Tenerife sees luxury hotel launches
Monday, April 06, 2009

As the largest of the seven Canary Islands, Tenerife is the natural choice for blue-chips looking to organise events on the archipelago. Alcon recently brought 70 UK delegates to the island for five days of karting, a beach Olympics contest, surfing, quad-biking and catamaran outings. Axa, Audi, Lenovo, Cisco, McDonald's and Henkel are among other recent corporate visitors.

"For large conferences, Tenerife has lots going for it - great hotels with decent meeting space, plenty of outdoor activities, good weather and it's just four or five hours from the UK," says Banks Sadler senior project manager Saxon Heffernan.

Tenerife's ever-expanding array of unique C&I venues are helping it to stand out from its neighbours. The abstract Magma Art & Congress Centre now sits alongside the new Siam Park water kingdom, whose attractions include an amphitheatre for an audience of 1,500.
Other new options include the five-star, 331-room Hotel San Blas Reserva Ambiental, which opened in December with capacity for 600 delegates, and the Gran Melia Palacio de Isora, which opened last summer with reception space for up to 1,000.
"Tenerife has changed from mass holiday tourism to a well balanced business destination," says Ovation account manager Thomas Stecher.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 12:46 PM 0 comments    

Restaurants In Tenerife
Friday, February 27, 2009

Restaurants in Tenerife offer a very varied choice of cuisine to the tourist and resident alike. You will literally be spoiled for choice. Tenerife restaurants vary in quality and price, and there is something for every taste and budget.

Varied styles of cuisine available

The island plays host to many restaurants of varying types of cuisine. Think of a style of cooking and you can bet there will be a restaurant which does it. You will find a greater variety of styles of cuisine in the major tourist areas, and more traditional Spanish and Canarian styles if you venture out of town.

A very popular way of eating in both Spain and Tenerife, is Tapas. This type of food is becoming popular in the UK and Europe and involves eating small potions of different dishes. It is not uncommon to eat seven or eight plates of Tapas in one sitting. This is a social way of eating also, as several plates at a time will be placed on the table for a group of people to share. It is a very good way of "tasting a little of everything". This is arguably the cheapest way to eat in Tenerife and is a way of life for the local Canarian residents.

Tenerife is an island, and as such there are a number of fishing villages dotted around the coast. This has given rise to a great number of restaurants which specialise and shellfish. You will very often find that the seafood you eat in Tenerife is so fresh, it was caught the same day. You will pay more for fresh seafood and shellfish, but this is the same the world over.

If you fancy something more international, you will find it in Tenerife. The island boasts a plethora of restaurants which specialise in Chinese, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Taiwanese and English cuisines. Fast food is also available in the tourist areas, so if you are missing your burgers or pizzas, it's covered.

Where will you find the most restaurants and choice?

You will find the greatest concentration of restaurants in the south in the tourist areas. These can be summarised as Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Playa Fanabe, Adeje, Playa Del Duque, La Caleta (a major fish centre) and Los Gigantes.

Eating out of town

There are many restaurants in Tenerife outside of the major tourist areas, and these are mostly frequented by residents. The majority of restaurants out of town are cheaper, but there are some specialist restaurants which will cost as much as eating in town. If you fancy a change from the tourist areas and want to eat like the locals, a trip out of town is worth while. It is better to go on recommendation rather than dropping on the first restaurant you see. Beware though, not all of the staff at these restaurants will speak English. Also bare in mind you have to get there.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 11:12 AM 0 comments    

Modern Tenerife

To the British, Tenerife means one thing: "tacky costa culture and year-round sunshine". But the largest of the Canary Islands has so much more to offer, says Philip Smith in the Guardian.

It is quite possible to enjoy Tenerife's good weather, low prices, beautiful beaches and spectacular mountains while avoiding all resorts.

The ideal base is the "exciting" capital, Santa Cruz, which has been "transformed" in recent years by a series of grand architectural projects. Following hot on the heels of Santiago Calatrava's "breathtaking" waterfront auditorium is a new art gallery by Herzog & de Meuron, like a "sci-fi set" hewn from the island's black volcanic rock.

In the evenings, superb local food and vivacious nightlife are to be found in the old colonial neighbourhood of La Noria.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 9:48 AM 0 comments    

Tenerife - Quality courses
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tenerife is rapidly becoming one of the must-visit destinations for golfers.

Spain and Portugal have long held an edge because of their easy flight access, but while Tenerife takes a little longer to get there, it's worth the effort because of the growing number of quality courses and the fact Tenerife boasts an even all-year round temperature.

