Monday, September 08, 2008
Bed & breakfast on Tenerife
Continuing with your questions, scotrock has been wondering: is there much of a bed & breakfast industry on Tenerife? He says, "I like B&B's because someone looks after breakfast and you can meet people but, as far as I can tell, it's all apartments or hotels on Tenerife."
Yes there is, although it won't always be called B&B, but a number of the smaller rural hotels are available on a bed and breakfast basis and, by virtue of their size and locations have that homely atmosphere you seek.
Just as an example, Paulino Alonso Panero stayed at the Casa Rural Malpaís Trece in El Guincho, just outside Garachico and talks about the breakfast that awaited them (at the main house), whilst they went out for other meals.
Now, the problem is that these rural houses are dotted around the island, often marketed, along with self-catering properties, under the generic banner of "Turismo Rural" and not that many have websites or speak English.
Sadly, it would be a lifetime's work to find and collate them, so much so that even the official sites tend to be a little light on listings. In the meanwhile, try this Google search for turismo rural tenerife or these lists (provided by the Tenerife Tourism Corporation) of Rural Houses, Rural Hotels or Hostels.
If you have a question about Tenerife, don't be afraid to ask ...
What's on in Tenerife (W/E 14/09/08)
Well, this week I reckon we have a bit of something for everyone with both traditional and modern, religious and secular events for young and old ...
Monday, September 8th, is the big day of the Fiestas de la Luz in Los Silos, the fiestas in honour of the patroness of the town, that have been celebrated since 1722 (with the odd day off in between.) The day starts at 10 a.m. with a mass, Eucharist is at 12 mid-day, followed by a Romeria (procession through the streets), in turn followed by Eucharist again at 7 p.m. and a variety show at 9 p.m.
On Friday, September 12th, another procession takes place and floral offerings are made to Nuestra Señora de la Luz. The fiesta includes the curious annual, floral offering made by divers to an underwater image off the coast.
On Saturday, September 13th, at from 10.30 p.m. on the esplanade by the municipal swimming pool, the fiestas change style to include the FESTIVAL POP – ROCK. AGUA DULCE 2008.
IV Ruta Nocturna Hermano Pedro
Friday, September 12th, is the 4th annual Ruta Nocturna del Hermano Pedro (an evening walk to Saint Hermano Pedro's cave, at the end of the runway at Tenerife South Airport.) Starting at 21:00 in the central plaza in El Médano, organizers recommend that participants bring a torch and water, wear comfortable sports shoes and follow the guides' instructions. For inscriptions, ring the tourist office in El Médano on 922 17 60 02.
Download a PDF leaflet and map of the route here
XIX Rally Villa de Adeje
One of the biggest events on Tenerife's Rally calendar, the 19th Adeje Rally, is being held on Friday and Saturday, September 12th/13th.
The Escuderia Villa de Adeje website have details of all the sections and, the provisional list of participants lists over 100 teams taking part, so there should be plenty to watch.
At the finish, the cars will all regroup down in the area of the Tropicana (See map.)
Nea Beach Party II
Saturday, September 13th there's the second Nea Beach Party on the Playa la Nea (Nea Beach) near Radazul on the eastern side of Tenerife. From 14:00 to 24:00, various DJs, entrance is free.
More info: Nea Beach Party (Via: Marchaymas)
White Weekenders
Make sure your white clothes are laundered for the 3rd of 4 White Weekenders on Saturday, September 13th, at the Hotel Villa Cortes, Playa de las Americas.
Also on Saturday, September 13th, is the Sea Sound Festival at Puerto Colon, Adeje.
If you know of another event taking place, send us the details via our contact form.
Benijos Cattle Fair
The fiestas in honour of San Isidoro Labrador and Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza in the district of Benijos, in the upper reaches of the La Orotava valley, are marked by a Feria de Ganadería (Cattle Fair) that the tourism corporation says gathers some 2,500 head of cattle. This year, the fair takes place over three days from Friday, September 12th to Sunday, September 14th and includes an exhibition of agriculture machinery and a contest for lumberjacks. These fiestas also usually include a Romería on the Sunday, with oxen pulling carts, lots of people in country costumes, plenty of food and even more wine!
