Little paradise – La Graciosa

In the north of Lanzarote there is located a group of smaller islands, lovingly called “Archipiélago Chinijo” (“chinijo” is a Canarian word for “small”). The largest of these islands is La Graciosa with 29 square kilometers, the only one of the archipelago that is inhabited – about 600 residents enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this little paradise where not even paved roads exist. The island has two small villages, Caleta de Sebo, the capital, and Pedro Barba, a little town where some families have their holiday homes. Most islanders live off tourism and fishing, because La Graciosa is located near rich fishing grounds. To protect the almost untouched nature, La Graciosa is a marine reserve since 1995 and was later appointed as a biosphere reserve and a nature park.
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7 islands – 7 activities

1. LA PALMA – HIKING IN LA CALDERA DE TABURIENTE

In the heart of La Palma there is located the spectacular National Park “Parque Nacional de La Caldera de Taburiente”. The park is located in a crater-like depression of volcanic origin, which has a diameter of 8 kilometers. The steep and abrupt landscape has differences in altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. The highest point is the “Roque de Los Muchachos” with 2,426 meters, which also houses the observatory of La Palma. The beautiful landscape is dominated by the Canary Island pine (“pino canario”) and offers small streams and waterfalls. A hike in the “Caldera de Taburiente” is almost obligatory for any visitor of the island! There are different routes depending on how much time you have – a few hours, a day or even several days, because there is a possibility to camp in the National Park.

Im Herzen von La Palma befindet sich der spektakuläre Nationalpark “Parque Nacional de La Caldera de Taburiente”. Der Park befindet sich in einer kraterähnlichen Vertiefung vulkanischen Ursprungs, die einen Durchmesser von 8 Kilometer hat. Die steile und abrupte Landschaft kann Höhenunterschiede von fast 2.000 Metern aufweisen. Der höchste Punkt ist der “Roque de Los Muchachos” mit 2.426 Metern, wo sich auch das Observatorium von La Palma befindet. Die wunderschöne Landschaft wird von der kanarischen Pinie (“pino canario”) beherrscht und bietet kleine Bäche und Wasserfälle. Eine Wanderung in der “Caldera de Taburiente” ist ein absolutes Highlight! Es gibt verschiedene Routen je nachdem über wieviel Zeit man verfügt – einige Stunden, einen Tag oder sogar mehrere Tage, denn Sie können mit Genehmigung im Nationalpark campen.

En el corazón de La Palma se encuentra el espectacular Parque Nacional de La Caldera de Taburiente. El parque se encuentra en una depresión de origen volcánico, que tiene un diámetro de 8 kilómetros. El paisaje escarpado y abrupto dispone de variaciones de altitud de casi 2.000 metros. El punto más alto es el Roque de Los Muchachos con 2.426 metros, que también alberga el observatorio de La Palma. El bello paisaje está dominado por el pino canario y ofrece pequeños arroyos y cascadas. ¡Una caminata en la Caldera de Taburiente es casi obligatoria en sus vacaciones en La Palma! Hay diferentes rutas en función de la cantidad de tiempo del que dispone – de unas horas, un día o incluso varios días, ya que es posible acampar en el Parque Nacional después de obtener un permiso.
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Valle de La Orotava – the garden of El Teide

In the north of Tenerife there is located a beautiful green landscape with lava formations and palm groves. It is the “Valle de La Orotava,” which begins at the foot of the Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, and extends to the sea. The valley is not only one of the most beautiful places on the island, it also has a past full of stories. In the “Valle de La Orotava”, which was called by the Guanches “Valle de Taoro”, the conquest of the island by the Spaniards ended in 1496 and it was there where the first church of Tenerife was built, the “Parroquia Matriz del Apóstol Santiago” in the municipality of Los Realejos. Even Alexander von Humboldt fell in love with the “Valle de La Orotava” in 1799 during his six-day visit to Tenerife and praised the beauty of the valley in his later writings. Nowadays, from the “Mirador Humboldt” you can admire the landscape and a bronze statue of the explorer.
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The American Star – “the ghost ship”

Close to the beach “Playa de Garcey” on the west coast of Fuerteventura there is located the wreck of the “American Star”. It was once a luxury cruise ship, but today it is almost completely submerged in the sea. The turbulent history of the luxury liner begins in 1939 when the ship was baptized by the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on the name of SS America. During World War II the ship was used by the army and it got a new name: USS West Point. Despite many attacks and countless trips across the seas, the ship survived the war unscathed. After World War II, the glamorous interiors were restored and the ship experienced its heyday as a cruise ship. Over the years, the ship was renamed several times and among other things it was used as a way of transport between Australia and New Zealand.
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“Fire Mountains”, Lanzarote

The National Park of Timanfaya is also known as “Montañas de Fuego” (“Fire Mountains”) and offers a unique experience. Three-quarters of Lanzarote are covered with lava – the result of about 100 volcanoes and 300 craters. The last eruptions took place in the 18th century and in 1824. The eruptions in the 18th century destroyed several villages and covered the most fertile lands of Lanzarote with lava – a large part of the population was forced to leave the island. Today the National Park offers visitors a spectacular scenery consisting of lava formations with various red and brown tones. The sparse vegetation consists of scattered succulents, lichens and prickly bushes. Various demonstrations show that today there are still very high temperatures only a few meters below the earth’s surface – at the most popular demonstration water is poured through a pipe into the ground, creating an impressive steam fountain. A 14-kilometer route (“Ruta de los Volcanes”) allows to enjoy the scenery and the area also can be explored with camels. A popular destination in the National Park is the restaurant “El Diablo”, which was built by César Manrique and has a grill that works with the heat of the earth. The exquisite Canarian dishes are the perfect ending for a great day between the volcanoes!
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La “Danza del Diablo”, La Palma

 

From 21 August to 8 September the feast “Fiesta de Candelaria” takes place in the village of Tijarafe on La Palma. The festivities give you the opportunity to experience music, folklore and Canarian culture. The highlight of the festival takes place in the night of 7 September to 8 September when the “Diablo”, the devil, accompanied by the “Gigantes” and “Cabezudos” appears between the dancers. The “Diablo” is one of the villagers, who is dressed in a devil costume and is equipped with fireworks. The “Danza del Diablo” represents the struggle between good (“Nuestra Señora de Candelaria”, the patron saint of Tijarafe) and evil (the devil). This ceremony takes place since 1923 and has evolved and improved steadily over the years. The “Danza del Diablo” also has gained popularity over the years and nowadays it attracts visitors from all over the world. On September 8 the final act of the ceremony, which consists of the eucharist, a procession and fireworks, takes place.
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