Tenerife Matters

Fiestas on Tenerife, Fiestas Lustrales in Garachico

2010-07-29T16:13:00.001+01:00

Not quite a once in a lifetime event, but as it takes place only every five years, it’s the next best thing. Garachico has been celebrating its Fiestas Lustrales since Thursday 22nd July, but the literal highlight will be the Fuegos del Risco on Sunday 1st August from 21.45 when balls of fire are due to be rolled down the hillside in a re-enactment of sorts of the lave flows which changed the town’s fortunes in 1706.

This is one I haven’t seen, so I’ll definitely be there. I passed through yesterday and Garachico, decked out like something out of a fairy tale, is looking good enough to eat.

Fiestas on Tenerife, Dia de la Trilla

2010-07-29T16:08:00.001+01:00

It’s time to pull on the dungarees (not compulsory), plonk a straw hat on your head (essential in the heat) and stick a piece of straw between your teeth and head into the hills for the wonderful Dia de la Trilla near San José de los Llanos.

It’s not the biggest fiesta on the island and don’t expect ‘carnaval’ type fun as it involves a fascinating display of the traditional way of threshing wheat. Starting with humans then progressing to lively steeds and lumbering oxen.
It's Small, intimate (muscling past caballeros is essential to get a beer at the bar) and an insight to the life that exists in rural Tenerife.

Date: Saturday 31st July (from mid-morning is probably best time to be there – the beer can run out by early afternoon).

Festivals on Tenerife – Festival de Candelaria

2010-07-22T11:44:00.001+01:00

Another festival on Tenerife which has been taking place for some time is the Festival de Candelaria. It started on the 25th June and finishes on the 31st July (gives them time for a bit of a breather before their next huge fiesta mid August).

The festival on Tenerife’s east coast has attracted some major names in music world such as Bo Selecta - Craaaig Davies. This year’s big name, Rosana, may not ring any bells amongst many British residents and visitors, but the Lanzarote born songstress has sold more that 6 million albums around the world. Rosana’s concert closes the festival on the 31st July (10pm).

Between now and then there are also folklore concerts, processions and Hip-Hop competitions.

See Full Agenda Here (in Spanish)

Festivals on Tenerife - Sansofé 2010, Granadilla de Abona

2010-07-22T11:37:00.000+01:00

We’re a bit late getting the Sansofé 2010 programme for Granadilla de Abona on Tenerife Matters as it started on the 1st on July.

However, as the sports events, concerts and exhibitions which form Sansofé continue until the end of August there's still loads to enjoy.

Highlights include Granadilla de Abona’s new talent competition on the 13th, 14th and 15th august (El Médano), the folklore concerts from 16th to the 22nd August (El Médano), the Kite Boarding World championship between the 9th and 14th August (El Médano) and the closing concert with K-narias at 9pm on the 28th August.

See Here for Full Programme of Events (in Spanish)

Festivals on Tenerife – Eólica 2010

2010-07-22T11:16:00.000+01:00

Like a number of other popular festivals on Tenerife, the Eólica Festival which won a ‘Greener Festival’ award last year, is the latest victim of the crisis affecting Spain at the moment. There won’t be a festival this year.

The good news is that the concert will return in July 2011.

Food on Tenerife - Sea Urchins...Eat Them

2010-07-21T12:34:00.001+01:00

Forgive the groan inducing title, but this is should be of interest to those adventurous foodies out there.

From the 23rd to the 25th July the Hotel Escuela Santa Cruz is offering a very imaginative menu based on the erizo del mar...that's sea urchin to you and me.

For €28 you get to try sea urchin croquettes, sea urchin salad, sea urchin with guacamole, sea urchin and rice, fish with sea urchin sauce. Wisely I feel, they've opted to leave the sea urchins out of the dessert choices.

It's an interesting menu for sure and sounds so much more enticing in Spanish...croquetitas de diadema de mar anyone?

Fiestas on Tenerife – Admiral Nelson Attacks Santa Cruz…Again

2010-07-20T10:20:00.000+01:00

Even an economic crisis can’t stop an old warhorse. Admiral Nelson’s troops will once again try to take the city of Santa Cruz at the end of July…and will once again fail. You’d have thought they’d have learned by now.

Troops in 18th century uniforms will be marching through the capital’s streets on Friday 23rd July at 6pm and with a recreation of the battle taking place in front of the auditorium on Saturday 24th July at midday before fighting spreads into the streets around the Noria district at 8pm. Fighting on the streets on a Saturday night – it’ll almost be like being back in Blighty.

The British troops finally admit defeat on Sunday 25th July at midday in Plaza Candelaria and everyone shakes hands, well maybe not Nelson, like the perfect gentlemen they were in those days.

Bravo!

Music Festivals on Tenerife – Heineken Canarias Jazz & Más 2010

2010-06-29T12:16:00.002+01:00

If you're of the school that thinks Jazz is cool, then July is the time to visit the island of eternal springtime (some places must have seriously hot springtimes). The Heineken Canarias Jazz & Más festival lasts from the 8 - 18th July and there are ten concerts on Tenerife between those dates.

9 July, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Plaza del Auditorio, 10pm,free entrance
CÉU
FUNKFARRIA

10 July 2010, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Plaza del Auditorio, 10pm, free entrance
FRANK GAMBALE G-FORCE BAND
THREE

12 July 2010, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Auditorio de Tenerife, 9pm, tickets €25
DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER TO BILLIE HOLIDAY WITH LOVE: A Celebration of 'Lady Day'

13 July, Santa Cruz de Tenerife,Auditorio de Tenerife, 9pm, tickets €10
MIGUEL ZENÓN QUARTE,
ARI HOENIG TRIO

14 July, Puerto de La Cruz, Plaza Europa, 9pm, free entrance
African Night with ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO & YUL BALLESTEROS QUARTET

15 July, Puerto de La Cruz, Plaza Europa, 9pm, free entrance
JACQUES SCHWARZ BART QUARTET
JOSE ALBERTO MEDINA - J.A.M. TRIO

16 July, Puerto de La Cruz, Plaza Europa, 9pm, free entrance
GERALD TOTO
CHRISTIAN SCOTT QUINTET

17 July, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Auditorio de Tenerife, 9pm, tickets €20
GONZALO RUBALCABA QUINTET

18 July, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Auditorio de Tenerife, 9pm, tickets €25
MARCUS MILLER TUTU REVISITED

Buy Tickets For Canarias Jazz & Más 2010 Here

Concerts on Tenerife – Music From the Cinema; Fimucité 2010

2010-06-29T11:41:00.000+01:00

You can hardly walk anywhere in Summer on Tenerife without stumbling across a concert of some sort. Fimucité in July should appeal to both film fans and aficionados of classical music.

The main theme of this years festival is the collaboration of John Williams' scores with Steven Spielberg, so lots of rousing Indiana Jones themes, Jurassic Park scores having you looking over your shoulder for a hungry raptor, Close Encouter's mother ship music (Mount Teide would be perfect for that...and you never know what sort of audience it might attract up there) and the classic Jaws soundtrack (hope they don't play that one too close to any of Tenerife's beaches).

Performances will take place in Santa Cruz and La Laguna (see full programme here) between 5 -10 July.

And like last year, the Fimucité website opening page is a cracker.

Concerts in Tenerife – International World Music Day, Puerto de la Cruz

2010-06-16T15:05:00.002+01:00

Puerto de la Cruz plays host to a scorching event to welcome the official start to summer 2010 and a hot season of great musical events on Tenerife.

This Saturday, seven artists and groups take part in the Día Internacional de la Música 2010 concert beside the harbour in Tenerife’s first tourist town.

I’ve got to confess to not knowing any of the artists involved: Los Seis Días (Barcelona), Aaron Thomas (Madrid), Lovey Rita (Sevilla), baden bah! (Salamanca), Bikini Invaders (Tenerife), Fuel Fandango (Lanzarote - Córdoba) and San Leon (Barcelona)

But who the hell cares, I can’t think of a better way to bring in summer than listening to some live music by the harbour in Puerto.

The concert kicks off on Saturday 19th June at 5pm and, get this, is totally free.

Festivals on Tenerife – Santa Blues 2010

2010-05-31T12:54:00.001+01:00

Great news for blues fans on Tenerife, it looks as though the Santa Blues festival in Santa Cruz is going ahead this year.
I don't know where Colin Kirby found the information for Tenerife Magazine as I've been scouring cyberworld for weeks looking for the merest mention of one of my favourite festivals of the year, but I'm cock-a-hoop that he did.

The festival seems to chop and change its format on a yearly basis; this year will be held over three consecutive nights between 24th & 26th June. As the San Juan celebrations take place on the 24th June, it promises to be one of the best weeks of the year on Tenerife.

Festival Details

24th June – American blues guitarist and singer, Larry McCray headlines with support acts from Rojas Blues Band and Esther Ovejero.

25th June - American blues songstress Sandra Hall headlines with The Johnny Perez Trio as support act.

26th June – American swamp blues guitarist and singer Kenny Neal headlines on the final night of the festival with The Tina Rioro Quartet supporting.

Hot blues on sultry summer nights – my idea of festival heaven.

The music kicks off at 9pm each night and the whole shebang is free.

Food on Tenerife – Tapas Route in Puerto de la Cruz

2010-05-22T11:38:00.003+01:00

What are they trying to do to us in Tenerife? Summer's on the doorstep, a time to be parading those six packs and shapely curves on the playas (I wish), and here they are tempting us with yet another tapas route.

The second Ruta de Tapas, 'Papeando entre Volcanes' started in Puerto de la Cruz yesterday and will continue until the 6th June by which time it'll be more a case of beer barrels and curves with the consistency of blancmange on the playas if the goodies on offer are anything to go by.

As the title suggests there's a theme running through the tapas on offer with dishes sporting intriguing and poetic names like secreto en erupción, litoral de lava and volcân de sabor y color.

Have a look below to see photos, ingredients and participating restaurants.

Each tapas is €4 including beer, wine or water. It's a bit of a price increase from previous routes, but I'll have to try one to see if it's because portions are bigger which from the look of the photos might be the case.

You need a passport to participate, but these can be picked up at the restaurants, Cámara office or the town hall.

Get these stamped at ten different restaurants and you enter a draw for a fabby prize.

ruterotapacanaria2010

Concerts on Tenerife - Simply Red to Perform at Adeje Golf 2010

2010-05-21T15:55:00.002+01:00

Out of the blue it's been announced that Simply Red will be performing at Adeje Golf on 20th July as part of the Canary Island Festival.

Some tickets went on pre-sale on Thursday, but most will go on sale on 27th May and can be purchased via the Sun Live Festival site.

