Teidescopes

Our amazing diverse island offers each visitor the opportunity to see its best version for the selected ones to explore. Once you sojourn your coastal sunbathing routines and adventure up to the mountain top the “bucket list” adventure starts to begin.

Elegant Excursions have organised for you this fine-tuned experience. Not unlike Teide By Night yet with a different essence.  We head up in the early evening to the Corona Forestal nature reserve area of the national park. “The crown jewel” of the national park awaits you with its endless 360 views and breath-taking scenery. The volcanic nature is at your fingertips and footsteps, the spectacular woodland surrounding Teide National Park. This is the largest protected area in the Canary Islands with the finest samples of pine forests and mountain vegetation in Tenerife.

There are plenty of stops and even a coffee break where you can also purchase some delicious handcrafted preserves and liquors. Make sure your Batteries are charged up on your electronic devices and you will not stop clicking away at the amazing photo opportunities.

The full photo album can be viewed

The tour is professionally guided by a friendly fully trained official guide who will divulge in detail about all the interesting facts on flora, fauna, geology, geography… so many more magical topics of the canaries. I have been living here for 25 years and I still walked away learning!

Together with a “Cava served sunset” you can only dream about; you will be taken to a mountain restaurant to enjoy a tapas dinner where you can choose your tasty local delights.

The grand finale to this experience is the Stargazing experience where a telescope will be set up for you. The stars and the moon with the naked eye are so special but the scope provides the icing on the cake! The guide will show you the magic of our mysterious sky…… I leave the rest of the story for you to discover…… A stunning Tenerife Experience!

Check Out the Rosa Center

Over here in Costa Adeje our little villages “Playa Paraiso and Callao Salvaje” are getting closer and closer. A couple of years ago we connected with a bridge and now we have our own NEW Shopping complex in Playa Parasio – Rosa Center! Which offers retail therapy on our door step! They are providing our guests with a free bus from Callao Salvaje daily to visit their three-storey shopping center. Our Tenerife Experience team took the time to jump on this 5 minutes bus ride to show you around….. So next time you are over on your holidays be sure to call to ask the reception team for a timetable.

The upper floor will soon offer international eateries overlooking their spectacular view of the local banana plantations……. A sight to see for sure!

Enjoy!

Checkout the girls video diary (below).

Well worth a visit, with some high street brands and some you may not know..!!

Hiking Santiago del Teide

Come take a Hike, drink some Wine and dine on some tasty local cuisine…. A perfect Day!

The Eco-friendly company Xwander will collect you at Pearly Grey reception and then transport you to the west coastal hills of Santiago del Teide. Your expert guide will share insights into the area’s climate, history and nature, pointing out interesting sights on the 30-minute drive to our destination.

Upon arrival you can take in the beautiful surroundings and learn about the history of winemaking on the island. Your guide will hand out locally sourced fruit, water and Nordic walking poles before commencing our pleasant hike across the unspoilt countryside. Along the route you will take in the lush views of the vineyards and fields with almond and fig trees. These delightful trees were one of the earliest domesticated fruit trees of the island, and they are found in abundance particularly in the fertile valleys of Santiago del Teide.

There will be ample opportunities to stop to feast your eyes on the beautiful landscape and take photos so don’t forget your camera. The 4-kilometre hike will take approximately 2-3 hours, walking together at a comfortable pace (if you can manage a few up’s and downs and a little rough terrain you will find this track a pleasure to conquer as did I).

Past the village of Valle de Arriba, you will stop by El Calvario de los Baldíos, holding centre stage is a shrine which marks the island’s last volcanic eruption in 1909. You will also learn about the fascinating geology of the island from your guide. Rambling in a group gives even the lone adventurer the opportunity to try a slice of Tenerife’s natural Gems. So if your partner is not the walking type don’t let it stop you from this opportunity to join in.

After the Hike you will arrive back with the group at La Casona del Patio where it’s time to enjoy the charming on-site bodega for wine tasting with your local guide. You’ll learn how to taste wines like a pro and try three top quality wines from the island. Followed by a delicious three-course lunch in an idyllic 17th century building called La Casa Vieja. The local-style menu includes fresh bread, mojo sauce, homemade pumpkin soup, wood oven baked chicken, papas arrugadas and quesillo (Canarian style flan). An alternative wine produced in Adeje along with water are included with the meal.

Come take a day to escape the tourist trail and discover the real beauty of Tenerife. For bookings or more information please speak to my team in reception. They collect in Pearly Grey on Mondays and Thursdays. The all-inclusive price is great value @ €79.00 per person.

Ciao for now….

Gemma “Your roving Tenerife Experience influencer” 😉

Ingane Yami Golf Day 2019

On a near perfect Saturday 29th June 2019 Pearly Grey hosted their 10th anniversary annual Ingane Yami Golf Tournament at the Golf Costa Adeje on the south coast of Tenerife.  Organised by the staff at Pearly Grey Ocean Club we were delighted to return for the seventh consecutive year to this fabulous golf course on the south coast of Tenerife.

