The Canarias is an archipelago of islands located in the Atlantic, approximately 95 miles off of the northern coast of Africa. In the 15th century the Canary Islands were colonised by Spain and today the Spanish influences are very apparent alongside the traditional Canarian culture, especially in terms of the language spoken there, which is entirely Spanish. Well known islands that form part of the Canaries are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma.

The Canary Islands were formed by underwater Volcanic eruptions that took place thousands of years ago, meaning that today they are home to some of the world`s most spectacular scenery. The typical Canarian landscape is made up of high mountainous regions and low swooping valleys, the majority of which are covered in lush vegetation. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, the beautiful landscape that is typical of the Canary islands means that four of Spain`s thirteen national parks are to be found in the Canaries. Perhaps the most famous is the Teide national park in Tenerife, which is centred around Mount Teide – the third highest volcano in the world. Teide National Park is the largest and most visited national park in Spain, attracting well over 2 million visitors every year.

As well as being home to some of the planet`s most awe inspiring scenery, the Canary Islands are also the perfect place for those who enjoy watersports. Whether you are a complete beginner, a little bit rusty or a total pro, the crystal clear waters and helpful breeze makes the Canaries the perfect place for a wide range of watersports, including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, parascending. The Canary Islands are also well known as being excellent for diving, as the beautiful underwater world that surrounds the islands makes for an exceptional diving trip. Again there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved, whether you are beginner or an experienced diver.

As a result of their geographical location the Canary Islands are well known for enjoying beautiful weather all year round. Whilst the summer months are as hot as you could ever want them to be, the sunshine does not disappear in the winter. The sunny weather that blesses the Islands means that they are the perfect place to sprawl out on a beach, of which there are many. Sotavento on Fuerteventura has beautiful golden sand and excellent watersports facilities, as does Famara beach on Lanzarote, which is known to be a bit of a surfing hotspot. For something a bit different Puerto Naos on La Palma is covered in black volcanic sand and palm trees, whereas Costa Teguise on Lanzarote is great for families. Maspalomas in Gran Canaria is also exceptionally lovely and should not be missed if you are staying on that island.

Getting to the Canaries is simple, as regular flights run to all of the large islands from the majority of airports in the UK. Flight times from the UK are around 5 hours and transfers from the airport to your accommodation are best made in advance. There are lots of different places you could stay when you get there and something to suit every budget, though it is worth remembering that Maspalomas hotels are particularly delightful.

Article submitted on 2010-05-18