This is a definite one and has been announced on the official Simply Red website as an addition to their Farewell tour.

This might be one of the last chances you get to see them live...until they reform when the money's too tight to mention.

Culture on Tenerife - Free Entry to Museums on Tenerife

2010-05-17T14:34:00.000+01:00

Okay it's a bit last minute, but this is Tenerife where last minute amounts to at least some notice. To celebrate International Museum Day, the Tenerife government have announced that entry to all of the Cabildo's museums on Tenerife is free tomorrow 18th May.

And with prophetic timing, Tenerife Magazine has listed the top ten museums on Tenerife which include quirky and the fun places to learn about the island and which are proof that museums don't have to be stuffy and boring.

Food on Tenerife – Tapas Route 'El Almáciga' in Arona

2010-05-17T11:48:00.001+01:00

It's time for tapas lovers to salivate. These tapas routes are becoming more and more popular on Tenerife which is great news for the foodies amongst us. This one involves restaurants around the municipality of Arona in South Tenerife (if you're a bit fuzzy with your Tenerife municipalities, this is the one that Las Américas, Los Cristianos and Las Galletas are all in - although the participating restaurants are all in the towns away from the coast).

With tapas like pescado salteado con ajo y cebolla (salted fish with garlic and onion), cazuela de morcilla al camembert y azafrán canario (Canarian black pudding, camembert and saffron) and sorpresa de calamar de las 7 islas (It's squid, but you'll just have to try it to find out what the surprise is) on offer, methinks it's time to head into the hills.

Click here for list of participating restaurants and tapas dishes.

Dates: From 1st to 13th June

Price: €3.00 for a tapas with glass of wine, beer or water

Festivals on Tenerife – Ritmos del Mundo, Costa Adeje

2010-05-17T11:44:00.000+01:00

When does spring end and summer begin? 20th June according to the Ritmos del Mundo poster. This year the all day DJ fest relocates to a little piece of Thailand where you don't have to worry about getting whacked by riot police, in other words Siam Park in Costa Adeje.

It's a perfect venue to bump, grind and shake those booties as Erick Morillo, Real El Canario and a whole host of other DJs bring the sounds of summer to Tenerife.

Tickets: From €26 Buy Your Ticket Here

Activities on Tenerife – Win 3 Free Rounds of Golf at Isla de Golf Courses

2010-05-11T16:41:00.001+01:00

Bad news for golf widows, Tenerife Magazine's latest fab prize is three free rounds of golf on three different, stunning Isla de Golf courses (Buenavista Golf, Golf Costa Adeje, Golf las Americas, Golf del Sur and Tecina Golf).

Good news for golfers though, to be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is become a fan of Tenerife Magazine on Facebook.

Competition closes 2nd June 2010

Fiestas on Tenerife – Corpus Christi Flower Carpets, La Orotava

2010-05-10T15:14:00.001+01:00

Want a sneak preview of this year's design for the huge sand and soil tapestry which is due to be laid outside the town hall in La Orotava to celebrate Corpus Christi? Admittedly, it's hardly a sneak preview now that the council have announced it on their website, but what the hell...it just sounds better.

This year to commemorate the year of the priests which ends on the 19th June, the theme of the design is the last supper. Well the last supper, a handful of flowers and 18 butterflies, which are a rather nice and colourful distraction from the religious solemnity of the main images.

Looks as though it's going to be one of the most vibrant sand carpets yet.

Concerts on Tenerife – The Beach Boys

2010-05-04T15:22:00.001+01:00

Who needs Whitney when we’ve got the likes of The Beach Boys rolling into Santa Cruz on their surf boards (probably more like zimmer frames these days) in July to fill the capitol’s streets with their easy Californian sounds.

I wonder if they’ll sing ‘I wish they all could be Candelaria girls’.

Date: 7th July 2010

Venue: Pabellón Insular de Tenerife Santiago Martín, Santa Cruz

Time: 9pm

Tickets: From €25 Buy Tickets Here

Concerts on Tenerife – David Bisbal in Santa Cruz

2010-05-03T15:15:00.000+01:00

If you live on Tenerife and haven’t heard of David Bisbal then you clearly never, ever watch Spanish TV as his likeable mug is on at least one of the main channels every day of the week. He’s a sort of Spanish version of Robbie Williams but without the love it or hate it arrogance.
When English language speakers talk about big names playing Tenerife they often overlook the Spanish music scene – David Bisbal with his catchy blend of flamenco poprock is a big name and he’s singing somewhere in Santa Cruz in September.

Date: 25th September 2010

Time: 10pm

Location: Santa Cruz (possibly Parque Marítimo César Manrique)

Tickets: From €23 Buy Tickets Here

Fiestas on Tenerife: Romerías de San Isidro in Valle Guerra, Mercedes, Granadilla de Abona & Arguayo

2010-05-01T15:38:00.000+01:00

I’ve got a question for anyone who lives on Tenerife who hasn’t actually seen a traditional romería – how have you managed to avoid them? From May onwards you can hardly go anywhere without tripping over a cart decorated with fruit and flowers pulled by a couple of seriously big bovines.

They’re great fun and will make anyone who believes that Tenerife has been completely engulfed by tourism think again. The real Tenerife is alive, kicking and having a whale of a time. If you don’t believe me head to Valle Guerra on 9th May, Granadilla de Abona on 15th May, Arguayo in the south west on 16th May or Mercedes on 30th May and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Concerts on Tenerife – ‘El Barrio’ Modern Flamenco in Tenerife

2010-05-01T15:33:00.001+01:00

On the travel forum Tripadvisor the question ‘where can I see flamenco music on Tenerife?’ often comes up – usually from people who haven’t sussed where the Canary Islands actually are.

Normally the answer given is the exuberant Carmen Mota Ballet in Las Américas, but this month there’s another option as popular Spanish singer/songwriter José Luis Figuereo ‘El Barrio’ brings his particular handclapping, guitar banging and heel stomping brand of 21st century flamenco sounds to Santa Cruz.

Date: 8th May

Time: 10pm

Venue: Parque Marítimo César Manrique, Santa Cruz

Tickets: From €20 Buy Tickets Here

Music on Tenerife – IV Arona Jazz Festival, Los Cristianos

2010-05-01T15:28:00.000+01:00

It’s hard to beat a bit of cool jazz sounds on a sultry night so visitors to Los Cristianos are in for a bit of a treat this month. The Plaza de la Iglesia in the centre of town is the setting for the Arona Jazz Festival which takes place on the 7th and 8th May.

Details: 7th – 9pm, Steve Sherriff and Arona Jazz Quartet; Anna Rodíguez y Eliseo Lloreda; 8th – 9pm, Canaries Jazz Orchestra

Shows on Tenerife: ‘Alma’ – The New Carmen Mota Spectacular in Playa de Las Américas

2010-05-01T15:21:00.002+01:00

People who think nightlife in Las Américas consists solely of dated tribute acts and bars full of pissed up young Brits would have their preconceptions turned completely upside down if they turned up at la Pirámide de Arona for the brand new Carmen Mota show ‘Alma’ which opens from the 5th May.

This heady fusion of flamenco, classical and contemporary Spanish dance is a world class spectacle in a Las Vegas type setting which is guaranteed to delight audiences and confound some expectations…and afterwards you can head to a tribute bar just to reassure yourself that Las Américas hasn’t completely lost its cheap and cheerful side.

Tickets: €43 (€30 residents) On Sale Here

Times: 7pm (Mon to Wed), 10pm (Thur), 9.30pm (Frid & Sat)

Thanks to islandmomma for the new times as at 3rd August 2010: " Hi. Those opening times are out of date. Maybe changed for the summer? Now is Mon and Wed 7.30, Tues, Fri and Sat 9.30 and I think Thurs @ 10. info on their site, but just rang them to confirm."

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiesta de la Cruz – Firework Fiesta, Los Realej

2010-05-01T15:14:00.000+01:00

Don’t forget that one of Europe’s longest firework displays takes place on Monday 3rd May in Los Realejos.

When I say longest I mean it – it can last from somewhere between 9pm and 10pm (it depends how long the procession which precedes the display takes) until about 1am. Not that there are fireworks exploding consistently. The historic pyrotechnic battle between two rival streets in the town takes place in stages and there can be quite long gaps between displays.

Don’t forget to take a jacket as Los Realejos’ slopes are still a bit on the cool side at this time of year.

Music Festivals on Tenerife – Tensamba 2010

2010-04-21T15:19:00.001+01:00

The Brazilian music festival Tensamba promises to bring some spice to Tenerife during spring and early summer. Tenerife joins the likes of Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris and Madrid in celebrating that pulsating Brazilian beat between April and June.

On Tenerife there are concerts planned in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, El Sauzal, La Victoria and La Orotava.

However, one of the highlights must be the Tensamba Festival in Puerto de la Cruz on 8th May between 5pm and 2am the following morning when there are batucada and capoira exhibitions whilst the best of Brazil's DJ's rock the port with a sexy electro samba party.

Dates: From 16th April to 12th June

See Full Programme of Concerts Here

Fiestas on Tenerife: Fiestas de Mayo 2010 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

2010-04-21T15:13:00.000+01:00

It's a month of partying in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz to celebrate the founding of the city way, way back in 1492 (wasn't that when Columbus sailed the ocean blue?)

Just as it does during carnaval, the city explodes into life with a heady mix of traditional, contemporary and sporting events.

The fun kicks off this Friday and the highlights to look out for are: Election of the fiesta queen (Plaza Candelaria, 9pm, Saturday 25th April); traditional flower exhibition (Parque García Sanabria, 6pm, Wednesday 28th April) and the dance of the magos (Calle La Noria, 9pm, Sunday 2nd May).

It seems to me that this year's celebrations are more traditional and less contemporary than in previous years.

For the full line up of activities see here (Spanish only)

Fiestas on Tenerife: Party Time in Tegueste – The Romería de San Marcos

2010-04-21T15:07:00.002+01:00

Tegueste is a lovely little town near La Laguna and it's currently holding celebrations in honour of San Marcos Evangelista.

The highlight of the revelling is the romería on Sunday. It's as big a romería was as you'll find anywhere on Tenerife and boasts some of the most elaborately decorated carts. As romerías go, it also has a very young and trendy feel to it and is quite a party. I for one shall be there with my little romería glass partaking of the free wine.

Date: Sunday 25th April

Time: From 1pm, but get there earlier if you want a parking space within 1 mile of the town.

