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Captivating Canaries: the magic of the seven islands
Captivating Canaries: the magic of the seven islands
It’s easy to forget that not all that long ago, the Canary Islands as a holiday destination were merely an afterthought to mainland Spain. The volcanic islands off the north-west coast of Africa are a hotbed of tourist activity, and it’s not hard to see why! They boast fantastic weather year-round, with temperatures of 18°C in winter and 24°C in summer.
During the hottest spells, the mercury in thermometers often rises to 30°C plus. These balmy conditions mean visitors can really make the most of the abundant beaches and other attractions on offer across the islands.
Tenerife
Of course, each island has its own unique selling points. For example, if you’re planning holidays to Tenerife, the Teide National Park is well worth adding to your itinerary. Covering 189.9 square kilometres, this is Spain’s largest national park and it attracts around four million visitors a year. You can get there by bus and there are 21 walking tracks to be found across the area.
While there, look out for the unusual vegetation. The park contains 14 species of plant found nowhere else on Earth. If you’re feeling energetic, you can make a four-hour hike to the top. If not, simply climb aboard a cable car.
Whale and dolphin watching are also popular pursuits in Tenerife, and the south-west coast of the island is a great spot to catch these fascinating mammals in action. Up to 21 different species can be seen in the waters around the island, including the magnificent blue whale.
Fuerteventura
If Fuerteventura’s your destination of choice, you can check out the Dunes of Corralejo. These dazzling sandy mounds are protected as a park and they are one of the island’s most distinctive features. Meanwhile, superb beaches line the coast and you can get stuck into a host of watersports.
For example, by donning a snorkel and diving beneath the waves, you can check out underwater volcanic landscapes, reefs and wrecks. There is also plenty of aquatic wildlife to see, including tuna, sea bream, pollock and parrotfish.
La Palma
As well as its own selection of beaches, the island of La Palma is renowned for its Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory. Located on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park at an altitude of 2,420 metres above sea level, it offers year-round viewing opportunities thanks to the consistently dark and cloudless skies. As a result of a public outreach campaign, it’s possible to book trips to the observatory.
Another of the island’s highlights is the laurel forest of Los Tiles. This lush, dense area of trees sits in stark contrast to the dry and lunar-like appearance of much of the Canaries.
Lanzarote
Lanzarote has lots to offer too, and is easily accessible from most UK airports; you can get flights to Lanzarote from Thomas Cook Airlines all year round, and from as little as £40. If you fancy testing your skills on the surf, you can make your way to Famara in the north-west of the island. Exposed to the Atlantic wind, this beach is perfect for surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding and you can get equipment and tuition at the Surf School Lanzarote.
For something a little more relaxing, check out the small island of La Graciosa just of Lanzarote’s northern tip. This petite landmass is renowned for its beautiful beaches and, thanks to its lack of roads and traffic it’s perfect for cycling and hiking. If you simply want to chill out, head to one of the waterside fish restaurants.
Gran Canaria
With its varied terrain, Gran Canaria is another tourist favourite. Here, you can explore the arid, sandy south, the green and lush north and the rugged interior. A great way to experience Gran Canaria is on horseback.
Meanwhile, no holiday to the island is complete without a trip to the capital Las Palmas. In the port town, you can shop ‘til you drop and dine in style. For something a little more cultural, set off on trips to the many museums, historic towns and churches that dot the island.
El Hierro and La Gomera
The two least well known Canary Islands are El Hierro and La Gomera. However, the fact that they are less popular than their neighbours does not mean they lack appeal. For example, with its clear waters, El Hierro is a diver’s paradise. Meanwhile, its natural swimming pool, called the Charco Azul or Blue Lagoon, is a wonder to behold.
On La Gomera, you can take a trip to the old town of San Sebastián. Founded in 1450, it is steeped in history and it is home to a number of monuments to Christopher Columbus, who stayed there before setting off to discover America.
These are just some of the attractions on offer in the Canaries. One thing’s for sure, whichever island you choose to visit, you won’t be bored!
Images by cortto, Emmanuel Debrand and Thomas Tolkien used under creative commons license.
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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.
Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.
Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012
Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar
Diving expeditions
The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.
Sand Adventures
Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.
Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero
Al Jassasiya
The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.
Sunset Cruise
When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.
Desert Safaris
Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.
Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung
Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.
There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.
This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.
This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.
Bondi is well known for sun, surf, and fun, but what can you do if you find yourself there in the colder months from June to August? Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Sydney’s most popular suburb when the temperature drops.
8 Things to do in Bondi in Winter
1. Go on an art tour
If the weather doesn’t allow for the typical outdoorsy activities Bondi is known for, a tour of some of its first-rate art galleries can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery, dedicated to promoting Indigenous art, and the Bondi Art Lounge, where you can view works from local artists or even take a beginner class and create a masterpiece of your own.
2. Take a hike
In crisp cool temperatures, a hike along the coastal cliffs with a view of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean below can’t be beaten. One of the most popular hikes is the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which is 6 km and takes you through Sydney’s eastern suburbs and past plenty of cafes, restaurants, and kiosks where you can stop to rest and take in the sights.
3. Head to Bondi Icebergs for some winter swimming
Even during winter, swimming is not entirely out of the question in Bondi. The Oceanside pool at Bondi Icebergs Club is open year-round, and the winter swims every Sunday from May to September have become a time-honored tradition. Although club members must complete at least three winter swims a year to retain their lofty membership title, non-members who are up for the challenge can pay a one-time fee to use the pool and sauna.
4. Strap on your skates and visit the only beachside skating rink in Australia
If winter swimming is a step too far for you, why not skate instead? Bondi has Australia’s only beachside ice rink, and the ocean view in the background makes for a striking contrast. The ice rink is open from June 27 to July 13, and aside from hosting skating sessions that are open to the public, it also features spectacular ice shows from Stars On Ice.
5. Settle in for brunch at one of Bondi’s decadent cafes
Winter wouldn’t be the same without a few indulgences, and after all your skating and hiking, you’ve probably earned a hearty brunch anyway. Fortunately, Bondi is full of great brunch options, from Trio Café with delicacies like poached eggs with truffle oil and char-grilled halloumi; to the rustic Brown Sugar, where you can indulge in classic comfort food like buttermilk pancakes and English muffins with bacon.
6. Join a cooking class, dodge ball game, or salsa lesson
During the winter, it may seem like most people have gone off to hibernate, but if you know where to look, you can still find plenty of social things to do. Start by checking out the Bondi community page on Gumtree. You can find like-minded individuals to explore the area with or even join a group for fun activities like hiking, biking, or cooking.
7. Score some vintage fashion at Bondi Markets
The Bondi Markets, held every Sunday on Bondi Beach, are known in Sydney for being the best place to shop for vintage clothing and accessories and hip new fashions from emerging designers. Aside from style, you can also shop for art, furniture, flowers, books, local produce, and delicious street eats. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great place to do some people-watching and see the Bondi locals in their element.
8. Stop by the Bondi Pavilion
The Bondi Pavilion is one of the suburb’s oldest landmarks dating back to 1928 when it first opened, featuring grand dining rooms, a lounge, a ballroom, and the Turkish and Hot Sea Water Baths. Today, it’s used as an art and cultural center and is home to a theatre group, recording studio, and art gallery. There’s always something going on here, from pottery classes to festivals to open-air cinemas, so check it out if you have a chance.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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