Heading for some winter sun

WITH the winter chill predicted to last four months in the U.K. Brits will be heading abroad for some winter sun in their droves. Research conducted by beach holiday specialist On the Beach has revealed Spain as the most popular winter sun destination this year, with the Canary Islands and resorts across the mainland attracting more Brits than any other destination in Europe, with Turkey firmly back in the Top 5 winter sun destinations.

Top 10 most popular winter sun destinations:

1.   Canary Islands
2.   Mainland Spain
3.   Balearic Islands
4.   Turkey
5.   Algarve (Portugal)
6.   Greece
7.   Malta
8.   Morocco
9.   Egypt
10. Cyprus

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Take flight to the Canaries

BRITISH Airways is making enjoying the winter sun even easier for customers this year with extra flights from Heathrow and Gatwick being added to the airline's schedules. 

The airline is launching a new route from Heathrow to Tenerife for sun worshippers keen to fly and flop in the Canaries year-round with the first flight taking to the skies from October 21 and return fares available from just £98. British Airways already operates six flights a week to Tenerife from Gatwick. 

The flights are now available to book through ba.com and are scheduled to operate until the end of March, 2018.

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Picture Credit: British Airways

Street Art in Tenerife

#TENERIFE  will be home to #Mueca 2017, its annual international art festival, between May 11-14. The northern town of Puerto de la Cruz will have more than 100 activities for visitors and locals, from theatrical, circus, and music performances to photographic exhibitions and workshops.

Mueca, one of the main cultural events in the Canaries archipelago, will transform Puerto de la Cruz into a giant stage. Mueca is expected to attract 70,000 visitors to Puerto de la Cruz during the four-day street art extravaganza.

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Cruise into the New Year

#CANARIES cruise and #Tenerife stay departing January 13. A seven night full-board #cruise of the Canaries, aboard the Thomson Majesty plus seven nights’ half board at the four star Catalonia Las Vegas Hotel, Tenerife, from £859 per person - saving £706 (45%). Price includes return flights and transfers from London Gatwick.

www.broadwaytravel.com

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These boots are made for walking . . . in Tenerife

THE LARGEST island in the Canaries is gearing up to host the third  #Tenerife #Walking Festival, which runs May 23 to May 27, 2017.

With 20 trails varying in length and intensity, the festival is expected to attract 300 ramblers from across Europe. Participants can choose routes from three categories (volcanic, coastal, and forest trails) enabling them to discover a huge variety of terrain and protected landscapes, including the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, famed for its volcanic scenery.

All of the walking routes are scheduled to last a full day, including travel to and from the starting point, cultural visits, and lunch breaks.

The festival is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples, and individuals who have an interest in walking and a sense of adventure.

Online registration is open now and participation costs €25 and includes a welcome pack, daily transport to each trail, guided walks with a professional expert, and a wristband to enjoy discounts in shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums in Puerto de la Cruz, the festival's home base.

www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com

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Register now for Tenerife’s 2017 Walking Festival

THE ONLINE REGISTRATION to take part in the #Tenerife #Walking #Festival 2017 is now open. The festival (May 23-27) features a total of 20 walking routes and a packed programme of supporting events designed to showcase the island's natural beauty. 

Highlights include two volcanic routes, “El Palmar – Santiago del Teide” and “Igueque – La Crucita – La Caldera”. All 20 routes, which vary in length and intensity, are grouped into three categories: volcanic, coastal, and green paths.

Also new for next year, it will include a system for calculating each participant's environmental footprint and how to offset it by means of activities that contribute to conserving the protected spaces on the island, such as reforestation.

There will also be food fairs, a stargazing session in the Teide National Park, and Alberto Bernabé, tourism minister for the Tenerife Island Government, comments: ‘This is an extraordinary event for us to showcase all the assets the island offers to both amateur and professional walkers, with a 1,000 miles of hiking trails available.’

To register online, go to www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com.

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Tenerife tops for movie-makers

THE RELEASE of the latest Jason #Bourne movie, shot in Tenerife's capital city, re-affirms the island's appeal as a top filming location for box-office blockbusters. The largest of the Canary Islands was chosen by 88 local and international production companies for their shoots in 2015, which generated record revenues of €19 million (£16 million) for the island’s economy, €11 million (£9.3 million) more than in 2014.

The Jason Bourne production team and cast spent five weeks on Tenerife in September last year to shoot many of the action scenes of the fifth instalment of the series.

In addition to the Bourne team, another 87 film crews, including the ones of Doctor Who and The Only Way is Essex, filmed in #Tenerife last year – most of them attracted by the island's tax incentives (including a reduced VAT rate of seven percent), diversity of landscapes, and 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

Tenerife has welcomed a total of 1,126 local and international productions since 2000.

