Set in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands. Volcanic in origin, the island is the most populated of the islands in this region. Good weather all year round, and it's wonderful long sandy beaches make it a very popular holiday destination particularly for those people who are looking for somewhere really relaxing.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island, and the Palmetum here is a huge botanical garden specialising in palms and the project was started in 1996 on a former landfill site. The park now includes a large system of waterfalls streams and ponds, as well as a museum dedicated to palms. Sadly due to lack of funding the recently re-opened project still isn't complete and therefore isn't open to the public yet, however glimpses can be seen and it promises to be a beautiful green oasis in the capital when complete.
Puerto de la Cruz is one of the largest tourist resorts on the island accommodating over 25,000 people. It's the oldest of the tourist resorts and is well established and able to offer some of the best attractions on the island, among them the Jardin Botanico (botanical gardens), Loro Parque (parrot park) where many varieties of parrot can be seen as well as dolphins, whales and other animals, and Bananera El Guanche (banana plantations) where you can see over 900 species of vegetables, 1400 cactus's, coffee plantations, and a variety of other exotic fruits and plants. Visitors can take a tour and learn about the plantation as well as getting to try a banana liquor and being given a banana that has ripened in the sun.
Tenerife doesn't lack nightlife for those who are seeking it. Playa de Las Americas is the largest nightspot on the island and has many forms of entertainment from night clubs to karaoke bars and cabaret as well as many places to eat drink and be merry. The area is home to many beaches and in the daytime various sporting activities from jet skiing and surfing to diving and windsurfing take place here.
There are various other areas in Tenerife worth visiting from the Guimar pyramids in the district of Chacona, where you can see pyramids very similar to those in Peru along with an archaeological museum, to the salt water pools of Garachico where in 1706 the port town was almost destroyed by lava that flowed down to the sea. Icod de Los Vinos on the north coast is one of Tenerife's oldest towns and has a dragon tree which is known to be over 1000 years old. The historic town centre at La Orotava is worth a visit with it's magnificent architecture and shady squares, and there is also a botanical garden here with more than 3000 different tropical plants.
From the South of Tenerife it's possible to take inter-island tours and one island to consider is Gomera. Gomera is unspoilt by tourism and very traditional and you can visit it's capital San Sebastian and see the area where Columbus set sail on his voyage of discovery. The native whistling language which is unique to this island is also very interesting to experience first hand.
Ian Bradley a spokesperson for the organisation stated that in the current economic climate, opting to book a holiday with a respected tour operator offers better financial protection in the event of any problems, even though the cost may be more.
Anybody wishing to take advantage of this extra peace of mind that do not have enough money to do so, could opt for a cheap personal loan to cover the extra cost. By funding a holiday with a loan, the cost of the trip can be spread over a longer period, offering more financial stability.
Mr Bradley said: "In the current climate people are prepared to maybe pay a little bit more just for peace of mind, so they know they are going to go with an operator who gives them so financial protection - like AITO members." He added that while costs could be higher, the knowledge that there was a certain level of financial protection in place helps to justify the extra cost.
Also if a cheap deal offered online appears to be too good to be true, more often than not it will be, he claims. "In this economic climate the last thing you want to do is lose your shirt by booking with a dodgy operator."
As well as the ongoing effects of the credit crunch, the recent rises in fuel costs have also had an effect on the cost of travel - and a number of airlines have in recent months reported an increase in costs as a result of crude oil price rises. But consumers who are keen to have their two weeks in the sun no matter what may possibly be interested in the use of a loan to spread the outgoings over a longer period of time.
Ebookers 2008 Travel Opinion report indicated that more than 50 per cent of people questioned stated that they had booked their holiday early because of the continuing effects of the credit crunch. Indeed the majority of people also considered a holiday to be either important or an absolute necessity, while 12 per cent of people saw a soujourn as a luxury.
Other research conducted earlier this year, by Kayak, found that 90 per cent of people surveyed believe at least one holiday a year to be one of the five most important factors for overall happiness. Other factors noted for their happiness-bringing properties included owning a home, being in a stable relationship and starting a family.
But as many as 98 per cent of the people interviewed claimed they would do without other luxuries so they could go on holiday.
Earlier this year, research conducted by the AA suggested that a number of British holidaymakers are now considering taking a domestic break as opposed to their usual trip overseas as a result of the ongoing effects of the credit crunch - which is putting further constraints on people's spare cash.
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