I’m Lara. I am a fine art travel photographer living in Slovakia. I am spending a lot of time traveling.
I’ve visited more than 53 countries and 300+ cities. My life is a constant movement. I am inspired by new places in their beauty, features, and uniqueness.
My great passion is to share my vision with the others, to showcase the variety of the world, full of color, depth and emotions. It’s not only the nature, but also unique human creations from antiquity to modern times. You can learn more at larairis.com
Let me tell you about one of the Canary Islands – Tenerife. Our trip to the Canaries had been postponed year after year, until the pandemic hit.
Being stuck within four walls with a schoolchild at home (as schools were closed), suffering through the greyness of February and the lack of sunlight, I started to lose my mind. I was slipping into a deep depression that quickly affected all family members, spreading my negativity to them. That’s when I realized I urgently needed to save myself and my family (from me) at all costs. We needed to go somewhere far and warm.
Options were limited. Almost all warm countries were closed. That’s when the idea of flying to the Canaries came to mind. They were open, and apart from PCR tests and some registration, no other requirements were needed. There are many islands, but I chose Tenerife because February temperatures seemed most favorable there.
We took those tests, paid a fortune for them (this was before vaccinations), packed our bags immediately, and left for over two weeks of warmth.
What a joy it is when there are no tourists! One huge plus of the pandemic was traveling to well-known resorts without crowds and for cheap. I still remember our vacation in Tenerife as one of the best of my life.
Now, let me tell you a little about the island and what you absolutely must see there.
The island is not small and has two airports. European low-cost airlines usually land in the southern one, which is close to the popular resort Playa de las Americas and the town of Los Cristianos, where ferries depart for the neighboring island of La Gomera.
For the first week, we stayed in an apartment with a terrace and an ocean view (which calmed my frayed nerves) in Los Gigantes.
This place is a local attraction. Tourists come here to see the massive cliffs, swim at the black sand beach, or enjoy the natural pools. Moreover, Los Gigantes is an excellent starting point for exploring the island’s natural beauty.
First and foremost, you must visit Mount Teide. If you haven’t seen it, you haven’t been to Tenerife. It’s an active volcano, the third largest in the world. The area around it is barren and scorched, giving it a unique, otherworldly atmosphere, as if you’re on another planet. The Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another must-see attraction is the village of Masca. The journey there involves a breathtakingly narrow serpentine road, just wide enough for one and a half cars, offering stunning views of mountains and ravines. There are plenty of viewpoints, but one must be cautious to avoid passing vehicles hitting a parked car, as, unfortunately, happened to me.
The village of Masca itself is a mountain hamlet uniquely situated at the top of one of the deepest gorges on the island.
Another interesting spot near Los Gigantes is the Punta de Teno lighthouse, located at the westernmost point of the island. The winding road leading there is incredibly scenic and even featured in a “Fast & Furious” movie.
One day, my family and I visited the town of La Orotava. Fans of unique Spanish charm, beautiful architecture, and narrow cobblestone streets should definitely explore this historic center of the island. It’s quiet, peaceful, and feels homely.
On our way back, we stopped at a very picturesque rocky beach, Playa de los Roques, to watch the sunset. Tenerife, in general, is rich in secluded scenic beaches among rocks—there are so many of them.
We spent the second week in one of the resort towns, Palm Mar. The beach there isn’t great, but it has a wonderful long promenade along the shore, perfect for walks.
From there, I went to the Anaga National Park. This is a vast, magical forest with numerous trails among laurel trees. It often rains here, and after the rain, fog descends on the forest, making it even more mysterious. Wandering along deserted trails, I enjoyed the pristine nature and fresh air. However, Anaga also has family-friendly routes, such as the well-equipped “Trail of the Senses“
In the northern part of the park, there’s the stunning Benijo Beach, famous for its volcanic rocks resembling predator’s teeth jutting out of the ocean. The views of the surroundings and the massive waves crashing against the rocks are simply breathtaking.
Unfortunately, even two weeks wasn’t enough to see everything this island has to offer. For example, I only drove past the main city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, without exploring it. There’s a lot to see there as well.
So, someday, I’ll return to explore everything I missed. The island exceeded all my expectations.
Photos: Lara Iris
