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Nat Geo Day Tour: Wine in the Canary Islands - a Sensory Experience

Sipping wine with views of the sun-drenched slopes where it was produced, you'll be immersed in the culture and cultivation of Canarian wines on this exclusive National Geographic Day Tour. You'll hear about the island's wine-making heritage and embrace the sights, smells, tastes, textures and sounds at a family-run winery as you try four vintages, paired with food at every stop along the senses.First, at La Casa del Vino, a 17th-century estate-turned-museum, your knowledgable guide will share the backstory of how savvy 16th-century Spanish growers planted European vines in the fertile, volcanic soil – catapulting Tenerife onto the global wine scene.Then, it's onto Bodegas El Lomo in the Valley of Tegueste. See the garden, where rare grapes – almost extinct in Europe – continue to thrive, and sip your first wine here, paired with a signature tapa from visionary chef, Jorge Bosch. The in-house wine specialist will take you through the key scents and stages to reveal a wine's origin in an aroma workshop with another signature tapa. Then, it's out to the patio for harvest snacks with textures of toasted gofio grains and a creamy local goat cheese, served with a fruity carbonic macerated wine. Your grand finale awakens your hearing. In a darkened room, try your final vintage and tapa and tune into how music affects your perception of wine.This is much more than a simple wine-tasting tour – it's a personal insight into how wine can stir the senses.

Sites & Bites: Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava’s bananas and wine

The pine forests and coastal cliffs of northern Tenerife give it a natural and rugged look, but it's the volcanic, fertile soil that provides the area with its star attractions. From vineyards and orchards to banana farms and ancient trees, you'll see and taste Tenerife's home-grown highlights on this half-day tour.First up is Icod de los Vinos, a 16th-century town with a great view of Mount Teide. But even Spain's highest peak can't steal the attention away from the Drago Milenario, a thousand-year-old dragon tree that takes pride of place in the town's botanical gardens. This incredible specimen stands at over 20 metres tall with a canopy that's spread to over 300 main branches. Your guide will explain more about why this native tree is a cultural symbol of the Canaries during your visit. While in Icod de los Vinos, you'll see lines of the town's other treasure growing up and down the hillsides – bananas. Find out all about the island's history of banana farming and taste the freshly harvested fruit, as well as a sweet banana liqueur. Next, you'll head east to La Orotava, one of the oldest wine regions in the Canaries and right on the edge of Teide National Park. You'll see the traditional town centre with its cobbled streets, wooden balconies and buildings in every shade of yellow and visit the Molino de Gofio, a 17th-century gofio mill that's now a museum. It showcases how toasted flour is produced and used in everything from breakfasts to soups and stews, and you'll get to taste the nutty flavoured Canarian delicacy, too.

Princess and superhero themed family cruise in Tenerife

Family fun is what holidays with the little ones are all about, and this themed cruise along Tenerife's southern coast certainly delivers. Local guide, Marios, says, “there are smiles all-round on this superhero and princess sailing trip, with the crew really throwing themselves into making it a special experience for the children.” Every child has their favourite, and from Spiderman to Snow White, the kids will transform into their beloved characters with the entertainment team's expert face painting – plus they'll meet a few grown-up sized supers onboard too. You'll cruise on the spacious catamaran for around three hours, up the coast to La Caleta while the team onboard spread some magic with interactive games and activities.There's a presentation onboard about how we can all help to protect our oceans' wildlife. Then, what better way to embed the message than by sailing next to a protected area where wild dolphins are often spotted. Your crew will help you keep an eye out for them. As the little one's giggle away, you can relax, safe in the knowledge that when they inevitably ask, ‘can I have a snack?,' there's a selection of sandwiches, fresh fruit and soft drinks included to keep them on heroic form.

Guided Tour of La Laguna, Canarian Lunch and Wine Tasting

A day of contrasts, cuisine and captivating views awaits on this full-day tour of Tenerife's past and present. You'll explore the colonial city of La Laguna and take a panoramic drive through Anaga Rural Park, stopping by some of the island's finest viewpoints. You'll also tuck into a hearty lunch in Taganana, sample wine at a local winery, and call at Las Teresitas beach. Valeria, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘During our visit to La Laguna market, you're not just shopping, you're engaging with artisans, tasting authentic local produce, and meeting the community. Explore, connect, and support – that's how we can keep the spirit of Tenerife alive.'First up is La Laguna – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for a tour of its old town. Nestled in a valley in the shadows of iconic Mt Teide volcano, the city is crammed with beautiful colonial architecture, pastel-coloured palaces and Mudejar-style churches, chapels and convents. Stroll around its cobbled streets with a walking tour, before visiting the market. Then, keep your camera handy as you drive through Anaga Rural Park, with a stop midway at a viewpoint offering panoramic views.You'll sit down for lunch in Taganana. Here, you'll feast on a range of traditional Canarian dishes, including wrinkly potatoes with mojo sauce. After, you'll have a short stop at one of Tenerife's most beloved beaches, Las Teresitas, before a visit to La Casa del Vino to round off the day. Raise a glass or two to the island with a wine tasting session.

North Tenerife Guided Tour with Local Lunch

Go on an exploration in the north of Tenerife and you can expect to find pretty villages, ancient history and dramatic scenery aplenty. On this tour, you'll discover the old-world charms of La Orotava, the historic fishing port of Garachico and the legendary dragon tree of Icod de Los Vinos.

