Living it up in Tenerife
Spain is the most popular holiday destination for modern Britons. Perhaps the country offers, for us sun-starved yet sometimes insular travelers, a chance to have the ideal Britain - a sunny home from home. So many British citizens have relocated or retired to Spain, especially the sunny southern beaches in Andalucia, the Costa Brava and the Costa del Sol, that certain towns feel like little England. Indeed it is a shame that often the Brits moving over there make little effort to learn the local language.
Just as visitors can often overlook the culture and sanctity of the native villages in southern Spain, others can sometimes overlook the beautiful sun spots and cultural heritage of sites off the Mediterranean mainland. We are all used to considering the many islands of Greece - from Crete to Thessaloniki - yet we mustn't forget that most Britons' eschew the mainland shores of Malaga and Alicante for the smaller, quainter appeal of the Canary Islands - las Canarias - off the southern coast of Spain.
Situated not far off the north coast of Morocco, these collections of islands are closer to Africa than to the Spain which owns them. However the culture and lifestyle is extremely Spanish, with markets, stunning fishing villages and incredibly local produce all bundled next to some serious part towns and bars. Tiny villages with beautiful white churches share landmass with nightclubs and beach resorts.
Tenerife, it seems, truly has found a tempting cocktail for holidaying Brits - catering to the country-loving, outdoorsy types, the tan addicts who sit by the pool all day, and the younger party animals who come for a good time and cheap beer. Indeed the island is host to some incredible natural beauty, with mountainous landscapes that offer great walks and hiking. If the fear of another Icelandic eruption doesn't perturb you, take a trip to the Teide national park, with its now extinct volcano and arid, stark canyons and ridges which recall classic Western movies!
Whether you fancy an adventure holiday or a chill-out by the water, you can get to the island relatively cheaply. Have a look at the cheap flights to Tenerife chartered by Monarch airlines, for instance, can get you to the Canaries in a couple of hours, for far less than your hotel might cost. Check out the website and consider your options; and do your research into the multitude of attractions that the island boasts, from pyramids to aqua parks!