A great holiday in Tenerife with friends, while determined to find properties to buy in 2 weeks and how to achieve even better holidays.

accommodation

exception below...

Would you believe, we had an amazingly relaxing holiday in Tenerife opposite West Africa, while on a holiday home hunt at the same time? We didn't dare dreaming, our vacation would be so easy and enjoyable.

Our big advantage was our own local guide Sonia, a native from Fuerte Ventura, a neighboring Canary Island. She and her husband were friends of ours. In the past, we had always met on business vacations.

However, we decided to have discovery holidays, this time. They were also rather like island honeymoon vacations for my late husband and myself. We never had them before.

We were individual travelers, who never joined an organized Tenerife tour. Of course, we missed some Tenerife attractions.

What was different? We couldn't stop looking at Tenerife towns, villages, regions, beaches or off the beaten track nooks, asking us, what it may be like to buy our holiday homes there. Charming holidays do that to you. Figure the temptation to see near every beach your own holiday heaven...

Playa Jardin, a garden beach, was the first unusual spot we uncovered and where we also looked at it like real estate agents.

This is a wonderful area of the oldest resort in Tenerife North. Its often indigenous flora is blending in well with palms and subtropical plants. This creates a special mood for Tenerife holidays. Learn more details about the Tenerife plants chosen and the interesting plant selection for Playa Jardin and all its 3 beaches as part of expert landscape design ideas...
I'd love a holiday home at Playa Jardin but, nearby property is not cheap. Nor is the renting of luxury apartments, which are facing this huge park... Their sales prices didn't fit our budget. Besides, our friends wanted a villa as a holiday home in Tenerife.

During their holiday in Tenerife normal tourists are often spending most of their time on this garden beach. Some have come every winter and never ventured out to mount Teide. Playa Jardin is for beach lovers.The same happens with southern Tenerife beaches.

Of course, we had to get to know Playa Jardin. It's one of bigger Tenerife beaches with about 650 meters of length of touristic shores.

Yes, your eyes are not betraying you. This beach Playa Jardin in north Tenerife is a black beach. However, just figure, they say you get a much better tan at a black beach, while on holiday in Tenerife... Anything dark catches sun rays more. Also, don't worry, a rented car would take you from Puerto de la Cruz to the Santa Cruz white or golden beach within half an hour, only.

You enter the capital by Avda.5 de Julio, turn left and follow the sea shore. Easy... Just now, you will be at the beach Playa Las Teresitas.

Playa de las Teresitas would be great for extended Tenerife winter holidays, if resort options were nearby.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital:

Admire the wide and clean shopping street Calle Bethencourt Alfonso and its beautiful trees. No cars allowed here...

You can make out people, casually chatting. Indeed, one still has much more time for socializing in the biggest of all Canary Islands. Therefor, you feel double at ease during a holiday in Tenerife.

The atmosphere in Santa Cruz Tenerife is never as hectic as in most European capitals. There is much more to Santa Cruz, by the way. On vacation, don't miss going out for Santa Cruz Tenerife night life by romantic walks on its Rambla and seashore...

Also visit Plaza de España, which is at the end of above shopping street picture. Uncover more about this amazing place with lake at Spain art...

Our invigorating Tenerife holiday resort:

Back to our stay on this pearl of an isle. Our holiday resort was our base at Hotel Valle Mar in Puerto de la Cruz. Our friend had picked and booked it for all of us. It was a perfect choice. We took to it fast, after arriving from our overseas flights via Duesseldorf Germany with LTU Airlines. Nowadays, there are many more cheap flights Tenerife , which are all best booked in advance.

We had to get familiar Tenerife real estate. Of course, we used all the time without Puerto Cruz agent appointments to relax on the rooftop of our Hotel Valle Mar. There, we often took a lunch break and/or a dip in the heated hotelroof pool. It felt like such a private swimming pool.

Needless to say, we were chatting often about our prospects of residential property, which we wanted to buy.

The Valle Mar Hotel, which had been a good choice for our holiday in Tenerife, has a glass screen protecting against winds on its rooftop. It's area with different sections for bar and pool is much bigger than shown on roof top photo.

It was rather strange to meet up with old friends, we hadn't seen for a long time. We arrived later than they did. We came from the south airport with Tenerife transfer. For me, the shuttle bus ride was my first Tenerife holiday adventure. It was thrilling..