The competition format was the 4-ball Texas Scramble, a popular team event and always a great choice for charity competitions.  With all players assembled the tournament commenced with a shotgun start at 09:30, let the fun begin.  The day provided ideal weather conditions for playing golf with a welcome cloud cover taking the heat out of what would have been a very hot day.

Each year we have the support of the local golfing societies who always bolster our numbers and ensure that the event has a good turnout.

Pearly Grey and Ingane Yami would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all the players who turned up to play and help make our 10th anniversary a really great day.

A special thanks to Michael Setch and the Yellow Shirts Society, Legends Bar Golf Society and John Wilmott. We would also like to thank our Pearly Grey owners and guests who contributed 24 players to the tournament.

Thank you also to Chris Elkington for kindly promoting our tournament on OasisFM and Canarian Weekly.

This event would not be possible without our sponsors, many of you have been with us since our first tournament back in 2010 and your support is greatly appreciated.  As always, we welcomed some new sponsors to the event and we hope you will be back with us next year.

The day was a great success and although we are still waiting for some money to come in we estimate the total amount raised to be around €21,000.  We continue to be humbled by your generosity.

Our gold sponsor again this year was Girabebe SL who’s authorised Canary Island distributor Snacks & Drinks SL also provided a hospitality tent at the golf course with free drinks for everyone.  A special mention also to Estrella Damm, Pipers Crisps, Gun Powder Gin, Thatchers Cider and Fever Tree for supplying all the refreshments for the day.

A full list of this year’s sponsors can be seen below;

We would also like to thank the many companies and individuals who donated prizes and gifts that helped to make the raffle and auction a great success;

The winner’s prizes of Golf Bags were sponsored by Paul Smith of Golf Shop Canarias.

The prizes for nearest the pin and longest drive Golf Ball Boxes were donated by Costa Adeje Golf Shop.

The overall team competition winners were;
Nick Thompson
Steve Cordell
Tom Cordell
Steve Gregory

A full list of results can be viewed here 

Nearest the pin winners were;
Hole 16 – Sandra Bell
Hole 14 – Kevin Spence
Hole 10 – Martin Shaw
Hole 7 – Chris Beale
Hole 5 – Paul Brattan
Hole 2 – Martin Carruthers

Longest drive men’s winner – Patrick Davies
Longest drive women’s winner – Dawn Shaw

Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who participated.  We hope to see you back for Ingane Yami 2020.

All social media coordinated by John Beckley and CanaryPR
Special thanks again to our official golf day photographer Alexandru Arhire.
All the tournament photos can be viewed here.

Just a few of the photos but click on the FlickR logo above to see all the photos

Getting to know you

Who are the people behind the smiles and the passing interactions you see and have every day? Not just their name or their job title, but who is the real person behind that facade?

With this project, that’s what we want to find out and share with the world. To delve a little deeper and let people into the world of those around them.

I’m sure many are familiar with Humans of New York (HONY) which has taken social media by storm over the last few years. This is of a very similar nature and inspired by Brandon Stanton and the fine folk he’s met along the way.

Here though, we’re jumping across the pond, over to Europe and down the coast of Africa… along to the Canary Islands. At least that’s where we’re starting, right here in the glorious Spanish island of Tenerife and the characters that dwell within.

The idea;

And more specifically, right here at your favourite haunt – Pearly Grey! The idea is to start here and roll it out to other hotels who might like the idea and the extra publicity. With social media and marketing being what it is, it’s less about selling directly and more about connections, engagements and a little bit of fun. This in turn leads to more interest and that can only be a good thing for any business or organisation wanting to be seen, enjoyed and boost profits.

We could call this Humans of the Canaries or Humans of Hotels… or perhaps another catchy title that fits the bill. The point is displaying a little more about those everyday characters that you pass by and perhaps don’t give much thought to, other than a quick hello and a thank you when getting a coffee, for example.

Talking of coffee, there’s one guy in particular I see when getting mine in the morning at Pearly Grey. I’m sure you know him well if you’ve ever stayed here – Luis! He was our pioneer and this is his dashing picture along with brief quote about him and his life.

“I love my job and am blessed to be part of a great team, living the dream. Having lived in the village most of my life – over 40 years now – my real freedom is when I’m out on my fishing boat… a true happy place!” Luis

“Nothing excites me more than changing nappies, cleaning paint off the walls and getting covered in homemade soup! Life in Tenerife couldn’t be better for me and my family – playing football with my boys, family days at the beach and the odd night out with the beautiful mother of my children, Alicia. Not to mention, waking up to blue skies, noisy kids and yogurt faces on a daily basis!” Asa

How it works;

Taking the photos, we have our Erasmus photographer extraordinaire – Alex. Then between myself and John Beckley, we’re gathering the quotes and putting the two together for a powerful punch.

We’re excited about this project and think it could add an extra dimension to any hotel and create community and good feeling amongst staff, guests, and casual onlookers.