Sport on Tenerife Half Marathon Las Galletas (XIV Medio Maratón de Las Galletas)

2010-03-31T12:34:00.000+01:00

It’s run in the sun time in the south of Tenerife. The 14th Las Galletas half marathon takes place next month. 21 kilometres under a damn hot, if not searing, sun.

I become a sweaty bit of mess if I do the slightest bit of gardening, so running in Tenerife’s temperatures seems bordering on the insane.

But for those of you mad enough to enter, the time to beat is 1:04:11 if you’re a man and 1:13:30 if you’re a woman.

At least, unlike the race the week before, you can wear some clothes for this one.

Time: 9am

Date: 11th April

Place: Las Galletas

See the website for more details

Easter on Tenerife – The Passion in Adeje

2010-03-31T12:30:00.002+01:00

Anyone who really wants to experience how Easter (Semana Santa) is celebrated on Tenerife shouldn’t have far to travel to find out. There are processions and events in every town during Easter week.

Normally the biggest and best fiestas are in the northern parts of Tenerife and a bit of a hike for the majority of tourists who stay in the south of the island, but Adeje’s depiction of The Passion of Christ is one of the main events of the holidays.

About 300 of the local townspeople take part in a stirring and re-enactment of The Passion on Adeje town’s old streets – a hop, skip and a jump from the biggest resorts.

Time and Place: Good Friday (2nd April) from midday in Calle Grande, Adeje Town

Events on Tenerife – Walking over the Peak in Santiago del Teide

2010-03-31T12:21:00.001+01:00

Anyone who tells you that La Gomera is what Tenerife used to be like hasn’t spent much time in the hills on the island. There are plenty of places where life has hardly changed in eons.

Take the hamlets around Santiago del Teide for instance. On any day of the year you’ll normally find old women in straw and men in fedoras harvesting their crops by hand. On the 11th April they’ll be taking another step back in time by reintroducing an old custom, Al Paso de la Cumbre – Walking over the Peak.

This wonderful, if leg muscle testing, tradition involves local merchants in traditional costume traipsing along old trading routes with their livestock and produce such as cheese, honey and wine to trade with other villages.
On the 11th, they’ll reach Santiago del Teide.

So if you want to witness the old Tenerife that still exists in the hillsides, save yourself the ferry fare to La Gomera and head up to Santiago del Teide next month.

Note: We’ll post more details when they become available.

Get Ready to Bounce, Jiggle and Wiggle – It’s the First Nude Race on Tenerife ( I Carrera Nudista VKS)

2010-03-16T11:22:00.001Z

Okay, this one has got to be seen to be believed; next month sees the first Carrera Nudista at Playa de la Tejita near El Médano.

In truth contestants won’t be completely nude, runners are allowed to wear hats, sunglasses, socks and shoes – so a modicum of decency then – anything else and they’ll be disqualified.

The race is organised by the people behind the Xtreme race in Puerto de la Cruz last weekend and whilst that was great fun to watch, the 3 kilometre nudist race promises to be even more…ahem…eye-catching.

I’m intrigued to see how man people will actually take part – I mean nude running has great comic potential.

If you fancy giving your white bits a bit of an airing and a run-out it’s €10 to take part. Don't forget to slap on plenty of suncream on sensitive bits.

I could get a fit of the giggles just thinking about it. I’ve got to go and get some pictures.

Date: 4th April

Place: Playa de la Tejita

Time: 10am

Fiestas on Tenerife – Easter on Tenerife; Semana Santa in La Laguna

2010-03-10T10:46:00.001Z

It’s time to get the big pointy hats out on Tenerife – no it’s not carnaval, or Halloween and anyone expecting big Easter celebrations in the more traditional towns on Tenerife are going to be disappointed.

However, anyone wanting to witness a truly emotive event will be left breathless by the spectacle of the Semana Santa processions, especially in La Laguna. The city’s atmospheric historic streets are given added resonance when brotherhoods carrying full size crucifixes silently parade through them.

The most emotional events are the ‘Magna’ and ‘Silent’ processions on Viernes Santos (Good Friday) afternoon and evening respectively.

Date: Friday 2ndApril

Time: The Magna procession leaves the Iglesia de la Concepción at 17.00, the Silent procession sets off begins at 21.30

Concerts on Tenerife – Fundraising Concert "Refugiados en el Desierto"

2010-03-10T10:41:00.003Z

With music by Schubert, Liszt, Wagner and a whole host of other classic composers, the fundraising concert in aid of people in refugee camps in the Western Sahara is not only guaranteed to be music to the ears it’s also for a very worthy cause.

Location: Auditorio de Santa Cruz

Date: Saturday, 20the March

Time: 9pm

Tickets: €15

Alicia Keys in Concert on Tenerife 2010

2010-03-10T10:15:00.007Z

At last a big international name that isn’t actually at the point of drawing their pension or is past their best. I must admit to being sceptical when it was rumoured that Alicia Keys was performing in Tenerife, but sure enough the multi-talented beauty is going to turn the air of the capital, Santa Cruz, sweet with her music in June.

Date: 6th June 2010

Time: 9pm

Venue: Dársena Los Llanos at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tickets: €35 & €60

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Canarias Infinity Extreme 2010 in Puerto de la Cruz

2010-03-01T16:20:00.001Z

‘It’s a Knockout’ comes to Puerto de la Cruz again this month as the Canarias Infinity Extreme event turns the car park beside the harbour into a giant obstacle course.

Contestants have to cover 10 kilometres and negotiate 15 obstacles (more than once) within two hours.

Judging by the grimaces on the faces of the contestants last year after they’d tackled water and foam-filled containers over and over again, this is a race only for the meanest and toughest competitors, well those and masochists.

Date: 13th March

Time: 4pm

Tenerife Roads Closed Due to Storm Damage Following Cyclone Xynthia

2010-03-01T15:21:00.000Z

The Cabildo de Tenerife (Island Government) is currently working hard to clear the Teide Access road from La Orotava (from kilometre 19 to 22) to remove branches and fallen trees which were blown down by the gale force winds which hit the island over the weekend and mainly affected the higher ground. Hundreds of pine trees were uprooted by the wind and fell onto the road which means that the road will be closed to traffic from 08.00 to 15.00 hours from tomorrow [Tuesday 2nd March] and until the following Monday [8th March].

The TF-24 road which runs from La Laguna to El Portillo was reopened to traffic yesterday [Sunday 28th February] although the Cabildo is urging the general public to step up safety precautions when driving on this road.

The Cabildo hopes to be able to reopen the access road to Teide through Vilaflor (TF-21) in the next few days once the cleaning and restoration work to the unstable borders affected by the February storms has been completed.

Concerts on Tenerife – FMAC 2010; Rock in the Harbour, Puerto de la Cruz

2010-02-24T11:39:00.000Z

Just in case you might be thinking that the music scene in Puerto de la Cruz might be a bit too refined (some may say sophisticated) for some, don’t be fooled. The highlight of the month for me is the free FMAC concert beside the harbour on Saturday 27th March from 9.00pm

For the grand amount of ‘nada’ you get not one, not two, but three bands - Link, The Mistake and Le Victor a.k.a Redcar.

Rock on Puerto!

Concerts on Tenerife – Jazz, Classical & 1001 Nights in Puerto de la Cruz

2010-02-24T11:33:00.001Z

Some folks are under the impression that nightlife can be a bit limited in Puerto de la Cruz. The truth is that it’s not limited…it’s just different from the sort of nightlife that some visitors might be looking for.

If you’re a culture vulture with tastes which hunger for something substantial musically, then prepare to have a feast in Puerto de la Cruz during March.

The unique setting of the stunning Abaco Mansion is the venue for Jazz (the Jonay Martin Quartet, 10.30pm, 5th March: Memphis Blues Band, 10.30pm 12th March: Standard Time 10.30pm 19th March: Sweet Up Jazz Project, 10.30pm on 26th) and classical (Dúo Kovacs, 7.30pm on 7th March). All performances €9

In the centre of town, the elegantly stylish Centro Astoria-Bambi plays host to a series of classical and jazz performances on Saturdays (8.30pm) and Sundays (6.00pm) throughout the month. €5

El Castillo Espacio Cultural is another of the town’s beautiful settings for exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances and visitors are spoiled for choice in March.

If your German’s up to scratch then Scheherezade -1001 Nights is a classic story (8.30pm 6th March, €10).

Socos Duo fuse classical with experimental to create hypnotically beautiful music (13th March, 8.30pm).

Fans of classical guitar get their strings well and truly plucked with a concert at El Castillo (19th March, 8.30pm). Whilst more contemporary social issues are highlighted in the play, Ana Y La Vida about a young anorexic girl (20th March, 8.30pm, entrance free).

The month of culture at El Castillo ends with two FMAC (Festival de Músicas Alternativas de Canarias) performances by the Contemporary String Trio (25th, 9.00pm) and Satomi Moritomo (26th, 9.00pm)

And if all that wasn’t enough, the VIII Festival de Música Antigua y Barroca de Puerto de la Cruz. Begins at the end of the month with a perfomance by the Reyes Bartlet Choir at the Iglesia de la Peña de Francia (28th March, 8.30pm, €10) and some opera at the Taoro Congress Centre (31st, 9.00pm, €15)

Phew...

And More Good News – The Number of Tourists Visiting Tenerife Increased in January

2010-02-22T16:28:00.004Z

Is it symbolic that as the storm clouds disappear over the horizon, the tourism figures show that the number of visitors to Tenerife in January 2010 rose compared with the same period in 2009.

Overall there was an increase of 2.36% with British, German and Scandinavian visitors all on the up.

The south of Tenerife showed a 2.72% increase, whilst the north enjoyed 3.25% more visitors than in January 2009.

Lets hope the trend continues.

Roads to Teide Re-open After the Storms and Snow

2010-02-22T16:13:00.000Z

It’s good news bad news time. The Tenerife Government have just announced that all roads to Mount Teide are open, that’s the good news.

There is one road still closed and that’s the TF21 between Boca Tauce and El Portillo.

Unless I’m missing something, that’s the whole of the main road through the crater and past the cable car station.

That, you could say, is the bad news.

Carnaval on Tenerife - La Laguna, La Orotava, Los Cristianos & Los Gigantes

2010-02-05T14:53:00.002Z

Although the Carnaval spotlight tends to fall on Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, towns all over Tenerife hold Carnavals. Although in some places you’d never know it. La Laguna has just launched a new tourist website and guess what… no mention of their carnaval. The British Guild of Travel Writers who have just held their AGM on the island would be amazed at the number of ‘tricks missed’ when it comes to promoting events on the island. But gripes aside here are the dates for some other carnavals (I’ll add more if I manage to wheedle them out of an informant up a dark back alley – you think I’m joking?)

