Folklore in Tenerife

VIP guided tour of La Gomera with Garajonay Park and lunch

Seen from the sea, La Gomera's jagged peaks and lush green landscapes tell you something special lies ahead. And this island just west of Tenerife really is something out of this world. You'll discover remote villages, explore the Jurassic-like Garajonay National Park and visit the capital, San Sebastián.

Garajonay National Park sightseeing tour with local lunch

A journey into Jurassic-like Garajonay National Park is a like trip to the beginning time. This medley of deep gorges filled with ancient, misty laurel forests and rare plant life is a blockbuster. You'll also discover remote hamlets and enjoy free time in San Sebastian. Pedro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Garajonay's most spectacular blooms happen in winter, with bees pollinating endemic forget-me-nots, sonchus and more, while in spring there's a riot of colour as Canarian geraniums tinge the fringes of pathways in pink-lilac.'The star of the show is without doubt Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a visit to its interpretative centre, you'll find out about its botany and history. You'll also get to know hamlets such as oasis-like Chejelipes, which is on the banks of a reservoir, and the northern villages of Hermigua and Aguilo. A highlight is a typical lunch made from locally sourced ingredients in a family-run restaurant. The views over the volcanic landscapes are the icing on the cake.And you'll get you to learn about local culture, too. There's a demonstration of the unique-to-the-island ‘whistling language' known as ‘silbo gomero'. To round off the experience, there's free time to explore San Sebastian. You'll be able to follow in the footsteps of Columbus before he began his first voyage of discovery. Pedro says, ‘All the top attractions are within walking distance of each other – the Conde Tower, Church of the Assumption and market.'

Tenerife Tour with Teide National Park and lunch

Tenerife's mix of volcanic landscapes and charming colonial towns makes for epic sightseeing. And you'll discover the best of these in just one day on this VIP experience. See the famous Roques de Garcia, visit Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy lunch in a restaurant famed as much for its views as for its traditional Canarian fare. Arianne, one of our guides, says, "I love this tour because it combines everything that the island offers – botany, volcanology, sociology and the local way of life."Your adventure begins the moment you board your VIP bus in the morning and set off towards Teide National Park. Along the way, there's a coffee stop at Vilaflor – the island's highest village – which has a compact old quarter of colonial buildings. At the national park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll have free time to explore the Roques de Garcia. These jagged volcanic rocks make the ideal backdrop for some selfies. Then, as you head north out of the park, the lunar-like landscapes give way to luxuriant eucalyptus forests.Our next stop is a popular restaurant, which boasts views of Teide and the coastline. Tuck into a typical lunch made from locally sourced seasonal products. In the afternoon, we'll head into Puerto de la Cruz. Enjoy a stroll along its volcanic seafront and through its palm-studded plazas and exotic gardens. On the return leg, we'll stop at a famous viewpoint, which looks down on the wave-washed coastal village of Garachico.

La Gomera 4x4 Safari Tour from the North

From ancient laurel forests with bubbling streams to deep palm-filled valleys and black sand beaches, La Gomera is the unsung hero of the Canary Islands. You'll take the ferry over from Tenerife to explore its verdant national park and seek out some spectacular rock formations on this 4x4 full day tour.Once you arrive at the shores of La Gomera, the mystical lands of Garajonay National Park will be in the background as you sweep and swoop by 4x4 through valleys and forests to viewpoints. Wind your way up to Roque de Agando, the island's iconic volcanic rock formation that pierces the sky at an incredible 4,100ft-tall.You'll take a break over a typical lunch before being treated to a Silbo whistling demonstration. Then, learn all about the island that was the bridge to discovering the New World before returning to Tenerife.

La Gomera 4x4 Safari Tour from the South

From ancient laurel forests with bubbling streams to deep palm-filled valleys and black sand beaches, La Gomera is the unsung hero of the Canary Islands. You'll take the ferry over from Tenerife to explore its verdant national park and seek out some spectacular rock formations on this 4x4 full day tour.Once you arrive at the shores of La Gomera, the mystical lands of Garajonay National Park will be in the background as you sweep and swoop by 4x4 through valleys and forests to viewpoints. Wind your way up to Roque de Agando, the island's iconic volcanic rock formation that pierces the sky at an incredible 4,100ft-tall.You'll take a break over a typical lunch before being treated to a Silbo whistling demonstration. Then, learn all about the island that was the bridge to discovering the New World before returning to Tenerife.

