The Best of the Canary Islands

Day 1 London - Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Gatwick Airport for a direct, scheduled easyJet flight to Tenerife. On arrival we transfer to Puerto de la Cruz and the Hotel Beatriz Atlantis & Spa (4T). The hotel is ideally located on the seafront promenade which leads to the Old Town, lined with bars, restaurants and shops. Day 2 Puerto de la Cruz This morning we take time to explore Puerto de la Cruz on an orientation walk, with the rest of the day free for you to enjoy at leisure. The city has been a popular destination for over a century, with its natural spas appealing to the Victorian genteel. The charming character is still a draw, as well as the sandy coastline, marked by the remnants of an old fort, and the wonderful old orchid gardens of Sitio Litre, said to have inspired Agatha Christie. Day 3 Las Cañadas National Park Our day is spent exploring the island’s volcanic landscape. We travel to Las Cañadas National Park, stopping en route at the visitor centre to gain a better understanding of how the landscape evolved around Spain’s largest volcano (the third largest in the world), before visiting Teide itself. The impressive centre point of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the enormous crater, measuring 28 miles in circumference, from which the mountain peak rises to 12,200ft above sea level. Even amongst these inhospitable lands, some beautiful plants thrive in summer months, many unique to Tenerife. Day 4 Puerto de la Cruz Today is free to enjoy Puerto de la Cruz and its surroundings, or take an optional excursion to explore the island further - visit Candelaria, where you will find the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, Patron of Canarias; the popular town of Los Cristianos and the cliffs of the giants (Los Gigantes). Day 5 San Cristobal de La Laguna Once the capital of Tenerife (before the title was relocated to Santa Cruz de Tenerife), San Cristobal de La Laguna is the island’s second largest city, a bustling university town with an important historical centre. The Old Town is full of lovely, traditional UNESCO-listed buildings that entice you through its cobbled streets as you enjoy a tour of the city’s most important and picturesque places. The afternoon is free to take one last stroll around Puerto de la Cruz. Day 6 Puerto de la Cruz - Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Today we make our journey to Gran Canaria by ferry. This 80-minute crossing from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Agaete offers lovely views of the two islands. We transfer to Maspalomas and the IFA Faro Lopesan Hotel (4T), where we stay for the next five nights. A short orientation walk will introduce you to the area. Day 7 Puerto de Mogán Spend this morning in one of the island’s most picturesque villages, built around a marina and fishing harbour where bars and restaurants offer a reason to sit back and enjoy the views. Mediterranean style houses with colourful details, and gardens and terraces full of palm trees, bougainvillea and bird of paradise add further tropical flare to Puerto de Mogán. We return to Maspalomas to spend the rest of the day at leisure. Day 8 Maspalomas With the hotel located in front of the beach, near the unusual lighthouse and the natural reserve of Maspalomas Dunes, you don’t need to venture far today. If you choose to spend your day exploring further afield, maybe take an optional excursion to the Valley of the Thousand Palms and the beautifully situated village of Fataga, and to Agüimes, the oldest and best preserved village in the archipelago. Day 9 Las Palmas This morning we venture into Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas. Much of the important historical and cultural heritage can be found in Vegueta. African, Chinese and Indian cultures have all left their legacy in this distinctly Spanish city, with great explorers including Christopher Columbus having visited these shores on their transatlantic voyages. The remainder of the day is free for your own adventures. Day 10 Maspalomas Today is at leisure to make further explorations of Maspalomas. An optional excursion to Guayadeque Valley will take you along steep, winding pathways to Casas Cuevas. These cave houses were first inhabited by Guanche aborigines, the first recorded inhabitants of Gran Canaria. Many of the caves are occupied today, although some of the owners have extended and modernised them. Day 11 Maspalomas - London We transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled easyJet flight to London Gatwick Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.