en de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en te en en en en en en en en en en en en en en ja en en en en de ru de en en en en en en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en it en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en gl en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en es en en en en fa en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en ca en en en ca en en en en en en en en en en en en
As the fifth child out of ten Ruth (here's her Travel Style) is comfortable in crowds and talking to anyone…which comes in handy as a travel writer. She grew up in Iowa and luckily when she was 17 her father’s company transferred him to the San Francisco Bay Area. After a career in broadcasting and public relations for colleges she was able to became a full-time travel writer…her dream job.
Instead of sand, much of Lanzorate is covered in lava formations
“Be sure and pack the following: slip-resistant shoes for cave walking, boots for hiking, formal attire for dinner, a fleece jacket for the mountains, a casual dress for wine tasting, shorts for camel riding, oh and a bathing suit,” my Spanish friend Ana texted.
My empty suitcase seemed to mock me as I grumbled, “I thought I was just going to the beach!” The Canary Islands do have beaches (thanks to imported sand!) but as the Spanish tourism board site knows, there are far more intriguing activities than sun-worshipping.
The history alone is mind-boggling: Geographically part of Africa, this archipelago is governed by Spain but locals prefer to be called Canarians rather than Spaniards, and many believe they are living on the former home of Atlantis! Each island has a unique personality to match its unique landscape so by all means visit Tenerife, the largest and most popular island—but don’t stop there!
This cable car ride takes you to the highest peak in Spain: Tenerife’s Mount Teide
At first look, Tenerife resembles Hawaii. Bright tropical flowers on green mountains protecting sandy beaches lined with palm trees. But turn toward town and the Spanish influence is clear; clothes hang out to dry on filigree balconies adorning buildings painted in primary colors, Hola! echoes off the cobblestone streets, and the smell of spicy red and green mojo sauce lures hungry tourists into tiled roof restaurants.
Some say the Auditorio de Tenerife resembles the Sydney Opera House
The jewel of the capital, Santa Cruz, is a concert hall designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Overlooking the sea, many say the white building with a dramatic arc resembles a ship while others liken it to a rogue wave. For spectacular natural beauty, ride a lurching gondola to the clouds. The swinging cars land on Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, where you can choose from several hiking paths. The views from the top of this volcano come with a price, piercing winds, so follow Ana’s packing list and bring a coat.
Bicycling along the sea wall is popular in Tenerife
The only problem with Tenerife is that too many visitors make the mistake of never leaving their resorts.
Where to stay: Iberostar Gran Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz
La Gomera is a popular island with sailors
“People are tired of the all-inclusive experience,” my guide Roberto assured me. “They want to explore the Islands.” La Gomera, one of the smallest Canary islands, is well known among hikers and I silently thanked Ana for insisting I pack boots.
Through the morning fog, I walked the ancient network of trails or Caminos Reales (Royal Roads) in the Garajonay National Park. Listen closely and you may hear lilting messages. Locals used to communicate across the ravines by whistling. Today schools require learning this vanishing language so you may get lucky and hear some students practicing.
Colorful homes express the owner’s individuality
I broke for lunch at Cesar Manrique, named after the architect who designed the building, a well-known artist from Lanzarote (see below) whose influence is felt through the islands. I’m afraid my lubina (sea bass) and wrinkled potatoes got cold while I stared at the riveting view. The restaurant, clinging to a cliff, overlooks a road unfurling like a ribbon between terraced hillsides.
Each evening in the small capital of San Sebastian, locals and tourists alike gather in the town square by the sea to people-watch. Over a glass of local white wine, I met English visitors who made La Gomera their home base while sailing the archipelago tracing the steps of Christopher Columbus. The explorer stopped frequently in the Canaries on his to the New World and rumor has it his love for a beautiful widow, Beatriz de Bobadilla, the Island’s ruler, was the reason for extending his visits.
Where to stay: Hotel Torre del Conde. In San Sebastian
A view of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria lives up to its name…it’s so grand that city planners import sand from the Sahara to create miles of dunes rolling toward the sea in Maspalomas.
The sand was imported from the Sahara to create Maspalomas beach
Walking through Vegueta, the historic quarter, it’s easy to imagine the wealthy founders entertaining Columbus in mansions with peach, ochre, seafoam, and pink facades. Massive wooden front doors enclose courtyards where palm trees provide shade. Settled in the 15th century, this was considered the edge of the Earth, before Columbus stopped by on his way to the New World. While he waited for ship repairs he stayed in a palace now named Casa de Colón, or Christopher Columbus House. Today it’s a museum that gives you an idea of the ships’ harsh conditions.
Vendors at the Mercado de Vegueta encourage shoppers to sample the merchandise
For a healthy lunch and a chance to talk to friendly locals visit Mercado de Vegueta, the oldest food market in the Canaries. Shutterbugs will be thrilled by the psychedelic colors of the tropical fruit displays while adventurous eaters can indulge in specialties including eel and dogfish. I left my meal up to the Michelin award-wining chef at the iconic Bull Hotel Reina Isabel.
Sipping an aperitif on the terrace in my little black dress, I was entertained by observing the other guests, professional sailors, socialites, and businessmen.
