| With more than five million tourists opting for Tenerife | | | | sand from the seabed. All of these beaches are |
| holidays every year, it is clear how important the | | | | surrounded by natural windbreaks and within |
| industry is to the largest of the Canary Islands. For | | | | wandering distance of a mouth-watering selection of |
| decades now, Tenerife has taken full advantage of its | | | | restaurants and bars. |
| close proximity to the North African coast, and the | | | | Towards the north of Tenerife is the snorkelling and |
| year-round warm, dry weather that brings with it. | | | | diving paradise of La Caleta, a small, pebbly beach |
| Tenerife also has a large number of beaches, many of | | | | whose seas are teeming with fascinating wildlife. This |
| which are made from black sand, due to the Canary | | | | becomes a bonus when you realise that some of it |
| Islands’ volcanic origins. However, given many | | | | travels a short distance to the excellent seafood |
| tourists’ penchant for golden beaches, many new | | | | restaurants in the area. |
| artificial beaches have been created, using sand | | | | Tenerife holidays offer this all-year round, but for the |
| dredged from the bottom of the Mediterranean or | | | | most spectacular time of the year, why not visit in |
| imported from the Sahara. | | | | February for the world famous Carnival of Santa |
| The variety of the island’s beaches is reflected in | | | | Cruz, which is based upon the even more world |
| the many different activities – and inactivities(!) – | | | | famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Santa Cruz is |
| that can be found on them. Some beaches specialise | | | | Tenerife’s capital and, naturally, is twinned with Rio. |
| in relaxation, like Los Cristianos – Tenerife’s | | | | The carnival takes place before the start of Lent in |
| central beach resort – and Playa de Troya. The | | | | Santa Cruz. More than a million people gather in the |
| beach at Playa de Troya is the centre point for many | | | | town for the event, which kicks off on the Friday night |
| Tenerife holidays, with shallow seas that are perfect | | | | with a dazzling fancy dress parade. The carnival |
| for children and the chance to take part in a variety of | | | | gathers pace after that – taking a pick of numerous |
| water sports, if you ever get tired of simply lounging in | | | | musical and dance shows, before it officially ends on |
| the sunshine. | | | | Ash Wednesday, with a somewhat odd ceremony |
| Still near the centre of the island, those who want a | | | | which literally translates as “The Burial of the |
| beach with golden sands have the excellent option of | | | | Sardine”. |
| Playa de las Vistas, one of the beaches composed of | | | | |