There are also many fine hotels to choose from but being based at the Mare Nostrum Resort, located on the Playa del Camison in the south of Tenerife, was perfect for the 10 courses on the island and within easy reach of the ferry for a trip to Gomera to play the wonderful Tecina lay-out.

There are five hotels, all five-star, on the Mare Nostrum Resort with more than 1,000bedrooms, loads of pools, bars and restaurants inside the resort and there's more out there on the main street.

Pick of the courses is almost certainly the new Dave Thomas-designed Abama course, but there's really not much to choose between the likes of Abama, Seve Ballesteros's Buenavista lay-out, Adeje, Amarilla and Golf del Sur and all of the courses have their individual attractions and it is certainly worth taking the ferry trip to Gomera to play Tecina.

Tecina is unusual in that every hole is just about downhill! You're bussed up to the first hole and wind your way down to the 18th and clubhouse which makes the course fairly reasonable to walk although there are buggies available.

Designed by Donald Steel, it has incredible views, particularly on the second, fourth, 10th and 18th. The most difficult holes are probably the fifth and the 16th, but the 10th is also a cracker.

There is the astounding array of trees and plants - palms, mangoes, bananas, avocados, geraniums and bougainvillea and the clubhouse has a snack bar and pro shop.

Nearby is the Hotel Jardin Tecina and the work has started on the construction of luxury apartments.

Abama is winding and challenging, with several lakes and is typical Dave Thomas rolling greens. With a par of 72 and 6,237 metres in length, it has 10 par fours, four par threes and four par fives and magnificent views of Mount Teide volcano. Another nine holes are also being built.

The golf course is part of a luxury complex with a five-star hotel, conference centre and tennis club.

Adeje also has amazing views of the sea, the island of Gomera, Las Americas beach and the Adeje Mountains. It staged this year's European Ladies Tenerife Open and is a fair test of golf - take a buggy as there are some hills to negotiate.

A feature of the course is the stone walls, the legacy of the agricultural history of the site, which have been restored and come into play more than you would probably like.

Buenavista is on the North East corner of the island and is surrounded by the Teno mountain range. The 18 hole, par 72, has a length of 6,150 metre and on the outward nine, the most demanding holes are the par fours while on the inward route, the greatest precision is required by the par threes and above all at the 15th and 17th, as they are next to the sea.

On five holes, the greens are close to the rocky coastline and the waves break spectacularly framing the greens.

Within easy reach of Mare Nostrum is Las Americas, a fairly flat course which is ideal for holiday golf - that's not to imply it's easy because it is not but it is pleasant to walk with wide fairways through lakes, waterfalls, and trees and measures 6,039 metres, so it's not long and it also has a terrific clubhouse with very friendly staff.

Amarilla is located on the foreshore, with impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a spectacular fifth hole where you have to drive the ball over the sea.

Golf del Sur, the 27 hole complex, has been around for a while but it still surprises you with its wide fairways, flanked by palms and giant cacti and its black volcanic sand bunkers.

The Tenerife Open was held there for several years and has also hosted the Shell Wonderful World of Golf tournament. It has a tremendous clubhouse and is well worth a visit.

The island's oldest course Real Club de Golf de Tenerife has been there since 1932 and is very British in its feel and it's rolling terrain means you have to be fairly fit to walk it.

Los Palos is a nine hole course and is also worth a visit. It has water obstacles and lush vegetation, but is not punishing and is ideal for beginners, families, players wishing to improve their short play or those who need a quick game.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 9:21 AM 0 comments    

Tenerife Is A Hot Investment
Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Those keen on investing in property on the Canary islands will be encouraged to hear that Tenerife offers one of the warmest destinations for an autumn break.

Responding to a query about the best temperatures on offer, Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green said the island offers a higher average than the Tunisian capital Tunis.

He said that daytime temperatures are on average one degree hotter (21 degrees celcius against 20 degrees celcius) in November, while the sea temperature is 22 degrees celcius in Tenerife, making it three degrees higher than Tunis.

Mr Green added that the biggest difference is night-time temperatures, where Tunis is just 11 degrees celcius but Tenerife enjoys an average of 16 degrees celcius.

This will definitely appeal to those looking for a year-round property investment, especially anyone who is looking to rent it out to tourists during the winter season.

According to PropertyShowrooms.com Tenerife is not the only one of the Canary Islands to be recommended as a winter break destination.