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We still love you, Tenerife tells Brits after Brexit vote

THE #TENERIFE TOURISM CORPORATION is running what it calls a #bigwarmhug campaign to tell the British that the island is on their side regardless of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

Reaching out to both holidaymakers and the travel trade, the campaign will be primarily promoted via social media channels and will see the people of Tenerife offering a ‘big warm hug’ to British tourists already on the island. The Tenerife people, including taxi drivers and hoteliers will upload images of themselves hugging British tourists holidaying on the island to demonstrate their love for their most important source market.

Vicente Dorta, director general of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, comments: ‘We are delighted to be running this campaign. The UK accounts for 34% of tourist arrivals to our island and we are very grateful to the British public. We wanted to run this campaign to tell the British people that we are thinking of them during this uncertain time and that no matter what happens, they are never out of our hearts.’

The tourism minister in the island’s government, Alberto Bernabe, adds: ‘The key to this campaign is to engage with as many people as possible – both on Tenerife and in the UK. With political uncertainty in the UK at the moment, we hope this campaign will show the British people that we are with them no matter what.’

Tenerife welcomed more than 1.7 million British visitors in 2015.

www.webtenerife.co.uk

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Brits flock to Tenerife

DATA from the #Tenerife #Tourism Corporation shows that more than 800,000 Brits visited the holiday destination between January and May … an increase of 20.8% on the previous year. More than 33% of all visitors to Tenerife come from the UK. 

Pia Louw, Travel Industry and Promotion director at the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, said: ‘We are very encouraged to see continued growth from the UK market year-on-year, with average growth of 3.5% for the last five years. The latest figures for the first months of 2016 are also very encouraging and demonstrate that our British visitors recognize that we have so much to offer – from must-visit attractions such as the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park to the latest products including stargazing, sports, and luxury tourism.’

The Irish market also saw very good results last year, helped by a 3.6% increase in scheduled flight capacity to the island. A total of 79,328 Irish travellers visited Tenerife in 2015, a 9% rise compared to 2014.

In total, the largest of the Canary Islands welcomed 5,186,307 worldwide visitors in 2015, a 0.7% increase compared to 2014 and the highest figure since 2008.

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Blue Flags for Tenerife beaches

#TENERIFE has won 15 Blue Flags for its beaches, an increase of four since last year. 

Of the other Canary Islands Gran Canaria was awarded 12, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote six each, La Palma five, and La Gomera one.

Jodi Beard, marketing director of holiday planning specialists Cheap-Holidays-Tenerife.com, comments: ‘We couldn't be happier with these results. Two of my favourite beaches, Las Vistas and Los Cristianos on the popular southern area of the island, have been awarded Blue Flags this year.’

Other Blue Flags awarded on Tenerife include Playa La Arena in Santiago del Teide, which has retained its Blue Flag Status for almost 30 years.

Blue Flag beach awards, announced each year by the Foundation for Environmental Education across almost 50 countries, are judged on four categories: water quality, safety and services, environmental management, and environmental education and information.

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Picture Credit: Tenerife</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Art on the streets . . .

#TENERIFE is gearing up to host this year’s International Street Art Festival, known as #Mueca (May 12-15). The northern town of Puerto de la Cruz will have more than 100 activities for visitors and locals, from theatrical, circus, and music performances to photographic exhibitions and workshops. 

Mueca, one of the main cultural events in the Canaries archipelago, will transform Puerto de la Cruz into a giant stage. In order to meet the demands of the increasing number of attendees, the event has extended its performance hours and added a new 'stage' – El Peñón Stadium – to this year's programme. Mueca is expected to attract 70,000 visitors to Puerto de la Cruz during the four-day street art extravaganza.

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Looking for spring?

The Uists, Scotland

These windswept twin isles off Scotland’s Atlantic coast are perfect for a late spring break. Much of the west coast of both North Uist, South Uist, and the isle of Benbecula, connects by causeway and is laced with a necklace of white sand beaches, topped with machair – the name for a band of grassy coastal dunes that burst alive with bird song and an explosion of wildflowers in spring. Birdwatchers should head to North Uist’s Balranald RSPB Reserve for rare sightings of the corncrake and other ‘machair birds’

How to get there

The Outer Hebrides are connected to the mainland by Western Isle ferries from mainland ports such as Oban in Argyll and Malaig in Lochaber. Alternatively, flights to Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) operate from Glasgow, Inverness, and Edinburgh.

Wiltshire, England

At Bowood Rhododendron Gardens, stroll through 60 acres of woodland. The garden was planted in 1854 and as well as its collection of different rhododendron types, it’s also home to azaleas, magnolias, and more than 30 hybrid varieties thought until recently to be extinct. Open late April to mid June, depending on flowering season.

