Ever since the days when a sombre-faced doctor pronounced, “What you need young lady is a dose of sunshine,” and sent a fair damsel packing to Tenerife - the largest of Spain’s seven Canary Islands - tourism has slowly but most surely taken over as the island’s number one trade. In fact, nowadays almost 80 percent of employment is geared towards the service industry.
Fortunately, the face of shameless hedonism once associated to the land they liked to call trash, or Tene-grief, has recently undergone major surgery. Nowadays, this island of eternal sunshine is better known as a destination of world-class beaches, unbeatable nightlife, luxurious spas, fabulous trekking, jaw-dropping scenery, year-round golfing and yes, believe it or not – a thriving cultural scene, especially at the eye-popping Tenerife Auditorium!
The main resorts in the sunnier south are Playa de Las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje. In the more verdant north, Puerto de la Cruz rules the roost, with the fishing village of Garachico drawing in day-trippers and holidaymakers keen to experience the world-renowned and chic Hotel San Roque. In the northwest Los Gigantes still lures those seeking seaside solitude.
Wherever you’re based though, don’t miss a trip into the interior where you’ll discover tiny whitewashed hamlets hiding beneath a fringe of pines and the surreal landscape surrounding Mount Teide, the third largest volcano in the world.
