. One of the finest resorts on Gran Canaria and in fact in the entire Canary islands group, Maspalomas is located in the popular southern region of Gran Canaria, where the constant sun and never ending sand provide the perfect holiday environment. The western boundary of the resort is marked by the prominent lighthouse, from here the promenade runs to the Barranco de Maspalomas, and is lined with an array of shops, restaurants and bars, from here the beach and dunes run eastwards to join the equally popular Playa del Ingles. Attractions which make Maspalomas popular with families include the Aqua Sur water park, the Holiday World amusement park, Camel Safaris on the sand dunes, the go-cart track and Ocean Park water park, for sports enthusiasts there are excellent water sports facilities and also a super golf course – Maspalomas campo de Golf. The climate is of course one of the major attractions, with Maspalomas weather being ideal for holidays all year round and particularly attractive during the winter months, with temperatures cooler and more suitable for young children, in the summer months it can get very hot. Maspalomas has a great range of hotels and holiday accommodation including the Riu Club Hotel Gran Canaria, the Maspalomas Princess Hotel and the Oasis Maspalomas Club bungalows. Maspalomas is situated about 30 kilometres from Las Palmas airport, a journey of around 30 minutes. Maspalomas Map.
June 14, 2010
Puerto Mogan Gran Canaria
A former little fishing port, the now desirable Puerto Mogan has been developed into a charming holiday resort with a smallish man made beach and a lovely yacht marina, with a good selection of facilities. The small crescent shaped beach was made of sand from Africa and is quieter than most of its counterparts, definitely a Gran Canaria beach worth visiting. A mostly low-rise resort developed adjacent to the old fishing port, the holiday zone is attractive and pleasant and a world away from such ugly developments as Puerto Rico and Maspalomas. Puerto Mogan has its own little yellow submarine, in which tourists can watch the island’s fascinating marine life, it is a renowned area for tuna and marlin fishing and holds a Marlin fishing contest each year. Puerto Mogan is in the south of the island and is a Gran Canaria travel destination which enjoys a delightful climate with Puerto Mogan weather being just the job for holidays both summer and winter.
May 20, 2010
Palmitos Park Gran Canaria
A huge 20,000 square metres in area and one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island of Gran Canaria, Palmitos Park reopened last summer after a years closure due to a forest fire which devastated the area. Situated about 15 km inland from the popular resorts of the southern coastline of the island, Palmitos Park is a botanical garden with a number of other attractions including and aviary with some 230 species of birds, an aquarium and a butterfly house. The attractive gardens have numerous species of palm tree and cactus on display, and all are set in a beautiful area of countryside, offering some wonderful panoramic views. A bus service operates from some of the seaside resorts of Puerto Rico, Playa del Ingles and San Agustin, for those not hiring a car.
May 17, 2010
Playa Taurito Gran Canaria
A rare gem on the south coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands of Spain, Playa Taurito, although a built for tourism resort, is in a secluded spot away from the mass tourism of such resorts as Puerto Rico and Maspalomas. Playa Taurito’s wonderful sand and shingle beach is sheltered by two surrounding cliffs, making it a perfect spot for a tranquil beach holiday, if you don’t like swimming in the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, you can always try out the privately operated lido, which is one of the features of the resort. Boasting some first class hotels, the resort offers excellent accommodation facilities such as the 4 Star Princess Hotel Playa Taurito with its 2 swimming pools set in lavish tropical gardens. If you like a vibrant night life don’t go to Playa Taurito, while the hotels have some decent evening entertainment, for clubs and discos head for nearby Puerto Rico. What kind of climate can you xpect? Well Playa Taurito weather is glorious for most of the year and is especially pleasant during the winter months, when a break in the sun is even more enjoyable. Playa Taurito is situated south of Puerto de Mogan on Gran Canaria’s south coast.
May 16, 2010
Timanfaya Lanzarote
One of the most visited locations on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, the Timanfaya National Park is a volcanic delight, some 51km2 in area in the southwest of the island. Formed when a huge eruption took place in the 18th century, Timanfaya still has molten lava bubbling away four metres under the surface. When visiting you will be able to see water instantly turned to steam by the intense heat, brushwood immediately engulfed in flames, and in the El Diablo (The Devil) restaurant you can eat a barbeque grilled over the heat of the lava. Trips to the Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) are organised from all the major resorts on the island. Lanzarote Map.