EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Explore the west coast of Tenerife, a gorgeous landscape of remote villages and banana plantations. Have privilege views over the fertile Orotava valley from the Humbold viewpoint. Over time, sugarcane, grapes and bananas became the dominant crops, and they are still harvested using traditional techniques. Understand how the crops are cultivated visiting an old hacienda where you can learn firsthand how bananas are grown, a tour in an authentic banana plantation where you can see different varieties of bananas and learn the process before sampling the locally grown bananas and banana liqueur. On the way back to pier, visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island and stop at La Garañona Viewpoint, local´s favorite spot to take in the beauty of the sea and surrounding.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how crops are harvested using traditional methods.
• Learn firsthand how bananas are grown and see different varieties in an authentic plantation.
• Visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island .
• Sample several varieties of bananas and banana liqueur, which attest to the fruit’s diversity.

Lovely towns, colonial mansions and breathtaking landscapes are some of the highlights of this tour. Start your day with a scenic drive to the north of the island passing quaint towns, vineyards and banana plantations. Drive up to the Alexander von Humboldt viewpoint for a wonderful view of the fertile Orotava Valley and it banana plantations. Continue your drive through the village of La Orotava to the historic quarter where you’ll start a walking tour of the old city. Walk along the cobblestone streets lined with Colonial mansions and their typical wood-carved balconies. Visit La Casa de los Balcones (The House of the Balconies), formerly an aristocrat's residence, that shows a permanent exhibition of Canarian and mainland Spanish handicrafts. After free time for lunch on your own, it’s off to Garachico view point for spectacular views of this lovely town and beyond. Once the main port for the Island, Garachico was almost completely destroyed in the 1706 by when nearby Chinyero volcano erupted for more than a week, burying at least half of the city in lava. A remnant of that massive eruption has become one of Garachico's greatest draws - it's volcanically formed natural saltwater pools. After a break for refreshments, your tour continues to the charming village of Icod de los Vinos, a place of rich history and natural beauty. Nestled on the northwest coast of Tenerife, this village is famed for its centerpiece: the Millennial Drago tree (Dracaena draco).

OVERVIEW

Spend hours independently exploring Puerto de la Cruz with no schedule to follow other than your own, which will allow you the freedom to visit the attractions that sound most intriguing. You will be dropped off in the heart of Old Town with easy access to most everything imaginable. First promoted as a spa destination in the 19th century, Puerto de la Cruz is still wonderfully relaxing and laid back, especially around leafy Plaza del Charco. Nearby, you will find a number of 17th-century landmarks, including the Custom House –known as Casa de la Real Aduna – and the Church of Nuestra Señora de La Peña de Francia. The town’s maritime flair is most evident around the old harbor, a vibrant area full of one-of-a-kind shops and waterfront restaurants. Nature lovers might visit the Jardin Botanico, a botanical garden that was founded in 1788 by the royal decree of Charles III of Spain.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Focus on the attractions that sound most interesting to you in Puerto de la Cruz.
• Enjoy the freedom of wandering about at your own pace with no schedule to follow.
• Be dropped off in the city center near the best shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

El pico más alto de España, el punto más alto del Océano Atlántico, el tercer volcán más alto de una isla oceánica volcánica y sitio declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO. Este es un tour absolutamente imperdible cuando visitas Tenerife. Pasa por la ciudad universitaria de La Laguna, una encantadora y hermosa ciudad monumental donde abundan los edificios históricos de gran valor, situada en el Valle de Aguere. Continúa por el centro de la isla en línea recta al bosque Esperanza, un excelente ejemplo de la flora y fauna endémica de la isla volcánica, con sus pinos y eucaliptos. Mientras recorres el bosque Esperanza hasta Cañadas del Teide quedarás impresionado con los cambios cromáticos del paisaje. El fondo verde gradualmente se tiñe de gris, ocre, rojo e incluso azul, colores comunes en las áreas volcánicas, paisaje siempre coronado por el imponente Monte Teide en el medio. Cuesta arriba, haz una parada breve para tomar fotografías de los magníficos paisajes volcánicos.