Do get involved where you can as it’s sure to be a lot of fun and add a little bit of spark to your holiday, and get to know the people that serve you every day. And perhaps Luis will take you out on his fishing boat! 😉

Find us online;

Alex – https://linktr.ee/Arhire_Alexandru

Adam – http://fortressfree.com/

John – http://www.johnbeckley.me/

Canary Pr – http://canarypr.com/

Tenerife Trike Tour

Don’t fancy a bus or a boat today, but you do want a super burst of adventure around the island? Well, time to saddle up, sit back and get on ya trike!

Setting off at a very social 11am and lasting 2 hours, this puts paid to the excuses of those not wanting to get up early or commit a large part of the day… and is also something a little different which will add a bit of spice to your trip.

The Best Way to Buzz Around Tenerife!

After meeting my new mate Campbell at Tenerife-Trike, we jumped on board outside the Pearly Grey ready to hit the open road. It’s a 2 seater trip and Campbell, a Scotsman and regular visitor, found himself next to me as his family weren’t involved on this particular ride. There was another couple joining us today on the other trike who we got chatting with later, but for now it would be an hour or so of cruising round the island, taking in the sounds, smells, sights and delights.

Annetta, a lovely lady from Germany, was our driver making sure we were all settled and safely negotiating the twists and turns of our journey. Tip: remember to take something warm and wear it! It can get a bit cooler out on the open road and up in the mountains… certainly in March but it will be a warmer air during the summer months.

If you haven’t already taken the bus trip around the west coast then you will see some great new scenery. If you have, you may recognise some parts but appreciate a whole new perspective. Being exposed to the elements gives a great feeling of freedom and fun and you have nothing more to do at this point then enjoy the ride, basking in the glory of all the envious onlookers wondering who these crazy people are and how they can get involved.

Included in the trip is an arepa at a great ‘Arepera’ on the homeward stretch. With pleasant views, friendly service and tasty food. I forgot to take a picture as I was too busy, you know, eating the thing (I’ll never make it as a food blogger) but here’s a stock image which gives you an idea if you’re unfamiliar.

A type of sandwich of Venezuelan origin, I went for a chicken and avocado which was delicious and highly recommended. I could have quite easily wolfed down another or sampled a couple more flavours… but it’s a long walk back.

We all sat around a table outside and it was a good opportunity to chat with the couple on the other trike who were also regular visitors. Both them and Campbell (and I believe some of their family too) have timeshare apartments at Pearly Grey so it’s always great to see people coming back and enjoying themselves.

That just left another 10 minute stretch to get us back to base and get our feet back firmly on the ground and on to new adventures (or to find another arepa place, who knows).

A ride definitely worth going on and I would gladly do so again. Simple, short, fun and different. A little more edgy but not too wild, it’s suitable for all and you’ll be a whole lot richer for the experience. You can also arrange to drive them yourself, so if you want to add a bit more zest, have a licence and are feeling up for the challenge then that would add a whole new layer to the adventure!

To find out more and to book your trip please ask at Pearly Grey reception or check out Tenerife-Trike.

Touring Tenerife On The Road To Masca

Island Tour with Viajes Nere

If you’re looking for sheer bang for your buck in an excursion then this is the ideal place to start. What could be described as 3 tours in one is the perfect way to experience half of the island, see some breathtaking sites, and learn a great deal of history. There’s more to Tenerife than playing on the playa!

My day started at 7:30am with a pick up from Callao Salvaje – one of the first to board the day’s fun bus, as well as the first to be dropped off at the end. I was met by the ever chatty Ilona, our Ukrainian guide who would see us through the day switching between English and Russian as those were the majority languages.

The first phase was picking the rest of our new friends up around the various resorts. There’s a fair amount of bus time involved in this trip which is ideal to soak up some scenery and work up a thirst. Which brings me to my first discovery.

1. Barraquito, Bananas & Bats

This was my introduction to Barraquito – a popular coffee in the Canary Islands layered with milk, condensed milk… and a little liqueur. Breakfast of champions! As Ilona rightly pointed out, people tend to return to the bus with a smile on their face. And thankfully this wasn’t the last of our smiles on this tour. Being the cheeky chappy Barraquito lover that I (newly) am, I decided a second one wasn’t out of the question at our next pit stop.

On route to this place, we passed a few villages and learnt a lot about local produce, not least bananas. As you’re probably aware, the Canary Islands grow a lot and the result is a fruit that is small yet perfectly formed! Also, a reminder about the role tourism plays in this part of the world and what is considered to be the world’s best climate.

Other interesting tidbits of information at this point included Guachinches (a type of restaurant here and a story for another day) and the various types of bats. We also passed some beautiful pine forests which caused a clamber for pictures on the bus. And that brings us to the most iconic feature and image of this island…

2. ‘Moon’ Walking in Teide

The impressive national park surrounding this famous volcano was our next port of call. The sun was shining at this point so a perfect time to have a stroll around, take some snaps and admire the ‘lunar’ landscape.

3. Wine with William (Shakespeare)

Having had our fill of photography and mountainous views, we continued on our merry way towards the town of Icod de los Vinos, a charming place with a tradition of wine growing since the 16th century… and to the delight of many over the years, including the ‘Bard of Avon’ and Sir Walter Scott who both wrote about Canary Island wine in some of their literary works. 

