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Places of Interest in Tenerife
Tenerife has a wide range of things to see and do so we have listed just a few places that might be worth seeing. The arts centre La Recova is a important culture centre were art exhibitions take place on a regular basis. The city of school of graphic arts has its headquarters here the Le Recova is located in Santa Cruz.
Natural and Human History Museum is located also in Santa Cruz de Tenerife the museum opens Tuesday through to Sunday from 10.00 - 20.00 hours. This museum is considered one of the most important cultural projects in Santa Cruz. Collections that had been previously dispersed are now being gathered here. The city library and fine arts museum has just been extended and now has an important department on canarian literature and the island archives. The library is certainly worth a visit with permanent masterpieces on display such as the portrait of Isabel 11 by Madrazo. Again the location of this building can be found in Santa Cruz.
Golf in Tenerife (Golf del Sur)
The Golf del Sur is considered Tenerife's most high profile course ever since it opened in 1987 with an event for professionals only. The twenty-seven greens and fairways have provided a backdrop for many tournaments. In 1989 Jose Olazabal from Spain was victorious and followed up again in 1992. And then in 1994 Mark James of England was the winner one year later we all witnessed a great head to head battle between Phil Mickleson of the USA and Ernie Els of South Africa.
The Golf de Sur is also famous for its driving records set by the same man Britain's Karl Woodward. He first set a record drive of 398 yards only to improve on himself a few months later when he went through the legendary 400-yard barrier with a drive of 408 yards.
Pepe Gancedo designed the course and is considered by all those who play it to be a thoroughly enjoyable course. The black volcanic bunkers immediately catch your attention. The wide fairways are lined by palm trees and giant cactus plants and other indigenous plants from the canaries. The 800 square meter course bedside the Atlantic Ocean is a veritable Oasis. Tricky holes to lookout for are the 3rd with it water hazard, and the 2nd with its huge bunker of black sand. The club also offers a golf school for those wishing to learn or simply improve with professional advise on hand. Golf del Sur offers for those not interested in golf the chance to play Tennis, and Lawn Bowls all with in a short distance from the fabulous bar and restaurant facilities.
Amarilla Golf
Amarilla Golf and Country club is located on the southern coast of Tenerife just bordering the Atlantic.
One of the stunning characters of this eighteen-hole course is its views over the Atlantic, which inspired the designer Donald Steel. The course is surrounded by barrancos, which provides a very stern challenge for the golfer. The golf and country club first opened its doors in 1989. And one year later Amarilla Golf hosted the second edition of the Tenerife open, which is now part of the European PGA tour. From the very first tee you soon discover the spectacular ocean views awaiting you around this course. Following on to holes 2,3 and 4 you are now surrounded by typical canarian flora such as the beautiful Washington Palms and the very exclusive canarian pines.
The last three holes of the course show the diversity of the Amarilla Country club with its large bunkers boarded by volcanic sand. Located in the San Miguel area with its neighbour the Golf del Sur can now boast to have Tenerife's most golf holes on the Island.
Golf Costa Adeje
The Golf Course Costa Adeje can be found just 5 kilometres from the main tourist area in the south Playa de las Americas. If you are staying in Las Americas or Fannabe than this course is ideally situated for you. The course opened up in 1998 with its challenging 18-hole course this has been described as not for the faint hearted. A buggy is strongly recommended as this course contains six pars 5s, six pars 4s and six pars 3s. Even on the par threes a long iron is needed to reach the greens.
The course measures in total of six thousand three hundred and thirty yards. For those who just wish to practice while on holiday you will find that there is a PGA professional driving range with also a chipping and putting area attached. If you wish to take any lessons they can be offered in several languages at the course.
The Black Pyramids
Various theories exist as to the actual origin of the Pyramids. Two theories are still disputed one of these is that the stones are quiet simply left over by farmers who were cultivating land in the area. But others claim that the structures are related to esoteric beliefs. But it was the Norwegian anthropologist Dr Thor Heyerdahl that through his research and investigations led to the theory that the pyramids date back to pre-Hispanic times.
The Piramides de Guimar opened to the public only in 1998 and is quickly becoming a main tourist attraction. The park is now receiving about 150,000 visitors a year and is also holding in its grounds special temporary exhibitions. In 1991 the Archaeology Department of La Laguna University held its first dig. The lands were the pyramids stand had been earmarked by the local council for an expansion development for the town. The archaeology department looked for any astronomical relationship and its finding revealed that the pyramids were indeed aligned to the winter and summer solstices.
Further Excavations carried out in 1997-1998 beneath pyramid 1 by a team of American and Canarian archaeologists, which lead to the discovery of a long cave measuring eight meters in length. The discovery of the cave was cause for great excitement and on closer exception it revealed earthenware fragments stone objects, and decorative beads from a necklace all dating back to pre-Hispanic times.
