Three reasons to take Air Europa's new direct flight from Miami to Tenerife

June 17, 11:01 PMMiami Getaways ExaminerLiliana Dones

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My grandfather arrived in Cuba at the end of the 19th Century as a 15 year old stowaway. By the 1920s he had become one of the island's so-called "sugar barons," and decided his family should get to know his place of birth in style, so he shipped everybody off on a transatlantic voyage that included several maids, nannies, a butler, the chauffeur and a Cadillac, for 18 months.
Receiving an invitation from Miami Dade County to attend, on Saturday afternoon, June 20, the ribbon cutting ceremony for Air Europa's new weekly direct service from MIA to Tenerife, one of Miami's sister cities, prompted me to recall that particular anecdote from my 88 year old father's rather vast repertoire.

It also made me think about the Canary Islands as an actual destination to explore, as my only experience with the Canary Islands has been the above mentioned anecdote, the excellent Cuban "fonda" on 27th avenue, which of course serves mostly Cuban food, and the dooming theory that eventually a mega landslide there will cause the Atlantic ocean to swallow up Florida, or at least the part in which I live.

So, if I were to avail myself of one of these new direct flights, what would I want to do?

Tenerife, the largest of the seven Canary Islands on the north west coast of Africa, is known as "the island of eternal spring." I can appreciate that, having lived for a time in another geographical claimant of eternal spring-- Cuernavaca, Mexico. Currently living in Miami, and it currently being June, I can tell you that there is nothing as heavenly-sounding as "eternal spring."

Tenerife is further described as having modern marinas, ample golf courses and as "the ideal place to be pampered in health and beauty centres where you can abandon yourself to the pleasure of the most relaxing and health-promoting treatments." Frankly, I can get that here, in the city of "almost-eternal-spring-except-for-June-through-September." Plus, the beaches are likely to be packed with European tourists, which I can get her too, so, the thing to do is head for the natural local attractions which are actually above sea level. I present three reasons to take advantage of Air Europa's weekly flights, and visit Tenerife:

MOUNT TEIDE, at 12,198 feet above sea level, is the highest mountain in the islands, in fact it is also the highest in all of Spain. It is also the volcano that, despite being dormant, the sensationalistic among us insist will, someday, blow its top, causing Tenerife to fall into the ocean and end up, 13 hours later, embracing my bayfront terrace back in Coconut Grove.
 

While my idea of outdoor adventure is limited to cocktails on the verandah, I am appreciative enough of interesting geographical scenery to have braved a car ride up to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, and the steep shallow steps up the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan (only after being shamed by the agility of a Mexican woman who sprinted up, in high heels, while holding a baby).

Well, if you are like me, you will delight at the fact that the only climb here is to the inside of a cable car, which allows even the most outdoor challenged among us to make the ascent in relative comfort (unless you forget your jacket in which case you will be cold at the top.  The eco-adventurist types can, of course climb along the path from Montaña Blanca, but it is a tad demanding, and involves almost six hours of walking (uphill).

MASCA VALLEY is surrounded by the Teno Mountains, and offers  just about all the scenic splendor one can handle-- mountains, the gorge, and the sea beyond-- if you can peel your eyes off the frightening, winding, hairpin-laden road that leads to the picture-postcard-perfect village of Masca.  This is undoubtedly a village that my family's Caddy never made it to, as it only became accessible by road some 13 years ago. (Don't even think of drivning down to or from after dark). The outdoor adventure types can further their experience by negotiating the steep barranca down to the coast, while the rest of us can focus on the charm of the village, which does offer some breathtaking views, particularly of the old stone houses that look out over the gorge to the Atlantic Ocean. For hikers there is a magnificent walk from the village down the narrow, steep sided barranco to the coast. More here.

PIRAMIDES DE GUIMAR is the next stop.  Having accomplished the narrow, steep steps of Sun and the Moon pyramids in Mexico, and wandered around Stonehenge with that informational wand they give you, these, are a definite must see on the list, for their archeological and astronomical significance. Guimar is on the east coast of Tenerife, South of Santa Cruz. There are 6 pyramids, which everyone is quick to point out are very similar to the ones in Egypt and Mexico (Of course they are similar, even to the one in Vegas- they all have a pyramid shape!) albeit much smaller but nevertheless impressive in their accurate orientation to the summer and winter solstice. This is also the location of an outstanding museum. More here.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Tenerife. An interesting place to find them is the website, virtualtourist.com, which has real recommendations and photos from locals, or those who have been there, done that,
 

Finally, one of the best ways to get to know a place you plan to visit, is to check out the local blog: www.secret-tenerife.com/

For more info on Air Europa's direct flight from Miami, or getting to Tenerife in general, check out: www.aireuropa.com/us/en/default.html