La Laguna – The theme is ‘rumoured’ to be Triton, King of the Seas and it will take place from the 13th to the 20th February.

Los Gigantes, Santiago del Teide – Another official ayuntamiento website which has overlooked including its carnaval details despite having main tourist resorts in their municipality. However the carnaval is due to take place in Los Gigantes between 26th February and 1st March.

Los Cristianos, Arona – Hat’s off to Arona Ayuntamiento who have included a full list of events on their website (the Spanish version anyway)

The theme is Viva Mexico and carnaval takes place between the 5th (election of the carnaval queen at 20.00 in the cultural centre) and 14th March 2010 (closing parade at 17.00). There are also open air dances on 13th and 14th as well.

La Orotava – God bless La Orotava. Tenerife’s classiest town knows that a website isn’t just for posting a smug looking photo of the mayor’s boat race (that’s ‘face’ - for anyone out there not au fait with Cockney rhyming slang).

With a Circus theme and a gorgeous poster, La Orotava’s carnaval runs from 13th February until 20th February. The highlights are the closing parade (from 16.30 on 16th February), the funeral procession and burning of…no not a giant sardine this time…St Crispin -don’t know what he did to upset the good people of La Orotava (21.00 on 17th February) and the end of carnaval dance (23.00 on the 20th February).

And don't forget to check out our Real Tenerife Carnaval page for tips on how to get the best out of carnaval

Carnaval on Tenerife 2010 - Puerto de la Cruz

2010-02-03T17:15:00.000Z

Given the political shenanigans in Puerto de la Cruz this year and allegations of ‘black lists’ of workers who didn’t vote for the current council (that'll be the majority of people then), ‘masking up’ for Carnaval may feel closer to the fiesta’s roots this time around. Still that should make it even more fun and hopefully a bit anarchic.

Main Events

Thursday 11th February
21.00 - Election of the Carnaval Queen, Plaza de Europa.
Saturday 13th February
21.00 Opening Parade
22.30 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Sunday 14th February
Midday - Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Plaza de Europa.
20.30 - Adult Fancy Dress Competition, Plaza de Europa.
22.00 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Monday 15 February
18.30 - “Matar la Culebra” (Kill the Snake)
22.30 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Tuesday 16th of February
13.00 - Antique Car Exhibition, Avenida Colon.
22.30 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Wednesday 17th February
21.00 - “Entierro de la Sardina” (Burial of the Sardine
23.00 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Friday 19th February
20.30 – Enrollment for the High Heels Marathon ‘Mascarita Ponte Tacon’ in Plaza del Charco.
22.00 – Start of the High Heels Marathon (yeah, maybe).
23.30 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.
Saturday 20th February
16.00 – Closing Parade
20.00 - Grand Ball in Plaza del Charco, Calle La Marina and Calle Perdomo.

Carnaval on Tenerife 2010 – Santa Cruz de Tenerife

2010-02-03T16:57:00.001Z

It’s time to dig out those old clothes, rip up old curtains to make a sexy outfit and paint your face all the colours of the rainbow…or instead of dressing up for a normal Saturday night down the ‘patch’ in Las Américas, you could put on fancy dress and head to carnaval.
The biggest and the brashest is in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife from Friday 12th February till Sunday the 21st. Officially it ends with the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ on Wednesday 17th February, but think of it a bit like a Quentin Tarantino movie and you should get the gist.

And great news, they did use the Chimp in the bikini poster after all.

Main Events

Wednesday 10th February
21:30 – Election of the Carnaval Queen, Internatiol Fair & Congress Centre
Friday 12th February
19:00 - Cabalgata Anunciadora (Opening Parade)
22:30 – Open air party in Plazas del Príncipe, Europa & La Candelaria
Saturday 13th February
20:00 - Mini Parade
22:30 – Open air party in Plazas del Príncipe, Europa & La Candelaria
Sunday 14th February
20:00 - Mini Parade
22:30 - Open air party in Plaza de La Candelaria
Monday 15th February
20:00 - Mini Parade
22:30 – Open air party in Plazas del Príncipe, Europa & La Candelaria
Tuesday 16th February
16:00 - Coso Apoteosis (Closing Parade)
22:30 - Open air party in Plaza de La Candelaria
21:00 – Firework display
Wednesday 17th February
21:00 - Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine)
22:30 - Open air party in Plaza de La Candelaria
Friday 19th February
22:30 – Open air party in Plazas del Príncipe, Europa & La Candelaria
Saturday 20th February
13:00 - Carnaval de Día – Carnaval of Colour
18.00 - Coso Infantil (Children’s Parade)
21:30 - Open air party in Plazas del Príncipe, Europa & La Candelaria
Sunday 21st February
10:00 – Antique car exhibition
17:00 – End of Carnaval Fiesta, Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero
22:00 - Open air party in Plaza de La Candelaria
21:30 – Firework display on Avenida Marítima

The Party’s Over in Puerto de la Cruz – Fiestas on Tenerife, Mueca 2010

2010-01-26T10:51:00.001Z

Some bad news for aficionados of some of Puerto de la Cruz’s more contemporary fiestas; the surreal and wonderful street arts festival, Mueca won’t be taking place this year (2010). The other fiesta victim (at this point) is the Ecological Cine Festival.

Anyone who’s been in Puerto for the Mueca festival will know that it attracts thousands of people to the town and adds a modern flavour to Tenerife first city of tourism.

The reason for its temporary demise is said to be financial, but we’ll have to wait and see what else falls under the butcher of El Hierro’s cleaver.

It makes a bit of a mockery of those misguided newspaper reports who were crowing that with Marcos Brito getting back into power, things would start to get moving in the town.

The plaza café shut on New Year’s Eve because of a strike, Playa Jardín café and toilets shut for the same reason, fiestas cancelled…

I think I’d better revise my definition of ‘getting things moving’.

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiestas de San Antonio Abad in Buenavista del Norte and La Matanza

2010-01-14T12:01:00.000Z

If you want to see lots of people in traditional costume and a gathering of animals of such magnitude that you’ll be wondering if there’s an ark nearby, then La Matanza and Buenavista del Norte are the places to be over the next couple of weekends.

Buenavista del Norte holds their romería on the 17th January, but more interesting is the animal fair a week later on 24th (dates to be confirmed as the general fiesta info on Buenavista’s website says the fiesta takes place on the last two Sundays of January, but tradionally the romería de San Abad takes place on the Sunday closest to the 17th, and the Feria de Ganado a week later – which would make it on the 24th).

An even bigger animal gathering takes place in the highlands of La Matanza on the last three Sundays of January (17th, 24th & 31st). Oxen, horses, donkeys, goats, dogs, lizards, ferrets, rabbits and the occasional snake mingle with the crowds at this very, very traditional fiesta up in the northern hills. The main day, the Octava Ganadera takes place on the second Sunday.

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiestas de San Sebastián in La Caleta, Adeje

2010-01-13T11:58:00.001Z

It’s a different saint who’s being celebrated at Playa de la Enramada beside La Caleta in Adeje, but there are still animals involved.
Visitors to the plush hotels on the Costa Adeje side of Playa de la Enramada don’t often usually encounter much signs of Canarian culture on the upmarket resort’s streets. So it can come as a bit of a shock, and not necessarily a pleasant one going by some previous comments on some forums about Tenerife, when hordes of horsemen appear on the beach to ride their steeds into the sea.

God forbid that the real Tenerife should intrude on someone’s beach time.

For those wanting to experience a 'real' Tenerife experience, it's a fascinating sight.

Fiestas on Tenerife – Romería de San Antonio Abad in Arona

2010-01-12T11:56:00.003Z

Next up for parades, dances firework displays and general all round fun is old Arona Town in the south of the island. The main romería takes place from the 17th January at midday, but there are events taking place all weekend.

Fiestas on Tenerife – Romería de San Antonio Abad in Los Realejos

2010-01-12T11:55:00.001Z

The animals are out in force this month as the fiestas start to roll out thick and fast.

First off the mark is the Romería de San Antonio Abad in Tigaiga in Los Realejos on the 16th of January. Expect lots of people in costume, roaming bands of singers strumming their timples and a saint on a plinth.

Music on Tenerife - Monica Naranjo in Adeje

2010-01-12T11:52:00.000Z

Some people regularly ask why there aren’t more big names in music playing concerts on Tenerife. The easy answer is that there are, but if you’re British, they might not be a big name to you.

Spanish singer Monica Naranjo has sold millions of records in Spain, the United States and in Latin America, but somehow I don’t see the streets of Las Américas emptying of tourists when she plays the Magma Arte & Congresos Centre in Adeje later this month (that’s the Las Américas part of Adeje for all you out there who, like me, are no longer sure what is Adeje and what is Las Americas).

Date: Saturday 23rd January

Venue: Magma Arte & Congresos, Adeje (just beside the Las Américas bus station)

Time: 9.30pm

Tickets: €32 to €42

Music on Tenerife – 50 Cent in Tenerife

2010-01-12T11:50:00.003Z

Now that the Christmas period is over and the Three Kings and their camels have trotted into the sunset, we can get back to finding out what interesting events, concerts and fiestas are coming Tenerife’s way in 2010.

It’ll cost a lot more than 50 Cents to get in and see the famous and sometimes controversial US rapper 50 Cent, but at least you’ve got time to save up the centimos as his concert doesn’t take place until March

Date: Saturday, 27th March

Venue: Recinto Ferial, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Time: 7pm

Tickets: €30 to €60

Buy tickets here

Christmas on Tenerife – Santa Cruz

2009-12-12T15:41:00.001Z

This Christmas the streets of Santa Cruz will be filled with music as there are live performances nearly every night at 7pm and Christmas concerts at the weekends. If you enjoy a bit of outdoor sax (I said sax before anyone gets too excited), head along to Plaza del Chicharro at 7pm on the 16th December. With theatre and dance performances in the city's plazas throughout the month the capital is set to resemble the scene of a musical all over the festive season. Don’t forget to check out the belén in the town hall, or to pick up some last minute gifts (if you’re handing over pressies on Christmas Day rather than Tres Reyes) at the Christmas market at Avenida Marítima from the 21st December.

The big events in Santa Cruz are, as always, the Christmas Day concert held at the port at 10pm (although the ayuntamiento haven’t mentioned it in their agenda this year even though they have a generic entry for it on their web site as does the Port authorities, but as this is Tenerife who knows if it’s happening or not); the big end of year party on New Year’s Eve from 11pm in Calle La Noría (is there a more picturesque setting on Tenerife to see out the old year?); and party time in CD Tenerife’s football stadium as the Tres Reyes hit town in style on the 5th January at 5pm.