Antes de entrar al Parque Nacional, disfruta de un café en el restaurante local rodeado de la riqueza natural y las formaciones de piedra volcánica. Visita Los Roques de García en el Parque Nacional Monte Teide, un territorio protegido declarado como tal en 1954, que abarca un área de aproximadamente 7,688 acres (18,990 hectáreas). En realidad, el parque es el interior del cráter de Teide y alberga una variada y exclusiva flora y fauna endémica. Haz una parada para tomar fotografías en los campos de lava del Monte Teide, donde descubrirás uno de los íconos más fotografiados y famosos de Tenerife, "El Roque Cinchado", también conocido como "el dedo de Dios", una particular formación de piedra volcánica que se asemeja a un dedo señalando.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Auditorium of Tenerife
• Local Market
• Spain Square
• Garcia Sanabria Park
• Local viewpoint

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Stand in front of the Auditorium of Tenerife, an modernist landmark near the port.
• Get an authentic glimpse of local life while browsing a market and an urban park.
• Capture the ultimate view of the island from a viewpoint.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

This leisurely tour combines a scenic drive around the picturesque north of the island with some photo stops, a tasting of sweet local specialties and some free time at one of the top resort destinations in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz. From the pier of Santa Cruz, head north passing by the Orotava Valley offering great views over the green banana plantations of La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz, the main tourist resort of the north of the Island. Enjoy a photo stop at Humboldt's panoramic view point, over the valley, at La Garañona on the north coast and at the Meson el Monasterio, situated on a hill in the middle of the Orotava Valley. Here you'll have a fantastic view over the green valley and the blue coastline while enjoying homemade local pastry. Visit Puerto de la Cruz for sightseeing through the city with some short stops, passing by its famous Plaza del Charco, the picturesque fishing harbor and Garden Beach. After some free time at its bustling waterfront, enjoy a scenic drive back to your ship.

Known as the island of eternal spring, Tenerife offers fantastic weather conditions to enjoy sea activities year round. This tour offers you the rare opportunity of watching whales and dolphins in their natural environment. You'll be taken to the yacht harbor of Puerto Colon, where the boats are located. Sailing across the blue waters, you’ll arrive to an area where a colony of pilot whales and nearly 500 dolphins are very commonly seen. The dolphins are known to swim at incredible speeds, jumping right in front of and on the sides of the boat.

Though the pilot whales tend to not get too close, the boat will get as close as possible. You might even hear them puff! The catamaran will anchor at a secluded bay. Here, you'll have some time to relax and refresh in the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In this area, the dolphins frequently make their appearance as well. Soft drinks, beer, water and snacks will be served on board.

Discover the highlights of Tenerife´s capital by foot, joining your guide, you’ll see places that many visitors miss. Not far from the harbor, you’ll find a fusion of modernity and tradition in the Plaza de España. Head towards the Guimera Theater, built in 1849 in classical romantic style. Nearby is Noria Street with its many pubs and restaurants, where locals enjoy nightlife and where you’ll learn about the ‘murgas’, the satiric singing groups which perform during the carnival. You’ll visit the popular market ‘Nuestra Señora de Africa’ where you’ll find traditional foods, local fruits and vegetables and everything else the locals shop for here.

Continue over the Serrador Bridge towards Castle Street where most of the shops are located. Your walk will lead you to Weyler Square, where you’ll see the beautiful Carrara marble fountain and the palace of the Captaincy General. Head to Garcia Sanabria Park; an idyllic park in the heart of the city and to Pilar Street, lined with shops. Before heading back to the port, you’ll have an opportunity to admire Principe Square and the San Francisco church. You may opt to stay in town a little longer to shop or explore more of this lovely city on your own or instead follow your guide back to the ship.