With the remains being sent for carbon testing in Miami the report finally concluded that the items were dated between 680 and 1020 AD.
After visiting the Pyramids the park also has more exhibition sites worth seeing. Firstly there is the Early Navigation Tent this area is dedicated to the early experimental voyages using crafts built by ancient designs. Also showing is one of the largest photographic collections of Easter Island. Photographs taken by the Roberto de Armas have been displayed all over Spain. Temporary exhibitions continually change for the enjoyment of the tourist and the locals. The park also offers one of most attractive gardens on the island. All the plants are clearly marked for tourist to read and learn about. The park also has a children's area were they can enjoy themselves in a safe and healthy area.
Architecture played a prominent role also in the concept of the new museum building. Renowned architects Cesar Ruiz-Larrea and Enrique Alvarez were brought into create the atmosphere and presence of the ancient cultures. The series of interlinked courtyards were specially designed to recall how early human dwelling place existed. The finely crafted black basalt stone has been selected to clearly differentiate between the new construction and the pre-existing one.
To complement the natural appearance of the park planted vaults cover a number of the courtyard areas not only being pleasant to the eye but also offering shade as well.
Ethnographic park is also available as a cultural visit for companies and full details can be found on their own web site www.tenerifecb.com. The park also offers the use its Auditorium during evenings for presentations, and meetings. Summer concerts are now very popular with a wide range of traditional Canarian musicians playing at the venue.
Dining out in Tenerife
Out of all Tenerife's tourist attractions dinning out still has to be the number on choice. There are so many good restaurants to choose from its very hard to know were to begin. You have international cuisine at all the major resorts in the south and the north of the island. Combined with local dishes in some of the smaller towns, and villages. A typical traditional canarian meal would be something like a first course of mixed vegetable stews and fish casseroles accompanied by a chickpea dish.
The most famous fish dish is an island special called La Vieja, which has fine white meat, like the Sama or Cherne. Another popular fish for all tourists is Sardine grilled in olive oil with fresh salad and bread. Research shows that Pork is the most asked for and consumed meat on the Island. A local pork dish served in the countryside is pickled pork known as Conejo en Salmorejo.
For a side dish Papas Arrugadas (potatoes) served with a red or green garlic sauce.
The locals in Tenerife are able to grow a very buttery tasting potato that is delicious. The north of the island also produces its very own young wines originating from Tacoronte – Acentejo, which is a fine accompaniment to any meal. The best way to try any of the local dishes is to visit one of the Guachinches Restaurants. These typical Canarian restaurants can be found along the road in areas such as Geneto, Tacoronte and Acetejo on the outskirts of la Laguna. These restaurants are very popular at weekends when the locals flock there so it may be wise to try them during the week.
Main Festivals for Tenerife
Main carnival in Tenerife is in February particularly in Santa Cruz.
June Corpus Christi festival in Orotava and La Laguna
August festival Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria
November San Andre's festival of wine in Icod La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz.
Nightlife in Tenerife
The Casino Taoro was built in 1892 and should be on everyone's list for a night out. For a night of sophistication and elegance, fine dinning and the possibility of a nightly jackpot of thirty thousand Euro's how can anyone say no. For dancing and dinning then why not try the Café de Paris located on the Avendia de la Colonilla in Puerto de la Cruz. Two more dinning and dancing venues are the Caballo Blanco at San Telmo and finally the ever-popular Zhivago in Puerto Viejo.
Recently opened near the Jardin beach is the Hotel Noeila Playa, which has a very relaxed and stylish bar with great views from the Hotel. Most people agree though for the most stylish venue then you should visit the Hotel Botanico in El Coto.
The younger minded that are looking for a different evening out should check out some of the discos but should be aware that these places only start to come alive from midnight. The most popular of these is Joy, Concordia club, Coco-Loco in the Hotel Maritim
English pubs as anywhere in the world are old fashioned and cosy or noisy and Smokey. Tenerife is no exception several Pubs can be found in the Puerto Cruz area such as the Tavern and the Bambi neither of these have dance floors but are lively drinking bars.
Shopping in Tenerife
The Canary Islands including Tenerife are partly tax free for items such as tobacco, spirits, and perfumes and on average are cheaper than in the UK. When returning from the Canary Islands though you will be treated by customs as travelers from outside the European Union. The main shopping areas in Santa Cruz are on the high streets Villalba Hervas, El Castillo, and Doctor Allart.
Two Plazas's worth visiting are the Plaza de Espana and the Plaza de la Candelaria these shops normally open in the mornings and then again later in the evening. Some great deals can be found on electrical appliances such as CD players, GSM phones and mobile phones. If you miss out on your holiday shopping then don't forget you have one more chance at the Reina Sofia Airport before you leave.
