We will leave Santa Cruz (1) seaport heading for the harbour quarter of San Andres where we will find the beach of Las Teresitas (2). The road filled with bends and extraordinary views will begin to climb through landscapes that alternate in an area of 4-5 km subtropical vegetation typical of the coast with the characteristic laurisilva. The island vegetation will wonder us, with some plants that go back even to the Tertiary.

After a photo stop at the Mirador de los Roques (3), we will continue to Taganana, a typical canarian village located on the side of a hill overlooking the sea. Small white houses and stone streets surround the Church Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, where we can admire a beautiful flemish triptych of the sixteenth century.

We will continue to descend to make a brief stop in Playa del Roque de las Bodegas (4). It´s a beach with volcanic black sand, surrounded by some precipices that arise from the seabed and rise toward the Anaga summits up to 500 metres above sea level; a wild beauty in fact which move us to the time when Tenerife's beaches were not touristic.

We will continue to Roque Negro covering a street that will allow us to appreciate the colors and scents of nature.

We will arrive at Mirador Pico del lnglés (5) (992 meters above sea level). Excellent viewpoint, with just a glance, allows us to see the two parts of the Anaga range. To the north, we can admire the Roques de Anaga, and to the south, the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and breathtaking views of the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria.

After passing Mirador de Jardina (6), from which there´s a spectacular scenery -the southeastern part of the island until Montaña del Socorro in Güimar, the northeastern part to nearly Puerto de La Cruz, and crowning this magnificent landscape, stands volcano Teide-, we will arrive at our next stop, La Laguna (7).

We will exit towards La Laguna, - former capital of the island and today heritage of the Unesco- and we will start our tour by visiting the lively open market,-of great commercial and touristic interest, is visited each day by a large amount of public-.

We will have time to walk the main streets of this city beginning in Calle Obispo Rey from where we can make a real walk through history because the street is filled with mansions of the eighteenth century with imposing facades, including Casa de los Capitanes.

We may change our scenario by waking along Calle Viana. There are no mansions here but some colored townhouses, pre-colombian style.

We will visit the Cristo de la Laguna Sanctuary. The Christ of La Laguna is a catholic figure of high cultural and historical value that represents the image of Jesus crucified. Its sanctuary is the Franciscan convent of San Miguel de las Victorias (Real Santuario del Cristo) and is the oldest sculpture of the Canary Islands. The Gothic style figure dates back to the sixteenth century. It´s the most venerated image of the Canary Islands. Alongside the Sanctuary is the Plaza del Cristo.

As perfect finale to our journey, we will go to the Avenida Maritima de Martiánez in which is settled the tourist resort Lago Martianez, pride of Puerto de la Cruz (8) and one of the most admired examples of a coastline transformation. A prestigious team of experts, led by the famous artist from Lanzarote Cesar Manrique, carried out this work adapted to the unique canarian architecture, complemented with vegetal elements of our native flora and original sculptures. Its artificial lake, with about 27,000 cubic meters of seawater, enhances its original design and beauty. A variety of bars, shops and kiosks as well as a night club - unique in the world due its location below sea level- lends the resort a special vitality, one of the most striking places throughout the island. In this last stop we will have free time to stroll and/or go shopping.

We will conclude our journey once we return to Santa Cruz de Tenerife seaport.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

It´s the capital of the island´s province of the same name; this is a cosmopolitan, modern and cheerful city. The town life flows between larges avenues, pleasant squares and roads plenty of activity.

In its gardens and avenues (to highlight the city park Garcia Sanabria) there´s a permanent exhibition of sculptures of the world's largest artists, with works ranging from great creators of universal fame, like Moore, until canarian avantgarde artists, as Jose Abad. In the classy shops are sold all kind of items and goods all over the world at interesting prices.

Santa Cruz stands in amphitheater from the shore of the ocean. Port of great importance, it´s a communication hub between Europe, Africa and Americas, as ships of all flags arrive every day.

It has architectural and monumental examples of great value, as the churches of La Concepcion and San Francisco.

The one of San Francisco is a beautiful baroque exponent of the seventeenth century; Palacio de Carta, also of the same century; monuments to the Candelaria and Los Caídos, the group of sculptures by Juan de Avalos, situated at the confluence of Las Ramblas and the Avenida de Anaga, the palace where the Cabildo Insular seats; the Castle-Fortress Paso Alto, the Castle of San Juan ...

Just a few miles from the downtown and near the harbour quarter next to San Andres, is the Playa de las Teresitas, with blond and golden sand. Like other bathing areas, the city also counts with the "Parque Maritimo Cesar Manrique," work of the famous artist from Lanzarote of the same name.

The social and cultural life of Santa Cruz is very intense and his large land area covers rural districts in the area of Anaga, which, because of its local colour and beauty, worth a visit.

Anaga

The Anaga Mountains form a large protected area of high ecological value. These wonderful mountains contain a vast botanical richness, and are a very representative sample of the entire archipelago.

In these mountains you will find places of natural interest and excellent landscapes, like Roques of Anaga, reformed by erosion where one can see many archaeological remains.

An excursion crosses the Anaga Mountains, offering a good opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the cliffs on the north coast.

Despite its great beauty, the Anaga Mountains are poorly explored and small villages -hidden from the main road- offer a genuine "Piece of Tenerife."

La Laguna

Declared World Heritage by Unesco in 1999, La Laguna, former administrative capital of the island, is today the second largest city of the island and its religious capital. This monumental city forms a historical whole whose original design remains intact today. However, the excellent state of conservation of its historic centre hasn´t hindered this city to culturally adapt to new times. The downtown streets of La Laguna are full of important monuments and historical buildings, although you may also note an attractive commercial activity, with small family run businesses that have survived over the years.

In these stores the traveler can buy typical handicrafts, fashion, Tenerife wines and the most varied delicatessen.

Due to its location in the Valley de Aguere, a walk through its streets will surprise us with unusual landscapes, allowing us to contemplate the solemnity of its historical monuments having as background the always visible hills that surrounds the city.

Puerto de la Cruz

Located on the north coast of the island, next to Mount Teide, Puerto de la Cruz offers to the visitors a cosmopolitan city which, after many years of experience, maintains all the flavor of an open sea town with all sorts of cultures. Declared of Touristic Insterest in 1955, in Puerto de la Cruz coexist in harmony the attractive traditional architecture of the island and the modernity of first-class hotels; the wide and exquisite design of its leisure parks and the colour of the most typical places that reminds us of the small and quaint fisherman´s village that Puerto de la Cruz was at the beginning.

The streets of Puerto de la Cruz keep all year round a lively activity, an atmosphere that invites to relaxation, to walk and contemplate its traditional buildings, and to participate in their popular festivals.

This town has much to offer in order to enjoy the sea: suggestive black sand coves, the pool complex of Lago Martianez, Playa Jardín and Punta Brava. Costa Martiánez, Cesar Manrique´s work, is a place where design and nature merge to create an environment of unusual beauty. Also important, the Botanical Garden, with species from the five continents, and the Loro Parque will deserve the praise of all visitors.