There was a fair bit of activity going on which may have been in part due to being carnival season or it could just be that kind of place. Either way, after a quick stop off at the famous Drago tree, we had to check out the wine for ourselves…

We were given a few tasters along with cheese in a local establishment before some free time and a spot of lunch, not included in price but you’ll get a good recommendation of where to go and what’s good to order. Or you could be like me and go off on a wander to see what else is about.

4. Magnificence of Masca!

Suitably refreshed and ready for the next part of our journey, we meandered along to the awe inspiring village of Masca and enjoyed the spectacular views and deep ravines. With Machu Picchu-esque landscape, this really is a place of outstanding natural beauty and a far cry from the beaches and bars of Playa de las Americas. Another opportunity for some stunning photos, a chilled out vibe and a backdrop which could just as easily be Thailand or Peru.

So, we had reached the end of our trip. Now it was just a matter of negotiating the winding roads out of Masca and back to base…

5. Health, Money & Love

So, what can be said to sum up this experience? A true, full day out. An opportunity to see several places in one day, enabling you to get an overall sense of what this island has to offer and what it is all about. Finding out what makes it tick and what you want to see more of during your time here.

Whether it be the misty, atmospheric decline to Icod, learning the history of the indigenous population, or perhaps a discovery about yourself, this is a jam-packed intro to Tenerife and I imagine you would learn something new each time you took this trip. And I didn’t even mention Garachico, which was destroyed by the volcanic eruption in 1706 and where we would have spent a little more time I’m sure if the weather had been kinder.

And my biggest takeaway? That would have to be the following phrase…

Salud, dinero, amor!

I say cheers to that, and who knows, you may find all 3 in Tenerife! For more information and to book your trip ask at Pearly Grey reception of visit the Viajes Nere website.

Dolphins & Dips – Cruising to Los Gigantes

What better way to while away a morning (or afternoon) then kicking back on a boat and drifting along the majestic coastline of Tenerife? That’s exactly how I spent a few hours this weekend…

Our boat for the day. Royal Dolphin no less…

This 4.5 hour trip with Royal Delfin is a perfect way to relax and take in some more of what this island has to offer. My day started with an 8:30am pick up with the boat leaving at 9:30am (if the afternoon is more your thing, then there’s a 2pm version).

Johan and his shipmates doing their thing

Our captain fantastico for the day was Johan, who delivered a multilingual masterclass in guiding us through the waters. English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch… I think there were more, but everyone was covered and knew the drill. Also on board our jolly ship was Javi, filming the entire trip and some other crew making sure things all went ‘swimmingly’.

Having been to Masca the day before by bus, this tour also took us past there and gave a fresh perspective of the whole area.

Not long into the trip, we got our first sight of some whales going about their day and of course we all got some photos of these impressive mammals.

Whales – more info was given on the types during the trip

It’s important to stay refreshed at these things, and fortunately complimentary soft drinks, beer and sangria were provided. As it was a morning trip people didn’t get stuck in to the beer and sangria immediately… although they warmed to it as time went on! This isn’t a ‘booze cruise’ (although who knows in the height of summer for the later trip) but a more family orientated, leisurely pace of taking it all in. There were also further coffees and snacks etc available for purchase.

Lunch was also included, which is always a bonus! That was served as we docked up and several of us went for a swim in the sea. Not quite as warm as you may hope but it was only just March and I suspect a fair few degrees warmer than the shores of England. I was fairly quickly in and out but glad I took a quick dip in the Tenerife waters. Most didn’t so don’t worry if you don’t fancy it, but the option is there and you may just enjoy floating around for a while.

So it was time to head back to base. Another very tranquil section of the trip sitting up top and watching the world go by. Viewing the white houses on the hills of Masca, the rock formations of Los Gigantes, paragliders swooping down to earth and more sightings of our other aquatic friends of the day – dolphins.

You can just about make out the paragliders against the mountainous backdrop… perhaps your next activity!

All to a backdrop of some chilled out music for a peaceful vibe. My favourite had to be the Titanic theme song… an iconic tune for a floating vessel!

Javi the camera guy was filming most of the trip and you have the option of buying a DVD of the trip, the USB version or having the video emailed to you which is a little cheaper and more convenient. Either way, around 40 minutes of edited footage of that day’s trip, along with another 40 minutes of other trips and general Canary Island scenery and activity. A great idea for groups wanting memories of their outing and a fuller flavour of their trip. Also, if you mention at the start, he can focus on you a bit more (if you should so desire).

All in all a real, pleasant few hours and a perfect accompaniment to all the land based action of your visit. Remember to also take a peek downstairs which is underwater level where you can view the sea and all that dwells within. Beats an aquarium and I am told this is one of the only ships that have that feature.

A definite must do in your excursion arsenal. To see some more details or to book a trip, please click here!

The Pearly Grey Christmas 2018 Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative

Here at Pearly Grey the spirit of giving is built into the very ethos of our company and strongly supported by all of our team members and guests alike.

