Our starting point is the exceptional Puerto de la Cruz, whose proximity to the sea and good weather will provide all the energy you need to start the day. This city is considered the "jewel of the Atlantic" for its historical value, having been a pioneer in the development of tourism and international trading since the sixteenth century.
We get up early because we have a whole day ahead of us and we have to make the most of it. Our first destination requires that we head to the mountains. Climbing the northern mountains we enter the municipality of Los Realejos, whose highest part offers one of the best views of the north of the island. For our pleasure we stop at the viewpoint of El Lance. You will feel like Mencey Bentor, who from a privileged position contemplates his kingdom forever. Thanks to its height, the site is perfect for those who dare to paraglide. Surely, we will witness the excitement of the initial leap of these brave men.
After this break, we continue to the municipality of Icod de los Vinos. The road becomes very pleasant as it circulates along unbusy rural roads, sheltered by the autochthonous nature and the picturesque agricultural landscapes.
Once you enter the town, from any point and if you just look up, you will enjoy one of the best views of volcano Teide. It looks so close from here that it gives the illusion of being about to finish the visit. However, there are still many villages to discover and kilometers to reach the National Park.
For now we stop in the village to enjoy its charms, enlivened by the tasting of Malvasia, the most exclusive wine on the island. In this tasting, we also try delicious local cheeses accompanied by the most traditional honey. Imagine this experience in an incomparable rural setting. It is a real gift for the senses!
Finally, we can not continue the trip without introducing ourselves to the Drago, an impressive thousand-year-old tree. Its legend among the locals makes it come alive as a protective symbol of the place, a magical impassive warrior who bleeds red sap.
After a well-deserved rest, we descend to the so-called "Isla Baja" to visit Garachico. This small fishing town combines its seafaring charm of yesteryear with the innovation of the new times. Its people have witnessed one of the most popular eruptions of the islands, as it devastated the main port of Tenerife, leaving a deep mark on Canarian society. We will observe the vestiges of this phenomenon in its totality approaching the viewpoint of the El Emigrante.
Then, we will follow the main road towards Buenavista del Norte. It is a quiet town that gathers in its architecture elements of its first settlers, mostly of Andalusian origin, while maintaining its Canarian identity. With the objective of exploring the most natural side of the area, we entered the Teno Rural Park, where we discovered a rich variety of protected native flora and fauna. Looking out over the Atlantic, we see the island of La Gomera. The fresh sea breeze will give you a moment of disconnection that you will remember back home.
We advance to the hamlet of Masca, a unique village in the massif of Teno with impressive ravines and cliffs that formerly served to hide the pirates. Today it is a place frequented by hikers who do not hesitate to venture towards the coast along the route of the ravines.
At this point of travel the stomach begins to roar. It's time for lunch! Crossing Santiago del Teide we go to Tamaimo, where we stop to eat. After having recharged the batteries, we are ready to continue with the main highlight of the excursion: the visit of Teide National Park. We enter through the town of Chío, which is home to large forests of Pino Canario and endemic vegetation. As we get closer to the volcano the environment becomes more and more arid. The twisted volcanic forms offer us an almost extraterrestrial landscape and it could be like that, because at night, thanks to the clean sky of the park you can enjoy a spectacular blanket of stars and planets.
Nature gives off a magical aura. It is inevitable to notice even the tiniest details, those that build the pure and genuine beauty of the park. You will fall in love with each and every one of its corners. Closing our tour of the island, "El Teide" will give you the most romantic farewell: a stone rose that we will visit on our return to Puerto de la Cruz.
