Dusty and lunar-like in the south, green and mountainous in the north, Tenerife packs a continent into one island. Think quaint villages, stunning views and a local lunch on this full day experience. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed old town of La Laguna, drop into a bodega for lunch and explore an aloe vera plantation. Arianne, one of our local expert guides, says, ‘Canarian bananas are smaller but thicker, and their peel has dark speckles. The pulp is yellower, and it should be eaten riper, which makes it sweeter.'
First up is a visit to an aloe vera plantation. Here, you'll learn about the healing qualities – especially skincare – of this crop. Then it's on to La Laguna, arguably the prettiest town on the island. Throw in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it makes for a real gem of a stop. Wander its poker-straight streets of pastel-coloured palaces and colonial-era churches and convents, or stop for a coffee in one of the cool tree-lined plazas. Taste local products such as marmalade and cheese in the weekly market and admire the town's famous flower displays.
It's then on to a family-run bodega for a typical Canarian lunch surrounded by vintage bottles and aged barrels. All ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced to reduce the environmental impact. And it goes without saying that some of the bodega's wines will be served with the food.