Both Tenerife and Fuerteventura were boosted last week by the news that Ryanair has launched new flights to both islands from the UK. Monarch also announced last month that it has added new winter flights from the UK to Tenerife and also Lanzarote, another island in the archipelago.

The local authorities have invested a lot of money to improve the Canary islands over the last few years, adding upmarket resorts and marinas, as well as a huge investment into golf tourism, which brings in many people to the archipelago during the winter months.

The islands have changed dramatically from cheap package holiday resorts to a location for the discerning traveller.

Tenerife has probably undergone the most dramatic transformation, from a popular holiday hotspot to an exclusive lifestyle destination. Ugly hotel buildings that were once constructed in record quick time to accommodate the increasing numbers of overseas visitors are now being pulled down, and sympathetic and stunning architecture is taking their place.

Siam Park, Europe's largest water park, also opened on the island in September. Costing 52 million euros to build initial reviews said it was even better than some of the top water parks in Florida. This new attraction will help to draw even more visitors to the island.

It has also been announced recently that Puerto del Carmen, the main resort on Lanzarote, is due to get a facelift. The multi-million Euro project will transform the resort with the introduction of a modern marina, with moorings for luxury yachts, and the opening of a new golf course next year, which is only the second on the island.

Bars, shops and restaurants along the beachfront strip are also due to get a facelift to bring them up-to-date.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 11:15 AM 0 comments    

Top Sports Training Centre Opens In Tenerife
Monday, November 03, 2008

New 15m euro sports centre will attract groups and clubs to the Spanish island who are training for national and international competitions.

The T3 AthleticSphere is a new high performance training centre which has just opened on the Spanish island of Tenerife, offering the latest scientific and technical innovations for those who enjoy sports.

The centre, which will draw sports enthusiasts from across Europe, is specially equipped for high performance training and is located in the quaint fishing village of La Caleta, on the south of the island.

The 56,620-square-metre sports centre is the result of a 15m euros investment, contributed exclusively by the private sector.

It was constructed according to modern and ecological guidelines and has installed solar panels and an energy control system.

Located in a unique setting, with an excellent year-round climate and high standard facilities, the centre is designed to improve performance while training for national and international championships as well as for rehabilitation or to simply keep fit and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Facilities include Spain's only countercurrent swimming machine with hydrodynamic streams, which is the most modern of the 20 existing machines in the world. This indoor swimming pool allows top swimmers to improve stamina in optimum conditions and to increase performance for technical rehabilitation.

A spa complements the resistance swimming pool and other indoor facilities include three squash courts. The centre also has multipurpose rooms for theory lessons and other activities, areas for gymnastics, a cafe with an outdoor esplanade and further swimming pools and fitness machines on the basement level.

In addition, there is a keep-fit area, a relaxation and motivation zone as well as medical and therapeutic assistance provided by trained professional staff.

Merchandise and sports equipment for swimming, football, tennis and others sports can be purchased in the shop.

The training centre also features an outdoor heated Olympic swimming pool made of steel, designed to satisfy the most demanding requirements. It is fully equipped for tournaments and championships and can be adapted for sports such as water polo and synchronised swimming.

A 25-metre warming-up pool, seven paddle tennis courts, three tennis courts (one hard and two clay), and two football pitches complete the training centre's facilities. There is also a goalkeepers' training area and three beach volley ball courts.

The centre is associated with the Aparthotel Jardin Caleta, and with the Gran Tacande Hotel, both on the Costa Adeje, allowing groups and sports clubs to stay somewhere close by. The centre, near the Costa Adeje Golf Club, is also a suitable venue for meetings, conferences and other events.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 10:32 AM 0 comments    

Canary Islands host classical music festival
Thursday, October 16, 2008

Classical music lovers should head to the Canary Islands Festival on Gran Canaria and Tenerife early next year.

From January 9th until February 16th, the two Canary Islands host a number of events, and this year's festival will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event which is popular with fans of traditional music.

As it is also the 200th birthday of Hungarian musician Franz Liszt, the party is themed around Hungary, and there will also be a focus on 250th anniversary of Handel's death.

The Hungarian National Choir will perform alongside the Tenerife Symphony in some of the events which is sure to be a treat for holidaymakers with a keen ear for classical music.

The Vienna Philharmonic also plays at the festival, as does the Philadelphia Orchestra, which contributes to the event's world-class credentials.

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Posted by Co-op Travel 12:59 PM 0 comments