While of course we are committed to providing the best possible service and experience to our guests, and continually improving the Pearly Grey brand, our company has always stood for a lot more than this, such as commitment to supporting worthy causes. Christmas is a time of giving, care and pulling together as a community, so it is always the perfect opportunity to launch one of Pearly Grey’s many charitable efforts!

For Christmas 2018, our much loved head of reception Gemma Ellingsen decided to launch a reverse advent calendar initiative to help those within the local community most in need. E-mails were sent out to staff members and our guests told about this idea which was simple yet effective; during the days building up to Christmas the Pearly Grey staff and guests were encouraged to bring various types of food items to be donated just before Christmas.

We were all really happy to see the effort and support that our staff and guests put into this, as by the end we were able to fill many boxes with useful food items such as pasta, rice, cereal and  tinned goods. These will help prevent a number of individuals and families from going hungry during next year.

The local charities and people that we decided to distribute donations to were:

• 6 families in need in south Tenerife connected by Pastor Bill Jeffery and his wife were each given hampers of food
• 6 boxes of food were donated to the Noah’s Ark charity of the Callao Salvaje Community Church led by Pastor Ken Cumming
• The town hall of Adeje food bank was given the remainder of the donated food to distribute to the local community

Once again a huge thank you to all of the Pearly Grey staff and guests who collaborated with your generous donations, the reverse advent calendar initiative led by Gemma was a super hit!

We feel it is extremely important to give back to both international charitable causes, such as with our annual support for Ingane Yami Children’s Village in South Africa and also local causes within Tenerife. This is an ethos that has been inspired by our company leadership and enthusiastically taken up by staff throughout the resort which really says so much about the wonderful people that work together here.

For anymore information about the charitable causes that we support here at Pearly Grey, feel free to contact us, or speak to one of our friendly reception staff members who will be happy to help.

Announcing the 10th Edition of the Excellent Ingane Yami Golf Day

Here at Pearly Grey Ocean Club, we’re very pleased to announce that on 29th June 2019 we will be hosting our 10th edition of the excellent annual charity golf tournament in aid of the wonderful Ingane Yami Children’s Village.

Once again this tournament will take place at the prestigious Golf Costa Adeje in the south of Tenerife. This is an absolutely stunning course, offering picturesque scenery throughout including palm trees, a mountainous landscape backdrop and gorgeous sea views. It is no wonder why this is such a well loved golf course in not only the Canary Islands, but the whole of Europe, especially with the beautiful blue skies you can enjoy at almost any time of the year!

Our first tournament was held back in 2010 and in the last 10 years it has gone from strength to strength to strength, growing in both popularity and status to become firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on Tenerife’s annual golfing calendar. We’re confident that this year’s tournament will be the best one yet and should raise significant amounts of funding to help the children living at the Ingane Yami Children’s Village. Golf in a perfect setting, while also helping those most in need is truly a winning combination.

To find out more information on sponsorship packages or if you would like to play in this year’s tournament then please email golf@pearlygrey.com or telephone +34 922743903.

We look forward to seeing you there!

How to Experience La Gomera With A Stunning Jeep Safari Adventure

If you are a regular guest at Pearly Grey Resort, then it almost goes without saying that you love the island of Tenerife. With its beautiful year-round warm sunny climate, welcoming local population, fascinating traditions, gorgeous natural landscape and wonderful urban areas, not to mention the many great features of Pearly Grey, it’s obvious why it’s such an amazing island to stay on.

Of course, there are also seven other islands which officially make up the Canary Islands archipelago (with the recent official recognition of La Graciosa), and each are unique and amazing in their own right. Due to the direction that Pearly Grey faces, you will no doubt have gazed out across the ocean and noticed La Gomera on the horizon and may have wondered what it would be like to explore, especially as it’s so close!

Now, here at Pearly Grey you have the perfect opportunity to experience the incredible island of La Gomera on an exciting jeep safari, with the excellent Tamarán Routes!

Gemma (head of reception) and some of our team recently took the La Gomera Jeep Safari with Tamarán Routes and it was an absolutely superb day of adventure. We were collected by our friendly driver and guide Neil from the resort reception in the morning. Neil speaks perfect English and Spanish, due to his British parents, but having been born in Tenerife and living here all his life.

As most of our guests at Pearly Grey are native English speakers, it made a big difference that Neil spoke the language so well and having a bilingual guide is a big plus point for tours of this nature. Our transport for the day, an almost pristine Land Rover Discovery, also added a lot to the experience as it really added to the feel of being on a safari adventure.

From our collection point, we headed to Puerto de Los Cristianos to catch the 9am Fred Olsen express ferry. The ferry is clean, comfortable and modern with plenty of facilities on-board including food and drink, a gift shop and free wifi. It was an absolutely clear and beautiful day and we enjoyed a wonderful view of Tenerife as we set off from Los Cristianos, and then stunning views of La Gomera as we arrived at San Sebastián de La Gomera, the island’s charming capital city.