La Gomera tour with Garajonay Forest and San Sebastian

La Gomera boasts unspoilt landscapes and a distinct culture all of its own. On this tour, you'll visit this Jurassic-like island and discover Garajonay National Park, a string of villages and the charming capital, San Sebastian. Arianne, one of our guides, says of the island, ‘La Gomera is a totally different world – it's a return to the past, to the origin of the Canary Islands.'The star of the show is without doubt Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a mishmash of deep ravines and gorges filled with ancient, misty laurel forests and rare plant life. On a visit to its interpretative centre, you'll find out about its botany and history. You'll also get to know hamlets such as oasis-like Chejelipes, which is on the banks of a reservoir, and the northern villages of Hermigua and Aguilo.And you'll get you to learn about local culture, too. There's a demonstration of the unique-to-the-island ‘whistling language' known as 'silbo gomero'. To round off the experience, there's free time to explore San Sebastian. Here, you can follow in the footsteps of Columbus before he began his first voyage of discovery. More than a visit to another island, a trip to La Gomera is a journey to another era.

Full-day Tenerife villages tour with Anaga Country Park and lunch

One of Tenerife's first Spanish settlements, Taganana is also one of the most remote villages on the island. On this trip, it's just one of three scenery-packed locations you'll visit, alongside Anaga Country Park. Jonay, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Anaga Country Park is unique, and it's been listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. It's home to one of the last primeval laurel forests in the world. This mystical forest, known as Laurisilva, is characterized by ancient laurel trees, ferns, mosses, and other endemic plant species.'In maximum groups of just 30 passengers per trip, you'll travel in a fleet of minibuses to discover hidden Tenerife in style. Up until the 60s, the fishing village of Taganana, where sugarcube house cascade down towards the ocean, was only accessible on foot or by boat. These days, a winding coastal road connects it to the rest of the island. We'll continue up the coastal road towards the whitewashed village of Taganana and a lunch of regional delicacies in an authentic, traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll drive through the mountains to the Anaga Country Park with its deep ravines and forests, a landscape that has remained almost unchanged since the Iron Age. Jonay adds, ‘Anaga's ancient forests are a haven for rare flora and fauna such as the Tenerife blue chaffinch and Bolle's pigeon. There are several species unique to the island.

La Gomera from the North

Marooned off the southwest coast of Tenerife, the tiny island of La Gomera has a lost-in-time feel. Away from the tourist trail, it's totally unspoilt – think jagged ravines, terraced white villages and pristine forests.

Tenerife discovery excursion - culture & flavours

Dusty and lunar-like in the south, green and mountainous in the north, Tenerife packs a continent into one island. Think quaint villages, stunning views and a local lunch on this full day experience. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed old town of La Laguna, drop into a bodega for lunch and explore an aloe vera farm as well as finding out about the island's banana-growing heritage. Arianne, one of our local expert guides, says, ‘Canarian bananas are smaller but thicker, and their peel has dark speckles. The pulp is yellower, and it should be eaten riper, which makes it sweeter.'First up is a visit to an aloe vera plantation. Here, you'll learn about the healing qualities – especially skincare – of this crop. Then it's on to La Laguna, arguably the prettiest town on the island. Throw in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it makes for a real gem of a stop. Wander its poker-straight streets of pastel-coloured palaces and colonial-era churches and convents, or stop for a coffee in one of the cool tree-lined plazas. Next, you'll head to a family-run bodega for a typical Canarian lunch of seasonal and locally sourced produce to reduce the environmental impact. And it goes without saying that some of the bodega's wines will be served with the food. Your final stop is the Casa del Plátano in Icod de los Vinos. Here you'll find out all about the island's banana-growing heritage and tempt your taste buds when you sample fresh bananas and banana liqueur.