Check out the full agenda here (in Spanish).

Christmas on Tenerife – Granadilla

2009-12-08T14:54:00.001Z

It’s a more subdued Christmas programme for Granadilla with various smaller events around the municipality mainly for children. The Christmas market on the 19th sounds like it might be worth a visit with lots of Christmas foodie goodies on sale.

Location: Plaza de la Cultura de San Isidro

Time: From 11am to 11pm

Christmas on Tenerife – La Orotava

2009-12-05T14:48:00.001Z

La Orotava, Tenerife’s classiest town is second only to La Laguna when it comes to cultural events… and not by far.

This year’s festival calendar includes music in the streets most nights between 6pm and 8pm; Tenerife’s biggest life-size belén filling much of the plaza outside the town hall; saxophone and folklore concerts; art exhibitions (‘Mi Alma al Desnudo’ looks particularly interesting at the Casa de la Cultura de San Agustín between 23/12 and 08/01) and a science fair (also at the Casa de la Cultura; on 12th and 13th from 10am).

The big Christmassy feel event is the concert in the Iglesia de la Concepción on the 19th at 8.30pm featuring the sweet voices of more than 10 choirs.

Another for aficionados of local heroes to look out for is the concert by Benito Cabrero at the Auditoio de Teobaldo Power at 8.30pm on the 18th. This man has enthralled New York’s Carnegie Hall with his timple playing skills.

See full agenda here.

Christmas on Tenerife – Guia de Isora

2009-12-04T16:54:00.000Z

A lot of the festive activities in Guia de Isora centre around children with mini fairs taking place in towns and hamlets throughout the month; activities for the little ones also bizarrely include some belly dancing lessons. There are also Christmas parades and concerts in churches and in the Auditorio de Guia de Isora on various dates.

The Gran Cabalgata de Reyes takes place on the 5th January 2010 in Guia de Isora from 7pm

See full agenda of events here.

Christmas on Tenerife – Puerto de la Cruz

2009-12-04T14:45:00.002Z

Christmas in Puerto de la Cruz is always a magical time. The bright neon lights of the funfair liven up the car park beside the harbour and Christmas street lights turn the plazas and old streets into an enchanting winter wonderland.

As for events, look out for concerts in the Centro Astoria-Bambi (12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th) at around €5 a ticket and if you’re German speaking, the interpretation of Sherezade – 1001 Nights is always interesting to watch (Castillo San Felipe: Friday 11th at 8.30pm, €10).

To get right into the Christmas spirit, don’t miss either of the Christmas concerts performed by the Reyes Bartlet Choir in the Iglesia de la Peña de Francia on the 20th (7.30pm) and 23rd (8.30pm) or the traditional midnight mass, ‘Misa de Gallo’ in the same church on Christmas Eve.

Christmas on Tenerife – Adeje

2009-12-03T14:51:00.001Z

Cultural overdoses, choir singing and Christmas concerts aren’t just confined to the north at Christmas; the south also has its fair share, especially around the older historic towns.

Visitors to Adeje town should pop into the cultural centre after the 4th of the month to have a look at a traditional Spanish nativity scene, the belén. These are really worth seeing.

Gospal fans are spoiled with two free concerts also at the cultural centre on the 4th at 8pm (with the group Aba Taano) and the 6th at half past midday (with Bridget Bazile). Both concerts are part of the IV Canaries International Gospel Festival.

Any visitors to Costa Adeje with children should definitely not miss out on the Gran Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings Parade) on January 5th at 8pm in Calle Grande Adeje. The children will love it and it’ll feel like Christmas all over again.

See full agenda here.

Christmas on Tenerife – Santiago del Teide

2009-12-03T11:55:00.001Z

There are a couple of nice little events taking place in Santiago del Teide, particularly in Los Gigantes.

The turning on of the lights of the ‘arbol de luz’ on the 5th at 8pm in Plaza Bouganvillea in Los Gigantes sounds lovely, especially as it’s followed by a gospel performance by the Rainbow Gospel Choir.

The same plaza is also the scene for the Christmas concert at 8pm on the 19th and for the big end of the year party from 11pm on the 31st December.

The Three Kings are busy bees in Santiago as their Gran Cabalgata de los Reyes Mago de Oriente takes place on January 5th at 5.30pm in Arguayo, 7pm in Tamaimo and then leaves Plaza Pública in Puerto Santiago for Los Gigantes at 8.30pm.

Poor old Santiago del Teide town has to wait till midday on the 6th January before the Three Kings turn up there.

See full agenda here.

Christmas on Tenerife – San Cristóbal de La Laguna

2009-12-02T16:01:00.000Z

La Laguna, the cultural heart of Tenerife never fails to disappoint with the range of activities which take place over the Christmas season. With concerts, choir singing in the plazas, theatre and ballet in Teatro Leal and some of the old streets being decked out to look like a medieval market, there is something happening every day between now and the Three Kings arrival at Los Rodeos Airport on the 5th January.

The pick of events are the concerts by the London BBC Symphony Chorus at the Teatro Leal at 9pm on the 11th and 12th December.

Other highlights include the Gospel Canaries performance, also at the Teatro Leal at 9pm on the 14th; the Christmas brass band concert in Plaza de la Concepción at 7pm on the 18th; the end of year party on the 31st and the Three Kings parade on the 5th of January from around 6.30pm.

The weekends either side of Christmas are jam packed with events so check out the full agenda here.

Events on Tenerife – Granadilla con Vive 09

2009-12-02T15:49:00.000Z

As the title suggests, a lively day is in store in the old town of Granadilla de Abona. It sounds like a sort of mini WOMAD (a very mini one) with dancing, ethnic music, food from around the globe, stories and henna tattoos.

Date: Saturday 5th December

Time: From 11am to 8pm

Place: Plaza de la Cultura, the Cultural Centre, San Isidro

Christmas on Tenerife – Arona (Los Cristianos)

2009-12-02T15:46:00.001Z

So what does Christmas have in store for Arona? Quite a lot if you happen to be in Los Cristianos. If you’re in Las Américas… well at least there are plenty bars with entertainment to get you into the Christmas spirit there.

Much of the action centres around the cultural centre in Los Cristianos and things really kick off on the 3rd when the Christmas lights are switched on (8.30pm) and the belén and is opened to the public (9.15pm).

After that, there’s theatre in the streets for the children; music and dance in the Plaza de la Iglesia in Los Cristianos as part of the Festival de Lirico (9pm on 11th); Gospel concert with the Georgia Mass Choir (Los Cristianos cultural centre, 9pm, 13th); Christmas concerts by Arona’s School of Music and Dance – also in the cultural centre in Los Cristianos (17th at 6.30pm, 19th at 8pm and 20th at midday).

The big end of the year party takes place in the Recinto Ferial deLos Cristianos from 10pm on the 31st, but there’ll be plenty of fun to be had on the streets as well.

The parade of the festive season, the Three Kings Parade leaves from Los Cristianos port towards the cultural centre at 7.15pm on the 5th January – don’t let your children miss it.

See full agenda here.

Fiestas on Tenerife: Shake, Rattle and Roll – It’s San Andrés

2009-11-25T15:54:00.002Z

Don’t forget that we have wino weekend coming up this fin de semana (I only wrote that so I didn’t need to write weekend twice) otherwise known as the celebrations in honour of San Andrés.

It’s a great excuse to pop open a bottle of new wine, which is what the fiesta is all about, and sink a few… well it would be rude not to and when in Rome and all that.

Celebrations take place in towns all over Tenerife, but the two stand out places are Puerto de la Cruz where you can test wine from all over the valley at the wine fair on the harbour, or grab a table and order a poke of chestnuts and try to listen to some traditional Canarian bands whilst kids drag anything from coke cans to washing machines across the cobbles – follow this link if you want to find out why.

The other choice venue is Icod de los Vinos which becomes Tenerife’s extreme sports capital for a couple of days when local lads, and occasional lassies, take to using trays to get from the top of Icod’s steep streets to the bottom in record breaking, and potentially bone breaking, time.

Events take place in Puerto from the 27th November with the main celebrations taking place on the evening of Saturday 29th November.

Fiestas on Tenerife - Festival Internacional del Cuento Los Silos 2009 (Story Telling Festival, Los Silos)

2009-11-23T13:04:00.002Z

It’s tall tales time in Tenerife again; although there are those who'd say that you can hear tall tales any night of the week in some bars across the island.

These ones are told by professional word weavers. For five days at the beginning of December, storytellers from around the world converge on the charming little town of Los Silos in Isla Baja to enchant locals and visitors with tales of magic and wonder.

The town’s Plaza Nuestra Señora de la Luz, provides the perfect fairy tale backdrop for one of Tenerife’s more spellbinding little fiestas.

Many of this year’s storytellers are from South America, but even if you don’t understand Spanish, the town has such a lovely feel to it and there’s always plenty of things to see which don’t require any translating.

Best days should be Saturday and Sunday.

Dates: 4th to 8th December

Entrance: Many events are free, but there’s a charge for others. See Full Agenda of Events here for more details (In Spanish).

Events on Tenerife: Walk for Life in Playa de las Américas

2009-11-20T14:45:00.002Z

We receive lots of queries about walking on Tenerife, well here’s the opportunity to indulge in something you enjoy and also do it for a great cause as donations made go to (AECC) “Asociación Española contra el Cáncer” (Spanish Association against Cancer) and (AMATE) “Asociación de Mujeres afectadas por Cáncer de mama” (Association of Women Affected by Breast Cancer).

Each year, thousands of people turn the promenade at Playa de las Américas into a pink parade in a colourful show of support for those who have been affected by this horrible disease.

Simply register, make a donation, pick up your Walk for Life t-shirt, or pink cap and you can become a member of the pink parade.

Walk for Life this year takes place on Sunday the 13th December and the route runs along the promenade from the Mediterranean Palace hotel in Playa de las Américas to the Sally Tien Plaza, Costa Adeje.

Have a look at the Walk for Life website for more information

Food and Drink: Third ‘Ruta de la Tapa’ in Granadilla de Abona

2009-11-17T15:55:00.001Z

Tapas routes are becoming more and more popular on Tenerife. As the one in Puerto de la Cruz comes to an end, another in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona begins.

22 restaurants in El Médano, Granadilla, Los Abrigos, San Isidro y Cruz de Tea are creating some delectable tapas dishes for the competition which runs from the 15th November until the 15th December for €2.50 a tapas.

Look out for crab montaditos, grated white cheese and almogrote, meatballs with dates and montaditos with goat’s cheese and gofio amongst loads more goodies.

