Off the coast of Africa, about 300 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean lies the Island of Tenerife. It is the largest of the Canary Islands and is one of the autonomous communities of Spain. Tenerife is also the most populated, it has a population of around 900,000 and an area of 2034.38 square kilometers, and is also the one that is most visited by tourists.

Tenerife is accessible by sea and by air. It has two airports and can be reached from the Spanish mainland by ferry, boat rides or even by renting a yacht.

A holiday to Tenerife can actually be a once in a lifetime experience. Everything in water sports from snorkeling to deep sea diving is included in this island. A site not to be missed is the water park – Aqualand.

Tenerife holidays should be savored and not just rushed into and a plan should include the night life. There are restaurants bars and clubs that cater to everyone’s taste and mood. The capital city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has most of the night spots but that doesn’t mean that they are the best. Some nightspots in the other cities and on the beaches are owned by the locals and there are also others where the theme reflects the non-native owners.

One tradition that is a must see is the Canarian wrestling, or Lucha Canaria as the locals call it. It is a sport that has been practiced from the times of the original aborigines. It is a fast and fascinating spectacle to watch the wrestlers twisting and turning and throwing each other down at the blink of an eye. Another local sport is the ‘Juego Del Palo’ or the game of the sticks. It’s a mix between sword and stick fighting.

If nothing else interests you the walk through the narrow streets and under the whitewashed walls should give you a peak into the long history of the islands.

Amy Scott has over 15 years experience in the travel industry. She loves the Mediterranean and North Africa and especially likes to write about holidays to Majorca and Sharm El Sheik.