How to get there

If you’re coming long distance, fly to Bristol, hire a car at the airport and take the M4 towards Swindon, coming off at J17.

El Hierro, Canary Islands

The wildest of the seven main Canary Isles is the last thing that Columbus saw as he literally sailed off the map in search of the New World. This little visited oasis is a contrast to the popular main island of the western Canaries, Tenerife. Its hills and meadows glisten with flowers in early spring.

How to get there

Ferries between Tenerife and El Hierro, and flights from Tenerife Norte Airport.

Seville, Spain

Too hot in summer and too cold in winter, this sultry southern Spanish charmer is perfect in spring. Those renowned Seville orange trees appreciate the rise in temperature, as do the tourists enjoying one of Europe’s most romantic old cities – at this time of year pleasantly devoid of the crowds. Look out for Seville’s Feria de Abril de Sevilla festival (April 12-17), filling the streets with flamenco dancing and parades.

How to get there

Direct flights to Seville from London Gatwick, and regional airports such as Bristol and Newcastle.

Kitzbüheler Horn Wildflower Garden, Austria

This skiing region takes on new hues as the snows melt on the Großglockner and Wilder Kaiser mountains. Meander across the hillsides, taking in the array of flora collected by plant enthusiasts Eva and Toni Hofer. May is normally the best time to visit.

How to get there

Kitzbühel is in Austria’s Tyrol region and accessible from Innsbruck Airport by car or train in just over an hour. You can also fly to Salzburg, slightly further away to the east.

New England, USA

Mention New England and most people instantly think of the famous seasonal colours that have made this the place in the US to head in autumn. Go in spring, though, and you’ll see the trees and shrubs wake up from their winter slumber in a swathe of spring shades. A road trip is the best way to appreciate the blossoms and emergence of new life – call in to Fairfield, Connecticut, to see candy-coloured dogwoods and the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Cape Cod for rhododendrons.

How to get there

Boston, Massachusetts, is a good place to start an East coast road trip.


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Picture Credit: Unforeseen Kiss</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com,Yellow Rhodie</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Travel firm TUI sees growth as Cyprus & Canary Isles replace Egypt

TRAVEL group TUI says it is confident of increasing earnings by more than 10 percent this year, as holidays to the Canary Islands and Cyprus replace security-threatened destinations such as Egypt and Tunisia.

TUI’s joint chief executive Peter Long said the company’s growth forecast for the current financial year took into account the costs of disruption in Egypt. ‘We have the ability to absorb this and still be comfortable with the guidance of at least 10 percent growth in earnings,’

Customers were choosing to go to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Cyprus, the Caribbean, and Mexico, Long said, instead of Tunisia and Egypt.

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Boots On!

THE LARGEST island in the Canaries is gearing up to host the second #Tenerife #WalkingFestival, which runs March 29 to April 2. The event showcases Tenerife's natural beauty over four days of hiking.

With 15 trails varying in length and intensity, the festival is expected to attract 300 ramblers from across Europe. 

Participants can choose routes from three categories (volcanic landscapes, coastal paths, and green trails) enabling them to discover a huge variety of terrain and protected landscapes, including the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park, famed for its volcanic scenery.

All of the walking routes are scheduled to last a full day, including travel to and from the starting point, cultural visits, and lunch breaks.

The festival is aimed at families, groups of friends, couples, and individuals who have an interest in walking and a sense of adventure.


Online registration is open now and participation costs €20 (approximately £14) and includes a welcome pack, daily transport to each trail, guided walks with a professional expert, and a wristband to enjoy discounts in shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums in Puerto de la Cruz, the festival's home base. 

www.tenerifewalkingfestival.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98006763@N02/9681983128">Volcanic landscape at Mount Teide, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain - 2</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

Advance summer bookings to the Canaries up 38%

2016 SUMMER bookings to the Canary Islands have increased by more than one third as British holidaymakers look to ‘trusted’ destinations that are perceived as safe. 

‘For next summer we have seen a 38% increase in packages sold,’ says the destination’s regional minister for tourism, María Lorenzo.

‘I think security concerns are the main reason for this increase in advanced bookings, because they [British holidaymakers] are not sure about travelling to other destinations. The #CanaryIslands are safe, and a #destination they trust.’

The UK is the number one market for the Canaries, representing more than 30% of total arrivals to the six islands the destination comprises. Tenerife remains the favourite island for the Brits, followed by Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, and El Hierro.

‘The UK market is extremely important to us and it’s still growing,’ said Ms Lorenzo. ‘From January to September this year more than three million British tourists visited the island, an increase of 3.3% compared to the same period last year (January to September 2014).’

The strong value of sterling versus the euro, the Canaries’ year-round warm climate, and its diverse offering were key factors driving more Brits to the destination. As a result, she said, the repeat business rate from the UK was 84%.

