Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands at roughly 55 by 30 miles [85 x 50 km] and is dominated by Mount Teide and the Las Cañadas mountains, an area designated a national park. This dormant volcano, which last erupted in 1909, is the highest point in Spain at over 12,000 feet. The archipelago is 200km [125 miles] west of the African coast and some 3200km [2000 miles] due south of the UK, 5° north of the Tropic of Cancer. Latitude 28°N, longitude 1°W, so there is no need to change your watch!!

The nickname, 'island of perpetual spring' reflects the climate. The daytime temperature rarely falls below 15ºC in winter or rises above 30ºC in the summer. This is a result of the Passat winds from the northeast and a cool sea current from the north which combine to moderate the temperature in summer and raise it in winter.
The seasons change almost unnoticeably.

The south is warmer, drier and sunnier than the north, where clouds borne on the Passat become trapped in the valleys, causing high humidity and rainfall.

Always take the precaution of a warm jacket on trips to Teide however, and in winter, above 2,000 metres [6500 ft] it does snow occasionally. El Teide often has snow at the peak for Christmas.

The island has woods in the northeast, lush sub-tropical vegetation in the north, gigantic cliffs in the west and arid countryside in the south. Between 1,000 and 2,000 metres above sea level there are pine forests and at greater altitudes are stunning barren landscapes in astounding colours.

Autopistas [motorways] offer an easy route along the north and south coasts. Winding hairpin roads climb into the mountains where there are an abundance of viewpoints (mirador) offering beautiful views.