Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:25 am Post subject: The best thing about Tenerife

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haven't been to stay in Tenerife for many years, in fact the last time I stayed in the South there was an huge "desert " area between Los Christianos and Playa De Americas. !8 months ago I had the "pleasure " of returning albeit en route to La Gomera. We enjoyed a beer in the sunshine in the harbour area of Los Cristianos before boarding the ferry. Getting off in La Gomera is like stepping into a different world. Not everybody's cup of tea, but if you enjoy peace and tranquility make the effort and go.

So my nomination for the best thing about Tenerife is the exits.

So you stayed in PDLA and then a cuppa in the harbour in LC and you then feel qualified to comment on the whole of Tenerife.

Peter!!!!

I think the responses are a bit harsh.

The poster is really stating the benefits of La Gomera and La Palma both accessible via Tenerife. I think thats what he means by the exits as the means of visiting the places he likes. Nowhere in the post is he making any actual comments on Tenerife.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Possibly Stewart. But his little quotation marks around the word "pleasure" are surely making a point?

Perhaps Im reading too much into it.

I'm with DaveWales on this one - regardless of the delights of Tenerife - the best thing about it for me is that it really is the gateway to the delights of the smaller islands, especially of La Gomera. The best view of Tenerife for me is to see it receding into the distance behind the ferry on the way to San Sebastian because it means that I'm once again en-route to my favourite chill-out zone. Small, quiet villages where everybody is in bed by midnight, bars and restaurants that make few concessions to visitors from off the island, brilliant walking on the doorstep without the need to hire a car, quiet beaches even in the school holidays.

I fully understand that that's probably the idea of holiday hell for some people but it's my idea of holiday heaven. Nothing I've seen or heard about Tenerife leads me to think that it can quite offer what I'm looking for and I'm reluctant to take the chance. 'The 'quiet' resorts that have been recommended here, on further investigation have all sounded to be bigger, busier and more expensive than anything on La Gomera and hence I've never been tempted.

SMa

Well, well,well !!!
An interesting selection of views on this one.
Tootsie, your response is well measured and I agree, there are some smashing spots on Tenerife which are still unspoilt from mass tourism. Sadly, even Mt Teide and the National Park is under threat though and there is talk of limiting access to reduce the effects of too many visitors.
I am reasonably familiar with the island having visited on 3 separate occasions.
PeterRaynor. I don't see what relevance the British education system has to my view point of Los Cristianos, unless you were referring to my use of the singular when referring to exits as in " So my nomination for the best thing about Tenerife is the exits." Of course, "is" refers to "the best thing" so I think I am grammatically correct.
Incidentally, there are two "s"s in embarrassment.
So, if you will allow my opinion without a personal attack, I maintain that the best thing about Tenerife is the exits. Super airport, good ferry hub, beautiful unspoilt islands to explore which deserve a mention in their own right.

Hi DaveWales - interesting opinions on Tenerife - I suppose it's horses for courses. I have two teenagers and they would certainly not appreciate being taken somewhere quiet and peaceful and I myself prefer somewhere with a bit of activity and entertainment, but I have always said Tenerife is a place with something for everyone; whether you want bars and clubs or peace and quiet, whether you want budget or luxury, whether you want sports and activity or chilled-out relaxation, Tenerife has it all.
We have been on the day trip over to La Gomera and I have to say I thought it was a very beautiful island with a dramatic landscape and lovely friendly atmosphere. I would very much like to spend some more time there (and possibly La Palma and Hierro) when my kids have grown up and I can take my holidays without them.

Alternatively try La Palma. A fabulous island for anyone who enjoys walking. Nobody, to my knowledge offers package holidays there anymore despite the fact they have a superb airport. We seem to have abandonded it to the German holiday market. What a shame, but you can catch a plane or ferry from Tenerife.

Dave, are you aware that Thomson and Portland do package holidays to La Palma? CLICK HERE

cyberspacekadette I tried your links, Thomson have holidays to La Gomera but I couldn't see any for La Palma. Couldn't find either by Portland
Incidentally, should anybody be interested, choose a west coast location to get the best weather if you visit La Palma. It's a bit like the difference between North and South in Tenerife.

touche.