We were taken with the Tenerife's climate right away. It made discovering the oldest resort Puerto de la Cruz and the rest of the island a pleasant endeavor.

Tenerife Easter weather:

Our holiday trip to Tenerife was in 1997, around Easter time. Blue skies and gentle temperatures were blessing us during the short while, when we were there. An occasional afternoon shower broke off the monotony of the Tenerife sun, which had its own ways of coming back quickly.

Only, for our night strolls or for Tenerife trips or excursions would we take a jacket or a jersey along. The all year round good climate in Tenerife allows for dressing relatively light. At this time of the day we often had a long drink at my ocean front bistro Café de Paris in Puerto de la Cruz. I am still fond of it. I often buy its best town ice cream there, or at Pinguino, managed by the same owners, in the town hub. Mind, our hotel was only a few steps from from Café de Paris in Paseo de Martianez next to Paseo San Telmo.

Café de Paris:

Although, we stayed at one of the bigger Tenerife hotels right opposite the Lido, where Beach Playa Martianez is adjoining, we only passed both like taking them for granted, while on holiday in Tenerife.

After supper we usually strolled along the waterfront San Telmo towards the hub of the town. Walking in Tenerife in that part of Puerto de la Cruz always lets you discover something new.

We never got lost as the hub with Plaza del Charco and the ocean front are best Puerto Cruz orientation points..

From there, every way was leading us home, easily.

We never got around seeing the Place of the monk with all its nice restaurants, so close by. I would have loved a walk at Monasterio of the monk like the one done with Swedish friends.
Also, the culture as well as its Tenerife business in past and present are quite intriguing.

We strolled more than once a day through Puerto's hub.

I cannot forget how much Canary Island coffee my hubby would have in all kinds of places within our holiday in Tenerife. Coffee is good in Tenerife and cheap starting with 75 Cents in some places. And, it comes in all sorts of variations...

It’s the one with the large green and white canvas roof.

My best Puerto de la Cruz "hub" restaurant La Casona
is next to it, on your right in the photo, on Plaza del Charco.

La Casona serves an excellent Tenerife cuisine as well as international food. Very good fish dishes with the best surroundings... Don't miss it, while on holiday in Tenerife...

However, you may just as well order a pizza, if you are short of cash or less hungry. The Pizza at La Casona is good too and, you may also sit inside. A real treat, you know... How about it for your holiday in Tenerife?

At night we often went for a drink at a bistro by church San Francisco. A manicured, little park called after Dr.Victor Peréz with flowerbeds and a center fountain is in front. A harp and a guitar player entertained us there with Spanish music on the veranda outside. You will see it and you will hear when you walk through the Puerto hub. All this is Tenerife night life with a very relaxing touch. And, it's cheap.

Since 2008 I haven't seen the harp player there any more. Why? The hotel which employed him on its outside plaza veranda is for sale.

Live music entertainment is not unusual during a holiday in Tenerife.

Events Tenerife concerts by Amerinca give you free South American, international and classic tunes ideal for a relaxing holiday evening in Puerto Cruz, Los Gigantes, Las Americas and on La Gomera, too.

Book a tour to la Gomera from Tenerife. Booking must always be done as early as possible, however as for not missing out on seats and for having your holiday in Tenerife time table best organized.

You'll see that La Gomera is indeed different and has a very special charm.

Excellent free Parking for holiday Puerto de la Cruz

Plaza de Charco de los Camarones the main town square is right next to the little old harbor. We passed that when we went to a large quay parking lot, where we left our car. Parking in Tenerife may be a problem. This spot was a blessing. The only other large one is below Pyramides mall by the end of town. But, there you pay.

Walking in Tenerife is one of the cheapest activities on the island.

A long, about 800m long, rough, stony walkway or quay which the Tinerfeños call the Muelle, is almost joining up from the harbor with Playa Jardin in Tenerife (Garden Beach).
Occasionally, we walked there looking at fire red crabs sitting on big gray artificial square boulders jumbled up in heaps below. The granite blocks serve as additional barrier against the powerful Atlantic. In any case of trouble, the waves would then have the cars on the huge parking ground to play with. Here and there we got sprayed by sometimes ferocious waves. They make this area dangerous, which is often signaled with a red flag. There sure was all kinds of excitement during our holiday in Tenerife.