Click here to see a full list of participating restaurants, tapas dishes, opening hours, names of everyone present, past and future who has ever made a tapas dish in Granadilla, their relatives, friends of their relatives, and anyone they’ve ever met…(scroll to the bottom to find the list of restaurants)

The art of being concise isn’t a concept in Granadilla yet.

Food and Drink on Tenerife – The 4th Wine Route ‘Vinos y Viñedos'

2009-11-04T15:57:00.003Z

The wine bus is on its travels again, this time visiting Bodega El Moral in El Sauzal for a bit of wine tasting, then the Los Nateros vineyard and the La Matanza market. The last stop is at Bodega Insercasa in Valle de Guerra before you’re dropped off back at the bus station in Santa Cruz.

It’s just dawned on me why there are always inebriated fellows in bus stations – they’re not ‘alkies’ at all, they’ve simply been on wine tasting tours.

It costs €15 to join the wine tasting bus and you can reserve a place by phoning 922 56 40 66.

The bus leaves Santa Cruz at 08.45 on Saturday 7th November

See www.rutasyvinos.com for more details (I'm sure they'll have their site up to date before the bus leaves).

Concerts on Tenerife: Madel, Hijos de Eden Heart to Heart Tour

2009-11-04T15:52:00.001Z

If you haven’t been to any local concerts yet, now is you’re chance to dip your toes in the island’s rock scene. Singer Madel is performing three concerts on Tenerife this month as part of his ‘Heart to Heart’ tour.

I have no idea what Madel sounds like, but Spanish language site Tinerguia describe his style as being a mix of romantic pop and melodic rock with a nod to the blues and Latino thrown in for good measure.

And as the concerts are free, it doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t turn out to be your sort of thing. These events are nothing less than an interesting little experience at worst.

Locations, Dates and Times:
Friday 6th November, 21.00, Auditorio Teobaldo Power, La Orotava
Wednesday 11th November, 20.00, Ateneo de la La Laguna, Plaza de la Catedral 3, La Laguna
Thursday 19th November, 20.30, La Trinidad Tram Station, La Laguna

Events on Tenerife - ExpoInfancia 2009, Children’s Fair in Santa Cruz

2009-11-04T15:49:00.000Z

If anything to do with rugrats makes you go all goo-goo, gaa-gaa then you might be interested in hearing about ExpoInfancia 2009 at the Recinto Ferial (Trade Fair Centre) in Santa Cruz.

The fair covers everything to do with children from clothes to wear when they’re a bulge in the belly to changing the classy sports car for a boring family model and decorating their rooms to arranging parties – I’m not sure if there are any stalls dedicated to how to get rid of them when they’re still a drain on finances long after they should have flown the coop.

If you’re like me and subscribe to the W.C Fields approach to kiddiewinkles, then you’ll probably have something better to do during the 3 days of the fair.

Dates: 20th to 22nd November

Times: 11.00 to 21.00

Entrance: €2

Concerts on Tenerife – Rocking the Streets of Santa Cruz

2009-10-30T13:51:00.000Z

And with some more last minute ‘advance’ notice from Santa Cruz, you’ve just about got time to make arrangements to head into the Capital tonight for a free concert in the Noria district.

Alberto Saura2Rock are performing between 21.00 and 23.00 in one of Santa Cruz’ most picturesque streets which is also the haunt of some of the coolest people on Tenerife.

Events on Tenerife – 12th Adeje Theatre and Dance Festival

2009-10-30T13:07:00.001Z

For anyone who thinks that the south of Tenerife is all English breakfasts and beer at a euro a pint, here’s the chance to discover otherwise with some excellent contemporary dance and theatre taking place in Adeje during November.

Perormances
Saturday, 31st October, 19:30, - Garoé, Plaza César Manrique, Adeje
Friday 6th November, 21:00, - Impresiones, Cultural Centre, Adeje
Friday 13th November, 21:00, - Luz más luz, Cultural Centre Adeje
Friday 20th November, 21:00, - La Loca de la casa, Cultural Centre Adeje
Friday 27th November, 21:00, - El Sexo Sentido, Cultural Centre Adeje

Tickets are available from the Cultural Centre in Adeje and cost €6

Of course, there are those that are bound to say, ‘stuff that, I’d rather have the English breakfasts and pints of beer at a euro?”

Food & Drink on Tenerife: The 3rd Ruta de la Tapa Puerto de la Cruz – Un Mar de Sabores (A Sea of Flavours)

2009-10-30T12:37:00.002Z

All you foodies out there will be salivating at the news that the 3rd tapas route starts today in Puerto de la Cruz (of course a bit more notice from the organisers might have been nice, but on Tenerife 24 hours is still considered a lot of notice).
Grumbles aside, the Ruta de la Tapa is a great way to sample local goodies and some new delish' concoctions for only €2.50 a throw (glass of wine, water or beer included).
28 restaurants in the town are participating and offerings include tastebud teasing treats like ‘mushrooms and seafood tempura’, ‘salchichas in beer’ and 'pork with caramelized onions and curry sauce' (not particularly Spanish sounding, but who cares).

Okay, I’m not sure I can type any more – I’ve got a date with a tapas ración or two.

Don’t forget to pick up your ‘Ruta de la Tapa’ passport at the town hall and get it stamped each time you try a ‘tapa’.

Dates: From 30th October to 22nd November

See Full Tapas Route and Dishes Here

Events on Tenerife:- The Tibetan Monks’ ‘Walk For Peace’

2009-10-26T14:07:00.002Z

I don’t know what’s going on with these all singing, all dancing Buddhist Monks. First it’s a concert in Tijoco, then it’s cancelled and now news comes through that they’re performing all over the joint between now and the 14th November.

A lot of the venues are in the southern resorts which will make a nice change from all those Rod Stewart and Tina Turner tribute acts.

If they're performing near you go and see them, it'll be interesting and different and any donations received go to a good cause.

Click on the image to see dates and locations.

Of course the poster doesn’t show times but come on, this is Tenerife after all, you can’t have everything.

Festivals on Tenerife – 14 Festival MasDanza

2009-10-20T11:02:00.001+01:00

It’s dance yourself dizzy time on Tenerife, or at very least it’s watch participants from all over the World dance themselves dizzy at the 14th MasDanza Festival in Santa Cruz.

Over the course of two days, dancers from Japan, China, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Portugal and Macedonia are set to whirl, twirl and perform moves that’ll make your eyes water at The Auditorio de Tenerife and the Teatro Victoria.

Dates: 25th and 26th October

Location: Auditorio de Tenerife, Santa Cruz (25th) & Teatro Victoria, Santa Cruz (26th)

Times: 19.30 (25th), 21.00 (26th)

Events on Tenerife – Tenerife Design Festival

2009-10-19T11:27:00.000+01:00

It’s arty farty time in the capital as stylish Santa Cruz looks trendier than ever this week when designers from around the world showcase their work in galleries and plazas around the city for the Tenerife Design Festival.

So what is the Tenerife Design Festival? Well I think the festival’s website can explain it better than I can.

Expect to see designs which show that “…concepts are the starting point for establishing synergies between local factors and international proposals, consolidating design as tool of change and economic stimulus.”

If you know what that means send answers on a postcard to…

A healthy dose of pretentiousness is great now and again and usually guarantees that the exhibitions throughout the week will be visually stimulating.

Dates: 19th to 25th October

Location: Various venues around Santa Cruz

See Full Programme Here

Events on Tenerife – The Young Ones; Young Week in La Orotava

2009-10-19T11:08:00.000+01:00

I feel like the oldest swinger in town at the best of times at some of the more modern fiestas aimed at Tenerife’s more youthful population, so I think I’ll be giving La Orotava a body swerve this week. The lovely old town gives itself over to the young ones for its ‘Young Culture Week’ (La Semana de Juventud y Cultura).

Events include photography and comic exhibitions, musical workshops and, at the end of the week, a rock concert featuring Spyral, Naufrago Lunar and Patafisica.

(Note to La Orotava Ayuntamiento: If you’re promoting a young persons’ week, don’t send out a promo photo featuring people as old as I am)

Dates: From 16th to 23rd October

Rock Concert: 21.00 at the Parque Cultural Doña Chana

Events on Tenerife: Chanting for Charity – Tibetan Monks on Tenerife

2009-10-14T14:21:00.008+01:00

NEWS UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Here’s one of those quirky, magical little events which takes place on Tenerife every now and again.

A group of Tibetan monks from the Sera Jhe monastery in India are going to perform traditional songs and dances from Tibet in Tijoco on Monday, the 9th of November.

It’s all free, but as they're doing it for a project in India (I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure it’ll be worthy), any donations given at the performance would be greatly appreciated.

It’s definitely worth leaving ‘Ohm’ to see.

Location: Plaza Tijoco, Calle San Antonio, Tijoco, Adeje

Time: 18.00 to 22.00

For more info call Sophie on 922 78 06 32

Events on Tenerife – Miss and Mister Tenerife 2009

2009-10-08T12:06:00.003+01:00

Ever wondered whatever happened to beauty queen contests? In Tenerife they’ve never gone away and remain as much a part of the culture as pulling on a scarlet waistcoat and breeches and playing with your timple.
Every single fiesta in the smallest village holds a fiesta queen competition, but the big event on the beauty queen calendar is the Miss Tenerife competition.
And for anyone who thinks that beauty queen contests degrade women, there’s also a Mister Tenerife competition as well and believe me theirs balances out any amount of female beauty queen contests.

Saturday night is the turn of the 28 chicos competing for the title of Mister Tenerife. Check out the candidates here. God, they’re brave lads. I’m still rolling about after reading the logo on their swimming trunks – who the hell thought that was a good idea?

On Sunday night 28 lovely chicas will slap on glam make-up and sport 70s style hair dos and strut their stuff in front of a panel of judges in historic La Laguna to compete for the coveted title. Have a look at the lovely line-up in their sparkly bikinis here. They get off much lighter than the lads if you ask me.

Location: Plaza del Cristo, La Laguna

Time: from 21.00 on 10th and 11th October

Entrance: Free

Events on Tenerife – The International Clownbaret Festival, Santa Cruz

2009-10-08T11:15:00.002+01:00

Clowns… people either love ‘em, hate ‘em, or are scared witless by them which makes Santa Cruz the place to be, or to avoid like the plague next weekend when the streets are filled with these strange creatures as part of the international Clownbaret Festival; an open air showcase for contemporary clowns.