Where to stay: Hotel Santa Catalina.
The spectacular entrance to the Manrique museum
Volcanic eruptions have created an eerie landscape on Lanzarote. Movie directors love the miles of black lava, caverns, caves, and craters. In 1965 Raquel Welch was here to film One Million Years B.C. and recently Opie (Ron Howard) himself was here directing The Heart of the Sea.
Get your Flintstone fix touring the Jameos del Agua cave. Guides lead you through a maze of narrow passages, hidden corridors, naturally formed stairs, underground lakes, and stalactites—a Scrabble word if I ever heard one. There’s a surprise at the end of the tour and I can tell you what it is but then I’d have to kill you.
In the evening the cave transforms into a nightclub. Before ushering me into the grotto restaurant the maître d’ said, “Turn away from the sun so you can adjust to the dark.” My non-slip shoes came in handy creeping along the uneven wet rocky ledge with only a rope stanchion preventing a fall into a diner’s bowl of mussels. After a four-course dinner served on tables wobbling from the uneven rock floor, live music began reverberating off the walls. It was easy to imagine earlier islanders, hiding from pirates, making music in this natural auditorium to pass the time.
Local artist César Manrique, who created the cave’s subtle illumination, liked grottos so much that he lived in one! His honeycomb home, a tunnel of connecting caves painted in vibrant colors, is now a tourist attraction.
Camel rides are popular at Timanfaya National Park
If caves are not exotic enough for you, how does camel riding sound? Timanfaya National Park offers luxurious rides in cushioned wooden chairs hanging off the side of these majestic animals. The scariest part is making sure you don’t fall out when the camel stands up and sits down but those spindly legs are surprisingly strong. The ride itself felt like I was rocking in a sailboat on a calm day.
Where to stay: Club La Santa.
The Canary Islands are full of surprises but the biggest quandary is why most Americans aren’t aware of this tropical paradise. Tourism officials say there are few US visitors even though taxes are about half of mainland Spain’s. Between the hiking, the architecture tours and museums you might find, like me, that you never unpack that swimsuit!
For more on these and all of the Canary Islands, visit spain.info. For more on Tenerife, read Ian Livingston’s Food & Moonscapes in Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
2 Comments On "Exploring 4 Canary Islands"
August 26, 2016 at 7:08 pm | Reply
We visited only Tenerife but are looking forward to see the other ones as well. In Tenerife, Mount Teide is amazing. We did our hiking tour there with overnight stay in the Altavista del Teide Refuge, exceptionnal night sky and in the morning meeting sunrise from the top)))
November 9, 2017 at 7:11 pm | Reply
There is a mistake in the article about the sand of Gran Canaria. The origin of it is not from Sahara. They are completely natural and are origined by the erosion of the mountains and some sea process. And the dunes, that are not static, they move in the south cape of the island pointing west direction, are there because the wind blows in that direction almost all the year. Also, there were dunes in the north too, where the city Las Palmas de Gran Canaria rose in the 50’s, but painlich there are only buildings nowadays, really shame. Anyway, there are a lot of beachs that are artificial, even though the most of them are natural. Those artificial beaches are placed in the shore of some valleys where the touristic areas in south have rose, but that is not the case of Maspalomas.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Required fields are marked *
OUR FAVORITE PARTNER CARDS
80,000 points bonus, 3x points on gas, $100 annual hotel savings. Terms apply.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000 bonus miles, at least 2x miles on everything. Terms apply.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
60,000 points bonus, 3x points on dining, $50 annual hotel credit. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
100,000 points bonus, 5x points on select travel. Terms apply.
Best Credit Cards For Dining, Restaurants, Takeout, & More
The Best Gas Credit Cards for 2022 (Rewards, Cash Back, & Bonuses)
In-Depth Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review 2022
How Hard Is It To Get The American Express Platinum Card? (Review)
Coronavirus: Should You Travel to Europe Right Now?
World of Hyatt Grows More With Thompson Hotels
Popular Credit Card Topics
How Hard Is It To Get the Capital One Venture
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture
Best Credit Cards for International Travel
Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
Best Chase Credit Cards
Best American Express Credit Cards
20 Reasons to Sail on Windstar’s New Star Pride Ship
Buenos días! I’m back from Europe after sailing on Windstar’s newest ship, Star Pride. I was invited on the inaugural cruise along with several other journalists, travel agents, executives and…
Photos from Barcelona, Spain Before Windstar Cruise
Buenos días! I’m back from Europe after sailing on Windstar’s newest ship… Star Pride. I was invited on the inaugural cruise along with several other journalists, travel agents, executives and…
Formentera: Ibiza’s sleepy little sister
This post is the second in Melissa Curtin’s recount of her Ibiza and Formentera adventure. Check out the first post here.   Honestly, I’d never thought about going to Ibiza….
The Best Travel Credit Cards for 2022 Citi Premier Card Review Best Airline Miles Credit Cards The Best Chase Business Credit Cards
About Johnny Press & Media Advertise With Us Contact Join Newsletter Privacy Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Johnny Jet receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Johnny Jet does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.