From here, Neil let down the roof of the Land Rover and we set off on an exciting exploration of this fascinating island which is full of charm and natural beauty. During the day you will discover a lot of fascinating information, with various different stops along the way, where your guide will take time to explain different information to you. We learned that La Gomera is the only one of the Canary Islands where the volcanoes are considered to be extinct as there has been no volcanic activity there for over 10,000 years! The island has a circular, half-spherical shape, but due to erosion from the weather over thousands of years there are a series of different steep barrancos (ravines), one of which is where the capital is situated, with other towns and villages in others.

The island is very mountainous and steep, meaning the pace of life is fairly tranquil and slow as there are no major roads on the island and little traffic, plus a small population of only around 22,000 people, with just under half living in the capital city. The rest of the population are dotted around in smaller towns such as Agulo, what must be one of the most picturesque traditional towns of the Canaries. It was also our driver Neil’s favourite and it was easy to see why with its colourful buildings, quaint narrow streets, surrounding cliffs and beautiful ocean views!

Considering how much smaller the island is than Tenerife, it is incredible how diverse it is, with the warm, sunny coastal areas, steep cliffs and ravines, and mistier cooler areas at the higher altitudes on the island, with the highest peak Alto de Garajonay rising to 1,487 metres! As we drove around the island and up and along windy roads we took in some absolutely breathtaking views, across at the mountainous landscape, various different types of plant life, fascinating natural rock formations, and the surrounding ocean.

We drove through banana plantations and past various other types of crops such as grape vines, mango, avocado and papaya trees and more. Many of these plants are grown using the traditional terracing system on the island which as Neil explained traps the water and makes growing crops much easier than if the land had just been left as steep cliffs. Many of these terraces have now been left abandoned due to a lack of those willing to work the land, but many remain active as family plots next to houses, growing an abundance of delicious fresh fruit and vegetables helped by the superb Canarian climate!

Half-way through our tour we were taken to the wonderful Las Rosas Restaurante for a delicious three course meal including soup, bread and mojo sauce for starter, a choice of main including vegetarian option and desert, plus wine and water, all of which was included as part of our Jeep Safari excursion. The icing on the cake of our meal, was the sublime view from the restaurant and a fascinating display of the amazing whistled language Silbo Gomero which is native to the island.

This incredible language was used traditionally by the original inhabitants to communicate up to 2 miles away across the ravines of Gomera. Following the their conquest of Gomera, the Spanish adapted and continued to use the language, but over time it began to die out, until the local government ordered that all school children should learn it for its preservation. Some experts believe it is useful for  helping to study the origins of language itself.

Later on we taken to the mesmerizingly beautiful forest of the Garajonay National Park, located in the centre and North of the island which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1986. It is absolutely astonishing to find such a forest when you contrast it to the palm trees and cacti of the coastal areas. The forest is ancient and resembles what much of the rest of Europe would have looked like before the last Ice-Age. With the tall, ancient moss-covered trees, you feel like you are entering some kind of enchanted forest which is especially enhanced by the stillness, peace and quiet that is truly wonderful to experience.

Following this fairytale forest experience, we then continued our journey onwards back towards the capital city, taking in some more incredible views along the way. Once we reached the port we were given around one hour to explore San Sebastián de La Gomera a little, taking in the picturesque main pedestrianised shopping street, the church and the plazas surrounded by palm trees and bars, cafes and restaurants. In a way it was difficult to imagine that this was the capital as it was so relaxed and calm, but then again it was simply a reflection of the laid back nature of La Gomera as a whole. Tenerife has a huge amount going for it, but much of the island is quite crowded, noisy and fast paced, so a La Gomera offers a refreshing contrast.

After a wander around the capital and our day of island discovery, it was time for our 5:30pm ferry ride back to Tenerife. This time we were treated some magnificent views of the Gomera coastline as we left the port, accompanied by a lovely light as the sun had begun to dip down in the sky towards the horizon. Once back at Los Cristianos, the contrast was incredible with traffic, noise and development everywhere. We were driven back to Pearly Grey and dropped off by Neil, who had given us an absolutely superb day out experiencing a taste of a different style of Canary Islands life. In the Canary Islands, there really is something for everyone!

Available: Monday to Saturday

Schedule: the ship starts at 09:00 AM. Return at approximately 17:30 h.

Attractions: San Sebastian de la Gomera, Agulo, Garajonay and more.

Includes: driver, ship transfer and food.

To find out more and/or to make a booking of this fantastic trip with Tamarán Routes, speak to our head receptionist Gemma who went on this trip with us, or another of the reception team.

You can also find out more about this excellent 4 wheel drive excursion company, that was started back in 1987, on their website and social media:

• tamaran.com
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

How to Enjoy an Amazing Holiday in Tenerife

Here in Tenerife there are a vast array of amazing things to see, do and experience that will surprise and delight you during your stay here at Pearly Grey. What you will discover is that the island has so much more to offer than simply sun, sand and sea.

