Private tour in Santa cruz de tenerife John R
5.0
(8) reviews
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John R.
5.0
Guide rating
127
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My name is John and I am a qualified Canary Island Guide working on the island of Tenerife. I enjoy meeting people and showing off the delights of my island. I consider myself easy to get on with and always do my best to make your day interesting and relaxing. Although I am British I was brought up here in the islands when the rhythm of life was perhaps a little gentler. In fact, I have a preference for gentle, unhurried excursions with plenty of time for taking photographs and for clients to stretch their legs. My Scottish ancestors settled in the Canary Islands over two hundred years ago so I can tell you quite a lot about the real, native Tenerife with numerous anecdotes and interesting information one doesn't usually find in books or brochures. Tenerife has a fascinating history. Its people are unique and proud of their connections with the original pre-Hispanic Guanche inhabitants. During my excursions I can tell you something about the Spanish conquest, the island's volcanic eruptions, its history of trade with Europe and America, its charming traditional customs, its involvement with piracy from as far back as the 16th century and much, much more. I offer guided tours in my own vehicle or sometimes a hired vehicle if necessary. But they are always private and for you only. I will also hire transport and a driver if your group is larger. We will see the places you choose to visit be they old town centres, historic monuments, volcanic landscapes, vineyards or even beaches. The island is full of fascinating contrasts, the vegetations and colours changing from valley to valley, from the black sand beaches hidden under cliffs to the amazing lunar landscapes inside the Teide National Park, from the coastline banana plantations to the vineyards on the sloping hills. And, of course, it is blessed with folklore and delicious local cuisine. In fact, if we have the time and you request it I will always try to squeeze in a visit to a local inn so you can sample some of the Canary Island recipes and wines. Tenerife is a remarkable island and I very much look forward to meeting you and showing you around. I am a qualified Official Canary Island Tourism Guide, with License Nº 3736, as issued by the Canary Island Government. To prepare myself for the required exam I took a course specifically designed for guides in the Canaries at ESETEC, (Canary Island School of Technical Training). This enabled me to pass the required examination to qualify as a guide. I am not a mountaineer so would not be able to take clients mountain climbing, for example up the slopes of Mount Teide, but I can, of course, take you on the cable car and walking along the many mountain and coastal tracks in Tenerife.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message John R.
Most visitors to Tenerife never venture as far as Chinamada. It is a remote hamlet perched high in Tenerife's magnificent Anaga Mountain range. It appears to be a different world and tells a story of a time when inhabitants were happy to live from whatever their patch of land could produce. High above a deep gorge it is also a place for breathtaking views and for discovering wild flora. Chinamada, however, is best known for its cave dwellings, little houses carved into the red, volcanic tuff. In fact, we will take a stroll past some of these fairy-tale cottages before daring to look over the edge of the cliffs into the sea below. This tour is very photogenic and to reach our troglodyte destination we drive through the dense Las Mercedes forest and other areas of exceptional natural beauty. If we wish to, and I highly recommend it, a halt to sample delicious local cuisine should make this a memorable adventure. An alternative would be to take a further, short walk in the subtropical laurisilva forests.
Our itinerary will depend much on whether you are on a cruise ship or staying at a hotel in Tenerife. But, in normal conditions, it would be something like this: 09. 00 (or at another agreed time) Meet at the port or at your hotel. 09. 15 Drive to the Anaga Mountains, stopping for photographs along the way. 10. 30 Arrive at the Pico del Inglés viewing point. 11. 15 Arrive at Chinamada for exploratory walk 13. 00 Either take a tapas lunch or head for the Cruz del Carmen hiking centre and museum (for a short walk through the subtropical laurisilva forest). 15. 00 Return to our meeting point.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Our mode of transport is a modern, comfortable 5-seater, air conditioned vehicle. Please bear in mind that if you require a vehicle with more space, or of there are more passengers, I usually hire a larger vehicle. NOTE: It is best to ask me before booking a tour if there is availability for a larger vehicle. This may also mean an increased fee because the island is having record numbers of visitors, and rental cars are difficult to come by at a reasonable price just now .
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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8 reviews
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