Tenerife was created a while ago when molten rock squirted out of a rather weak part of the earth's crust, not too far from Africa. The whole island is a complete field trip: a real trip. The result of a sustained bout of volcanic activity, Teide is the highest mountain in Spain. Altitude sickness permitting, a vigorous, somewhat vertical stroll from sunrise to sunset will take you to the peak at 3715 metres and back, past craters and vents, across awesome pahoehoe and to Teide's eggs, surreal volcanic bombs twice the size of your rental car. The view from the peak is as wide as your mind. The little fluffy clouds are under your feet and you can tell that the world is yours. You can just see the beach but it is far, far away.

There's an international airport on one of the lava fields, levelled appropriately.
Google map: bit.ly/AdAQa8

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A top-quality restaurant in the heart of town. Serves a range of fantastic food including lots of Canarian cooking. The steaks are particularly good and reasonably priced. Staff are very attentive and helpful. I'd recommend their 'queso asado' (toasted goats cheese with Canarian sauces; the house steak with bacon, apple and onion; 'papas arrugadas con mojo' (small potatoes boiled and wrinkled in sea salt with local garlic and chilli sauce); and half a litre of local wine.

Calle El Peñón, Puerto de la Cruz (round the corner from the bus station)
Tel: +34 922 37 01 33
Google map: tinyurl.com/2uu6rvz

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A fantastic family-run restaurant which sells the best chicken in the world. Don't ask for a menu - there isn't one, at least not on paper! - just pick from the choice of meats available that day. The best option is chickpea stew (garbanzos), followed by a half chicken, done in their fabulous marinade, and a half litre of local red wine. Total bliss, and not expensive.

Carretera General Las Arenas 98,
Puerto de la Cruz
Google map: tinyurl.com/34fykmf


Tel: (+34) 922 385 184
Take a taxi from the centre of town.

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It’s not easy finding a nice breakfast cafe in Playa de las Americas, but after some searching I found two: Cozy Café by Playa del Bobo and Café Henandez by Torviscas beach.

Cozy Café is located up some stairs on the pedestrian walkway leading down to Bobo and got panoramic views over the ocean. They serve all sorts of fresh bread, cakes etc.

Hernandez is just by Villa Adeje Beach hotel. It doesn’t have a nice view but a terrace with morning sun so still worth a visit for breakfast. Full of colourful expats and fiendly staff.

Cozy Cafe by the casino, Playa del Bobo - Google map: tinyurl.com/ygqo3gm
Hernandez by Villa Adeje Beach Hotel
Avda. De Los Pueblos - Google map: tinyurl.com/y8pu8y3

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