| In Christopher Columbus's time, the Canary | | | | and night life. Many people choose to stay here |
| Islands were believed to mark the end of the | | | | for the social scene but the islands also offer |
| world. After being conquered by the Spanish in | | | | plenty of options for taking a break from the |
| the 15th Century, the Canaries become a popular | | | | partying to enjoy some of the island's natural |
| stopping point for explorers, traders and | | | | beauty. |
| missionaries on their way to the Americas. | | | | If nature rather than nightlife is what appeals to |
| The islands have also appeared earlier in Greek | | | | you, there are plenty of other islands to explore. |
| and Roman times and were written about in | | | | La Palma is considered the most beautiful and |
| texts and affectionately named the "happy | | | | untouched of the islands and has its own |
| islands" and "fortunate islands". It is no surprise | | | | microclimate. Visitors to the island seek its lush, |
| that the fantasy city of Atlantis has also been | | | | green rainforest-like atmosphere but often don't |
| theorized to lie amongst the sub-tropical islands | | | | realize that this foliage is a result of the higher |
| making up the archipelago. Suffering some | | | | levels of rainfall it receives! Designated a national |
| tumultuous times in the past few centuries, the | | | | reserve in 1974 and subsequently recognised as a |
| Canaries now enjoy the protection of Spain while | | | | globally protected site by UNESCO (the United |
| remaining an autonomous community with a | | | | Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural |
| thriving tourist industry. | | | | Organisation) Lansarote's Timanfay Park should |
| Nowadays the Canaries are best known for being | | | | not be missed by those seeking fantastic volcanic |
| a popular tourist destination especially for | | | | island landscapes including black sand beaches and |
| Europeans. In fact, tourism makes up 32% of the | | | | fields of petrified lava. |
| economy which is hardly a revelation considering | | | | The island Fuerteventura boasts the longest |
| the islands' mild sunny climate that it enjoys all | | | | beaches of the Canaries and is most popular for |
| year round, with temperatures rarely falling below | | | | family holidays or couples seeking a tranquil holiday |
| 18C in winter or above 24C in summer. The | | | | away from it all. Cheap flights to Fuerteventura |
| climate is regulated by the warm Gulf Stream and | | | | and the other islands are easy to find in advance |
| Trade Winds making any time of year good for a | | | | or on the fly. |
| visit. | | | | Whether you are looking for all night raves and |
| The seven islands that make up the archipelago | | | | foam parties or a quiet holiday in gorgeous |
| offer visitors a range of activities, scenery and | | | | surroundings, the Canary Islands can deliver. |
| lifestyles that can live up to any vacationer's | | | | Choices amongst the seven islands abound and |
| desire. The lively islands of Tenerife and Gran | | | | the close proximity to the UK and plentiful flights |
| Canaria at the centre of the island chain host | | | | available make the islands an ideal destination for a |
| some wild resorts teeming with beach activities | | | | short getaway or a longer visit. |