In the second of our series of holiday destinations that are easily accessible from Tenerife, we turn our camera lens onto the island’s closest  African neighbour, Morocco. Just 300km (186 miles) off the coast of Tenerife, rarely has a destination been so near and yet so many worlds apart as Marrakech.

Don’t let fears about the political unrest and violence in North Africa put you off a trip to Marrakech. Morocco has a stable government and a King for whom the people have a great deal of respect. Unfortunately, the country has suffered in tourism terms as a result of the conflict in its less fortunate neighbours, the up side of which is there are many bargains to be picked up. So if you’ve ever thought about going to Marrakech – now’s the time to seize the day.

Tenerife Magazine’s Guide to Marrakech    
Jump on a bus in Playa de Las Américas, take a flight from Tenerife North airport to Marrakech and you’re about to swallow the red pill and take the rabbit hole all the way down.

From the moment you take to the road that links the airport to the city, amidst the clapped out motors, entire families precariously balanced on small motorbikes without a helmet between them, buses and cycles, the TF motorway will be a distant, tranquil dream.

Head for the famous Jemaa El Fna square where a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice will refresh you for just a few pence and let you take in your surroundings while you sip it. Spend any time in the square and you’ll quickly realise that time revolves around frequent fresh mint tea breaks, tajines for lunch and a nightly transformation of its spaces into the largest open air restaurant and street theatre this side of Beijing.

The best advice is not to try to find logic or familiarity with Marrakech, instead let yourself be taken with its foibles, sights and sounds from the five times daily call to prayer whose volume would wake the dead, to the banter of the nightly food stall holders trying to entice you onto their benches.

Shoppers, garden lovers and culture seekers will all find something to enthral and amuse them in Marrakech. Shoppers will find the Medina swallowing them up to haggle for bargains; culture seekers will love wandering its dusty palatial museums, and garden lovers have acres of scented oases to soak up.

The Museums and Medina of Marrakech
Nothing adequately prepares you for the sensory onslaught of the Marrakech medina. Through its warren of tiny alleys which all look disconcertingly alike and in which you’re pretty much guaranteed to get lost, continuously, your senses will be constantly assailed by the exotic. Everywhere you wander your eyes will be drawn by intricately crafted lamps; silver teapots with coloured glasses and ceramic spoons; soft leather bags; beautiful jewellery and wall upon wall of richly embroidered carpets and dazzling reams of cloth. Don’t be afraid to dive in there and begin to barter.

The best of the museums are the Medersa Ben Youssef and the Marrakech Museum. The Ben Youssef is a 14th century former school where students were taught the Koran. Its  endless corridors, exquisite tiles and carved sandalwood decoration are a photographer’s dream. The Marrakech Museum is a former palace which houses contemporary art exhibitions as well as historic Islamic artefacts while its tiled courtyards and domed ceilings are spectacularly splendid. Another ‘must’ on the cultural agenda are the Saadian Tombs which house the ornate tombs of over 200 members of the Saadian dynasty from the 16th century.
After all that dust and death, a breath of fresh air is called for and Marrakech has a surprising number of beautiful parks and gardens, the best of them being the Jardin Majorelle. This is a stunning exotic garden dating from the early 1920s and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Where to Stay in Marrakech
If you want to enjoy your Marrakech experience to the full, opt to stay in a riad in the medina. Authentic Moroccan houses with garden courtyards, excellent home cooking and top class service, the riads are like individual boutique hotels. I recommend the rather lovely Riad Merstane in the heart of the medina but there are lots to choose from.

Food and  Drink in Marrakech
Around Jemaa El Fnaa you’ll find no shortage of restaurants whose menus all feature the ubiquitous tajine, couscous, kebabs and lamb cutlets so why not go for the full Monty experience and grab a seat at one of the benches of the food stalls in the square. Your choices may be limited and you’ll find the chef adding extra dishes for you, but the food is tasty, your wallet will love the place and as long as your stomach isn’t too delicate a flower, you shouldn’t suffer any ill effects. Just don’t watch them doing the washing up – nuff said.

Venture into the medina and you’ll discover some more bohemian settings such as Café Bougainvillea where you’ll find Italian, Moroccan and French items on the menu and a romantic courtyard setting. In the ‘new’ city of Guéliz you’ll find more International menus and generally classier establishments such as Chez Pascal and Al Fassia.

If you stay in a hotel in Guéliz you may not even be aware that alcohol is a rare commodity in Marrakech or that few restaurants in the medina have wine, beer or spirits available. For a tipple with your culture shot, head to the stylish rooftop bar of Café Arabe in the medina where ex-pats and visitors sip cocktails amongst the traditional Moroccan décor, or opt for an aerial view of the night madness of Jemaa El Fna from the rooftop terrace of Café de France.

How to get to Marrakech from Tenerife
Binter Canarias fly twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays from Tenerife North airport to Marrakech via Gran Canaria. The flight to Gran Canaria is just half an hour and then there’s a short wait before onward connection to Marrakech two and a half flying hours away. Residents’ discounts apply only on the Tenerife to Gran Canaria leg of the flight. Keep an eye on billboards and TV advertising for special offers – in summer 2011 it cost just €99 one way from Tenerife to Marrakech.

Christmas Day is breathing down our necks. CC La Villa in La Orotava is buzzing with shoppers and the TF5 motorway beside it is gathering rows of red and white car lights like a cobweb gathers dew.