This fact is important, as we still found much leisure time for joint trips. Our visit to La Orotava was one of exceptions. That day became one very interesting part of our holiday in Tenerife. We could combine inspection of a townhouse in La Orotava with beautiful sightseeing of several best attractions, like the Tenerife jewels Casa de los Balcones and Casa Lercaro.

We, also did a trip to Icod de los Vinos together. Walk there from it's lovely Icod Plaza (Icod town square) past the church to find the oldest Tenerife Drago tree.

Richard, our friend heard much about the picturesque town with countless vineyards in Tenerife.

When we were there in 1997 the interesting Mariposas museum
tel: +0034 922 815167
next to the Drago Tree was open. Later they closed it.

It's open again, now.

The Tenerife attraction by vineyards was too great for Richard. How fortunate it would be to find one in our rushed holiday in Tenerife which could serve as a holiday haven. I for my liking would not choose "Icod" for a holiday home in Tenerife, unless I would stay there with kids whom you can take to Icod beach San Marcos. My friend Angelika the painter lived there for a while and is glad to have moved to a more central town.

We, especially, used our rented car for longer excursions during our holiday in Tenerife on week-ends when no property appointments could be made. That rented car came in very handy. We would never have seen as much without it. By the way, the main 2 TF1 and TF2 freeways, coastal roads and, some mountain roads were sufficient to get us to more distant areas, quite easily.

On a Sunday, we ventured right up to Punta del Hidalgo. This is a bit like the end of the world of Tenerife in my eyes. The scenery is beautiful, though and, it should, definitely, be part of all Tenerife tours on a holiday in Tenerife.

At the outermost Tenerife north West coast town of Punta de Hidaldo we had lunch in 1997 at a place the name of which I forgot. We liked it for its sunny veranda outside.

Sonia discussed some tapas for us with the restaurant owner.

We went for small salads, grilled sardines, fresh tomatoes cut and sliced, boiled eggs and the local white bread. They prepared all the tapas we wanted for us.

This would have been possible anywhere in an area which is not touristic, still today, thanks to our Canary Island guide we had with us - our friend Sonia, in fact.

It helps very much to speak Spanish. I, then, very much wished to learn Spanish.

See me here at hiking map Hidalgo which is on a bill board by the round about Punta Hidalgo where one returns to the nearby town. It was very windy on this day in that Tenerife corner which is much exposed to the elements.

San Christobal de La Laguna

After Punta de Hidalgo we passed through the university town of San Christobal de La Laguna, a place of World heritage. It was the first capital of the island, as reported in Tenerife history Santa Cruz.

La Laguna was striking me as a town in dire need of building renovations. By 2009, the historical quarters of San Christobal de la Laguna had been restored and renovated perfectly. Come to know San Christobal de la Laguna's stunning town square in a Christmas photo in page romantic holidays Admire its buildings from the middle ages with Christmas lights repeated in trees.

The lake or lagoon called laguna in Spanish vanished due to dry Tenerife periods, last not least. Some history still talks about La Laguna Tenerife, the lagoon until end of the 19th century. Students celebrate in its countless pubs and work part time in its many shops. Trace antiques to buy in the typical historical town, I once saw in TV. This 2nd largest of Tenerife towns always was important in church affairs and boosts according church artefacts. It is still seat of the 'main' bishop of the island

I wouldn't pick la Laguna, though, to buy real estate for a holiday home in Tenerife. It has a less fortunate climate with more rains and fogs. However, it's not as cold and windy as Los Rodeos airport, close by. Read up on this in Tenerife weather.

We, then, reached Santa Cruz Tenerife, the capital. Sonia was looking forward to a shopping spree, first of all.

Richard was more interested in its port. We heard live music by Tenerife symphony orchestra, while having coffee on Plaza de España. Our friend Richard became the proud owner of new Rebens sunglasses on that day. We couldn't get over it on how cheap they were in Pesetas in 1997.

The impressive Auditorio de Santa Cruz Tenerife had not been built yet during our 1997 Tenerife holiday.

If I had a Santa Cruz business or, if I was employed there, I would live there. But, as far as a vacation home is concerned, I would first look elsewhere.

My hubby liked the massive old mansions near the Rambla, a tree lined fairly large walkway leading almost from the top of the city to the harbor. Those mansions would have been too big as Tenerife holiday homes, I must add. They would also have been too big , if we had bought one together with our friends.

