New Year voyage to the Canary Islands

Saturday. Tenerife, Las Galletas.

Our journey begins on the island of Tenerife in a place called Las Galletas, in the marina Del Sur in the southern part of the island. This is a typical small fishing village with its special flavor. Here you can stroll through the narrow streets, watch the life of fishermen and enjoy the evening view of the lighthouse.

Check in on the yacht begins at 16.00. We register all the necessary documents, meet the crew and the yacht. Then we get comfortable in our cabins and buy the food. Later, there is a briefing and safety training.

After all the formalities, we recommend a trip to Las Americas, for those who are not very tired after the flight. This is the most respectable resort area in the Canary Islands located a ten-minute drive away. Here you can enjoy amazing cuisine in restaurants with the highest service on the archipelago.

Sunday. Tenerife, Las Galletas — San Sebastian De La Gomera

So, let’s put up the sails! In the morning we leave for the island of La Gomera, which is often called a nature reserve. The island is home to a huge national park with amazing nature and unique flora, which preserved from prehistoric times.

Christopher Columbus, traveling to the shores of India, when he accidentally discovered the New World, made a stop at La Gomera. On the island there is still a church where he prayed before going on this voyage, and a well, which sailors used to replenish water supplies. The sign on the well says: «America was baptized with this water.»

Monday. San Sebastian De La Gomera

We will devote this day to exploring the island. And it really deserves it! The highest point of the island is the Garahonai mountain range. It is 1,488 m above the sea level and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Most of it is covered with unique laurel forests, which are more than 2 million years old. It looks like a different planet!

To see the island, it is best to rent a car, get to the top of the mountain and then explore the park along one of the many hiking trails.

Tuesday. San Sebastian De La Gomera — Tenerife, San Miguel.

Our next stop will be Marina San Miguel. The marina is part of the golf club, and the area itself is very touristic, so all local infrastructure is aimed at entertaining guests of the island. Near the marina there is a beach with volcanic sand, and we will definitely visit it!

In the evening we go on a promenade, and visit one of the many restaurants. We suggest stopping in the largest Irish pub on the island.

And here we will celebrate the New Year!

Wednesday. Tenerife, San Miguel — Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogan.

Today we set off for the island of Gran Canaria, to a place called Puerto de Mogan, which is located in the southwest of the island. Puerto de Mogan is a resort city, divided into two parts by a canal. On one side of the canal there is a fishing village with shabby houses, on the other side, there are hotels, restaurants and other places where we can spend the evening. When walking along the canal, it seems like you are in Venice: many bridges, small houses, narrow streets. Near the marina there is a sandy beach protected from the ocean by a breakwater.

Despite its small size, Puerto de Morgan has rich history. The remains of the settlement of Guanchi — the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands dating back to 1600 — were found near the city. Excavations are still underway in the settlement, but despite this, you can visit it and learn about the history of the ancient people.

Thursday. Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogan — Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Next, we will sail to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife. Santa Cruz is a large city with many interesting places and attractions. You must visit Plaza de Espana located on the site of the castle of San Cristobal, whose walls can still be seen in the underground gallery. If you love greenery you can go for a walk in one of the parks: Garcia Sanabria, La Granja or Palmetum. All of them are interesting in their own way and worthy of attention. Fans of shopping will not get bored here too: there are numerous boutiques and shopping malls in the city.

What is more, Santa Cruz is a home to one of the main attractions of the Canary Islands — the Auditorio de Tenerife Concert Hall built by Santiago Calatrava in 2003. The concert hall is considered one of the most significant works of modern architecture. It is also the symbol of the city. A couple of minutes walk from Auditorio de Tenerife is a historic Fort Castillo Negro, which is significant for the city too.

Friday. Santa Cruz de Tenerife — Tenerife, Las Galletas.

On the final day of yachting, we will go to the south of the island of Tenerife, to our home marina Del Sur. During the sailing we keep our cameras on hand and look for whales!

In the evening, we will have a gala dinner celebrating our arrival on land and the end of our sea adventure. And then we will have a promenade and visit one, two, or three bars ... :)

Tenerife

At 9-00 we leave the yachts, but we don’t finish our trip yet, and we suggest that you join us.

We will climb above the clouds — to the top of the Teide volcano, perhaps the main attraction of the Canary Islands. We will visit Loro Park, where you will see the representative of the Canary Islands fauna — from killer whales to penguins. And we will also go on a hike through the Masca Canyon.