CANARY ISLANDS

Closer to Africa than mainland Spain, the Canary Islands are renowned for perfect holiday weather in idyllic surroundings. 

Tenerife, the largest and best known island, boasts the highest Spanish peak as well as excellent locations for whale watching.  Gran Canaria offers exhilarating hiking while Lanzarote is ideal for a family holiday.  If beaches are your bag, then head to Fuerteventura.  La Palma features world class snorkeling and the world’s largest optical telescope. The entire island of La Gomera is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve with varied pristine ecosystems. Remarkably, El Heirro, the smallest island, is the first island to become completely energy self sufficient, using only renewable energy.

Cuisine on the islands reflects the historical contacts with Africa, the Americas and Spain. While some dishes contain beef, rabbit, goat, chicken or pork, it is the freshly caught fish that usually proves most memorable.