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It’s no wonder that Tenerife is known throughout the world as a tropical paradise. The island, which is the largest of the Spanish Canary Islands is filled with exotic and lush gardens which burst with an energy and natural beauty rarely seen anywhere else. There are a number of excellent holiday resorts in Tenerife, as well as extensive holiday packages to towns such as Puerto de la Cruz and Garachico which make the experience of these natural wonders more accessible than ever. The Orchid Garden Sitio Litre These gardens, attached to a huge mansion built as far back as the eighteenth century are the oldest in the region and are well known for their brilliant combination of the island’s history, and the continual teeming natural energy of its present and future. They have been opened up to public viewing by the owners, and among other things, boast a brilliant variety of orchids and Dragon Trees – a tree native to the Canary Islands. Parque Del Drago If Dragon Trees are your thing, however, consider taking visit to the Parque del Drago down by the west coast of the island. Here, just meters away from some of the most well-known resorts in Tenerife is the renowned “thousand-year-old” Icod Dragon tree, which is said to probably be the island’s oldest living thing. It’s actually only around 800 years old, but at 16 metres high and with a 20-metre perimeter, it’s hard not to be impressed anyway. Jardin Botanico Moving away from the Drago tree, one of the highlights of any nature-inspired holiday is the Acclimatisation Gardens of La Orotava, which were set up over 200 years ago by King Carlos III in an effort to cultivate and study the huge varieties of the island’s tropical plants. The gardens have been a hotspot for generations of naturalists and tourists alike, and are situated close to Puerto De La Cruz, easily accessible from many of the beautiful resorts in Tenerife. Tacoronte There are also many other brilliant gardens on the island, which is itself seen by many as a giant tropical garden. One such place is the Hamilton Gardens in Tacoronte which have the benefit of housing an extensive selection of the Canary Islands’ natural flora including a section of local forests, local vineyards which grow several varieties of grape and growing potions of the subtropical plant life native to the island. Victoria Park While it boasts a customary natural beauty, Victoria Park is known primarily as a stunning man-made creation. The park was originally built by a French architect called Adolph Croquet, who built it as a memorial and final resting place for a nobleman who was refused Christian burial. In the end however, he was reportedly given a Christian burial anyway – removing the morbid aspect to a beautifully designed park with large ornate terraces and fountains throughout. Santa Cruz Palmetum This is a garden which is a little bit different. What used to be a genuine rubbish dump, neglected by tourists and indeed the island’s residents was transformed into an astonishing site of natural beauty, just metres from the glistening sea. The Santa Cruz Palmetum is a must-see as a symbol of the awe-inspiring regenerative powers of nature. This dump has been transformed into a place many deem to be just as beautiful as the luxury resorts in Tenerife. Tenerife is a place brimming with life. When you know where to go the excitement and beauty of the world is closer than you think. Author Plate John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing luxury resorts in Tenerife, Bermuda, Croatia and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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