Many people do not know that Spain has a wide variety of cheeses. Yet you can find all kinds of different cheeses in Spain. One of the most famous is the Manchego cheese, but Spain has many other different cheeses. Most Spanish cheese finds its origin in the area of Asturias, which is known as a real cheese region.

• Manchego is one of the best known Spanish cheeses and is also widely eaten in the Netherlands.
• The famous cheese region of Asturias hosts an annual cheese market, where farmers from all over the region sell their products.

Spain has a wide variety of cheeses, so you can find many different cheeses, all with very different tastes. Actually, all types of cheeses are made in Spain. For example, you can find the well-known young and old cheese, but also white cheese, blue cheese or extra spicy cheese. Some well-known cheeses from Spain are the Manchego, the Tetilla and the Cabrales. Spanish cheese is made from the milk of cows, sheep, goats or a combination of these three.

Spain's most famous cheese region is Asturias in northern Spain. In this region, small family farms have been making cheese for generations.  What is nice to see when you visit this region is that shepherds still roam the area with their flocks of sheep and goats. The most famous cheese from this region is the Cabrales, a mold cheese that comes from the combination of cow, sheep and goat milk. This cheese owes its special taste to the aging process in limestone caves.  Every last Sunday of August, the area hosts a large cheese market, where cheese farmers from all over the area gather to sell their products.

Manchego Cheese

The most famous cheese from Spain is the Manchego cheese. This sheep's cheese is named after La Mancha and has been made here from the whole milk of Manchega sheep for over two thousand years. Manchego has a rather sweet but mild flavor. The cheese used to be very popular with shepherds, who took it with them on their treks, because it had a very long shelf life. Today, the cheese has an aging period of about two to three months and can be divided into 4 categories. Young Manchego is called "fresco" in Spain, young cured is called "semicurado", cured is called "curado" and old Manchego is called "viejo" in Spain.

Manchego cheese is one of the many Spanish specialties and is used in many different ways. It can be eaten as a tapa, incorporated into a salad or, of course, served on a cheese board, where it is often combined with a paste of quince and nuts. What is special about Manchego cheese is that nowadays it is actually produced all over Spain but no one has ever managed to recreate it perfectly like in La Mancha. This is because the weather conditions in La Mancha are unique. The summers are long, dry and very hot, while the winters are very cold. 

Spain is known to many Dutch people as the ideal summer destination: sun, sea and beautiful Spanish costas. Spain has much more to offer than just this. For example, there are several large mountain ranges in Spain and there are also some perfect ski resorts.

• The largest mountain range in Spain is the Pyrenees.
• Two thirds of Spain consists of a central plateau.
• The Sierra Nevada is the most famous winter sports destination in Spain.
• Spain has the most mountains in Europe except for Switzerland.

The largest mountain range in Spain is the Pyrenees. The Spanish Pyrenees are located in northeastern Spain on the border with France. The Pyrenees are about 430 km long from east to west. Of the Pyrenees, about two-thirds consist of the Spanish Pyrenees. The Pyrenees are great for a skiing or hiking vacation. Fromigal is one of the most famous ski resorts in the Spanish Pyrenees. Fromigal has more than 137 km of slopes.

Another well-known winter sports destination is the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is located in the Betic Cordillera in southeastern Spain. It is the southernmost ski resort in Europe. The Sierra Nevada has 65 km of slopes and the ski season lasts 5 months. In the Sierra Nevada, Pradollano and Borreguiles are the main ski slopes. The Sierra Nevada has as many as 16 mountain peaks that rise above 3,000 meters. The highest point on the Spanish mainland is therefore found in the Sierra Nevada and has a height of 3482 meters. The special thing about a winter sports vacation in the Sierra Nevada is that while skiing you have a view of the Spanish coast! Skiing in Spain combined with a few days at the beach is therefore an excellent possibility!

Besides the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees, Spain has a number of other Spanish mountains. For example, there is also the Castilian dividing mountain range. Spain consists of about two-thirds Spanish plateau with an average height of 600 meters. This mountain range, as it were, splits the Spanish plateau in two. The Castilian Divide mountain range begins north of Madrid and runs south of the region of Castile y Leon to just across the border with Portugal.

In northwestern Spain there is also the Cantabrian Mountains. This mountain range lies west of the Pyrenees and is the separation between the green Atlantic coast and the dry Spanish plateau. Although the Cantabrian Mountains also have some ski resorts, this mountain range is mostly known for its many hiking opportunities. This mountain range is also home to the deepest caves in Spain.

