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Tenerife is probably one of Europe's last paradise Isles, but living here it's easy to forget that this island is fascinating and unique. Not only does it offer lush forests, deserts, exotic fauna and flora, mountains, volcanoes, snow, incredibly beautiful coastlines and some spectacular beaches but you can also find some captivating towns and villages, which we will be taking a look at over the next issues.
Stepping into the history books at the end of the 16th Century when Captain Pedro Soler and his wife were given the Chasna Estate (Vilaflor, Arona, San Miguel and Granadilla) as reward for participating in the conquest of Tenerife, Vilaflor has managed to keep much of its old world charm and elegance. The
many different hamlets of the borough make an interesting excursion
in itself. Lining the streets of the town centre are some typical
ancient mansions, some of which, like the stately home of the
Soler Family and the "Casa Del Obispo" (Bishops house)
which was the summer residence of the Bishops of Tenerife are
really quite striking. I also recommend a visit to the Parish
Church of San Pedro de Chesna which is one of the oldest churches
in the south, built by order of Pedro Soler in the first half
of the 16th Century. Roughly translated Vilaflor means "house of flowers" and the whole village lives up to its name. At Corpus Christi the streets are lined with beautifully made carpets of flowers of all types and colours. If you want to see them though you have to be quick because they are designed to be destroyed again after only a few hours. At the end of May the village is covered in stunningly vibrant orange and yellow poppies that you don't find anywhere else on the island. Rumour has it that in the late sixties a gentleman from the West coast of America moved to Vilaflor and brought with him his favourite flower the Californian Poppy which has spread like the wildfire it resembles. In June the village doesn't escape Carnival fever, but in Vilaflor it is more about tradition and local history. It basically consists of a loud and relatively spontaneous procession made up of different groups of people, playing saxophones and tambourines. During the summer months Vilaflor is packed full of festivals. "Chasneros" Island wide come to participate in the local sports such as "arrestre de Ganado" (a grain dragging race hauled by cows), "el juego del palo" (a Guanche defence sport) and "El lavantamiento del arado" (a ploughing competition). The
most fun festival however, is at the end of November. To celebrate
the opening of its wine cellars, Vilaflor has a very unique tradition
which deserves a visit to San Andrés. Local children gather
any tins or cans or basically anything that makes noise and link
them together to form a huge carpet which they call Saint Andrews
Trolley. Then they gather at the top of the town for the "tin
run". The children are chased down the hill by the "trolley".
There are many theories as to the origin of this, the most probable
is the custom of the local vintners who needed to clean out their
old wine barrels each year and would roll them down the hill to
the sea. For the ramblers, the Guanche custom of bringing their animals to the mountains to graze has created enormous amounts of paths and tracks, 11 of which are perfectly catalogued nature trails which Vilaflor looks after in order to maintain the natural environment. These trails give you access to El Parque Natural de Ifonche, El Parque Natural de al Corona Forestal, the Natural Monument of Montaña Colorado, El Barranco Del Inferno and the Natural Monument of Roque de Jama.
The landscape and relief of Vilaflor makes the opportunity to practise many types of outdoor sports a reality. Here you can do practically anything from mountain biking to hang gliding, rock climbing to camping. Something for absolutely everybody.
There
are many other attractions here on the island of Tenerife, and
over the coming months, both in the magazine and on this website
we'll be spotlighting some of these. Los Gigantes …….. further up the west coast, is a beautiful village built on the side of a hill next to the famous cliffs (the highest in europe). It has a small, natural beach and picturesque harbour, and everything is within walking distance. The nearby tourist attraction Masca is a must, and you are just a short drive from the more typical Canarian villages of the north. Puerto
de la Cruz ……. Is the original tourist resort of
the north of the island, and can be very different from the southern
environment both in lush green vegetation and sometimes weather.
It is of course the home of the world famous Loro Parque, and
for this reason alone attracts many visitors from the south. Mount
Teide …… The highest point in all of Spain, never
mind the Canaries, this again is a must for anyone new to the
island. The scenery alone in the volcanic crater at 2,000 m (approx.)
is worth the effort alone, but for those more adventurous there
is a cable car to the summit (wind permitting) for some seriously
spectacular views. Two of the most famous views, you'll see them on postcards everywhere ! Better still go up and have a look yourselves! the national park offers one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Parque Las Aguilas (eagle park) is another theme park this time in the south of the island at Arona - a few minutes drive from Los Cristianos. Don't be fooled by the name though, as well as having a magnificent birds of prey collection, there is a wide variety of other animals. The jungle raid, takes you over rope bridges across crocodile infested water (really!) The highlight of the day is watching the huge birds free flying, coming in to land skimming the hair of the amazed audience.
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One
of these villages is Vilafor De Chasna.
Also
the situation of Vilaflor, in its small valley, protected from
strong winds and with a southern orientation makes it an ideal
place for astronomers and sports people alike. Vilaflor is one
of the few places you can see ETA CARINE star located 8,000 light
years away and the Acrue star of the Southern Cross constellation
which is actually situated below the horizon.
Loro
Parque in Puerto de la Cruz is one of the most spectacular
animal parks in Europe and houses the worlds largest collection
of parrots. You can see Dolphin, Sealion and Parrot shows. As
well as the magnificent Planet Penguin a natural environment created
for these facinating creatures, they have real ice and even falling
snow!.. not to be missed. 
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