In holiday booking terms, the beginning of this week is the lull before the storm as hotels gear up for the Christmas Eve influx. But not in Hotel Las Águilas which sits calmly, both physically and metaphorically, above the shopping bedlam. Here, the hotel is currently on 80% occupancy and hurtling towards full to the brim.

As the sun sinks on the Monday before Christmas, Tenerife Magazine heads to the hotel on the hill for some early festive R&R.

A cut above the rest
Winding up the hill that leads to the Hotel Las Águilas in Puerto de la Cruz, you quickly realise that you’re not just checking into any old hotel. Set in two and a half acres of botanical gardens and woodland on its panoramic hilltop, think country estate with pools and parasols.

Inside the lobby, the marble effect walls and floors coupled with the Titian-style mural lend it an Italian classical look, but wander through to the Internet lounge and you’ll find sepia images of Native Americans. Descend the stairs to the stylish and spacious bar lounge area and it’s pop art that adorns the walls. Refreshingly devoid of the uniform look of hotel chains, the style of Hotel Las Águilas is both contemporary and traditional, an elegant simplicity bringing eclectic themes together.

View from a Hill
The sky is just beginning to glow orange as we check into reception so we take the elegant, sweeping staircase down a level, through the chic bar lounge to the beautifully manicured gardens, palm filled lawns and freeform swimming pool with its rockery waterfall, to watch as night falls gently over Puerto de la Cruz. Following the path beneath the tunnel beside the poolside restaurant, we make our way to the children’s pool and the larger swimming pool with its walk-behind waterfall where views open up across the rest of Puerto de la Cruz.

At our backs the slopes of the La Orotava Valley twinkle against the deepening sky, fading to obscurity as they reach the edge of the Teide National Park, ahead of us the Atlantic Ocean is slowly slipping from azure to cobalt blue while below, the street lights, Christmas decorations and windows of the town are gathering strength in numbers.

Over indulgence
With the sun well and truly over the yard arm, there’s just enough time to order a cold beer and try out the bar stools in the Vulcano Lounge before dinner. Resisting the temptation to order another couple of beers in the amiable company of the bar tender, we make our way to the restaurant where one look at the evening’s buffet selection has us instantly regretting the small bowl of nuts we just demolished.

Fresh and fabulous salads accompanied by cheeses, cold meats and more toppings than you could shake a lettuce at, give way to heart warming, home made chicken soup and an entire wall of piping hot, freshly made, main courses including several fish, meat and pasta options. Vegetables are fresh, meat cuts are succulent, the fish is savoury and vegetarians would be just as happy as the carnivores. The fruit and desserts section would be the undoing of even the most avid of dieters.

Half hoping that some things would be less than average when it comes to taste and I can spare my waistline a millimetre, my hopes are  dashed when everything proves to be every bit as good to eat as it is to look at.

The Essentials

Location: Atop a sizeable hill on the border of Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Los Realejos so that you get some of the best views anywhere over mountain, valley and coast. Rooms at the rear of the hotel overlook the La Orotava Valley, Puerto de la Cruz and naturally, the ocean, while those at the front have widescreen vistas of Mount Teide, the Tigaiga Mountains and La Orotava Valley. Puerto centre is a 20 minute stroll or a ten minute taxi ride away and the hotel has a free, daily shuttle bus service to town.

Rooms: Former apartments, the rooms are some of the most spacious you’ll find on Tenerife with a lounge/kitchen/dining area, a large bathroom incorporating a Jacuzzi bath and a spacious bedroom with a bed so large you’ll lose each other during the night. Walls are pale lemon with floral prints, art nouveau style mirrors and lamps giving them a contemporary, simple elegance. Furniture is bleached pine with mahogany fitted wardrobes and cupboards. Double sliding doors lead from the bedroom and from the living room onto a completely private balcony large enough to house the Royal family at a State occasion.

Service: From managers to gardeners, everyone we encountered provided us with warm, friendly and efficient service. In the dining room, plates were cleared, tables cleaned and drinks served with the minimum of fuss and a smile.

Food: Any hope that the calories gained at dinner could be forfeited the following morning evaporated in the face of one of the best breakfast buffets we’ve eaten. Six varieties of cheese and six more of cold meats accompanied cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurts, jams and a baker’s dozen varieties of bread. Hot choices were too numerous to list but included such decadent goodies as churros with chocolate and pancakes with honey. You don’t have to be a guest to try the excellent food at Hotel Las Águilas, pop along at weekends for breakfast, a barbecue (Saturdays) or paella (Sundays) on its terrace.

Entertainment: The youngest guests of the hotel are treated to their own Mini Club and Mini Disco entertainment programme and once the Sandman takes them to beddy bo-bos, live cabaret keeps adult feet tapping in the Vulcano Lounge.

Overall: The winner of our current holiday competition is in for a real treat. Without doubt, one of the top hotels in Puerto de la Cruz, Hotel Las Águilas is packed to its friendly and stylish rafters with comfort and taste. Beautiful grounds, excellent food and spacious accommodation are the trademarks of this unique hotel which is ideal for families and couples.