Besides all these outdoor skiing opportunities, there is also the possibility to enjoy the snow in the heart of summer in Madrid. This is because Madrid has the largest indoor ski center in Europe. Its perfect location in southwestern Europe and its many opportunities make Spain the sunniest winter sports destination in Europe.

Let's talk a little bit about Spanish literature today. The works of Federico García Lorca not only represent masterful writing, but they also play an important role in Spain's cultural history.

Blood Wedding or Bodas de Sangre was written by the famed Spanish writer in 1932, the play is a tragedy and was the first part in the three works making up Lorca’s “rural tragedies”, alongside Yerma and La Casa de Bernarda Alba.

• The play is full of dark symbolism, and deals with themes such as loss, death and transience.
• It is suggested that Bodas de Sangre was inspired by a newspaper article reporting the story of a Bride who ran away with her lover on the night of her wedding.

Bodas de Sangre

The narrative is fairly simple; at the beginning of the play, a neighbor informs the mother of a bridegroom that the girl soon to marry her son was once romantically involved with a man called Leonardo Felix. This deeply unsettles the Mother due to a long standing feud with the Felix family, who were responsible for the premature deaths of her son and husband. On the morning of the wedding, Leonardo reveals his continuing desires to the Bride, and it is clear the Bride reciprocates. Later on the same day, just before the traditional wedding dance, it comes to light that the two have eloped, and the Groom is driven out into the forest to follow them in a fit of incandescence. The Mother of the Groom demands the wedding party follow suit in search of the Bride and Leonardo. Meanwhile, in the forest, three woodcutters appear and warn Leonardo that he will soon be caught if the moon shines. The play then takes a symbolic turn, with the moon itself appearing to foretell that before the night is over, blood will have been shed. A beggar standing as a metaphor for death then appears to predict the same outcome, eerily demanding that the moon shines brightly.  Death, now disguised differently, leads the Groom to Leonardo, despite warnings from the wedding party to turn back. After two screams are heard, the beggar and the moon come back as the scene ends; the Groom and Leonardo have murdered one another. It is assumed that the play ends with the Bride being killed to restore the honor of her family, yet some critics consider the Mother spares the Bride‘s death so that she must live to experience the pain of her loss.

As is the case with much of Lorca’s work, the play explores themes related to the human condition, the notion of time, the natural cycle of life and the idea of choice and inevitability. Such themes are widely considered both universal and pertinent, explaining the contemporary relevance of Lorca’s works. However, it could equally be argued that the play is a disguised critique of the conventions of Spanish society at the time of writing, the gossiping neighbors who gather to discuss the events towards the end of the play perhaps a demonstration of the importance of keeping up appearances in 20^th Century Spain. It is worth noting too, that the characters in Bodas de Sangre are not given names, with the exception of Leonardo himself. The characters are instead referred to by their titles; la madre, el novio, la novia, la vecina.

Ecuador's largest mainland park is located in the center of the country and is surrounded by the provinces of Morona Santiago, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Cañar and Pastaza. The park has a variety of ecosystems: from arid landscapes to snow-capped Andean peaks and from tropical forests to icy fields. Sangay National Park boasts every climate. Since 1983, the park has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with Ecuador's other attractions: the Galapos Islands, colonial Quito and the walled city of Cuenca. The Sangay Park is ideal for mountaineers, horseback riders, hikers and mountain bikers who want to enjoy the breathtaking views.

• Sangay National Park is located in central Ecuador 200 kilometers south of the capital Quito and covers an area of over 517,000 square meters.
• The highlights of the park are its three volcanoes: the Tungurahua, Sangah and El Altar. The first two are currently too active to be climbed. El Altar is considered inactive.
• Sangay National Park is home to the rare Bergtapir, Spectacled Bear and Andean condor.

Located in central Ecuador, the park contains as much as 517,000 square meters. In 1975, the park was named Wildlife Reserve to protect its flora and fauna. Soon it was officially named Sangay National Park and finally in 1983 it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park is located 200 kilometers south of the capital Quito and is easiest to reach from the north. From the town of Baños, it is about 70 kilometers to the park's entrance.

The park is dominated by three major volcanoes. Ecuador's most active volcanoes, Tungurahua and Sangah, are located in Sangay National Park. These two volcanoes are very dangerous to climb. El Altar volcano is 5318 meters high and extinct. Therefore, it is a popular volcano for mountaineers. The park is also recommended for horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers.