The festival kicks off on Thursday the 15th when there’s a screening of a Charlie Chaplin movie (not a good start) before packs of the painted face ones take to the streets (mainly Plaza del Principe and Plaza Isla de la de Madera) trying their utmost to make adults and children laugh, and no doubt scaring the beejesus out of some in the process.

Personal prejudices aside, it should be quite good and surrealistic fun in the capital during the festival. I might even go and see what’s going on, but if you see someone running through the capital’s streets waving their arms in the air and gurning and screaming, it might not be a clown, it might be me having rediscovered childhood phobias at the sight of too many grotesquely painted clown faces in the one place.

Dates: From 15th October to 18th October

Times: Street performances take place from 17.30 to 22.30 on Friday 16th; 11.00 to 22.30 on Saturday 17th and from 11.00 to 17.00 on Sunday 18th.

See here for full details

Events on Tenerife – La Gran Majada (the Almond Fair)

2009-10-07T14:12:00.002+01:00

This is one of those lovely island traditions which captures the imagination. La Gran Majada almond fair is a wonderful example of keeping important island traditions alive, in this case the collection and storing of almonds and dried fruits such as figs by the local children in the Plaza de San Pedro in Aripe, Guía de Isora,

It’s a great opportunity to experience part of a way of life which has existed for centuries and one which seems an eternity away from that of the tourist resorts a short distance away.

Date: 25th October

Times: 10.00 – 14.00

Food on Tenerife: Cheese and Wine – the Perfect Couple

2009-10-07T14:07:00.002+01:00

The Casa del Vino La Baranda in El Sauzal is definitely pulling out all the stops to seduce our taste buds. First it was their ridiculously good value and highly appealing menu, now it’s their ‘DEGUSTACIÓN DE VINOS DE TENERIFE’ between the 2nd and the 16th of October.

During this period, twelve of the best of the island’s wines can be tried for around a euro a glass accompanied by award winning cheeses (or after 12 glasses of wine ‘sheeesses’) from Arico and Benijos (€2.60 - €3.40 per ration).

Festivals on Tenerife – VII 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival on Tenerife

2009-10-05T12:55:00.000+01:00

The other week it was neo hippies and bikers, now it’s the turn of the rockabilly rebels.
Girls, pin up your hair and squeeze into a figure hugging wiggle dress, or a sultry halter neck heartbreaker’s frock and guys – just think Jimmy Dean.

For three days over the weekend, Los Realejos is set to swing to the best rockabilly sounds at the 7th 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll Festival in the Panoramica Gardens Hotel.

With bands and DJs from Tenerife (Los Contratiempos, Little Big Rebel, Billy Loy & Ballbreakers, Neón Boggie), Madrid (Tano 47, Rey Luy), Valencia (Rubén Gordon), Malaga (The Beerbellys), La Palma (Los Tihuya Cats) and the UK (Big Vinnie), it looks like a rocking good time is all but guaranteed.

Dates: 9th to 11th October

Time: Starts 21.00 on the Friday; from Midday on Saturday and at 09.00 (do rockers really get up that early?) on Sunday.

Tickets: €10 in advance, €12 on the door (tickets available from the hotel).

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiestas Patronales de Adeje (Virgen de La Encarnación)

2009-10-04T12:08:00.002+01:00

If you can’t take Mohammed to the mountain…

The resort of Costa Adeje isn’t particularly a stronghold of Canarian culture, but visitors should be able to get a taste of the real Tenerife without having to stray too far from their sun beds during October when Adeje holds its Fiestas in honour of the Virgen de La Encarnación. Admittedly most of the events take place in the old town, but some make their way to the coast including the ‘sortija de caballos’ on Saturday 17th October when local horsemen ride their steeds into the sea next to the municipal swimming pool at around 16.00.
Other events include parades, a romería, concerts, firework displays and open air dances (all in Adeje town).

Dates: 3rd to 18th October

Highlights:
10th – A full programme of events, the highlight being the parade in Calle Grande at 21.00 followed by a verbena (that's Spanish for party with music & wine) at 23.00.
17th – Day of Traditions and Folklore. The Sortija de Caballeros at 16.00 is followed by a folklore concert and another ‘verbena’ at the recinto ferial in adeje from 21.00.

See Full Agenda Here.

Tapas on Tenerife – Tapas Route in Tacoronte – Acentejo

2009-10-02T19:29:00.001+01:00

Tapas routes seem to be really in vogue on Tenerife over the last 12 months. Puerto de la Cruz has had them and so has Los Cristianos in the south.

They’re a great way to sample local tapas for a couple of euros a throw. The Tacoronte – Acentejo area has now followed suite. However, they’ve taken the idea a saucy step further and themed their version as ‘tapa afrodisíaca’. It doesn’t take a fluent Spanish speaker to translate that one.

It sounds like an invitation to have an orgy of a tapas tasting. Aphrodisiac offerings include intriguingly sinful delights such as ‘Noche de Pasión’, ‘Sueño de un Eunico’ (I wonder if eunuchs do have sensuous dreams?), and ‘Papa Romántica’. I don't know what any of them are, but who cares?

Sounds great and as it’s in the area with Tenerife’s best wines and also some of the island’s best restaurants you’re guaranteed some seriously tasty and possibly sexy little treats.

There are 25 restaurants participating and each tapas costs €2.50 (glass of wine included). There are also prizes for the first 10 people who try 15 tapas and the first 5 who manage 20 tapas.

See here for the full list of participating restaurants.

Exhibitions on Tenerife - Saqueo de Souvernilandia, La Laguna

2009-09-28T13:27:00.003+01:00

A deliciously tasty and irreverent finishing touch to the ‘Exhibition of Souvenirs’ at the Museum of History and Anthropology in La Laguna is ‘Saqueo de Souvernilandia’ by artists Alicia Ríos and Antoni Miralda. The pair mix art and food to create amusing masterpieces (see the edible London exhibit in the photo) in what they term ‘cannibalism culture’.

Personally, I think it’s a great idea. If you don’t like the exhibit… eat it; which is what is going to happen to the exhibit at around 20.00 on the 2nd of October. So get up there before then if you want to see the piece in its entirety.

UPDATE: The edible part of the exhibition wont be at the Museum until Friday, it's currently in La Matanza (but I had to go to the museum to find that little fact out). It will be devoured, so the incredibly helpful attendant told me rubbing her tum in anticipation, as previously stated on Friday at 20.00.

The Tourist exhibition is on at the Museum and although there's an amusing ironic aspect to it, any visitors going out of there way to see it and finding a mock-up of a hotel dining room might just think someone's havin' a laugh.

Location: Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, La Laguna

Festivals on Tenerife – Perrada Fest ’09, El Sauzal

2009-09-28T13:23:00.001+01:00

The end of September/ beginning of October sees the emergence of some great little fringe festivals. This one is for the true fiesta die-hards as it takes place at Ravelo (where?) in El Sauzal.

Organised by ADEPAC (Association for the Defence and Protection of Animals in the Canaries) it’s a festival with a very good cause as its raison d’être and all proceeds will go to helping animals.

The fun kicks off at 13.00 and the event includes sets from 12 bands as well as theatre and dance performaces.

Date: Saturday, 3rd October

Tickets: €10

Festivals on Tenerife – 7 Rockas Festival, La Laguna

2009-09-28T13:17:00.003+01:00

An eclectic mix of activities awaits anyone who heads into La Laguna this Saturday. The ‘7 Rockas Festival’ is classed as a showcase for rock in its purest state (I’m guessing that you could probably replace ‘pure’ with ‘raw’ here); however, festival events also include master classes in drumming and guitar playing during the morning.

These are followed in the afternoon by air guitar (the one musical instrument that I can actually play), guitar hero, ‘juego de palo’ (traditional stick fighting – your guess is as good as mine about what that has to do with rock music), and rock hairdressers (if these are the same as the ones I’ve seen at Mueca in Puerto de la Cruz, they’re worth going to see just on their own).

The evening sees the real rocky part of the festival get underway with sets from the best rock bands from across the Canarian Archipeligo.
Bands include: Machango (La Palma), Blackened (Lanzarote), Cuerno Cabra & Alea Jacta (Fuerteventura) and Histeria, Nadien and Guerilla Urbana (Tenerife).

Wait a minute, there are some islands missing. I can understand there not being a band from San Borondón (nobody knows how to get in touch with them there), but what about Gran Canaria, La Gomera and El Hierro? Maybe they should rename it '5 Rockas Festival'.

Date: Saturday, 3rd October

Location: IES, Viera y Clavijo, La Laguna

Events on Tenerife: Katandra Treetops – Loro Parque’s New Treetop Adventure

2009-09-23T14:42:00.001+01:00

Ironically for many years, the parrots which made Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz famous were the only dodgy aspect to a visit to one of Tenerife’s top attractions. Tiny cages didn’t sit comfortably with visitors.

But tomorrow (24th September)all that changes with the opening of Katandra Treetops; a free flight aviary where visitors will be able to climb suspended bridges and get right up amongst the hundreds of parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, pheasants, thrushes and fruit doves at the same time as having a real bird’s eye view of crowned pigeons, golden pheasants, herons, Asian parakeets and Mandarin Ducks hanging out by the lake way below the treetops.

The exotic jungle sounds alone will be worth the entrance money.

It’s a great move by the Loro Parque Foundation and one that’s sure to enhance its reputation and up the enjoyment factor even further.

Fiestas on Tenerife – San Miguel de Abona

2009-09-22T11:31:00.001+01:00

The romería season is drawing to an end, so if you haven’t managed to catch one of these lively, colourful processions, then this may just be about your last chance.

Normally one of the big drawbacks for many visitors and ex-pats is that the biggest of these take place in the north, but there’s no real excuse for missing this one as it takes place in the lovely little hill town of San Miguel de Abona only a hop, skip and a jump from Los Cristianos, Las Américas and Costa Adeje.

The Romería is the highlight of the town’s celebrations in honour of San Miguel Arcángel and is great fun whether you’ve seen a Romería before or not. Bands, traditional costumes, beauty queens and decorated carts from which free food and wine are handed out. This is what the Canarios do best.

Date: Sunday 27th September

Time: From midday onwards.

What an Incredible Meal Deal - Casa del Vino, El Sauzal

2009-09-21T16:43:00.003+01:00

Any number of people will tell you that you have to pay for quality. Whilst this is often true, it’s not a given. Especially when it comes to eating out in the north of Tenerife.

There are few places on Tenerife to match the aesthetic ambience of the Casa del Vino in El Sauzal. It’s the sort of place where you might expect to shell out a small fortune, but wait till you hear about this.

