The people who make a difference in the Canary Islands
Japanese and American tourists travel thousands of miles to visit this north eastern borough, but only one in 20 of our regular tourists go to La Laguna, something that their tourism councillor, Miguel Díaz, is determined to change.
 La Estancia
Tenerife
Restaurants |
26.07.2010 - La Laguna has changed tremendously in the last 10 years not least with the introduction of the tram to the town centre. There are more facilities along the coast the young and old to enjoy including a purpose built camp site and skateboarding park. The seaside hotels cater for a quieter tourism, clients looking for peace and tranquillity or spa and wellness options or there are various hotels in the town centre from the four bedroom La Asomada del Gato rural hotel the new 150 bed NH Hotel complex which will open in the autumn. The Teatro Leal has been refurbished and reopened in the town centre, other key buildings have also received attention and the ecclesiastical and lay architecture and museum offer is second to none.
There is the most incredible range of shops and goods that you won’t see anywhere else mainly in family businesses with a special attention to customer care. The pedestrian only streets make window shopping a joy as does the fact that nearly all the town centre is on the level, no hills or steps.
Either the town centre or the coast are excellent bases for hikers to roam the dozens of well signposted trails from surf to turf and through the largest area of laurel forest on Tenerife.
Local fiestas are unique and special too, with the colourful and sacred brotherhood processions during Easter, the romería of San Benito in July, Tejina hearts in August, the Caballitos de Fuego and Fiesta de Cristo en September, the Libreas in Valle Guerra in October and the annual fiesta to celebrate the town’s inclusion in the list of World Heritage Sites in December.
Gastronomically, the borough houses one of the most popular restaurants for the locals who want to enjoy Canarian food, Restaurante La Cruz del Carmen in the Anaga Rural Park where people flock for their puchero vegetable stew especially at weekends. Fish restaurants along the coast boast the freshest of products still in the main supplied by local fishermen. In addition there are cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets and a great selection of tapas always on offer, especially in the town centre as well as pubs and bars with live music to enjoy in the evening.
La Laguna has something for everybody and that is what Miguel wants you to tell your friends and family when they visit. That it is diverse and different and people enjoy getting to know its culture, history, gastronomy etc. They already offer free guided tours in your own language in the main town centre, but they now have a special offer for a restricted number of people.
The idea is that Tenerife’s foreign residents should get to know the area better so that they can encourage their friends and family to do the same. So the council are offering to play host to small groups of 10 to 12 people whether they are friends or members of the same association, community group or similar, and give them a personalised guided tour. You decide the combination of what you want to do. Shopping and sightseeing, a visit to the ballet preceded by wine tasting and tapas, a family day out for the kids on the mountain bike track (bring your own bike), climbing walls and in the rock pools of the coast, or a walk through the hills to end with a dip in the natural pools to cool off. The municipal coffers can only offer one group a month this chance in a lifetime so get your friends together now and call La Laguna to arrange an unforgettable day out.
Biography
Now 30, Miguel Díaz joined the Partido Nacionalista Canario aged 10. He trained as a draughtsman but divides all his time between his council obligations, his party where he is secretary general and corresponding work within Coalición Canaria. He loves travel, although has little time for it these days. A high flyer and one to watch.
| Tenerife - 08.02.2012 - Emergency services in Tenerife were called into action again yesterday to rescue a hiker who took ill during a walk in the Anaga hills outside Santa Cruz. more...
Canary Islands - 08.02.2012 - Yesterday's ugly scenes at Bilbao airport, where Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary had to be given a police escort after his provocation of former Spanair employees, prompted a furious reaction against the head of the airline by Canarian MP Ana Oramas. more...
Las Palmas - 08.02.2012 - The snags preventing the release of tickets for the concert by rock legend Bruce Springsteen in Gran Canaria have now been resolved and the gig has been confirmed 100%, say the organisers. more...
La Laguna - 07.02.2012 - A well-known Tenerife lawyer is the focus of police attention in a money-laundering and fraud investigation ordered by a La Laguna judge. more...
Canary Islands - 07.02.2012 - Relations between the Canarian government and the new Spanish government sank further yesterday when the region's tourism minister was apparently snubbed by his national counterpart. more...
Canary Islands - 07.02.2012 - Two Britons who had to be rescued again after getting into trouble on their bid to cross the Atlantic in a pedal boat could face a hefty fine for the latest mobilisation of air and sea rescue resources. more...
 Banish the blues
They tell us that this is one of the most depressing times of the year more... |
IslandConnections - Edition 661 The Magazine - Edition 73
|