The park's wilderness is so varied that it is a very popular place to visit. The park has more than 300 lakes and also has waterfalls, volcanoes, rivers, caves and hot springs. Due to the isolation of the park, many endemic species have survived, such as the Mountain Tapir, Spectacled Bear, Guinea Pig and the Puma. The famous Andescondor, which is among one of the largest flying birds on Earth, has also been spotted in the park.

Visiting the park is free, like almost all national parks in Ecuador. Very many activities are organized from major places in Ecuador, but most are organized from the city of Baños. Staying in this city is also recommended during a vacation in Ecuador because of its hot springs, many hiking opportunities and adventurous excursions. For lovers of different ecosystems, diverse nature, flora and fauna, Ecuador's largest park is a walhalla par excellence and should not be missed during a trip to Ecuador. 

With swamps the size of the Benelux countries and a biodiversity you can't help but love, the Amazon is the largest area on earth where nothing but pure nature can be found. The area is spread over 9 countries in South America and the world's longest river flows right through it. Besides the presence of enormous biodiversity, the area is also home to indigenous tribes who, in all ignorance of modern civilization, take advantage of what the Amazon rainforest has to offer at all times.

• The Amazon covers much of Brazil; as much as half of the entire area is in this country.
• Straight through the largest rainforest on earth flows the Amazon; according to some measurements the longest river on earth, but still in contention for this title with the Nile River.
• There are still people on earth who have never heard of a computer or even a bicycle and live solely on what nature provides them. The indigenous tribes live off the Amazon rainforest.

Latin America is home to the vast Amazon Basin, known as the largest rainforest on Earth. The Amazon region is also called the Amazon Basin or the Amazon Lowlands. The area is so named because of the river that runs straight through it: the Amazon. In 1541, the conquistador Francisco de Orellana was sailing down this river when he was bombarded with poisoned arrows by warriors. The conquistador thought these warriors were women and called them "Amazons" in the travelogue.

With an area of up to 7 million km2, it is almost as large as all of Australia and covers some 9 countries in Latin America: Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Bolivia, French Guiana, Venezuela and Suriname. About 50% of the entire area is in Brazil, covering a large part of the country. Not only is the size of the area impressive, it also has tremendous biodiversity. First, it contains swamps comparable in size to the entire Benelux countries! This is due in part to the fact that at least 10 meters of rain falls each year, often flooding a large part of the area and causing swamps. Second, 20% of the world's bird species live in the Amazon and it is home to as many as 100 million species of insects. In addition, of course, there are many other (mostly protected) species of animals that live in the Amazon. 

One example is the jaguar, an animal that likes to live near water in an environment that is as forested as possible. So the rainforest is the perfect home for jaguars. From mini monkeys weighing 150 grams to mega spiders the size of tennis balls, the Amazon has it all! Lastly, it has tremendous biodiversity because the planting and forestation is extremely varied. According to experts, one square kilometer of rainforest can contain as many as 75,000 species of trees plus another 150,000 types of plants. The water lily of the Amazon Rainforest, with a diameter of 2 meters, is the largest flower in the world and beautiful to see. The diversity of types of plants in the Amazon Rainforest is the highest in the world.

The Amazon River begins its 6,500-kilometer journey in Peru, where it rises in the Andes Mountains. Until it reaches Brazil, the river flows with dozens of other rivers in its upper reaches. Once it arrives in Brazil (the Lowlands of the Amazon), it has now become a huge river with a gigantic flow of water that continues its way through Ecuador, Boliva and Colombia. The most typical of the Amazon is its color; the Amazon is yellow/brown in color. The river's water that enters the Atlantic Ocean is still distinguishable from sea water for a long time.

In addition to the 100 million insects, there are also some 300,000 people belonging to indigenous tribes living in the Amazon, about 180,000 of whom are Indians who live in absolute ignorance. The Indians have never had contact with modern civilization and therefore know nothing about the things we take for granted. The indigenous tribes depend entirely on what the rainforest provides them. For example, they get all their food from the plants and animals, and even medicines are made from special plants. In addition, the rainforest provides good shelters for entire families and plenty of tools can be made from the strong wood of the trees.

Javier Bardem is one of the most famous actors in Spanish film history. Born into a family with many film writers, directors and actors, this Spanish actor has become a world-class movie star. Bardem has also won several awards: five "Best Actor" awards and an Oscar nomination for "Best Actor.