Ms Lorenzo said her job was to build on this momentum by lobbying for improved air connectivity from the UK to the Canaries, with a focus on flights from the North and South-West England. ‘We also need to renovate hotels, provide modern infrastructure, and invest in the islands to ensure they remain attractive.’

The Canary Islands have launched a website – hellocanaryislands.com – which features more than 2,600 photographs, videos, and other resources highlighting the islands’ attractions.

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Picture Credit: Fotos Auditorio Alfredo Kraus - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Islas Canarias by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA - Fotos Auditorio Alfredo Kraus Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Northerners target the Canary Isles

DECEMBER holiday bookings to the #CanaryIslands have risen sharply, with the biggest volume of travellers by far coming from the north of England, UK travel retailer Holiday Hypermarket reports. 

In an analysis of booking data, the company discovered that 73% of travellers to the winter sun destination were from England’s northern counties. For the Midlands it held a little less appeal, with only 21% deciding to go on holiday to the region before the New Year. This is still more than the south, though, with just 17% choosing to travel during the month. Overall, bookings were up 72% year-on-year.

Commenting on the findings Holiday Hypermarket representative Ian Crawford said: ‘We expected a lot of activity around Spain this year as many people are choosing to stay closer to home for their holidays. The Canaries has always been one of our most popular destinations, but it’s quite surprising how many bookings there have been already this year for the winter, especially from the north.

‘Aside from London, which accounts for about 20%, our customers are usually spread pretty evenly over England. It’s definitely unusual to see such a big regional difference.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14450371@N03/15712562039">Gran Canaria, Puerto Rico, beach, Playa, Strand</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

5 million Brits plan Xmas escape

AN ESTIMATED five million Britons are planning to #escape the weather and family politics this #Christmas by jetting off to sunnier climes, based on a survey of 10,000 UK holidaymakers. 

Research by insurance and travel specialist Staysure reveals that more than two thirds (68%) of people put the weather at the top of their list of reasons for the great festive get-away, followed by avoiding having to cook Christmas dinner (30%). One in five is keen to skip the stress of hosting family and friends (20%), and steer clear of family politics (13%).

The Canary Islands remain a firm favourite for short haul winter sun, while Florida, Sydney and New York top the list for long haul #destinations.

For those staying home during the festive period – one in five cannot get away due to family obligations, while one in ten feel they must stay home to look after their pets.

Top 10 Christmas/New Year destinations

1. Lanzarote
2. Gran Canaria
3. Algarve
4. Fuerteventura
5. Florida
6. Sydney
7. Malta
8. Barcelona
9. New York
10. Majorca

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Norwegian adds Tenerife flights from Edinburgh

EDINBURGH AIRPORT is gaining a low-cost air link to the Canary Islands with the start of flights by Norwegian to #Tenerife. 

The airline will run two flights a week on the route from Thursday (October 29) with one-way fares starting at £59.

Tenerife becomes the fifth destination served by Norwegian from Edinburgh, joining Copenhagen, Malaga, Oslo, and Stockholm.

The airline’s commercial director, Thomas Ramdahl, said: ‘Tenerife remains one of the most popular holiday getaways for Scottish travellers.’
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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79833402@N06/9126321266">El Teide</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

5th Bourne blockbuster filmed on Tenerife!

 TENERIFE'S position as a major filming location for box-office blockbusters has been reinforced, with Hollywood star #MattDamon recently shooting the fifth instalment of the #Bourne series on the streets of the island's capital, Santa Cruz. 

Visitors saw Damon filming a number of action sequences.

The #Tenerife Film Commission, the unit of the island’s tourism body responsible for promoting the island as a filming location, provided support for the production team. Six hundred people were hired as extras.

Other productions shot on the island include Fast & Furious 6, Clash of the Titans and its sequel Wrath of the Titans, and a Doctor Who episode for the BBC.


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Island escape

THERE’S more to Spain’s Canary Islands than Tenerife and Lanzarote. Described as a boutique isle – at 142 square miles, it’s the second-smallest in the Canaries chain – #LaGomera has black sand beaches, bars, and shops, but it also majors on peace and quiet, plus hiking, diving, snorkelling, whale- and dolphin-watching, biking, and craft activities such as pottery and weaving.

An almost circular island, it has a large national park, plus 16 protected natural areas including volcanic mountains criss-crossed with hiking trails, and forests. Accommodation choices include hotels, apartments, and farmhouses.

It could be just the spot for a stress-free, out-of-season break.

Getting there: Flights from the UK to Tenerife South, from where visitors take a 50-minute ferry ride to the island. Alternatively, fly to Tenerife North, and get a 30-minute connecting flight.

www.lagomera.travel/canary-islands/la-gomera/en

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