Hotel Las Águilas, Doctor Barajas, 19; 4 stars; Puerto de la Cruz; (0034) 922 37 28 06; email reservas@hotellasaguilas.com

At the still-hot-and-sticky end of a long summer, Damien Vergez of FastFokus.com came out to Tenerife with a team of mountain bikers and all his camera and video equipment to film some of his favourite riders getting to grips with the unique landscape. Thanks to Matt at Sorted Sites, a mountain biking enthusiast who was on hand to help the film crew with their work, Tenerife Magazine caught up with Damien to find out what had brought him to Tenerife.

Many thanks to Manuel Faster Rodriguez and to Damien Vergez for these amazing images

TM: Watching your incredible video of freeride mountain biking on Tenerife, I can see that you and the riders all had a brilliant time trying out the island’s tracks and trails.  What is ‘freeriding’ and who are the top riders currently in the sport?

Damien: First, Freeride mountain biking is a state of mind, it’s type of mountain bike riding style. Freeride usually involves large drops, jumps, and manmade stunts. The trails are often accessed by shuttle or ski lift but can be pedaled as well. Freeride bikes usually have large amounts of suspension travel (180mm and more) and you can ride everywhere.
You have a lots of very good top riders in this sport and it’s difficult for me to give you names… but riders like Darren Berrecloth, Thomas Vanderham or Matt Hunter are some of my favourites

TM: Can you tell us how this project came about, where else you have filmed in the series and how you came to be in Tenerife?

Damien: It’s been almost one year since I began work on this project. I came up with this crazy idea to travel to different countries and film some amateur riders with their favorite professional rider in some of the most beautiful trails on the planet. Who hasn’t dreamt of spending time with their favorite rider/player? Regardless of our nationality, it’s something we all think about.

There is less and less snow in Europe and this sport is taking a large market share in the ski resorts. Tenerife is an ideal place for mountain biking. Weather is always good, you have big mountains, lots of awesome landscapes. Mountain biking is an incredible way to see the island of Tenerife! The island has huge potential to become a must in Europe!

TM: How much work do you have to prepare the ground for filming?

Damien:  It depends on the country and the place I am filming in. Normally I don’t need to prepare and work the trails I film because most of the time I film in ski resorts or places known worldwide like Whistler in Canada. Here in Tenerife you don’t have special “freeride” trails, only pedestrian ones.

TM: How did the bikes cope with Tenerife’s volcanic terrain?

Damien:  The Tenerife ground is very difficult for bikes and especially for tires. You need to be careful because if you go too fast you can fall directly inside a cactus… hahah

TM: Can you tell us where on Tenerife you did the filming and how long it took you?

Damien: More than 70% of the island is covered by national parks. Each national park has its own restrictions. Some, like Teide National Park, we were forbidden to use for our purposes. It was difficult to find the right places with so many restrictions. Most of our images where taken in “Parque Rural de Anaga” and “Bike Park Tenerife” (a private park in Tegueste). The filming was done over one full week.

TM: Which area of Tenerife did your riders like most and why?

Damien: Parque Rural de Anaga is really nice for mountain biking because at the same place you can find volcanic and forest trails. We also toured the island by car, and I must admit that we liked almost all places on the island. La Punta de Teno, El Teide, Vilaflor, Los Gigantes, Playa de Socorro… After mountain biking you have so many good places to visit!

TM: Would you recommend Tenerife as a good venue for freeriding and for mountain biking in general?

Damien: For sure I will! And it’s already done! I also recommend Tenerife for your holidays. Sun all the year, beach, mountains, forest… and it’s cheap! You can find pretty much all you want in the same place. It’s heaven, no?

TM: What’s your next project?

Damien: I have lots of great projects but I can’t say too much at this time. But I’m always looking for partners and customers, so if you need films or photos for action sports, feel free to contact me at fastfokus.com

TM: Thanks for chatting to Tenerifemagazine.com, Damien, and good luck with continuing to spread the word about freeriding!

Damien: Thanks to Tenerifemagazine.com for this interview. I hope to come back soon in Tenerife, it’s a wonderful place!

Faster Croquetas – EP5 from FASTFOKUS on Vimeo.

Spend your holiday season days soaking up the sun beside the tropical, rooftop pool while the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel staff work hard behind the scenes to bring you fabulous food and a full agenda of party entertainment.

With a menu that will have your decision making skills reaching for the Brandy, the La Finca buffet restaurant is celebrating Christmas Day in style with a mouthwatering selection including:

• Beef Entrecôte
• Chicken sautéed with vegetables, foie and mushrooms
• Turkey sautéed with nuts, rosemary &Oporto sauce
• Seafood paella
• Cod with mussels in white wine sauce
• Braised beef with caramelised onions
• Bites of potatoes, with spinach and goat cheese

Then there are pizzas, salmon, potatoes done every way you can imagine, Christmas pud and a chocolate fountain…and I still haven’t covered everything!

New Year’s Eve sees La Finca trying to outdo itself with another menu of creative, gourmet cuisine which could have you missing the midnight hour if the staff weren’t on hand to ensure your 12 grapes are eaten and good luck for 2012 is in the bag.

Imagine yourself facing some of these and decide what would go on your plate:

• Lobster cream with fried rice
• Rice with scarlet shrimps
• Entrecote in a reduction of caramelized onions
• Sea bass
• Beef Wellington
• Monkfish Marsala with coral sauce
• Iberian pork tenderloin with bacon and sesame
• Scallops with orange ‘pilpil’ sauce

All meals include red and white wine, sparkling cava, beers, water and soft drinks.

