This video is closed-captioned. You should consider the Canary Islands if
you're looking for a vacation destination with dramatic volcanic landscapes, idyllic beaches,
sunny weather, and mild to warm temperatures. Hey everyone - Anthony here, and today I'm going
to take you through the ten best places in the Canary Islands to spend your vacation.
Strap in - let's get into it! Number ten. Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote.
This UNESCO-listed volcanic park on the island of Lanzarote is home to an active
volcano with a recent history of violence. Over a period of seven years, between 1730 and
1736, multiple eruptions blanketed the island in red-hot lava and thick layers of ash. The island
was once known as the garden of the Canaries, but the volcano drove the locals away.
Eventually, farmers returned and learned to work the new landscape and reclaim the land.
You get a sense of the magnitude of destruction from Islote de Hilario, a volcanic cone where
park rangers educate visitors on the volcanic activity of the island.
Once you've worked up an appetite from exploring, you can dine at the park's restaurant,
where you can eat chicken that has been freshly grilled over volcanic heat.
Number nine. Taro de Tahiche, Lanzarote. Devastation and tourism aren't the only
things you'll find on the island of Lanzarote. Local artist Cesar Manrique was dedicated to
helping restore the character and culture of the island. Once he was an established artist,
he turned his attention to protecting Lanzarote from being overrun by tourist attractions, as he
had seen happen at other tourist destinations. His personal home, Taro de Tahiche, celebrates
the volcanic landscape through a series of underground bubbles - a byproduct of lava
flows. He also spearheaded a project to build a swimming pool, restaurant,
and auditorium inside one of these bubbles. Another project was creating the Jardin de Cactus,
a garden built in a repurposed quarry. He even transformed a derelict fort into the Museo
Internacional del Arte Contemporaneo. Number eight. Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife, the largest of the seven islands that
make up the Canary Islands. The city is full of life and activities for all interests.
The stunning Auditorio de Tenerife overlooks the sea and hosts conductors, orchestras,
and other world-class performers. Many museums highlight Spanish, Canarian, and Flemish artists,
and the Museum of Nature and Man explores the history of Tenerife's native inhabitants.
And, of course, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Santa Cruz.
The Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa is full of vendors selling local crafts and other goods.
Santa Cruz is well-equipped to be the focus of an entire vacation or act as a jumping-off point for
exploring the rest of the archipelago. Number seven. Caldera de Taburiente
National Park, La Palma. La Palma is the greenest of
the islands and is often called Beautiful Island. It's been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve,
and the landscape is extremely varied. You'll find sheer cliffs, black-sand beaches, burbling creeks,
step-down waterfalls, and untouched forests. And, of course, there are volcanoes. The
Caldera de Taburiente National Park contains volcanic peaks jutting nearly
8,000 feet into the sky. You can spend a few hours logging some hiking miles or find a nice
spot in the woods near the stream for a picnic. If you enjoy our videos, Join us on our journey
worldwide by subscribing to our channel. Please click the bell icon to get notified when we
publish a new travel video. Number six. Parque Nacional
de Garajonay, La Gomera. The top half of this small
island is home to the world's largest pre-glacial forest and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
9,000-plus acre park is covered in dense forest - something that was commonplace in Europe in
the Tertiary Period. Which, for reference, took place 2.5-65 million years ago.
That's a long-lived forest. Because of the unique ecosystem on La Gomera,
many of the plants and animals found here are only found on this island.
Like the fog-covered redwood forests of the California coast, the streams and springs are fed
by misty clouds that hover around the peaks. Number five. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
We may have covered Santa Cruz in an earlier entry, but the multi-day event of Carnival is
not to be missed and typically takes place in February ahead of Lent.
This epic event lasts for three weeks, with most of the action taking place in the last
week - three days are dedicated to fabulously vibrant parades, concerts, and endless parties.
The population of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is just over 200,000. And yet, during Carnival,
as many as 400,000 descend upon the city to participate in the revelry and merrymaking.
This incredible event is extremely popular, so you'll need to book your accommodations well in
advance, plan your costume, and prepare to stake your claim early if you want
an excellent spot to enjoy the parades. Number four. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This city represents the first colonial foothold for Spain as they worked to expand
their territory westward. As a result, a ton of Spanish influence can be found
here. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Ana has an imposing exterior but inside features unique
palm-shaped columns with accents to enhance the palm-tree vibes. Classic - but with a twist.
You can also explore Casa de Colon - the 15th-century home of Las Palmas's
first governor. Columbus even stayed here during his journey across the Atlantic
Ocean. The home is a gorgeous example of Canarian architectural influences
with wooden balconies, massive doorways, and inviting patios.
Number three. Teide National Park, Tenerife. Teide casts a long shadow on the small island
of Tenerife. This volcano is the third highest in the world and is more than 12,000 feet above sea
level. And yet, it's only a portion of what once existed. The massive caldera at the base of the
crater is the footprint left by the mountain blowing its top three million years ago.
The El Portillo Visitor Center is where most visits begin and is complete with an interactive
museum. Adjacent to the museum is a botanic garden where you'll observe the native plant life,
including informational placards with plant names and other information.
A cable car transports guests up the cone to the mountain's current peak
for those looking for a vista from above. The most unique experience is driving or
walking across the crater floor, checking out black lava boulders, mounds of lava pebbles,
and other brightly colored volcanic rocks. Number two. Cueva de los Verdes, Lanzarote.
Volcanoes are undoubtedly one of the main attractions across the Canary Islands. And
exploring insane lava tubes is one of the most popular ways to explore the volcanic landscape.
The vivid walls are stained red, black, and orange due to organic compounds like calcium
carbonate and iron oxide in the stone. The height of the lava tube dwarfs humans
and stretches from La Coruna mountain to the sea. The portions of the tunnel that are open
to the public reach nearly 40 feet tall. Take a moment and imagine lava moving swiftly
through these caverns, looking for an outlet - once the lava met the sea and emptied the lava
chamber, it left behind the enormous lava tube. Number one. The beaches of Tenerife.
This stretch of beach on the southern coast of Tenerife is one of the most popular in the
Canary Islands and the most developed. You'll have your pick of hotels or rental homes,
outdoor sporting activities, and restaurants with delicious local and international cuisines.
There's something for everyone here - if you're looking for upscale luxury, the Play del Duque
is the best bet, while the Playa de Las Vistas is a family-friendly option.
For a bit of seclusion, small natural beaches can be found along the eastern
shores, and the beaches that are too windy for sunbathing make for epic surfing conditions.
Interestingly, the Playa de las Teresitas just outside Santa Cruz is filled with golden
sands that are imported from North Africa so that you can tell everyone
back home you visited Spain and Africa. That wraps up another travel guide. Do you
agree with today's list? If there's somewhere we've missed, feel free to let us know in the
comments below. What's your favorite European island vacation destination? Sound off below!
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