Friday 31 July 2009

Canary Islands to appear on Spanish Stamps

An eye catching Canarian construction is going to appear on Spanish stamps this September, but which one?

No it’s not the Auditorio de Tenerife; it’s the bridge pictured below.


But do you know where it is?

Obvious wasn't it? Well it was if you clicked on the image and read the title of the picture.

It's the Puente de los Tilos just outside the towns of San Andrés Y Sauces on La Palma.

Here's how it looks on the stamp

Monday 27 July 2009

Festivals in Tenerife – AquaViva 2009 – The Water Festival Lives

It looks as though another of Tenerife’s popular contemporary festivals may have managed to drag itself back from the brink of obscurity.

La Opinion newspaper reports that the Aquaviva Festival in Arona which usually takes place in early summer is set to go ahead at the end of August in Los Cristianos. Details are still a bit sketchy, but it should take place over 28th, 29th and 30th of August.

We’ll keep you informed as more information emerges about what bands will be performing .

Monday 20 July 2009

Fiestas on Tenerife – Dia de la Trilla in El Tanque

With Nelson attacking Santa Cruz and the Spanish Air Force probably screaming across the skies above Puerto de la Cruz, there are a lot of events taking place this weekend. Personally I’m opting for something a bit more sedate in the hills above El Tanque at the Dia de la Trilla. This smallish fiesta is based around old fashioned farming methods like horses and oxen being used to thresh the wheat in eras (threshing circles).

It’s held in a stunningly beautiful location. Denims and cowboy hats are the favoured mode of fashion and if you’ve got teeth you must be posh.

And as for it being sedate, who am I kidding…have you ever been to a fiesta in the hills?

Dates: 24th July from 18.00 – 20.00 (The party usually really gets going after that – stay if you dare). 25th July from 11.00 – 14.00

Location: San José de Los Llanos, El Tanque

Nelson and Tenerife – The re-enactment of Nelson getting his butt kicked in Santa Cruz

Yup, it’s that time of year again when the Tinerfeños get to gloat about the time they defeated one of Britain’s most famous historical figures, Admiral Horatio Nelson.

On 25th July 1797, the good people of Santa Cruz saw off Nelson’s forces when they attempted to storm the city and they’ve been going on about it ever since (a bit like the English and the 1966 World Cup). But hey, who can blame them, it was an impressive result.

Celebrations aren’t as lavish this year, but this Friday you can still time travel back to Santa Cruz’ glory days and watch troops in period costume defend the city all over again.

Time: From 19.30

Location: Santa Cruz – starting from Plaza Weyler and ending in the Noria district.

Tenerife Carnaval - Puerto de la Cruz Carnaval 2010

The theme for next year’s carnival in Puerto de la Cruz has jus been announced – it’s ‘Tierra de Volcanes’ (Land of Volcanoes).

I’m not sure what scope that gives for dressing up, but no doubt we’ll be seeing lots of cavemen and cavewomen in furry Speedos and bikinis again.

Here’s a reminder of the Puerto de la Cruz ‘Carnaval’ key dates:

Opening Parade: Saturday 13th February 2010

Burial of the Sardine: Wednesday 17th February 2010

Mascarita Ponte Tacón (High Heels Drag Marathon): Friday 19th February 2010

Closing Parade: Saturday 20th February 2010

Saturday 11 July 2009

Fiestas in El Médano & Los Abrigos – Sansofé 2009

As if El Médano wasn’t a cool enough town to hang out in already, July and August sees its plazas and beaches buzzing with concerts, exhibitions, film screenings and all sorts of goodies as part of the Sansofé festival.

Nearby Los Abrigos also gets in on the act, making two of the south of Tenerife’s most attractive coastal towns the perfect places to spend your summer.

Click here for the full agenda

Thursday 2 July 2009

Espacio Enter – Free Rock Concert at the Auditorio

A dozen plus bands pay homage to Spanish rock music from the 1980s at the Auditorio in Santa Cruz this month. I realise that if you’re not Spanish, that’s unlikely to have you nostalgically strolling down Español pop memory lane, but the concert is free and seeing live bands is always worthwhile.

Location: Auditorio, Santa Cruz

Date: 22nd July

Time: 20.00

The July Fiestas and the Virgen del Carmen – Puerto de la Cruz

It’s party month in Puerto de la Cruz – when isn’t – as the town celebrates its July Fiestas which last for...the whole of July.

There’s something sporty, concerts and exhibitions happening most days, but my pick of the highlights are:

Sunday 5th July: The triathlon between 09.30 and 13.00 – lot’s of fun in the water at San Telmo (maybe not for the competitors though).

Thursday 9th July: Election of the Fiesta Queen at Plaza Europa at 21.30 – okay beauty queen contests went out of fashion in the UK a long time ago…but hey, we’re not in the UK, so bring on the pretty girls.

Friday 10th July: Summer Dance at the harbour at 22.00 – Don’t know what the music will be, but the idea of a summer dance sounds nice.

Saturday 11th July: Fiesta parade at 20.30 followed by fireworks, Canarian dinner and the traditional Baile de Magos in Plaza Europa – lot’s of oohs and aahh’s and locals in traditional costumes.

Sunday 12th July: Classic and antique car exhibition from 10.30 to 14.00 – Avenida Colón full of shiny old things…so what’s new (okay, I’ve done that one before, but it still amuses me).

Monday 13th July: Sardinada and Verbena at San Telmo at 21.30 – plates of fried sardines and plastic beakers of country wine for a couple of euros; now you’re talking. There’s bound to be a band as well.

Tuesday 14th July: The big day; embarkation Tuesday. The Fishermen’s procession and the nervy loading of the Virgen del Carmen and San Telmo onto their boats takes place at somewhere between 18.00 and 19.00, but the rest of the day is devoted to getting wet. Running water pistol battles in Plaza del Charco, music, people throwing themselves into the harbour and the classic and very funny ‘slippery pole’ competition at around 15.00 guarantees fun all day. Don’t wear anything you don’t want to get wet if you want to get close to the action.

Sunday 26th July: the air display traditionally marks the end of the July Fiestas – model display, usually a few aeronautic surprises and a humongous paella at the harbour.

Remind me again – why do most people choose to holiday in the south of Tenerife?