The Cultured Girl

The destination: The island of Tenerife is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, a volcanic system off the coast of West Africa that serves as a sort of Hawaii for European tourists. Like the other six islands in the Canarias, Tenerife has an unusual history and a Spanish-meets-island architecture that complements its natural beauty. The population is concentrated in just a few coastal cities, including Puerto de la Cruz, a century-old resort town, and the more urban capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How to get there: There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Tenerife, but planes fly out of major Spanish cities multiple times a day. Your best bet is finding a cheap round-trip from to Barcelona or Madrid, then buying a budget flight to Tenerife on SpanAir or Air Europa to Tenerife. Oddly, the tiny island has two airports, so there are lots of options.

What to do: Tenerife’s main draw is its scenery. Driving the entire coast takes about three hours, so rent a car and explore the windy road that circles the island, passing lava-rock cliffs, expansive banana farms, and rocky beaches that have you standing in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Other can’t-miss activities include relaxing at Las Teresitas beach (below) and climbing the Teide volcano, which is the highest peak in Spain and affords a view of the entire island group.

Where to eat: Casual seafood joints. Tenerife may not be a foodie destination (most restaurants serve dishes familiar on the Spanish mainland) but the superb seafood is literally snatched right out of the ocean. If you’re feeling adventurous, sample dishes like pulpo gallego (octopus with paprika) and sepia choco (a type of squid with lemon). And be sure to try the local speciality, papas arrugadas with salsa mojo—new potatoes cooked in sea water and served with pepper sauce.

When to go: Anytime. With year-round average temperatures in the 70s (interrupted by the occasional chilly wind or heat wave), Tenerife deserves its nickname “The Island of Eternal Spring.”