While there are many undeniably beautiful beaches to enjoy and of course the wonderful resort swimming pool and other fantastic onsite amenities, we also fully encourage you to experience some of the other amazing features that the island has to offer. We want to fully dispel the tired image of Tenerife as somewhere to come and laze on the beach or by the pool for a week and what better way to do that than recommending some brilliant excursions for you to try!

Here is our latest list of fun filled, exciting and entertaining excursions which you can book directly from us, so you can have the most memorable Tenerife holiday possible during your stay here at Pearly Grey:

Kayak and Snorkelling:
Due to the wonderful year-round warm, sunny climate in Tenerife it is the perfect place for outdoor activities. One fantastic option is an exclusive Pearly Grey kayaking and snorkeling trip so you can enjoy getting out on the ocean waves. This excursion runs on either Monday or Thursday morning and you will be collected from outside reception and transported directly to Palm Mar coast to begin.

The kayaking lasts about one hour and a half and is huge fun for all the family, with regular sightings of dolphins during your time on the ocean. Afterwards, as you back along the coastline towards the beach you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel where you will catch glimpses of fish, sea turtles and other amazing marine wildlife. Once you are back you will be able to enjoy a snack and refreshments at the beach bar, before being taken back to Pearly Grey for 2pm.

Blue Jack Private Sailing Yacht:
There are few experiences more satisfying or luxurious, then a private sailing yacht trip on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean waters along the coast of Tenerife. One superb option is a trip with Blue Jack Sail on their fantastic luxury yacht. During an excursion with them you will sail out from Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje and be taken on an amazing trip that lasts around three hours. This is an absolutely wonderful experience being out on the ocean waves, with the wind in your hair, sunlight beaming down and stunning views of Tenerife.

During this time you are almost guaranteed to see dolphins or whales and very often both, as the waters around the Canary Islands, including between Tenerife and La Gomera are some of the best in the world to see these wonderful creatures in the wild. Seeing them in the ocean is a truly magical experience! During the excursion you will be provided with soft drinks, wine and beer, plus lunch including sandwiches and fresh fruit and there will be an opportunity to swim and snorkel next to the lovely little village of El Puertito, before sailing back.

Siam Park:
If you are looking for something awesome to do in Tenerife that all of the family will enjoy, then you definitely can’t miss a trip to Siam Park which has once again retained its coveted crown as the Best Water Park in the World (Tripadvisor 2018 Travelers’ Choice)!

Siam Park has a gorgeous exotic Thai themed setting which is picture perfect under the beautiful sunny, blue sky of Tenerife. This is contrasted with an incredible array of fantastic rides and other features, including the famous Tower of Power free-fall slide (not for the faint-hearted) and many other adrenaline fuelled slides that all tremendous fun, plus a huge lazy river, a massive beach area with sunbeds and a giant wave pool, activities for smaller children, places to eat and drink and more. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day out or adrenaline fuelled fun, Siam Park really is the place to go!

Loro Park:
Not only does Tenerife boast the Best Water Park in the World, but it also has the Best Zoo (Tripadvisor 2018 Travelers’ Choice), the world famous Loro Parque! Here you will find a vast array of amazing animals in a spectacular setting. The zoo is based in the north of the island near the well-known town of Puerto de la Cruz. It has been designed with a similar exotic style to Siam Park, including a Thai village and treetop walk, making the park a really interesting place to explore.

Of course, it is home to a whole host of amazing animals such as Sea Lions, Parrots, Pelicans, Gorillas, Chimps, Tigers, and even Sharks. Many of the animals are endangered so the park acts as a sanctuary to them. As well as these and many more, you will also be able to see the spectacular dolphin and orca shows.

Teide by Night:
Not only will you find plenty of amazing attractions created by people, but you will be absolutely amazed by the stunning natural environment of the island. There are some truly incredible landscapes, one of the most amazing being the mountainous interior which is dominated by Mount Teide, a volcano which stands at 3,718-metres tall, making it the third highest point in Spain and highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic.

The height of the surrounding Teide National Park, means it has been crowned as a “Starlight Destination” due to the extremely low-level of light pollution which makes it one of the best places in the world for stargazing. During this unique and unforgettable tour, you will be transported from Pearly Grey to Teide National park where you first experience the sunset which are often truly spectacular.

Then once darkness falls you will experience the breathtaking sight of a sea of stars above you! The professional guide will point out constellations and other features, answering any questions you may have. To top off this magical evening you will be served a delicious three-course meal in the highest restaurant in Tenerife!

MHT Comedy Drag Show:
For something completely different, how about a trip to see the famous Music Hall Tavern (MHT) comedy drag show in Las Americas. As you can tell, in Tenerife you can experience a huge abundance of different excursions and entertainment ranging from world famous water parks, to top global stargazing sights, right through to an evening of hilarious drag show comedy.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to let your hair down and have a really good laugh with your friends or family, then you can’t go wrong with the Music Hall Tavern. This is a show packed with non-stop laughter and surprises, just what you need to help forget the humdrum of daily life back home. The costumes are amazing and the performances excellent. There is a pick up from Pearly Grey in Callao Salvaje three days per week.