OVERVIEW

Star your tour with a guided visit to La Laguna World Heritage city (UNESCO) and we will continue to " El Sitio Winery" that was inaugurated in May 2016. Located in the municipality of Tacoronte (Tenerife) is the only Canarian winery with energy self-sufficiency. This winery was created by the González Yanes family. D. Francisco, along with his three children, wanted to fulfill his vital desire to make the wines he dreamed of. His extensive business experience in foreign markets have been essential to their position, in a short space of time. Bodegas el Sitio and its monovarietal wines, full of the minerality of the volcanic soils of the islands, as the most desired by consumers of premium wines. After your visit and wine tasting we will have a nice and tipycal canarian brunch at Tasca La Sabina restaurant, where you will enjoy some of their most typical dishes such as Canary cheeses with gofio, paprika and cheese macerated in cilantro; homemade fig jam and "quesillo", Canarian pork tenderlion with almogrote sauce; kneaded gofio skewer and scrambled with Teror chorizo. Savor the canarian gastronomy paired with the best wines of the Island. An unforgettable experience!

HIGHLIGHTS

• See historical and modern landmarks while driving through Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
• A visit to one of the most popular Cellars in the Island "El Sitio Winery".
• Enjoy wine Tasting with Canarian cheeses with Brunch overlooking the sea in typical Canarian house.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sample an inspiring selection of characteristic Canarian cheeses and local specialties paired with wines that complement their flavors. After your visit to La Laguna World Heritage city (UNESCO) you will be served a variety of cheeses, some made with sheep’s milk, and others with goat’s milk at Tasca La Sabina. They may include a creamy Flor de Guía, whose name refers to the dried flowers that are used to curdle the milk. Almonds, dates and fresh-baked breads will also be offered, as well as traditional specialties such as fried donuts known as rosquetes, sweet Canarian bananas and almogrote, a peppery hard-cheese pâté that is typically spread on toast. The tasting also includes a variety of representative red and white wines produced on the island. Sample a selection of Canarian cheeses and accompaniments that reflect the local cuisine. Taste more unusual Canarian specialties such as fried donuts and almogrote cheese pâté. Enjoy wines from native grapes that thrive in the island’s many microclimates.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a selection of Canarian cheeses and accompaniments that reflect the local cuisine.
• Taste more unusual Canarian specialties such as fried donuts and almogrote cheese pâté.
• Enjoy wines from native grapes that thrive in the island’s many microclimates.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn to prepare the traditional Canarian sauce mojo picón and discover how well it pairs with certain wines. Before arriving at the Bodegas Monje for the culinary workshop, you will enjoy an introductory drive around Santa Cruz de Tenerife that will present many of the iconic attractions. Enlightening commentary will give you an even deeper understanding of the city with an emphasis on its culture and culinary traditions. As you will discover during the hands-on workshop, mojo picón is served as a garnish for all sorts of Canarian dishes, especially wrinkled potatoes, fresh-baked bread and goat cheese. Ingredients for the red sauce vary from island to island and even city to city, but typically include medium-hot picón peppers and spices such as paprika and cumin. The tasting will include local wines that may include a fruity white made entirely from Listán Blanco grapes and a red blend made mostly with Tintilla Castellana grapes at “El Sitio Winery". Learn to make the iconic Canarian red sauce mojo picón in a hands-on workshop. Sample the freshly made sauce on traditional dishes with complementary wines. Hear about the local culture and cuisine while driving around Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Cristobal de la Laguna ranks as the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city and taste the island’s wines.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Cristobal de la Laguna ranks as the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city, considered the cultural capital of the Canary Islands and taste their wines. The city has conserved and maintained its highly valued historic center. In addition to monuments and historic buildings, there is an important center of commercial activity offering fashion, local wines, craftwork and local gastronomic products.

During free time after your guided tour, you might want to do some shopping and take home something to remember your visit. To honor the legacy of the wines of the island, you’ll visit one of its leading wineries. Learn about the art of wine making, passed on generation through generation. End your visit with a wine tasting and some free time to browse the shop.