If you want to begin 2012 the way you hope to be spending a great deal of the rest of it – in the company of good food and fine wines – then you need to make your reservation at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel‘s à la carte restaurant, La Laja, without delay. As diners will be going into a draw for a week’s holiday at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel on a half board basis, your hopes could become reality before your very eyes.

La Laja’s Chef Pablo Aznar is creating a culinary storm for New Year’s Eve which is guaranteed to delight even the fussiest of gourmets. Chef Aznar will be presenting a menu which includes such epicurean delights as Miniature Pullet with Goat’s Cheese, Pineapple and Pedro Jimenez Reduction Sauce; Ravioli Stuffed with Cod, Mushrooms and Parmesan with Leek Cream and Beef Sirloin Stuffed with Foie and Figs with Crispy Garnishes. Accompanying the feast will be a selection of fine wines from Rioja and Rueda and Tattinger Champagne as well as soft drinks, beer and water.

An equally delightful menu selection has been created specially for vegetarians and one for children too so the whole family can indulge in style.

This very special New Year’s Eve dinner includes:

• A complimentary drink on arrival at the Bar Hall or Garajonay Salon
• Diners’ names will be placed into a draw for a 7 night, 2012 holiday at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel on a half board basis
• Following dinner, a party and disco in the Bar Hall including a party pack and grapes to bring in the New Year
• Churros, chocolate and pastries from 2am

¡Buen provecho and Good Luck!

Start 2012 on a culinary high by treating yourself to a taste of the flavours of Venture Restaurants. This chic restaurant group offers five of the finest Tenerife dining experiences which showcase the best in Italian and Oriental cuisine.

Each restaurant has carefully prepared a special menu for New Year’s Eve which promises diners a night of fabulous food in stylishly cool surroundings with a healthy side order of fun to kick start the New Year. The most difficult task involved in dining at Venture Restaurants is deciding which venue to book and there is really no substitute for extensive, hands on research for settling on your favourite.

Current Tenerife Magazine pick of the crop are the chic and über stylish Restaurant 88 in La Caleta where the New Year’s Eve, four course, luxurious Oriental menu features a melange of colourful dishes with lively flavours, and represents outstanding value for money; and the fragrant Thai Botanico gourmet Thai restaurant where its exquisite, four course New Year’s Eve menu promises to take you on a culinary journey to the gentle paradise of Thailand.

Although Venture Restaurants have earned their respected reputation on Tenerife by preparing excellent cuisine at affordable prices, they’re no stick-in-the-muds when it comes to knowing how to party. Special drinks menus will be available at every restaurant offering a selection of fine wines to accompany your meal, or you can choose from the extensive wine menu and, as always, Bianco’s Restaurant will be the place to be in Playa de Las Américas with live music to keep the party atmosphere buzzing into the night.

With every restaurant in the group open every day throughout the festive season, there’s really no excuse not to give your taste buds a Christmas and New Year gift whose memory will last a lot longer than the tan. But Venture Restaurants’ reputation is no secret so if you want to avoid disappointment, don’t dither over booking.

Venture Restaurants

1st floor Commercial Centre Safari, Playa de las Americas
Tenerife, Canary Islands. Spain
Tel : 00 34 922 788697
Web : www.venturerestaurantstenerife.com/
Email : admin@venturegroup88.com

From the Christmas Eve shindig to the New Year’s Eve extravaganza, guests will be dressed to the nines and ready to party in traditional, friendly and fun, Pearly Grey style. The ever-popular, sunny, west coast resort is looking forward to another bumper season so get your booking in early and join in the festive fun.

The celebrations kick off with the Christmas Eve party which features a special Christmas buffet menu in the restaurant and a night of entertainment to follow. There’s a glass of bubbly for everyone on arrival and the bar will be open until midnight to ensure a plentiful supply of Christmas spirit.

A full, traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings will be served by Adrian and the team on Christmas Day so you can tuck into your turkey and mince pies while someone else does all the hard work and the washing up.

And to round off 2011 and say ‘Hola’ to 2012, the entertainments team are planning a gala Night At The Oscars for New Year’s Eve. A veil of mystery surrounds the details of the event and we’re sworn to secrecy but we can tell you that evening dress will be expected. So gentlemen should look out their dickie bows and ladies have an excuse to don their best evening gowns for this Hollywood-esque extravaganza.

Pearly Grey are happy to provide menus for vegetarians, children and anyone with specific dietary requirements. Just email Jayne at restaurant@pearlygrey.com and she’ll ensure your needs are met.

Pearly Grey Ocean Club

Callao Salvaje, Adeje 38678
Tenerife, Canary Islands. Spain
Tel : 00 34 922 743903
Fax : 00 34 922 741407
Web : www.pearlygrey.com
Email : restaurant@pearlygrey.com

When it comes to getting away from it all, a spa break takes some beating, but when it’s attached to an elegant mountain hotel nestling in the pine forest where nature holds complete sway, there’s only one word for it – Paradise.

In the shimmering heat of a Tenerife October, Tenerife Magazine checked into the Hotel Spa Villalba in Vilaflor to find out what the winner of our holiday competition has in store.