San Juan de la Rambla Country Fair
The weekend of Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th is also the date for the annual Crafts fair and Livestock Fair in San Juan de La Rambla 
a beautiful town that stretches along the cliffs of the coast, half way between La Orotava and Icod de los Vinos. (Map).
On Saturday, as well as the crafts, there are demonstrations of traditional, agricultural pursuits, accompanied by typical Canarian folk music.
On Sunday, more folk and country pursuits, along with a demonstration of wheat threshing done the old way.
Full program (in Spanish) listed here
Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna
Held every September 14th, which this year is Sunday, the city of La Laguna turns out to show its devotion to the Santísimo Cristo (Holy Christ), one of the most venerated icons on the island. Parades, processions, street parties and fireworks displays are part of the celebrations.
Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna
NB: Because this date falls on a Sunday, Monday, September 15th has been declared as a holiday in La Laguna, in lieu, so if you visit on that day, you can expect shops, market and public buildings to be closed.
Fiestas de Teno Alto 2008
This weekend, Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th, sees the annual fiestas in the hamlet of Teno Alto at which there are all the usual fiesta attractions, a band and all night dance, where revelers also camp out under the stars on the plateau in the shadow of the mountains. Permits are required to camp, which should be available from Buenavista del Norte town hall on 922 129 030.
Fiesta - Acampada de Teno Alto 2008
More events, exhibitions and what's on, in our calendar.
Labels: What's On?
Sunday, September 07, 2008
The E-Coli Strikes Back
more the engrish!
The photo, clearly, isn't from anywhere near Tenerife, but we thought it was still relevant on the basis of dodgy translations, as well as the fact that the island seems to have a bit of a battle on right now with these issues.
This week's beach closure in Los Cristianos, we now learn from Colin Kirby, was due to an E-Coli scare and, he continues, "the bad news is it’s the latest in a running series of possible health problems around Tenerife beaches."
Maybe it's not quite so funny to, "give a wide berth to any brown fish."
Currency exchange rates in Tenerife
A little while ago, I invited readers to submit their questions about Tenerife (and do keep 'em coming, if there's something you want to know about the island), meanwhile, I'll try to answer a few of those submitted already:
Can you please tell me what the current exchange rate is in Tenerife for pounds to euros, if we were to exchange pounds when we arrive in Tenerife in October?
Currency exchange is a difficult subject to advise on, because the rate could vary greatly between now and October and, the current rate offered would depend on which bank or currency exchange office in which town. Some are bound to offer better deals than others, but there are just too many to know which ones to recommend.
However, I can say that it's generally considered that the rates you'll get in banks on the island are better than those you get in the UK. As a guide for budgeting, you may find these Euros and Pounds Exchange Tables helpful.
If you have a question about Tenerife, don't be afraid to ask ...
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Special Transport for Gloria Estefan concert
Gloria Estefan, the most successful Latin American singer in the world, considered the Queen of Latin pop, brings her 90 Millas Tour, accompanied by the Miami Sound Machine, to Santa Cruz - her only concert in the Canary Islands - on Friday, September 19th to the Centro Insular de Atletismo de Tenerife (CIAT). The tour has been announced as being her farewell before retiring from touring.
A previous article had suggested that the CIAT is seriously short on parking places, however, a news report in Diario de Avisos outlines the special transport arrangements being laid on for concert goers.
As had been done on previous occasions, Tenerife bus company, TITSA, confirm that they are putting on extra buses from the Intercambiador (Tenerife Transport Interchange), where the six-level Park-and-Ride facility offers free parking spaces for 1,416 private vehicles.
In addition, LM Producciones, have announced an agreement signed with Fred. Olsen Express for a special "Tarifa Concierto" (Concert Tariff), to offer very reduced prices, giving people from Gran Canaria and other islands the chance to attend such a special date. You just have to ask for the special rate when booking, but being in possession of a ticket for the concert is a requisite.
The arrival of the international star to the island will be the realization of years of work by public institutions and promoters hoping to convert Tenerife into an essential destination for any of the major Latin artists' tours.
