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Tenerife
Overview
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and is a great place to travel, left untouched by most American tourists. British and German tourists, however, come in their tens of thousands. It is also very popular among holiday makers from the Spanish peninsula, especially during Easter time.
UnderstandThis tropical island ranks among beauties like Jamaica and boasts European relaxed living and food. On the south side you have consistent summer, little to no wind, and pretty much perfect beach-weather all year round. All the tourists hang out on the south of the island. On the north you have a more Spanish year-round springtime feel. The weather fluctuates a bit more here, but is also mostly pleasant. On the north side of the island you will find more green, and more vibrant local culture.
In between the north and south of the island sits Spain's tallest peak, the dormant volcano El Teide (3817m above sea level).
El Teide
From the parking lot tourists are brought on the volcano by a cable lift which ends at 3550m. To climb the top a special permission is necessary, which can easily be obtained at the island's capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. From the top you there is an amazing view all over the island. Climbing the top is a hard effort, althought the difference is less than 200 m, but the air is extremely thin. A cold wind fights against the hot sun, which is always there because you are above the clouds!
This adds a lot of natural beauty as well as sport to the island. It also gives you that wonderful option during 'winter', when you find days where you can drive to the mountain and have a snow fight, return to the south and sun bathe in the sun, swim in the sea, all in the space of two hours.
There are some wonderful drives all around the island, and breathtaking scenery. There are good attraction parks, Loro Parque for instance, in the Northern city of Puerto de la Cruz, which is an animal protection foundation as well as a huge animal park.
To Do
Tenerife is a favoured destination for scuba divers, with numerous dive operations of all qualities and nationalities. The waters round the island are diveable throughout the year, with the temperature varying between 18 degrees in January to around 25-26 degrees in August.
Tenerife also has a reputation for the 'booze scene', with Playa de las Americas and Los Christianos providing ample locations for those that enjoy 24 hour clubbing & drinking. The drinks available are the same as the rest of Europe (predominantly British) with prices being slightly less than those 'back home'.
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