A mountain retreat
Arriving in the charismatic spa town of Vilaflor late morning, I take the steep turn in the village that winds up past the Ermita de San Roque until it reaches the Hotel Spa Villalba. Leaving the stifling heat of the day, I step into the Canarian patio-styled lobby of the hotel where my eye is immediately drawn to the expanse of polished wood which forms the floor and sweeps upwards in a wide curved staircase to a walkway across the galleried space beneath a hand made, wrought iron decorative chandelier.

A roof to floor window occupies one side of the lobby, its margins sending rainbows of light from their stained glass patterns dancing around the aubergine walls. The lobby floor plays host to a garden of potted plants and an elegant sculptural water feature where the sound of running water completes the feng shui balance.

Opening the door onto room number 203 I’m immediately struck by the expanse of floor space, the elegant décor, the extensive presence of beautiful wood and the bed that occupies the far wall and is big enough to justify grid references. I flick the light switch to the en suite and enter the most cavernous bathroom I have ever seen in an hotel. Decorated in exquisite Victorian tiles in teal and white, twin ornate sinks take centre stage below the mirror. A bath with overhead shower lies to one side and the ‘usual facilities’ to the other, across an expanse of vintage, maize-coloured tiled floor.

I’m already grinning like a fool when I step out onto the grand balcony and am caught completely off guard by the endless, fragrant pine forest in what feels like touching distance. Birdsong and the rustle of the breeze in distant tree tops is all I can hear as I inhale the mountain air and try to take in the full extent of the beauty that surrounds me. I’ve only been here five minutes, my case is still unpacked and my car keys are still in my hand yet already my shoulders have relaxed, my breathing is deeper and the Hotel Spa Villalba has thrown me a curve ball by revealing the truly unique beauty of its location.

I may never leave.

The Essentials

Location: Nestling above the alpine, spa town of Vilaflor looking like it’s waiting for the Von Trapp family to move in, the Hotel Spa Villalba lies on the cusp of a ravine in the pine forest with panoramic views over the town to the south east coast from the front of the hotel and over the fragrant forest from the rear. Designed to maximise its rustic setting, everything in the hotel is geared towards the enjoyment of your surroundings, from the seats dotted around the garden and the hotel viewpoint with its telescope, to the glass covered swimming pool edged by pine trees which is opened in summer and cosily closed over in winter.

Rooms: As generously bountiful as nature herself, bedrooms are big on space and minimal on fuss. Oatmeal décor teamed with soft plaid furnishings complement the highly polished hard wood flooring beautifully while prints of pencil drawings and oil canvases showcase flowers and rural scenes. A large, wooden terrace overlooks the gardens and forest while bedside, shuttered windows bring the pine romance inside. Free WiFi brings modern convenience to rustic charm and the practicalities also score highly with lots of wardrobe space, a shower so powerful it hurts your head; coat hangers galore, TV, mini bar and in-room safe.

Service: I have always found Vilaflor to be one of the friendliest towns on this Tenerife amable island and the staff of the Hotel Spa Villalba outshine even my former experience. From the Hotel Director Julio, to Marta on reception, the La Vendimia dining room staff and the chambermaids, everyone welcomes guests as if they were into their own home. The guests’ comfort and relaxation appear to be paramount and once experienced, the service keeps the guests returning. I spoke with an elderly lady who was in her fourth week at the hotel and has been a regular guest for many years.

Food: The La Vendimia Restaurant is the venue for a fresh and beautifully presented continental breakfast buffet with fruit, cereals, home made breads, cheeses, cold meats, pastries, juices and wonderful coffee. Eggs are available for those who like a hot start to the day. In the evening the restaurant morphs into a candle lit romantic dining venue where fresh produce from the hotel’s garden is imaginatively and beautifully prepared. A la carte choices include a good selection of vegetarian, fish and meat options and the set half board menu was a nightly decision dilemma with three delicious options for every course vying to be picked. An extensive wine menu includes very quaffable organic wines from the owners’ own label as well as a good selection of Tenerife produced wines.

Entertainment: The moon shining through the pine trees and Vilaflor’s trademark, star-studded firmament provide all the entertainment that’s needed in this country idyll. A TV room and a games room provide an indoor alternative to Nature. But as I don’t have a section for it, I’ll take this opportunity to mention the splendid spa and gym facilities that come as standard for guests. Set within spacious and elegant relaxation areas are a Jacuzzi, sauna, sunarium, Turkish Bath, plunge pool, showers and a dark relaxation lounge with water beds and coloured ceiling lights to lull you comatose. Downstairs, a gym equipped with ranks of state of the art equipment is flanked by a room with a full sized climbing wall.

Overall: An idyllic, romantic Alpine mountain getaway where sublime comfort, healing spas and treatments, relaxation, good food and tranquil surroundings relieve you of stress and leave you feeling renewed and energised. This is the perfect hotel for tired executives, romantic couples, athletes, nature lovers, hikers and anyone seeking a real ‘away from it all’ experience.

Hotel Spa Villalba; 4 Star; Carraterra San Roque s/n, Vilaflor; (0034) 922 70 99 30; email hotelvillalba@hotelesreveron.com

As we emerge from the stifling heat of late summer and the first rains of the autumn feed the earth, turning brown to green and filling the air with the promise of new growth, it’s the perfect time to head into the hills of Santiago del Teide and visit the delightful Erjos Pools.

Why this way?
There are very few places on Tenerife where you’ll find pools or lakes that aren’t surrounded by sun loungers or walls. The disused quarry workings of Erjos are one of the prettiest. When the heavy digging machinery moved out, the wildlife moved in and now the pools are a haven for butterflies, dragonflies, ducks and rabbits – a veritable Watership Down, but without the sad bits.