Masca, Teno and Rural Tenerife Tour from the North

Rural, remote and rugged northwest Tenerife offers an enticing snapshot of the island's attributes. The ridge-top hamlet of Masca, the colonial village of Los Silos, epic coastal views and typical local lunch are just some of the stars of this tour. David, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘I call Teno Rural Park the Lost Kingdom. It's so raw and wild. It's hard to get to and hard to live in – and even harder to leave. I love its local specialities, such as fried cheese with mojo and barbary fig jam.'Depending on your departure point, the route differs – but you can expect to spend some time admiring Masca, Teno Alto, Los Silos and viewpoints such as Lomo Molino in the heart of Teno Rural Park. Masca, perched precariously on a precipice overlooking a deep gorge, is home to fewer than 100 villagers. For them, the dinky chapel, massive laurel tree and gorge view are an everyday treat. Beloved of hikers, Teno Alto is even smaller and situated between lunar landscapes and vegetation-rich hills.Los Silos is the largest village you'll visit. The main square, with its gleaming neo-Gothic white church and octagonal bandstand, exudes the town's easy-going nature. You'll also enjoy a few pit stops at scenic viewpoints so you can drink in Teno's landscapes. And to round off the day, there's a typical Tenerife lunch in a family-run restaurant located on the saddle of mountain more than 1,000 metres above sea level. A perfect opportunity to sample local cuisine.

La Gomera Tour from Tenerife with Lunch

As you approach La Gomera by sea, the dramatic contours hint at extraordinary landscapes waiting to be explored. As Arianne, one of our expert local guides says, ‘A trip to La Gomera is like visiting a totally different era. You'll feel like you're getting back to the past, to the origins of the Canary Islands.' On this day trip from Tenerife, you'll discover remote villages, spend time in Garajonay National Park and visit the capital, San Sebastian. Garajonay National Park boasts pristine woodlands which are over 60 million years old, and they are undoubtedly a highlight of a visit to La Gomera. The park is a true natural treasure, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Deep ravines scar the swathes of evergreen laurel forests bursting with rare plant life. The visitor centre is the place to find out more about the unique botany and history of Garajonay. Next, you'll pay a visit to some of La Gomera's most scenic villages where you can get a feel for what life is like for the island's residents. After departing Garajonay, we'll stop for a typical lunch made from local produce, served at a family-run restaurant with striking views over the island's volcanic landscapes. You'll also delve into La Gomera's culture with a demonstration of 'silbo gomero' – a unique whistling language. Arianne says, ‘With a landscape like ours, communicating by whistle saved a lot of climbing.' Round off your island tour with free time to explore San Sebastian, where Columbus set out on his first voyage of discovery.

VIP guided tour of La Gomera with Garajonay Park and lunch

Seen from the sea, La Gomera's jagged peaks and lush green landscapes tell you something special lies ahead. And this island just west of Tenerife really is something out of this world. You'll discover remote villages, explore the Jurassic-like Garajonay National Park and visit the capital, San Sebastián.

Southern Tenerife sightseeing tour with wine-tasting

Dramatic landscapes and rugged, volcanic shores come as standard in Tenerife. But, not a lot is said about the rich agriculture the island offers. On this tour, you'll journey through the south and get to know the island's culture and identity. You'll see how aloe vera is grown and learn about its many uses at a plantation, explore the lofty village of Vilaflor de Chasna and sample local wines. Ivan, one of our expert local guides, says “Vilaflor was once called Chasna. But, when a ship captain called Pedro de Bracamonte visited, he spotted a beautiful Guanche girl and shouted Vi la flor de Chasna, which means I've seen the flower of Chasna – after this, the village got its name.”The dry climate and year-round sunshine in the Canaries mean that aloe vera thrives here, even though it is not a native species – it originally came from the Arabian Peninsula. You'll take a guided tour of the plantation, and the owners will share their knowledge about the curative powers of this well-known plant, which is used for medicinal purposes in cultures throughout history.Next, you'll visit Vilaflor. Perched on the southern slope of the island's volcano, Mount Teide, the views down to the coast from 1,400 metres above sea level are next level. The village has an almost Alpine feel that's totally different from the tropical coastline – it has the largest pine forest in the Canaries on its doorstep. After a look around the village, you'll visit an award-winning family-owned winery and sit down for a tasting.

Teide National Park Tour with Expert Local Guide

Tenerife is a medley of picture-postcard villages, high-octane viewpoints and otherworldly landscapes. And nowhere more so than in Teide National Park. On this full day tour, you'll wind your way up the slopes of Mount Teide volcano, where an optional cable car ride can take you to the summit. Juana, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Teide National Park and the surrounding Corona Forestal Nature Reserve together account for one third of Tenerife's land mass – the extent to which the volcano dominates our island is indescribable.'Dramatic volcanic landscapes await as you venture into Teide National Park to see the showstopper itself – the 3,700-metre Mount Teide. As you climb, you'll pass through four different climate zones, which create an ever-changing kaleidoscope of terrains, flora and fauna. And because of its geological importance, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Juana says, ‘The park boasts a variety of camera-grabbing landscapes. There's the scorched earth of the lava fields, the jagged rock formations of Roques de Garcia, the Mars-like badlands around Montaña Rajada and the pine forests of the Corona Forestal.'As an optional extra, you can avail of the cable car service to just below the summit of the volcano. From this altitude, weather permitting, you can enjoy head-spinning views over Tenerife and the rest of the Canary archipelago jutting up from the Atlantic. Alternatively, you might get to see the famous ‘sea of clouds' that often hovers beneath the summit.