I apologise.

I get too techy about postings which seem to slam Tenerife from people who haven`t ventured much further than say the coffeee house on the harbour

Accepted Peter ,without reservation. I guess it was Monday morning !!!

I tried your links, Thomson have holidays to La Gomera but I couldn't see any for La Palma.

Try searching for Winter 07/08 dates (Nov 07 - Apr 08) They've introduced La Palma as a 'new' destination for next Winter's selection. Flights are from Gatwick or Manchester on Mondays.

I like hillwalking and have walked in a number of Canary Islands. I find Tenerife is just as peaceful & tranquil when you're in the hills as any of the others and is the most spectacular of any of the islands scenically in my opinion. Where it differs to the smaller islands is the amount of tourism and the size of the towns. I personally actually love to get back after a day yomping through the hills to a bustling resort where I have a large choice of restaurants etc. to choose from.
Whilst in Tenerife during the Xmas & New Year period, I walked from the Parador in Las Canadas to Vilaflor, which involved climbing out of the crater and along the rim before dropping down to Vilaflor. The views of the island, Teide and the nearby islands of Gran Canaria, La Gomera and La Palma were simply stunning and weren't spolit by fact that there were bus loads of tourists queing for the cable-car a few miles away. There are plenty of villages in the Anaga mountains and Teno Hills that are every bit as peaceful & tranquil as the smaller islands, it just takes a bit more effort to find them. After a while, 'peaceful & tranquil'' becomes tiresome anyway. I have to agree with Peter Rayner's comment that it is annoying when people condemn the island based on the southern resorts. Try walking in the Anaga or the Teno Hills and see a totally different island.

I am watching this topic with interest as it makes a change to have a discourse without the parties involved having a go at each other. If it continues in this vien the for once i will be happy to let it carry on but the minute members start to get unfriendly then it closes.

Perhaps in the long run others who have their doubt about Tenerife or even the Canary Islands in general wil change their minds about visiting and come over just see for themselves.

Oh perhaps I should mention I like Tenerife, Gomera, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura as they all have something different to offer the holidaymaker. IMHO

I Tenerife and all it has to offer.

Hi Dave from Wales

Can you recommend any places to stay in La Gomera.

We are thinking of having a few days there when we next visit Tenerife.

Thanks

Liz and Mike

We stayed at the Hotel Valley Gran Rey and were lucky enough to be allocated one of two suite they have.We were on half board but found the meals disappointing, acceptable but not by any means memorable. I believe the Parador is superb as is Fred Olsen's hotel Jardin Tecina. You can get the high speed ferry from Los Cristianos to both Jardin Tecina and Gran Rey.
You can complete an excellent walk from Gran Rey and there is also a local walking company that operate trips from there.
Booking directly might prove expensive with any of the hotels if you are only going for an odd night.Try a "La Gomera"google and see what you come up with, there must be some very acceptable places.
Valley Gran Rey certainly would be an excellent base.

thanks - looking forward to it!

Hi Liz and Mike,

I would second the recommendation that Valle Gran Rey would make a good base for seeing La Gomera, especially as you can get the local ferry right round to it. We always go self-catering becasue we like the variety of bing able to eat out of an evening and not be tied down and if you fancy that rather than a hotel then I have some good contacts. Personally, one of the draw backs of the Hotel Gran Rey for me is where it is situated in a bit of no-man's-land between the Vueltas/La Puntilla area on one side of the valley and La Playa on the other.

I prefer the area around the harbour in Vueltas. The beach is definitely the best one for swimming because it is sheltered by the harbour mole and there are some lovely bars and restaurants within easy walking distance, especially the fish restaurants by the harbour. Our favourite apartments are right on the beach and overlook the harbour. One of the 2-bedroomed ones (there are only 4 of them in the block) with balcony and spectacular views can be had for about 45 Euros per night which is not bad for a family. The same block has 2 roof-top 'attico' studios with private roof terraces which are even cheaper and even better views.

SMa