From 1630 onward, the Spanish Monarchy enjoyed bullfights and mock naval battles with their guests in a tract of land that would eventually become El Retiro Park. In the late 19th century, the 350 acre green space would become a public park, one of the largest in Madrid, where visitors […]
It’s hard to believe that the lavishly intricate white façade of Palacio de Cibeles was designed as a post office! Once named the Palace of Communication and opened in 1919, the architecture is a result of a contest won by Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi in 1904. The men created […]
Translating to meadow, Prado couldn’t be a more apt name for Spain’s national art museum, surrounded by green gardens and tranquil woods. The sun was shining and parrots were singing in Madrid as I entered the two hundred year old Museo Nacional del Prado, home to one of the finest […]
Celebrating Spanish art in the 20th century, Museo Reina Sofía is a place to spend hours devouring all of the Miró, Picasso, and Dalí’s in Madrid. Housed in an 18th century hospital, the museum has a collection over 22,400 works. The most legendary work of art is surely Guernica by […]
The center of Spain both geographically and metaphorically, Madrid is a whirlwind of art, tapas, and history. Capital of the country and home of the Spanish monarchy, no trip to the city is complete without visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid. Some say that the original name of the area […]
I dined out every night in Tenerife, but nothing was as memorable as the experience at Guachinche Las Chozas. Truly, this was the best food had within all of the Canary Islands. To understand this place is to know what a Guachinche is: a local makeshift restaurant unique to Tenerife, […]
Nestled in the northern hills of Tenerife is a charming village called La Orotava. Its winding alleyways are a wonder to wander and get lost, to find the loveliest details. Quaint colonial architecture can be found around every bend, with enchanting wooden balconies. A visit to the historic house and […]
Along the lava spiked coast and through the cactus speckled badlands, hiking within Malpais de Guimar is a treat for those traveling to Tenerife. There are multiple trails and trailheads to explore, combing them covers over six miles of trails. Little shade exists in this landscape, bring a hat and […]
An arrow of white concrete shoots towards the sky in the northeast coast of Tenerife. One of seven along the islands coast, Punta del Hidalgo Lighthouse sits on a volcanic platform jutting half a mile out into the sea. Completed in 1992, its modern and angular appearance of climbing columns […]
Mystical and magnificent, the towering Drago Milenario worshipped by the ancient Guanche people of Tenerife is the natural symbol of the island. Native to the Canary archipelago, the dragon tree isn’t exactly a tree, but a tree-like plant in the asparagus family. It grows slowly beginning as a single stem […]
Restricted access? I’m intrigued. What is so incredible about Punta de Teno that visitors are only allowed to drive in three days a week? The western most tip of Tenerife is a dreamy place, can you imagine the sunset sinking behind off shore islands? To get there you must drive […]
The highest point in Spain is not on the Iberian Peninsula, but the Canary Islands. At the center of Tenerife raising 12,198 feet into the sky, Mount Teide dominates the panorama from just about anywhere on the island. Not only a national record, but this volcano is renowned as the […]
The most ancient portion of Tenerife Island is in its northeastern corner, the Anaga Mountains. Precarious twisting roads meandering through humid laurel forests that characterize the peninsula are so dense they darken even the brightest of days. The magical quality of this area has always been understood, and stories of […]
If your perfectly balanced day consists of climbing a mountain then relaxing on the beach, Tenerife has got quite the duo. The Special Nature Reserve Red Mountain, known locally as Montana Roja, is located in the southern part of the island near to Reina Sofía South Airport. The trail can […]
One of the most unexpected and intriguing places in the Canary Islands, Natural Monument Montaña Amarilla is a must see on any Tenerife itinerary. Whether you’re looking for a hike or a lounge, the scenery in this area is incredible around the unique yellow volcanic cone that was formed in […]