The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are without doubt one of the most popular holiday destinations for us Brits, and it’s pretty clear why. For one, the 12 months of uninterrupted, gorgeous sunshine several of the islands get. This means that to catch those vitalising rays, one needn’t holiday in the summer; in fact why not go in the darkest depths of winter? – Just to really underline the sense of escape. This would also mean avoiding the peak months and their potentially exorbitant prices. Autumn, winter or spring holidaying means cheap flights as well as cheaper bookings at hotels. The other major lure of The Canaries is its well-established role for the homesick Brit abroad. For those who want nothing more than the familiar, only heated up, there are plenty of packages that will offer a lazy, chip-noshing, cocktail quaffing week roasting by the pool. However, this tacky mainstay of The Canary image is only half the story. Far away from the nightclubs, sun-loungers and draught lagers is a world of stunning architecture, rural idylls, delicious cuisine and fiestas just waiting for you to discover them. El Hierro, before Columbus discovered America, was considered to be the end of the world. These days, it still preserves something of the wilderness in its heavily wooded terrain, and of course the ubiquitous volcanic landscape adds that air of the unfamiliar. It’s the smallest and most westerly of the islands, and, as such, is certainly the most tranquil. Tenerife is surely the most popular island in The Canaries (1.6 million tourists from the UK alone in 2005), boasting the most uninterrupted sunshine and hence the most bustling resort life. Of course, veer slightly away from the capital Santa Cruz, and you’ll find a surprisingly chic seam of designer hotels, exclusive restaurants and boutique life. The little known Isla Baja area of the island retains an almost entirely unspoilt feel, where the villages and towns retain their original flavour and heritage, along with some wonderful food. The majority of flights to the Canaries are flights to Tenerife, with access to the other islands via connecting flights or ferry journeys. Lanzarote conjures perhaps the most vivid imagery of The Canary Islands. Black, volcanic sand jets of sulphurous steam and vast craters are reminiscent of some distant, alien planet, while the unique architecture of César Manrique creates a vision of utopia unparalleled anywhere in the world. Gran Canaria is known as ‘The Miniature Continent’ due to its astonishing variety of micro-climates. For this reason, it as a real lure for those seeking natural beauty; there are 32 Natural Protected Spaces, each one boasting a different vista. Of course, as with every other island, here there is no shortage of beaches to wander, swim out from and relax on. Activities throughout the islands are abundant, with the usual water sports the most prevalent, and more adventurous pursuits such as scuba diving, paragliding and Canary Island wrestling (!) are easily found. Just make sure your travel insurance is adequate! The Canaries are certainly not what they used to be as a holiday destination. Today, they are just as much about maintaining their own distinctive character as they are about creating a tourist nirvana. Whatever your inclination, the genuine Canary experience is a far cry from the tacky vision some might imagine.

Most travel agents offer bespoke holidays and package deals to the Canary Islands – Monarch come as recommended for Tenerife holidays.