Find Rambal de General Franco like this: Face ocean at Plaza de Espana, turn left for until you get to the Military Museum and turn left into the Rambla...

We had of course a little stroll nearby through the biggest Santa Cruz park. However, much was cordoned off in in 1997 during our holiday.When we were there that great Tenerife park didn't look half as good as it looks now in 2007. Nowadays, Park Garcia Sanabria is again one of Canary Islands attractions.

Please, go to architecture week in case you like educational holidays...

My husband liked Tacoronte and surroundings very much.

During the week, we once went up to the pine forests for an afternoon pick-nick. There is a good pick-nick spot near the road way from La Orotava to the Teide 10 minutes by car after the trout farm. Its name is La Caldera (basin , hollow). You often meet foreigners during extended winter holidays there.

Since 2008 the bus is almost going to the edge of La Caldera recreation center and stops almost by the small shop and bistro nearby.This is not the pick-nick spot Zona Recreativa Ramon Caminero which is also nice and a bit further on by the main road to Teide.

You pass this recreational grilling sport on your right and reach the Portillo, the gate way to the Canadas, eventually. Don't miss a free, haunting film show at the Portillo Visitors Center,...

You will pass a Tenerife trout farm shortly after La Orotava on your way to Teide.

Before reaching it there is a restaurant you cannot miss.

I had 2 huge, yummy, grilled trouts with French fries and salad at Restaurante Aguamansa in 2008 under 10 euros the plate. You might encounter different prices when on holiday in Tenerife, in the future.

Our day trip 1997 to Tenerife South

We, of course had to go see the South of the island during our holiday in Tenerife, also. We got as far as Adeje and, saw a few little towns, where we passed through. Please, mind that this was in 1997. Tenerife architecture 2007 in the south looks so different, now.

I was disappointed. No nice old buildings, no houses with intricate Tenerife woodwork and, none of the Canary Island balconies so often discovered in the north were there.

You can see it with good eyes from Plaza del Charco.

Adeje Tenerife south 1997

We took a stroll on Adeje beach in our holiday 97.

It still had a beautiful mild gold color, then. I remember much wind blowing sand into our faces. We felt like some nice hot coffee which we would have liked to have at the nearest hotel.

It was the Gran Hotel del Duque . It’s an extravagant reproduction of colonial style of one of most luxury hotels for a holiday in Tenerife.

A black and white dressed 'body guard'-doorman by the beach entrance of the hotel wanted to see our hotel identification. We didn't have one. So, no coffee for us… That was the only incidence during our first and last joint Tenerife vacations that left a bit of an ugly mark in my memory.

Otherwise, I haven't forgotten the numerous Adeje building sites with skeletons of steel structures and, wooden poles to support the next concrete ceiling. They soon would grow into more hotels or, (condos) condominiums in Tenerife. All for a holiday in Tenerife...

By the way, later, I found out that a tour of Gran Hotel El Duque may be booked beforehand by telephone.

At that moment during our holiday trip in Tenerife South, I missed the lush greenery of the North of the island very much. I took the subtropical North Tenerife vegetation with all its flower power for granted. I was used to it from home and wouldn't want to miss any of it. The south looked like dusty semi desert to us and had no holiday home in Tenerife appeal at all, at the time. <

I only returned to Las Americas in 2007. What a surprise! Now, it had holiday resorts like trump cards for perfect travel package deals. Its green surroundings were the accessories to set them off. One enclave or holiday oasis after the other with tall proud hotels of all sizes in between... I was there with 2 young Swedish girls who holidayed on the island. It so happened that I joined them with a cheap rented car on the trip. The vehicle was not performing well. Perhaps this was a reason, the girls were not too impressed with the south, as it had made all of us tired. Anyway, they were more keen to discover shops like Zara and Mango. It took us ages to trace them near Mare Nostrum. We were very tired in the end. Besides, to locate an empty parking lot was very exhausting. Therefor, don't go for a rushed trip anywhere on the island and do your homework first! It pays to find your way around better to save time and aggravation. Better still, join an island tour and let the experts introduce you to all its secrets. Now, have a look at photos Arona of the amazing resort by Mare Nostrum Las Americas.

About 20 guys were surfing by Las Americas Beach , while the moon was up, already. This impressed me greatly.

My daughter might come visiting. Then, we surely, will take some time off, to get to know the South better during her holiday in Tenerife.

What we totally missed in 1997 in the south was the town of the big British harbor club Los Gigantes.

