Tenerife

Located 200 km off the north west African coast, (though a Spanish Autonomous region). Tenerife is the largest of the seven main Canary Islands.

Known for its diversity, Tenerife is several worlds rolled into one, the sunny tourist orientated south of the island boast the majority of the beaches and virtually continuous sunshine daily temperatures range from typically 24 C in the winter to highs of 34 C in the height of the summer.

With many attractions the major tourist resorts have several theme parks and attractions on their doorsteps, including the Aqua Parque (Water Park), Ecological Park Las Aguilas, Tenerife Zoo and plenty of local entertainment.

Golfer's won't be disappointed either Tenerife is home to five championship golf courses four of which are located in the south of the Island including Golf Del Sur; Amarilla Golf; Golf Costa Adeje and Golf Las Americas.

The north of the island gets slightly more rainfall and is consequently far greener and lush with vegetation and pine forests.

A number of popular attractions are located in the north of the island including the Loro Park (Parrot Park) and Zoo of Puerto de La Cruz and the alleged 2000 year old "Dragon Tree" of Icod de Los Vinos. More of the typical Canarian lifestyle has remained in the northern villages and the beautiful Canarian architecture of La Laguna and La Orotava give a real flavour of Tenerife.

The most dramatic scenes on the island are in the mountains. Traveling up the slopes which are covered in Pine forests you rise to the crater of the long extinct and partially collapsed volcano forming the Las Cañadas Amphitheatre and National Park with its spectacular lunar landscape and the towering Mount Teide (3718m) rising from its heart.

Dusted with snow in the winter Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain, a cable car takes visitors to within 100m of the summit (weather permitting) and views of all seven Canary Islands can be enjoyed on a clear day from the top.

Once you arrive and experience the pleasant all year warm, sunny climate (which is, not as severe as the Mediterranean) you'll realise why the Canaries are known as the fortunate islands.