• Javier Bardem is one of the most famous Spanish actors and very important in Spanish film history. He has won numerous awards including an Academic Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and five GOYA awards.
• Actually, Bardem's dream was to become an artist, so he did a four-year course in painting at the "Escuela de Artes y Oficios" in Madrid. To pay for this, Bardem took any acting job he was asked for.
• Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz starred together in the 1992 film "Jamón, Jamón. Now they are married and have two children.

Javier Bardem was born on the island of Gran Canaria in 1969. Because his parents divorced shortly after his birth, Bardem was raised by his mother who worked as an actress. His grandparents, Matilde Sampredo and Rafael Bardem were also both actors and his uncle Juan Antonio Bardem worked as a screenwriter and director. With such a family, it is no surprise that Bardem rolled into the film industry. Yet a career as an actor was not his dream, and despite his success, he did not give up on his dream of becoming an artist. He trained at art school in Madrid before still focusing on acting.

Bardem began acting at age six, with a role he had in the film 'El Picaro' in 1974. After his role in Bigas Luna's film "The Ages of Lulu," the director made the decision to cast Bardem for the film "Jamón Jamón" in 1992. This proved to be a good decision, as the film became a great international success after which Bardem also got a role in Luna's next film, "Golden Balls. In 2004 he starred in the moving film Mar Adentro "The Sea Inside," in which he played a man paralyzed from the neck down who had to live with it for 29 years, while wishing for euthanasia himself. For this film, Bardem was honored with the Award for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. Of all the films Javier Bardem has played in, two stand out; 'No Country for Old Men,' for which he won the Oscar for 'Best Supporting Actor' in 2007 by playing a psychopathic killer, and secondly one of the greatest film productions in history 'Skyfall.' His 2012 portrayal of the "badass" Raoul Silva in the James Bond film "Skyfall," earned Bardem a BAFTA, an award from the British Academy of Film and Television. Skyfall is considered by many to be the best film in the Bond series.

The Spanish actor has received almost every possible award and continues to be involved in highly successful film projects. He even received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. In his private life, he is known to be a big fan of heavy metal music and is fluent in English. In 2007, Bardem began dating Penelope Cruz during the filming of the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," in which they both starred. The couple married in 2010 and have a son and a daughter. 

Source cover image: Wikipedia

Hawaii and Brazil are of course known as the surf destinations of South America, but Peru should not be forgotten for surf vacations. The coast of Peru offers waves for surfers of all levels: beginners, advanced and experts. Constant winds from the far south create high waves on Peru's numerous surf beaches.

• Surfing used to be for the richer people of Peru and was hardly paid attention to. Nowadays, newspapers are full of it and Peru even has its own surfing program on national TV: 'Surf Peru'.
• Peru sponsors and organizes many international surf events making the country increasingly popular as a surfing destination.
• Every summer the beaches are filled with children, youth, adults and sometimes pets surfing.

Since ancient times, surfing has been important in Peru. The first Peruvian settlers were already trying to fish through surfing! In addition, a few world surfing champions come from Peru. In 2004 Sofía Mulánovich became the female surfing world champion and in 2007 Luis Miguel, aka "Magoo," won the World Masters Surfing Championship and then Christobal de Col became the world youth surfing champion. Because of these successes, surfing is very popular among Peruvians. Long ago, surfing was only done by the "elite," but today it is an activity that anyone can do.

Peru's most famous surf spot is "Máncora." This beach is located on the northern coast of Peru and has the largest "left hand point break" in the world. It is also home to the world's largest wave, the "Chicama," which is over 4 km long. And in "Pica Alto" you will find the highest surf waves in South America, as much as 4 meters! Since 2007, the beaches of Máncora have also been used for professional competitions and championships. Because of this, there are many tourist attractions here such as surf stores and schools, restaurants and accommodations. Many spectators also come to watch the professional surfing. Tour operators therefore offer many surf vacations in Peru.

Peru has so much to offer as a travel destination, but often surfing is forgotten during a vacation to Peru. That while surfing is an important aspect of Peruvian life. Chicama has been included in the top 10 surf vacations by Surfer Magazine, so if you have a chance to take a surf lesson there, definitely do it! 

