Balades Decouverte Teide, La Orotava, Icod De Los Vinos: A Review

Considering a visit to Tenerife? Then you’ve maybe stumbled across mentions of “Balades Decouverte Teide La Orotava Icod De Los Vinos.” What exactly are they, anyway? Well, these represent a super well-liked series of day trips exploring a few spots in Tenerife, Canary Islands. Teide, being Spain’s tallest peak, La Orotava, known for its old town and architecture, plus Icod De Los Vinos, famous mostly for its ancient Dragon Tree, are often bundled for sightseers, like yourself. They promise spectacular views and cultural enrichment. Let’s take a look to see what you might experience.

Teide National Park: Reaching for the Sky

No trip is complete, just about everyone agrees, without taking a look at Teide National Park. Rising from the center of Tenerife, Mount Teide isn’t just tall; it’s, very possibly, an experience. Formed by volcanic activity, the landscape here is otherworldly, with vast calderas and unusual rock formations. You will get views extending to the rest of the Canary archipelago on clear days. The air tends to get crisper as you go up in altitude. So, bring layers. Many tours, you see, get you to the base of the cable car, and from there, reaching the summit becomes achievable for more folks. The cable car, it’s worth saying, might not be included with some deals, so just check. If you feel physically prepared and have booked far enough in advance to get a permit, you might want to think about hiking the last segment.

Keep in mind the weather conditions on Mount Teide may actually differ drastically from those on the coast. High winds or ice can temporarily stop the cable car from operating. Maybe you want to double-check this ahead of time if that experience is a main attraction for you. And altitude can get to visitors. So, just climb carefully. Give yourself time for you to take breaks, especially if coming from sea level.

Is that, maybe, stargazing you’re interested in? The night sky over Teide is regarded as pristine. It is due to low light pollution. Consider booking a night tour for some really unbelievable views of the cosmos. I am telling you, it may just be worth it. It’s almost as though someone is switching on a cosmic light display specifically for you.

La Orotava: A Step Back in Time

You will find that moving on from the volcanic landscapes of Teide to La Orotava gives you a shift in scenery and time itself. This little town, rich in architecture, tells some tale of Tenerife’s colonial heritage. Streets paved in stone that wind through the historic center offer picture opportunities aplenty. Its traditional Canarian buildings, having wooden balconies, so bring to mind what the Canary Islands used to look like, which can, like your trip here, maybe be a lot of fun.

As for attractions in La Orotava? Well, the Casa de los Balcones is almost required viewing. It shows traditional Canarian architecture, featuring a courtyard adorned with flowers. And then, you might like the gardens too. Jardines Victoria are perfectly kept terraces where the vistas really will impress.

Are you wanting some kind of a Canarian experience? Be sure to keep your eye out for a local restaurant. Authentic Canarian dining could offer dishes from papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce) to grilled meats, reflecting the region’s flavor that you may find yourself loving, possibly quite a lot. Sample local produce as part of the food, to feel at one with the locals.

Icod De Los Vinos: Home of the Dragon Tree

Icod De Los Vinos is where you see one of Tenerife’s true icons: the Drago Milenario or Ancient Dragon Tree. This ancient tree is reputed to be around 800 years old, which it is pretty cool to appreciate, and it represents some very important emblem of the island’s natural heritage. The park surrounding the tree allows for close-up views. And then, maybe you’ll learn about the tree’s biological and cultural importance, you see.

The town, that one’s full of tradition, might be great if you’re into the look and feel of the older stuff. You may wish to walk about the old lanes. Local craft shops dot the roads. It is possible you’ll find keepsakes and unique souvenirs. Want to stretch your legs? Consider exploring Cueva del Viento, among Europe’s largest volcanic caves, easily reached, for the most part, from Icod. Check ahead to ensure times and accessibility suits you.

Tour Operators: Selecting the Right “Balade Decouverte”

Tours providing combined trips to Teide, La Orotava, plus Icod De Los Vinos are available in the island’s primary tourist spots. That is places like Costa Adeje and Puerto de la Cruz. Packages will vary in cost, timeframe, means of travel, maybe even more stuff, just like that. Some tours will be full-day excursions with assigned tour guides. And you will find some will simply give you transport. So you have a fair bit of wiggle room with this sort of thing. Make sure any package you look at covers, like, transportation between destinations, maybe entry charges (where applicable), food and beverages.

As for guides? Be on the lookout for tour guides who provide insight into Tenerife’s history and geography, yet are knowledgeable about each destination, too. I would say, read what other visitors say. That could help you pick the best company for your tastes, which really might make all the difference in the long run.

Preparing for Your Adventure

So, what is important whenever you intend visiting Balades Decouverte Teide, La Orotava and Icod De Los Vinos? Comfort, like clothing-wise and physically. This should probably take highest priority. Given the diverse locations and altitude variances, wearing layers makes real sense, maybe more than it did before now. Sturdy walking shoes prove useful since the terrain can get uneven.

Given that Mount Teide sits higher up, protection from sun and glare might come into the mix. Don’t forget, either, to bring lots of sunscreen and, should you require it, sunglasses. Maybe bring a refillable water container with you to remain well-hydrated, particularly during those walks.

Finally, when visiting historical places like La Orotava and Icod De Los Vinos, do wear respectul attire. Also, it’s a really good thing, too, that one checks for any cultural events or local festivals happening while your visit falls. And then that’s pretty much it for prepping!