In the North we never went to Loro Park when on holiday in Tenerife in 97 . Loro Park didn't have orcas, yet, at the time.

I saw it for the first time in 2002, though. I am an expert on Loro Park, as I did an apprenticeship as Loro Park guide for the Tour Behind The Scenes. I never took the job, as I needed to be self employed but, believe me this Loro Park insider tour is priceless. You want a job while on holiday in Tenerife there? Speak to Loli! Her office is at the back of the park. Climb road on the right of park...

Tenerife banana West Coast and Garachico

On the way back from the South when on holiday in Tenerife 1997 we went past Garachico, which is so nice for special Tenerife shopping, such as handicraft and art. During our holiday 97 we had a delicious fish dish on its ocean front but did not see the shops.

It also has
natural pools, which are similar to rock pools Los Gigantes. The Garachico pools are better to reach and remind me Indian miniature paintings of happy pool bathers.

Artist town San Juan de la Rambla:

It also has the most interesting place for fine dining and lunches. It's a restaurant dedicated to art. Find it in top Tenerife restaurants... It's called Las Palmeras Arte in Calle Estrecha by the Church.
San Juan de la Rambla is always nice for a stop by the coastal road leading within 15 or 20 minutes to Icod de los Vinos during any holiday in Tenerife.
It's rather close (20 min.) to the biggest resort of the island which is Puerto de la Cruz in the north.

We, especially, loved those smaller towns. Just figure, how well and warmly everybody was treating us with Sonia being a very sympathetic Canary girl.

Food and drink were good during our holiday in Tenerife. They gave us popular German filter coffee at the hotel Valle Mar. We were regretting, though, that we had dinner included in the hotel price. Nevertheless, we, sometimes, had it in town. We couldn’t resist the tempting Tenerife cuisine or any Spanish food and, international restaurants on the island. On excursion, we often, had Tapas, short little dishes of all sorts, salads, miniature fish and seafood, you name it... Spanish Tapas are more healthy and delicious than fast food. Value for money, you know...

Later holidays:

Much more was, of course, discovered in the future, such as Taoro Park , ideal for a trip on a hot holiday in Tenerife with many a potential dream home, although generally not for sale. However, this Puerto Cruz suburb has thought after hotels.

Check out this Taoro Restaurant in the coolest setting for a midsummer holiday in Tenerife.

Find Risco Bello, a water park. at Taoro. The famous Taoro Hotel should be restored by now as a Spa. Hotel Taoro served as biggest casino of Tenerife Island for the amusement of many a holiday in Tenerife. It's at Lago Martianez, now.

Please, take a little virtual walking tour of a town holiday in Tenerife with map from the hub towards Taoro park and enjoy some more photos of the area.

Where get the biggest hotel choice?

Go for perfect Tenerife holidays to Hotels Tenerife and find holiday apartments, luxury accommodation or something for a tighter budget...

Please, go from Holiday in Tenerife to our total holiday home hunt to find out more about our 1997 vacation, where we crossed many streets in Puerto de la Cruz and even stumbled onto a potato farm in Palo Alto...

We unfortunately had no time for whale watching on vacation 1997.

Interested in private holiday accommodation?

Apartment Los Gigantes photo gallery. It's near the Marina yacht harbor, known for the towns history where British tourists played a significant role. All for the love of watersports and West Coast Marine life...

Teno mountain range with its menacing, unspoiled Tenerife West coast, great for a diving holiday in Tenerife.

An thrilling idea for a Tenerife vacation is a private boat tour off Los Gigantes.

There is too much to do and to see on holiday in Tenerife. Very much is worth it, going back to over and over again. You for ever miss out on some Tenerife details. For instance, we never knew of Tenerife flea markets or big fruit and vegetable markets, such as in Tacoronto vineyard country. Come back or take a more extended holiday in Tenerife.

Discover locations of biggest Canary Island with Tenerife maps...

Rent an interesting, quiet Tenerife apartment by Puerto de la Cruz which is in ideal location for do it yourself tours by car...

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Enjoy a Tenerife holiday video by some French people...

Also see a nice shorter video in page Tenerife which rounds up holiday in Tenerife ideas.

Get Over 60 travel insurance for Tenerife holidays...

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Discover this small, self catering Tenerife apartment, where the view from its balcony and the green environment make you feel like being on Tenerife holidays forever.

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