How about a first course choice of Vichisoisse de Puerros con Virutas de Jamón, Tomate Relleno de Atún en Escabeche, Ensalada Cesar con Queso Curado, Lentejas Estofadas, Rissotto de Setas y Langostinos, or Sopa de Pescado?

Followed by: Cazuela de Cherne, Bacalao Confitado con Encebollado, Salmonetes al Horno con Verduritas Salteadas, Filetes de Cochino con Salsa de Moscatel, Pollito Tomatero Asado con Papas Panaderas or Ragut de Ternera.

And Rounded off with Postres de “La Casa”, Fruta o Helados y Sorbetes hechos en Casa

And what’s the cost of this wonderful meal in the exquisite surroundings of an old Canarian mansion? We’re not talking €20. We’re not even talking €15. No we’re talking an incredibly wallet friendly €10.

Drinks are separate, but still it’s too good an offer to miss.

(Casa del Vino is beside the El Sauzal exit of the TF5. Menu available between 13.00 and 23.00 Tuesday to Saturday, 13.00 to 16.00 Sunday, closed Monday)

Harlem Globetrotters in Tenerife

2009-09-21T15:45:00.002+01:00

I used to love watching the Harlem Globetrotters on TV, but that was centuries ago. I didn’t even realise they were still strutting their stuff on basketball courts around the world until I saw the unmistakeable stars and stripes strip on a poster in Puerto de la Cruz some time back.

That’s right, the legendary clowns of the basketball courts are bringing their inimitable show to Tenerife next month for a one night gig at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Santa Cruz.

Date: 9th October

Time: 21.00

Tickets: From €20 available here from CajaCanarias

Sex and the City Santa Cruz Style - Bounty Tenerife Fashion Show

2009-09-21T15:35:00.003+01:00

There can’t be many backdrops which are more appropriate for a glitzy fashion show than Tenerife’s iconic Auditorium in Santa Cruz. You can bet all the beautiful people will be out in force on Friday 2nd October when Plaza del Castillo Negro is transformed into a catwalk for the Bounty Tenerife Fashion Show in aid of disadvantaged families in the Canary Islands.
The charity event promises fab fashions from international and local designers as well as music from Barcelona born, electronic music diva, Rebeka Brown.

It goes without saying, but anyone who fancies going should leave the BHS T-shirt in the wardrobe.

Time: 21.00

Tickets: From €15 at Bounty shops around Tenerife and at CajaCanarias

Festivals on Tenerife – Santa Cruz Carnaval Theme 2010

2009-09-17T14:53:00.002+01:00

The sharp eyed out there might just spot a continuity error here or at very least be experiencing a sensation of déjà vu.

Back in June we posted a picture of the winning carnaval poster and theme for the Santa Cruz Carnaval 2010 and very nice, if a tad surreal, it was too.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when this week Santa Cruz announced its theme for next year's Carnaval and, in best Monty Python fashion, it was a case of 'and now for something completely different.'

It seems that the theme is now 'Tenerife - History of the Carnaval'. In the photos accompanying this announcement, the ape in the glitzy bikini was nowhere to be seen, instead, in the reports I saw, was a completely new logo.

If I didn't have a picture of the damn ape with 'Carnaval 2010' splashed across it, I'd be thinking I was going off my chuffin' head by now, especially as the Spanish reports I've read make no mention of the tranny ape and previous Carnaval theme even though they reported it at the time!

So what I want to know is what happened to the ape? Was that just some sort of 'kid on' competition? Am I going loopy, or is living in Tenerife like living in some parallel universe where very little makes sense and the illogical rules? (Actually I know the answer to the last one)

Exhibitions on Tenerife: Orcas at the TEA

2009-09-15T14:11:00.002+01:00

There’s no need to take to the high seas to see whales on Tenerife this month.

Whales seem to be a popular subject matter, with the festival in Los Silos and now, this exhibition of 18 sculpted beautifully and imaginatively painted orcas outside of the TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes) in Santa Cruz. These fun creatures are worth a visit if you happen to be visiting the capital and the TEA building is an interesting piece of architecture in its own right.

Dates: Until 4th October

Sport on Tenerife: The Tenerife Champions Cup – Beach Volleyball Tournament at Siam Park

2009-09-15T13:21:00.002+01:00

You realise that the World has become a strange place when you hear that a championship volleyball tournament is taking place on a hillside nowhere near the coast and in surroundings that are distinctly Thai in appearance… even though they’re on Tenerife.

Still, these little surreal observations aside, Playa Siam at Siam Park is a stunning location for this major beach volleyball tournament featuring teams from Poland, Russia, Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain – golden sands, aquamarine water and the added attraction of the entertainment team, ‘Champion Girls’; a groups of girls who are sort of cheerleaders with talent and model good looks and who, lets be honest about this, will probably be as much of an attraction as the volleyball.

Dates: 9th, 10th & 11th October, Siam Park

Entrance: Free

Sport on Tenerife: Tenerife Ladies Open, Golf Costa Adeje

2009-09-15T13:17:00.000+01:00

A whopping great €300,000 is up for grabs at the prestigious Tenerife Ladies Open Golf Tournament at Golf Costa Adeje between 24th and 29th September.

As far as spectators are concerned, it’s much easier tracking a little white ball against a bright blue Tenerife sky than watch it disappear against a grey white one in the UK.

Festivals on Tenerife – Campus Rock, La Laguna

2009-09-15T13:14:00.003+01:00

And the beat goes on at Campus Rock La Laguna, the former capital of Tenerife and probably the current musical capital of the island. It might not be the best rock festival in the world, but with Heineken sponsoring, it’s probably the best on Tenerife… that weekend anyway.

Bands playing include el canto del loco, Taxi, Nena Daconte and Sidonie.

Tickets: €20 in advance, €24 on the door. (See here for ticket outlets)

Festivals on Tenerife: The Festival of the Whale – Boreal in Los Silos

2009-09-15T13:11:00.001+01:00

This is a new festival where I can honestly say where you’ll have a whale of a time – given that it takes place beside the huge skeleton of a whale on the coast at Los Silos.

The festival is only in its 2nd year and is a fusion of art, music and environmental awareness in the one package – so you get to party, be pretentious and learn something all in the same afternoon.

It all takes place on Saturday 26th September and between midday and 18.00 there are all sorts of exhibitions and workshops for adults and kids which range from kite-making, salsa classes and paragliding displays. At 12.30 turtles will be released into the sea. Between midday and 22.00 there’s an eco-market (good opportunity to pick up some unusual Xmas pressies) and providing the musical soundtrack for the shindig throughout the day and into the early hours are 10 bands and DJs with sounds ranging from dub-reggie to batucada to electronic house.

Sounds all good stuff.

Festivals on Tenerife – CATH 2009

2009-09-07T15:58:00.001+01:00

The name of this festival might not capture the imagination, but that’s because it stands for ‘Canaries at the Hotel’… err, okay I’m guessing your imagination is still completely under whelmed, but stick with me.

CATH 2009 takes place over the 11th and 12th September and is a bohemian two day (and night) festival of art, music and dance taking place in one of the north’s lesser known entertainment hotspots (lesser known to most visitors and anyone unfamiliar with the north that is), the Panorámica Garden Hotel in Los Realejos.

It includes two concerts featuring more than 10 bands, 4 DJ zones, experimental art exhibition rooms, dance performances and contemporary magic shows. It is a jam packed weekend of events and finishes at 6.30 on the 12th September with a ‘Chill Out’ session in the swimming pools (only for people staying at the hotel) and at that time of the morning I’m willing to bet that the ’Chill Out’ will be a literal one.

There are a number of ticket options (a two day ‘bono’ costs €45 on the door, €40 if purchased beforehand), but the coolest, rock ‘n’ roll way to do it must be to take a package staying at the hotel for the two nights of the festival for €120 per person.

This is an event which will suit seriously COOL people

See Full details of CATH 2009 here (in Spanish only)

Festivals on Tenerife – Tenerife Touring Ride: Moto Rock

2009-09-07T15:52:00.004+01:00

Don’t you just love this poster? I mean, how many 15 year old boys’ fantasies can you get in the one image?

The unlikely tranquil and picturesque setting of Garachico is going to be home to a biker and rock music festival for a few days this month as Moto Rock comes to town.

During the days, the bikers will take to Tenerife’s roads for a sort of ‘angeles del infierno’ on tour before returning to Garachico for the ‘rock’ part of the festival on the nights of Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September.

Bands playing include Warners, Line, Marvel Hill & Hot Vulcan Stompers on the Friday and 13 Motos and Comsat, The Mistake, Brutalizzed Kids & Los Contratiempos on the Saturday night.

The music is free, but a weekend’s package for any bikers wanting to sign up for the whole festival including all meals and hotel accommodation, costs from €150 (see website for more detail – in Spanish only)

Can Moto Rock’s four days of biker action and hard rock live up to the promise of the poster? It’s tempting to go along to find out even if I might have to paint a skull and crossbones on the bonnet of the punto so that it won’t feel too out of place amongst the ‘wild hogs’.

Dates: The Festival takes place from 24th to 27th September.

Fiestas on Tenerife – Fiestas del Cristo, Tacoronte

2009-09-05T12:10:00.002+01:00

Another town where it’s party time for the whole of September. Tacoronte used to be on every traveller’s route, but now is pretty much by-passed by the majority of visitors to Tenerife, even though it’s reputed to have some of the best restaurants on the island (it’s where King Juan Carlos chooses to eat – so the locals say).

Celebrations take place throughout the month and apart from the usual suspects of parades, processions, dances and firework displays, there are a few other interesting events.

Highlights

Sunday 6th September: Turron and wine tasting in Plaza del Cristo at midday. This is the Tacoronte – Acentejo region so there should be some decent vino to quaff.

Friday 11th September: The Canarian popular TV programme 'Tenderete' is going to be filmed from Plaza del Cristo – there are no times in the festival agenda, but it usually takes place at night.

Friday 18th September: It’s throwback to the glamorous 70s time with the election of the fiesta queen in Plaza del Cristo with a set from pop duo K-Narias from 22.00

Saturday 19th September: A packed evening with a horse race – we’re not talking Grand National here (C/Teobald Poer, 17.00), religious procession & firework display (Plaza del Cristo, 21.00) and dance (Plaza del Cristo, midnight)

Friday 25th September sees another beauty queen contest in the plaza at 22.00, whilst on Saturday 26th, there’s another procession, firework display and dance (with Pepe Benavente – who seems to perform at every fiesta going) from 21.30 onwards.

The Fiesta comes to a close on Sunday 27th September with yet another procession at midday, a concert by the municipal band at 19.00 and a traditional folk festival at 20.00

Phew!