It’s a part of Tenerife that’s favoured by walkers and it’s a million miles from the beaches of the south coast. Up here, the air is scented with pine, the landscapes are rolling green hills and dramatic volcanic cones and the nearby village of Santiago del Teide is to my mind, one of the prettiest on Tenerife. For the bonus ball, Bar Fleytas provides a great place to head for a beer and some tapas when you’ve finished. The inside bar is great for escaping the cool clouds and if it’s hot, the outside tables are perfect for perusing the, err, car park. Still, there’s always plenty to nosey at.

You don’t have to be a hiking pole-carrying, rucksack sporting, boot-clad rambler to enjoy this part of Tenerife. The pools are easily accessible from the main Icod de los Vinos to Santiago del Teide road and are great fun to explore just on their own and there are more than enough places to buy ice cream and fun things to do in Santiago del Teide to please the whole family.

Hike this way*
A path drops down from a dangerous bend on the main road, just north of Bar Fleytas on the Icod road, and zig-zags down to the pools. From there, any number of trails criss-cross their way, connecting smaller pools to wannabe lakes and providing reed cover for mallards and dragonflies. Just keep hold of the smallest members of the family lest they mistake bulrushes for solid ground and find themselves doing a Moses impersonation without the aid of a basket.

When the novelty of chasing rabbits and crickets wears thin, a path leads up through heather and willow trees to the ridge that overlooks Valle de Arriba and Santiago del Teide. At this point, any breath you had spare from the climb will be taken away as the gorgeous valleys unfold at your feet with the massive bulk of Mount Teide and Pico Viejo blotting out the horizon.

From here, a Red Riding Hood trail takes you through dense forest which still bears the blackened scars of the 2007 fires, along the north west ridge overlooking Los Silos before bringing you full circle to emerge once more above the Erjos Pools. Whistling the theme tune from the Archers, you descend through the green and pleasant farming land and arrive back at the pools.

Stroll this way
In the centre of Santiago del Teide is a small footbridge which looks as if it leads nowhere. In fact, it leads to a small shrine hidden in the hillside high above the village. The path is called the Camino de la Virgin de Lourdes and is marked by the white crosses (stations of the cross) that the pilgrims follow to reach the shrine. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views back over the valley and the village, and a small oasis of honeysuckle, roses and bougainvillea in which to sit and ponder the beauty of your surroundings.

Alternatively, take a stroll through the neighbouring village of Valle de Arriba where you’ll find rural Tenerife in all its simplistic glory. Agriculture is the mainstay of the village, much of it still by back-breaking bending and weeding by hand, and the fresh water spring is the centre of village life where bottles are filled and gossip exchanged. Feel free to join the queue for the free water, it tastes much better than the bottled variety and is rich in minerals.

My way

Peaks: Check out the lovely Casa Del Patio in Santiago del Teide for great food, souvenirs and a menagerie of farmyard animals or enjoy a eucalyptus-scented picnic at the zona recreativa opposite, If you’ve forgotten to pack the egg butties, the kiosk does a mean burger.

Troughs: If you’re unlucky and the bruma (low cloud) rolls in, the temperatures can plunge to uncomfortable levels and scenery can disappear.

My view: 4 Stars – This is one of my enduring favourite walks in an unspoilt area of Tenerife and is easily accessible by everyone. With the lovely Santiago del Teide next door, it makes for a great family day out.

*Detailed directions for this walk are available in PDF format as part of the ‘Into the Valley’ Island Walks.

This week Tenerife Magazine caught up with Commercial and Marketing Director, Ángel Tomas to find out more about the man behind the partnership with GF Hoteles which is bringing you this month’s fabulous competition prize which includes four nights at the five star deluxe Costa Adeje Gran Hotel, the flagship of GF Hoteles.

TM: Ángel, firstly congratulations on GF Hoteles being awarded the Certificate of Excellence 2011 by TripAdvisor. Can you tell us what it means to GF Hoteles to receive that award? (En primer lugar felicidades por GF Hoteles de recibir el Certificado de Excelencia 2011 de TripAdvisor. ¿Puede decirnos lo que significa GF Hoteles para recibir ese premio?)

Ángel: Para nosotros significa el reconocimiento de nuestros huéspedes, la enorme satisfacción de conseguir agradar a quienes se alojan con nosotros e incluso superar sus expectativas. Esto nos anima a exigirnos más y en consecuencia a mejorar nuestro producto, infraestructura y servicios.

For us the award means recognition by our guests, the enormous satisfaction of knowing that when staying with us, we have exceeded their expectations. This encourages us to demand more of ourselves and to continue to improve our product, infrastructure and services.

TM: What do you think sets GF Hoteles apart from many others when it comes to identifying and meeting customer needs?( ¿Qué piensa usted establece GF Hoteles aparte de muchos otros cuando se trata de identificar y satisfacer las necesidades del cliente?

Ángel: Nuestro mayor rasgo diferenciador es la calidad de servicio y la eficiencia del trabajo que desempeñan mis compañeras y compañeros con amabilidad, simpatía y profesionalidad.
Asimismo, trabajamos e invertimos capital a diario para mantener y mejorar la infraestructura e instalaciones de los hoteles. Esto es normal dado que de momento todos los hoteles que gestionamos son en propiedad y no alquilados.
También pienso, sin duda ninguna, que nuestros hoteles están ubicados en una de las zonas turísticas más privilegiada del mundo: COSTA ADEJE.