Its mild climate, beautiful coastline, diverse marine life, rich history and unique cultures make the Mediterranean Sea one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The Mediterranean covers an area of over 2.5 million km² and is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar, between Spain and North Africa. The sea gives as many as 21 countries a beautiful coastline, making them very interesting destinations to seek the adventure of the Mediterranean. Moreover, do not miss the 23 beautiful islands of the Mediterranean, including Ibiza and Mallorca. A wide variety of countries, vast coastlines, beaches of unparalleled beauty and a mild climate make the Mediterranean a true paradise for adventure activities and sports.

Cruises

There are numerous companies offering cruises across the Mediterranean. They usually last from 3 to 14 days. The itineraries mainly pass through a number of important ports, where you can find traces and remains of ancient civilizations and exotic cultures. Mediterranean cruises can be divided into three categories: East Mediterranean cruises, West Mediterranean cruises and South Mediterranean cruises. Choose a West Mediterranean cruise to discover Spanish culture. The cruise ships often dock in Valencia, Barcelona or Mallorca.

Diving

The Mediterranean has many perfect diving sites. The water has a pleasant temperature ranging from 14°C to 24°C and shows a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Strait of Gibraltar, in southern Spain, is narrow and shallow, making it perfect for diving.

In the Mediterranean there are many places where you can find excellent diving for reef and shipwrecks. For those who want to combine this, Torrevieja in Spain is the perfect place. Other wonderful diving destinations in Spain are the Canary Islands, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands.

Surf

Abundant beaches with big waves make the Mediterranean Sea a wonderful destination for surfers. Big waves can be found in the north, in the Cantabrian Sea. That's also where the name "Bay of Biscay" comes from. On the coast of the Mediterranean, however, there are also some great spots for surfing. For example, take a look at these beaches: El Bogatell, El Castell, Morro de Gos, Playa Fiesta, Torrevieja and, perhaps the most famous, Playa del Voramar in Benicasim!

The best place in the Mediterranean to spot whales and dolphins is: the Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean. The cold waters of the northern hemisphere and the warm, tropical waters meet here, creating a perfect place to observe migrating whales. The best place for this in Spain is probably Tarifa, where you can see species such as bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, striped dolphin, pilot whale, sperm whale, and orcas.

Cycling Sports

There are many companies dedicated to cycling in the Mediterranean. Routes from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from coastlines to mountains, there is a little bit of everything. There are also routes with different themes, such as Mediterranean gastronomy and many others!

Kayaking

The Mediterranean is a great place to get acquainted with kayaking! Many kayaking routes are combined with hiking trails so you can do excellent scenic exploration. Sardinia, Malta and Tunisia are the best kayaking spots in the Mediterranean. Another, great place to kayak is on the Catalan coast in Spain, where you will see the most beautiful cliffs, rock openings, caves and much more! In the south of Spain is Andalusia, another great place for water adventures. Go to Tarifa, for example, where you can kayak, canoe or raft. Moreover, there are many tour operators on the Costa Blanca that will make sure your kayaking, canoeing or rafting adventure will be amazing!

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is a popular sport, so what could be better than practicing it in the Mediterranean? Israel and Turkey offer tours and trails along the Mediterranean, but for those seeking an authentic Mediterranean adventure, Spain is a must because of its pure Andalusian thoroughbred horse. Spain also has a rich equestrian history and there is a wide range of equestrian trails to choose from. For breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, however, we recommend Catalonia, where many of the adventure tours offer two days of horseback riding on the beach.

The Mediterranean is a beautiful cruising area rich in history and cultural values. Sailors from all over the world come to the Mediterranean to sail near the Greek Islands, Turkey, Sardinia, the French Riviera, the coastline of Spain and the Balearic Islands.

Alejandro Amenábar is a widely respected film director and prominent artistic personality in the Spanish speaking world; over the span of his career in the film industry, Amenábar has been the recipient of multiple awards, including a European film award and 8 Goya Awards. His passion for film manifests in the personal edge Amenábar brings to his works, having composed nearly every soundtrack to each of his 6 Spanish films, and having written the screenplays himself in addition.

• Amenábar, one of the most talented and diverse Spanish film directors in modern times, has dual nationality; his mother is Spanish and his father Chilean.
• Between the years 1991 and 1994, Alejandro made 4 short films which laid the foundations for the full length films which were to follow.

