Tenerife: An island with two faces

Anyone travelling to Tenerife is in for a good time. But before you get there - indeed, before you
book your hotel and start making plans - you have a very important decision to make. North or
south? Visitors are often confounded by the two very different sides of the island. Because of its
unique position in the Atlantic Ocean, Tenerife has one of the most varied climates on the
planet. This is one of the greatest assets of its tourist industry. If you want to spend most of your
time lying on a beach, then you definitely want to choose the warmer, more arid southern
coastline. If you're more into culture and history, then the northern parts of the island will appeal
to you more. But things are often not as clear-cut as this. Let's examine the pros and cons of
each part of the island in detail.

The south

Sun. Sand. Sea. The three s's are definitely the key to the southern part of the island's success.
Boasting a coastline dotted with enormous holiday resorts, beach bars and trendy nightclubs,
it's definitely one for the party animals and socialites. During the day, your hours will be filled
with activities that include lounging by the pool or the sea, catching up on your holiday reading,
or chasing the charismatic coastline. Southern Tenerife is also home to some of the most
interesting rock formations in the world, and there is plenty of opportunity to find out about that
sort of thing if you're new to it. The high number of tourists also provides visitors with the chance
to make new friends while on holiday - many of the larger hotels offer specific events and
evenings designed to give guests the chance to interact with one another. This even makes
Tenerife a surprisingly good destination for solo travellers.

Tenerife's south coast is also one of the few places in the world where you can see dolphins
and whales all year round. While there is of course no guarantee, the tour operators in the area
coordinate closely to ensure their customers have the best possible chance of witnessing these
extraordinary mammals.

The south also boasts easy access to Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain and a
fascianting area for naturists.

The north

If the sound of the arid and dry southern areas doesn't appeal, consider staying in the vivacious
and extraordinary northern climes of the island. In contrast to its warmer sister, lush vegetation
grows thick and fast here, including banana plantations and stunning orchids that flower lovers
will undoubtedly adore. A trip to the entrancing and mysterious Muscat Valley is an absolute
must - the way that the edge of the cliff just shears away - all the way down to the Atlantic -
makes for some dramatic photographs.

During the evening, shun your hotel room in favour of some classical Spanish entertainment.
The Arena offers the chance to see flamenco up close and personal, while other locations might
offer more experimental variations on traditional dance. These are always exciting. Failing that,
take to the stage yourself with a salsa lesson, or sing the night away in one of the ever-popular
karaoke bars on offer.