I reckon they're saying that it don't get better than this ...
Labels: Gloria Estefan in Tenerife
Freedom Flights adds autumn capacity
Travel Trade Gazette report that Freedom Flights is adding extra flights to Tenerife from Gatwick and Manchester in October. Apparently this is in response to the unprecedented demand from people looking for some sun after the disastrous British summer (hardly surprising).
This might mean Tenerife is in for a busy autumn and winter season.
British teenager found dead in Tenerife ditch
The Press Association report merely says that a 17-year-old was reported missing after failing to return to his hotel in the resort of Playa de las Americas, in the south of the island, although they add that a newspaper has said the teenager was murdered and his body found on waste ground close to the hotel where he had been staying with friends. The newspaper who appear to have jumped to that sensationalist conclusion is the, The Sun (need we say more?) and, there are various other discrepancies between reports.
According to local newspaper, EL DÍA, the body of the youngster was found yesterday morning, in the Barranco de Troya (the dried up riverbed which divides the tourist zones of Arona and Adeje) that communicates the area known as Las Terrazas and the infamous Las Verónicas strip. That report says that it is possible that his death was caused by a fall.
The teenager, apparently named by the Daily Express as 17-year-old Max Sumner, was reported missing on Thursday after failing to return to his hotel. It's reported that he went out with friends on Wednesday night, then went off on his own. Think Spain also report that autopsy results will confirm cause of death, but that police believe he died accidentally.
While the EL DÍA report says that the boy's father travelled to the island to join in the hunt for his son, La Opinión say that the 17-year-old British youth, born 2nd November, 1990 was named Nicolás S.B. and had come to the island with his parents and, were staying in the Hotel Oro Blanco in Arona.
Although no link between the two events is suggested, the same La Opinión report goes on to mention that Arona police were called to a restaurant in the basement of the Margarita building, where, it appears, the 45-year-old proprietor, of British nationality, had committed suicide by hanging.
Photo: Playa Bobo, Playa de las Americas. Tenerife-Photo
Just like real cabin crew
"... only much, much less competent," was one of the early reviews of the new ITV2 reality show, CelebAir, that flew into your viewing airwaves in the UK this week. Jaunted say, from comments like that, it doesn't look too promising.
Having seen the first episode (available on ITV Catch Up), I can't say that the program was especially riveting, but I do think this show will benefit "real" airline staff, in that once these celebrities show how difficult a seemingly simple job is, then maybe holiday makers will give them a little more respect.
As Mica Paris, the first celebrity to be sacked (also the only one I'd ever heard of), it's the most difficult job in the world and that she was permanently tired.
CelebAir flights visit Tenerife four times
Labels: CelebAir
Friday, September 05, 2008
Tenerife Fire, One Year On
My good friend José Mesa has once again been out taking photos along the route of of the forest fire that burned across 18,800 hectares (46454.8 acres) of Tenerife last year. In addition to photos one year on (the set is still under construction), but he's also stitched together numerous "before" and "after" versions of shots taken at identical places, showing the situation in August 2007, shortly after the fire and again in August 2008. View them as a slideshow. It's quite heartening to see how nature is fighting back.
Photo: 042 agosto07 agosto08, originally uploaded by Mataparda.Labels: Tenerife Fire
Bathing Prohibited in Los Cristianos
The public heath department in the Canary Islands, on Thursday, decreed a prohibition on bathing at Los Cristianos beach, as bacteria in the water had exceeded safe levels. The cause of this microbiological contamination is not yet known and the prohibition will remain in effect until successive analyses show that the contamination is no longer present. Meanwhile, the beach should be adequately marked to prevent users from bathing there.
However and, far be it for me to take over from the Daily Mail in the job of alarming people, but the news report indicates that the samples of seawater were taken on Monday. Should anyone who bathed from Los Cristianos beach between Monday (or even before, if we aren't certain when the contamination began) and the closure on Thursday have any health concerns?
UPDATE 5/9: The bathing prohibition in Los Cristianos was lifted Friday, after analysis on new water samples confirmed that the water quality had returned to levels acceptable under current regulations. The cause of the contamination incident is still unknown.