The main thing that sets us apart is the quality of service and the efficiency which my colleagues bring to their work with their friendliness, their understanding and their professionalism. At the same time we strive and continually invest money to maintain and improve the infrastructure and installations of our hotels. This is normal practice for us because at the moment we own all our hotels, we do not rent them.
I also think, without a doubt we live in one of the most privileged tourist areas in the world – Costa Adeje.

TM: As a hotelier on Tenerife, what do you think are the biggest challenges facing the tourism industry today? (Como un hotelero en la isla de Tenerife, ¿cuáles son los mayores desafíos que enfrenta la industria del turismo hoy?)
Ángel: En nuestro ámbito local y regional, el mayor desafío es consolidar el destino como un clásico, que tenga una demanda constante y fuerte de los mercados emisores y no sea coyuntural. No queremos ser un destino “refugio”, aunque hay que reconocer que cuando nos toca serlo nos viene económicamente favorable.
La otra clave es mantener un destino moderno y actualizado, renovado si es preciso, especialmente los hoteles.
Dar más énfasis a la diversión, a la cultura y a la gastronomía.
En general, que la llamada oferta complementaria sea “atractiva” para que los visitantes y huéspedes se dejen cautivar y la disfruten y les aporten emociones y sensaciones que más tarde contarán en sus entornos de relación, convirtiéndose así en los mejores prescriptores que podríamos imaginar.

Otro aspecto que debemos dejar rotundamente claro al mercado, es la sostenibilidad de la industria turística de nuestro destino COSTA ADEJE y de la Comunidad de las Islas Canarias en general. La responsabilidad social corporativa y solidaridad con las personas más necesitadas de nuestra comunidad, es un asunto que aún siendo todavía incipiente nos preocupa y deberemos consolidar para conseguir ofrecer una imagen vanguardista a nuestros actuales mercados y los potenciales y futuros.

Debemos demostrar que somos parte de Europa, una Sociedad occidental segura y avanzada, con principios democráticos y solidarios y respetuoso con el medio ambiente. Valores de la “vieja”Europa” y de las sociedades más desarrolladas hoy en día.
Vivir y trabajar duro y con ilusión los valores y el enfoque del marketing 3.0

Por último, imaginación e innovación. Sorprender al huésped y visitante constantemente y evolucionar nuestro producto de acuerdo con sus necesidades y expectativas, así como también “conservar” los bienes y servicios que funcionan y que el usuario los quiere tal cual los conoce, sin cambios, sin deterioros.

In our local and regional area, the biggest challenge is to consolidate the destination as a classic one and to maintain a strong and constant market, not a cyclical one. We don’t want to be a ‘fall-back’ destination although we must recognise that when that happens we have to be economically attractive.

The other key is to ensure we maintain a modern and up to date destination, renovating where necessary, particularly hotels.

Pay more attention to our culture and gastronomy.
Generally speaking, the so-called complimentary offer is to be ‘sexy’ for our visitors and guests, to captivate and amuse them, giving them emotions and experiences that they will share with their circle of friends, becoming the best ambassadors that we could imagine.

Another aspect that we must keep absolutely clear in our market is the sustainability of the tourism industry in our destination of Costa Adeje and in the Canary Islands in general. We have a Corporate responsibility and a solidarity with the most needy in our community which is a constant concern to us, and we must consolidate in order to be able to continue to offer a cutting edge image to our current, future and potential markets.

We have to demonstrate that we are a part of Europe, a safe and advanced Western society with solid, democratic principles and respect for the environment. ‘Old Europe’ values and one of the most advanced societies of our day. Living and working hard, enthusiastically supporting the values of Marketing 3.0.

Finally, imagination and innovation. Constantly surprising guests and visitors and continually evolving our products to meet their needs and expectations, at the same time maintaining our best and those services that work well – the ones that users know and want to stay just the same, unchanged and undamaged.

TM: How do you think Tenerife needs to move forward in order to face the challenges of the future in the tourism industry? (¿Cómo cree que Tenerife tiene que avanzar para hacer frente a los retos del futuro en la industria del turismo?)
Ángel: Por añadidura a lo ya mencionado anteriormente, si quiero resaltar la importancia estratégica que tiene el transporte para la supervivencia y estabilidad de la economía de Tenerife y en general de nuestro archipiélago. La llamada conectividad aérea, que sea abundante y cómoda, que vuelvan las conexiones nacionales al aeropuerto Reina Sofía de Tenerife Sur.

In addition to what I have already said, I would like to highlight the importance of transport for the survival and sustainability of the Tenerife economy and in general, that of our archipelago too. The so called aerial connectivity which is abundant and comfortable, should bring National connexions back to the Tenerife South, Reina Sofia airport.

TM: Finally Ángel, tell us a little about yourself: (Finalmente Ángel, nos dice un poco sobre usted:)
Are you from Tenerife?(¿Es usted de Tenerife?)
Ángel: Nací en un pequeño pueblo de la provincia de Zaragoza, Langa del Castillo, hace 50 años y vine a Tenerife en Noviembre del año 1985. Desde esa fecha y aquí en Tenerife, siempre he trabajado en hoteles, en diferentes puestos y cargos, pero siempre dedicado en cuerpo y alma a este sector de actividad, que engancha y además me divierte, es como una adicción, una forma de vivir.

