Tenerife can be reached in around 4 hours by air from the UK and with almost guaranteed sunshine this is an ideal holiday destination for a relaxing break.

Tenerife, known as the Paradise Island by the locals is the largest of the Canary Islands, and has the most varied landscape. It's a volcanic island and the largest and most well known volcano is Mount Teide (last eruption over 90 years ago). The north of the island is very humid and lush as a result, but the south is hot and arid. In the tourist areas, the palm trees and flower gardens are maintained carefully to prevent dehydration in the intense heat.

Mount Teide is one of the Island's main attractions and is certainly well worth a visit. You would be forgiven for thinking you'd landed on the moon. Some of the Bond films were filmed on location here because of the dramatic lunar style scenery.

Loro Parque is another key attraction of the Island, a Thailand style zoo in the north. Road links around the island are good so its an easy journey from north to south. Loro Parque is very well maintained and has a huge variety of animals including fabulous tropical parrots, leopards, and tigers (including a rare white tiger). There are walk through aquariums where sharks swim overhead and around you. A visit to Planet Penguin is a must. In a spotlit dome visitors are taken past the central island of penguins on a slow moving treadmill. The dome is chilled to make them feel at home and snow falls intermittently from the ceiling which they seem to enjoy as they stand and gaze around. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes at Loro Parque.