subject: Tenerife - The Beautiful Island [print this page] All year round I have been saving for my annual holiday. I have spent months researching on the internet, pouring over reviews on the most popular holidy destinations. Should I go to the Balaeric Islands - Mallorcas is always very popular as is it smaller sister island, Menorca or should I plunge right in and go to the party island of Ibiza. What about Turkey or Cyprus? Did I really want to go to the Mediterranean - what about further south to the Canary Islands, for that little bit of extra sun and warmth.
After much pondering, I finally decided on the Canary Islands, but which one of the four major ones should I visit? Lanzarote with its unique volcanic landscape or Gran Canaria and those beautiful beaches, or the less touristy island of Fuertventura with its windy reputation? How aboutthe island of Eternal Spring, Tenerife, boasting Spains highest mountain, the majestic Mount Teide?
Many more days later and further internet research and the decision was made - Tenerife. Now, to find out where to stay on the island.
Tenerife seems to be divided into two sections - the popular, drier south of the island, having a reputation for being hot and sunny most of the time, but purpose built for the tourist, so everything you will need is there for you, from the local canarian restaurant to Macdonalds! And then there is the north of the island, greener, more lush, more rain, less sun but spectularly characteristic of the canarian way of life and architect.
The island has two airports, Reina Sofia Tenerife South airport opened in November 1978 by the queen of Spain, Reina Sofia (and hence the name!)by far the busiest of the two airports on the island, dealing with all international flights as well as a lot of national flight. Conveniently located close to the major tourist resort of Las Americas (approximately a 20 minute drive) and Los Cristianos.
The second smaller airport in located in the north of the island, called Los Rodeos airport, catering mainly for national flights. Once the only airport on the island, its close proximity to the major tourist destination in the north - Puerto de la Cruz, helped to make this a popular resort in the 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's.
As the popularity of the south airport kicked in, coupled with the more or less guaranteed sunshine in the South of the island, Las Americas and Los Cristianos soon became the places to stay. Las Americas especially - purpose built with the tourist in mind, with a coastline of modern hotels and apartment complexes, many restaurants and bars - it soon became recognised as a Blackpool in the sun, providing us brits with everything we needed for a good holiday, including cheap beer and fish and chips.
As the popularity of the resorts in the south grew, the number of visitors to Puerto de la Cruz declined. The South airport now receiving nearly all the international flights, means that journey to the north of the island is an hour away.
So - the great north south divide - which should it be? Purpose built sunny fish and chip eating Las Americas or the green, possibly rainy, but charismatic Puerto de la Cruz? And more importantly how to I reach either of these destinations? Prices and details available at www.speedytransfers.co.uk
Look out for my next article when the decision has been made, and I will reveal the delights of my travels.