Alejandro Amenábar’s interests in culture and narrative can be traced back to his childhood; it is said he dedicated much of his leisure time to reading stories, writing his own, going to the cinema or composing his own music. These experiences no doubt heightened his thirst for a creative outlet, and sharpened an already expansive imagination. The initial short films Alejandro produced were Himenoptero, La Cabeza and Luna. Indeed, it was one of these short films which sparked a series of events propelling Amenábar onto the landscape of Spanish film; on receiving a copy of the script for Himenoptero, Jose Luis Cuerda became interested in Alejandro’s work, and this quickly led to him taking on the role of producer for the 1996 film Thesis, undoubtedly one of his most famous and iconic films. His next film was Abre los Ojos in 1997, which enjoyed particular success at both the Tokyo film festival and that in Berlin. However, this film is known to most film fans as Vanilla Sky, with Tom Cruise having adapted and produced it after purchasing the rights on noting its potential.

Amenábar showcased his diversity as a film producer when he directed the iconic horror film The Others, which starred internationally renowned actress Nicole Kidman. This film was extremely successful in Spain, being the most watched film of the year, and similarly in the USA, where it remained amongst the top few films at the Box Office for a period of several weeks. The Others had its premiere in 2001 at the Venice Film Festival, winning a grand total of 8 Goya awards, including Best Director and Best Movie. Another of Amenábar’s most famous, and certainly most touching, pieces is known in English as The Sea Inside or Mar Adentro, which narrates the moving story of quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro, and addresses polemical issues including abortion and the film’s most prominent theme: euthanasia. Amongst an extensive list of Goya awards, Mar Adentro also claimed the Academy Award in 2004 for Best Foreign Language Film. 4 years later in 2008, Amenábar released the most expensive piece in Spanish film history, Agora, which had a budget of 50 million Euros. Aside from his own works, Alejandro is also known for his composition of the soundtrack for La lengua de las mariposas or Butterfly’s Tongue. 

Tenerife is known for its beautiful beaches and the always nice weather. Located next to the coast of Morocco, near the equator, this island is the ideal place for a sun vacation. With an average temperature between 18 and 25 degrees, Tenerife is also known as "the land of eternal spring. With an abundance of coral reefs, cave and wreck dives and a sea temperature of over 20 degrees, Tenerife is the ideal location for a diving vacation in Europe.

• Tenerife is one of the best places in Europe for diving. You can dive to various shipwrecks, underwater animals and caves.
•  With Tenerife's pleasant climate, the island is very popular all year round.
• don Quijote now combines Spanish courses with diving courses in Tenerife!

The best diving destinations are often far outside Europe. Think Thailand, Mexico, Egypt and Australia. Even though the water in Europe is not as clear, you won't find fish like Nemo or colorful coral reefs, there are some special diving spots to be found in Europe.  Tenerife is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for diving vacations. Because Tenerife is an island, there are plenty of exciting, interesting and fun diving spots to be found.

The island of Tenerife has plenty of great places to (scuba) dive. Scuba means "Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus" and is the international term for the compressed air apparatus. Scuba diving and regular diving are both possible on the island. Wherever you stay, there is always a dive spot nearby. Surely the most popular spot is El Puertito. Here you can get your first diving license and the water is up to 12 meters deep, so no experience is required. At El Puertito you will encounter a few underwater animals such as parrotfish, turtles and octopus. Las Vistas is also very popular among beginners. Again, you don't need any experience and you can dive up to 12 meters deep. Las Vistas is very popular for its night diving. Here you can spot scorpion fish, stingrays and also octopuses.

For wreck diving, El Condesito is the place to be. Here you can dive to the wreckage of the ship Condesito. The diving area is as deep as 30 meters, but no diving experience is required. At El Meridian you can find wreck pieces of the ship Meridian and the special thing about this wreck is that the ship remained almost unchanged. However, diving experience is required here. Among experienced divers, the spots El Meridian and the Cueva de las Morenas are very popular. At both spots you can dive up to 30 meters deep. In addition, the spot Cueva de las Morenas is very special because there is a cross and a statue of the Virgin Carmen around the bottom. This should remind divers in Tenerife not to dive recklessly.

There are plenty of diving schools in Tenerife to suit all tastes. For a beginning diver a basic lesson costs about 60 to 70 euros and a first course, the PADI Open Water course of 3 to 4 days costs about 350 euros. It is also possible to spend a day snorkeling which costs about 30 euros. In Tenerife you can also combine a Spanish course with a diving course. This way you do two things in one! For diving enthusiasts, Tenerife is the ideal place in Europe. Nice and close, always a good temperature and beautiful and exciting diving spots.