Blog
The Virgen del Pino in Teror: Gran Canaria's biggest fiesta
On 8 September Teror receives half the island. The Virgen del Pino is the patron saint of Gran Canaria, and her fiesta combines an enormous offering procession, a whole night of people walking along the road, and a village that on that day resembles no other.
The Canary Islands in September: what to expect
September is one of the best-kept months of the Canarian year: the sea reaches its warmest point, the heat is still summer heat, and from the first week onwards there are noticeably fewer people about. Here is what to expect, and what to keep in mind before you come.
Whale and dolphin watching in the Canary Islands: what to see and how to choose
There are cetaceans in Canarian waters all year, and some never leave: they live here. This guide covers what you are likely to see, why the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera is such a good spot, and how to tell a responsible trip from one that chases animals.
The grape harvest in the Canary Islands: when it happens and where to taste it
The Canary Islands harvest earlier than almost anywhere in Europe, and on some islands picking starts in July. This guide explains why, which grapes you meet on a label, how the ten wine regions differ, and where to try the wine without booking anything.
Festivals and events in Tenerife: what is celebrated in each season
Tenerife is not only beaches: something is celebrated almost every week, and the calendar has two clear peaks. This guide walks through what happens in each season and, above all, how a romería differs from a baile de magos, which is the part almost nobody explains.
Do I need travel insurance for the Canary Islands?
The Canaries are Spain and the European health card works. What it does not cover is where many visitors end up: private clinic, rescue and repatriation.
El Sabinar of El Hierro: the tree the wind bent
The twisted juniper is the symbol of El Hierro and it almost touches the ground. It is not damage, it is a growth strategy. What we know and what we do not.
Dácil: the princess who has been real for four centuries
Dácil's name lives on street signs and birth records in Tenerife. Her story, though, is not oral tradition: it is an epic poem printed in 1604.
Island hopping in the Canaries: itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days
Day-by-day plans for combining islands without spending the holiday in ports. Which pairs work, and when it is better to fly.