Lo de Carta is situated in the North East of Tenerife, and most of the Islands's "highlights" are just 30 to 60 minutes away by car. Here are just a few of the possibilities.
Just 25 minutes by car will take you to Santa Cruz (see pictures 1 & 2), the island's capital. Here you can explore the historic city as well as indulge in the best shopping on the island. Santa Cruz is also home to the Auditorio, an incredible work of modern architecture which hosts a wide range of music and art events.
10 minutes to the North of Tenerife you will find Las Terrasitas beach (picture 3), one of the finest on Tenerife and mostly frequented by locals. The sand was imported here from the Sahara desert, so it is one of Tenerife's few non-black beaches. Above Terrasitas are the magical mountains of Anaga accessible by dizzy, hairpin roads that pass through some impressive cloud forests.
Lo de Carta is right on the border of this famous national park. As you drive upwards you soon pass through the pine forests and enter the spectacular, mountainous lava fields of Teide National Park (see pictures 4 & 5). There are some exciting walks and treks as well as an impressive cable car ride up Mount Teide, the highest volcano in Europe (3718m).
Most of the tourism in Tenerife is located in the South of the island. However the northern towns are the oldest and most historic. 30 minutes drive you will find La Laguna, with plenty of traditional 18th century architecture, tree fringed squares with open air cafés and lots of unusual shops to explore. Also worth visiting are La Oratava (see picture 6), Puerto de la Cruz and Icod. A trip to Punta de Teno, Tenerife's most westerly point, is also a highlight with views of spectacular giant cliffs and stunning sunsets (see picture 7).
Together with Hawai, Tenerife is one of only 2 places in the world that has a resident population of pilot whales (see picture 8). It is possible to see these extraordinary animal in the wild along with dolphins, turtles and other marine life, by taking a whale watching trip with one of the local tour operators. Most of the boats depart from Puerto Colon, 60 minutes drive away in Playa de las Americas in the south of the island. contact info@diver-sity.com for the latest information or telephone +34 922 717129.
The best SCUBA diving and watersports areas are located in the South of the Island, about 60 minutes drive away. The sea around Tenerife is regarded as one of the best diving locations in all of Europe. If you haven't tried this fascinating sport, Diversity Dive Centre in Puerto Colon arrange daily "try-dives" as well as PADI courses and dive packs for certified divers. The centre also arranges all types of watersports from wakeboarding to jet skiing Visit www.diver-sity.com for more information. (see pictures (9 & 10).
A great trip for all the family is to La Caldera Del Rey (see pictures 11 & 12), a traditional working farm a 60 minute drive to the South of Tenerife. The farm organises donkey and horse trekking around its banana plantations and surrounding hills. Visit www.tenerifehorses.com & www.tenerifedonkeys.com for further information.
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