Submarine Safaris:
While it is spectacular to witness some of the ocean life such as whales and dolphins from above the waves, it is from beneath the surface that you will truly be able to appreciate how abundant ocean life really is. Another of Tenerife’s unique experiences to try while you are staying at Pearly Grey is a trip with Submarine Safaris.

This is a perfect trip for all the family and will especially delight younger children who will be amazed to see all of the fish and other sea creatures, such as the giant and graceful stingrays who are fed by some of the Submarine Safaris team who scuba dive alongside. The submarine descends to an impressive 27 metre depth, with the trip lasting around one hour, plenty of time to see an amazing variety of ocean animals!

West Tenerife Jet Ski:
While some of the other excursions such as Sea Kayaking, Blue Jack Sail and Submarine Safaris offer relaxing ocean experiences, for something more exhilarating there is Jet Skiing with West Tenerife which offers a truly awesome time! From Los Gigantes harbour you will be taken along the coast by boat and then from there board the jet skis. These are safe, modern jet skis perfect for almost all ages. You will be able to speed along the coast towards Punta de Teno lighthouse taking in views of the incredible Los Gigantes cliffs which are some of the highest in Europe!

Later on you will get an opportunity to swim and snorkel at a perfect spot, plus enjoy drinks and fresh fruit onboard the company boat. After you’ve checked out some of the fish and other marine life, you’ll get another chance to speed along on the jet-skis back to Los Gigantes harbour which is an absolutely exhilarating rush.

Helidreams – Private Helicopter Flights:
For a completely different view of the island, with a real touch of luxury, what better option than a private helicopter flight with Helidreams! Tenerife is an incredible island however you choose to experience it, but for a truly memorable trip, a helicopter flight offers quite literally a completely different experience.

A helicopter flight is one of those once in a lifetime kind of trips and seeing Tenerife from this incredible perspective is breathtaking. As you soar above the coast, towns and resorts and volcanic interior you can appreciate just how diverse and spectacular the island truly is. Speak to the team at Helidreams and they can custom design a trip for you, so you can experience the best views that Tenerife has to offer which includes (of course) Mount Teide, the wine growing region of La Oratava valley, Los Gigantes, Vilaflor, Puerto de la Cruz and much more. Just remember to bring your camera or phone, to get those perfect instagram shots!

Showtime Evening Cabaret:
For a fantastic evening out, you should definitely book a ticket to the Showtime evening Cabaret. This is an excellent, family-friendly choice that everyone will love, with brilliant performances from all of the cast. The show includes live-singing, dance, magic and illusions, and some hilarious comedy.

The show is very close by to Pearly Grey and many of the cast feel like family as some of them even used to work at the resort. You can book tickets to the show which includes dinner and drinks from Pearly Grey reception team and transport to and from the resort is also included in the price. Get ready for a spectacular evening full of fun and laughter!

Freebird Catamaran Whale and Dolphin Watching:
As mentioned earlier, the ocean waters around the Canary Islands are some of the best in the world to witness whales and dolphins, so while staying here at Pearly Grey it is a great opportunity to take a trip out on the ocean to witness these animals in the wild. A brilliant option that is perfect for all the family is aboard the Freebird Catamaran which leaves from Puerto Colon in Costa Adeje.

On board you will provided with lunch as part of the trip, along with complimentary drinks including beer and soft drinks. During the trip the catamaran will stop to give you a chance to swim and dive off the back which is really refreshing after sailing around under the sunny Tenerife skies.

Jungle Park:
Another family friendly favourite is Jungle Park which offers fun for all ages. Conveniently situated just 15 minutes away from Los Cristianos, it is very easy to reach. The park has a wide variety of amazing birds and animals and is famed for the spectacular shows. It also offers fantastic value for money.

You’ll be able to see incredible condors and eagles in free flight above the park, as part of the daily shows which is really an awesome sight to watch. The grace, power and speed of these birds is absolutely amazing. The park is very well designed and offers a sense of exploring a jungle. There is plenty to keep you entertained, including an exhilarating bobsled ride!

Aqualand Costa Adeje:
This is a perfect choice for a fun-filled day out with all the family. There are a variety of different slides, some of which have been specifically designed for kids and other faster and bigger ones for teens and adults, so no-one will feel bored. The year-round warm, sunny weather that you’ll find in Tenerife makes a trip to Aqualand Costa Adeje perfect at any time of the year.

Whether you are with friends or family, there are many hours of fun to be had zipping down the various slides and swimming in the pools. For added entertainment there are also daily dolphin shows.

As you can see, Tenerife has so many different things to do ranging from Submarine trips beneath the ocean to helicopter flights high up in the sky, with everything else in-between. You truly are spoilt for choice. When you stay at Pearly Grey you can easily book any of these excursions by speaking to the helpful reception team, who will also be happy to answer any questions you might have about these trips.

So, while you should definitely enjoy days by the Pearly Grey pool or relaxing at The Edge gazing out to the ocean, you should also try some of the many other amazing experiences that Tenerife has to offer!