I was born in a little town in the province of Zaragoza, Langa del Castillo, 50 years ago and I came to Tenerife in November 1985. Since then I have worked here on Tenerife and always in hotels, in different jobs and responsibilities but my heart and soul have always been in this sector which hooked me and then enthralled me, it’s like an addiction, a way of life.

TM: How long have you worked with GF Hoteles and what were you doing before that? (¿Cuánto tiempo ha trabajado con GF Hoteles y lo que estaba haciendo antes de eso?)
Ángel: El año 1992 comencé en el A.T. Villa Tagoro, en aquel entonces perteneciente a la empresa DOFELA, S.L., como Jefe de Administración y Personal. En el mismo hotel y pasados 2 años, asumí el cargo del Director.
De allí, en el año 1995, fui de Subdirector al recién inaugurado Hotel FAÑABÉ CosTaSuR y al año siguiente ocupaba la plaza de Director del mismo.
Con la creación de la marca GF Hoteles a principios del siglo XXI y gestionando ya a partir del año 2.002 cuatro hoteles, sobre todo con la incorporación del recién construido COSTA ADEJE GRAN Hotel, se hacía necesario unificar la comercialización y gestión de contratación y marketing de toda la cadena. Es entonces cuando la Propiedad de GF Hoteles -D. Fernando López- me propuso asumir esa responsabilidad, la cual acepté con mucha ilusión y coraje y todavía vivo este reto a diario. Es sencillamente “excitante”.

I started working at the A.T. Villa Tagoro in 1992, which at that time belonged to DOFELA S.L., as Personnel and Administration Manager. Two years later, at the same hotel, I became a Director.
From there, in 1995 I was Deputy Director at the recently opened Fañabe Sur Hotel and a year later I occupied the same post as Director.
With the creation of the GF Hoteles brand at the beginning of the 21st century, already managing four hotels including the recently constructed Costa Adeje Gran Hotel, they needed to unify their marketing and management of recruitment, and the marketing of the entire chain. That’s when the Proprietor of GF Hoteles, D. Fernando López, offered me that responsibility, an offer I accepted with enthusiasm and courage and it’s a challenge I still live with daily. It’s quite simply ‘exciting’.

TM: How do you relax and where do you like to go on holiday? (¿Cómo usted se relaja y donde le gusta ir de vacaciones?)
Ángel: En mi vida integro, las 24 horas del día, el trabajo y el ocio, la vida pública y privada. Siempre hay tiempo para todo, para el trabajo y para el descanso. Lo importante es exprimir cada oportunidad y vivir intensamente cada momento.
Vivo en el Sur, en Torviscas, y disfruto sobre todo de la naturaleza y del océano. Me encanta caminar por estos parajes y otros muchos de la isla -sobre todo en Masca y Anaga-
Ir los sábados a los mercadillos del Agricultor a por los productos de las huertas que ellos mismos cultivan, me parece un lujo que no puedo desaprovechar.
¡Ah! y la playa de las Vistas, una maravilla, a la que acudo en compañía de mi mujer y mi hija cuando viene a casa y de amigos.
En invierno algunos días incluso voy a buscar hongos a la corona forestal del norte de Tenerife, no diré donde porque aunque sea ya muy popular esta actividad, siempre queda la esperanza de creer que hay sitios que solo uno conoce, es un secreto.

Por cuestiones obvias de mi trabajo salgo a a menudo de viaje, a Europa básicamente. Me gusta viajar, a todo tipo de lugares, a unos para conocerlos y a otros para disfrutarlos porque ya los conozco. Viajar enseña enormemente y siempre me inspira y me enriquece. Y además, confieso que cada vez que regreso a casa, aquí a Adeje, me alegra y constato que …. “que suerte vivir aquí”.

My life is filled, 24 hours a day, with work and with leisure, a public life and a private one. There is always time for everything, for work and for play. The most important thing is to grasp every opportunity and to live every moment to the full.
I live in the south of the island, in Torviscas, and I enjoy every aspect of the countryside and the ocean. I love to walk in this area and in much of the rest of the island, particularly in Masca and the Anagas.
On Saturdays I go to the agricultural market for the home grown vegetables which seems to me to be an unmissable opportunity.
Ah! Playa Las Vistas, a paradise I enjoy with my wife and with my daughter when she’s at home, and with friends.
In winter I sometimes go looking for mushrooms in the corona forest of the north of Tenerife but I’m not going to say where because this is a very popular activity and you always hope that you’re the only one who knows a good place, so it’s a secret.

Obviously, for work reasons I often travel to Europe. I love travelling to all sorts of places, sometimes to places I haven’t been before and to those I already know. Travel is a great educator and always inspires and enriches me. And afterwards, whenever I come home to Adeje, I’m happy to be back and I always think – “how lucky I am to live here”.

TM: Ángel, thank you for your time and many thanks to GF Hoteles for partnering with TenerifeMagazine.com to give one lucky winner a luxury holiday at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel. (Gracias por su tiempo y muchas gracias a GF Hoteles para asociarse con TenerifeMagazine.com para dar a un afortunado ganador unas vacaciones de lujo en la Costa Adeje Gran Hotel.)