100% customisable travel idea
The Canary Islands Up Close The great outdoors and beautiful accommodation in La Palma
Spain - Canary Islands - La Palma - Santa Cruz - Tazacorte
In the countryside, far from the crowds
Your journey
As you would expect on an island, everything slows down and you move at your own pace. What better way to do this than with a rental car along and our app, that comes with GPS and loaded with our recommendations. You’re free roam to wherever you want. To minimise travel time, we have chosen two strategically placed stop-offs on either side of the island. These are not just bases: meticulously selected, they are an integral part of the journey. In Santa Cruz, you stay in a typical 17th-century house with wooden balconies, ceilings and patios. In Tazacorte, your accommodation is a former sugar plantation transformed into a hotel and museum. Your activities have been chose with the same care: a tour of the capital with a local who speaks your language, followed by two hikes to explore the region’s natural wonders - in a private group as always. And if, along the way, you feel like extending your exploration of the island with a trip to Barranco de la Galga, just tell our on site Concierge. Together with your travel specialist, they are trained to respond to your every request and make any changes during your trip.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, collect your rental car and drive to a historic district of the capital. If these walls could talk, what would they say about this address? Built in the 17th century, the stately house holds four centuries of history. Over time, it has taken on new colours but has never lost its original features. The heart of the home appears untouched: the wooden floor creaks underfoot, and the stones emerge with a controlled boldness. The four rooms are spacious; high ceilings are supported by beautiful beams. As for the light, it slips in wherever it can: in small rays through the stained-glass windows, then boldly into the sublime inner courtyard. You settle in for two nights in this timeless residence.
In your itinerary - Santa Cruz in the footsteps of a local. A maze of alleyways stretches out like balconies facing the ocean - beautiful, secretive Santa Cruz is slow to reveal itself. What secrets are hidden behind the neatly aligned buildings with their jutting balconies? To discover it, you’ll explore the city alongside a local. With them, doors that are usually closed open with a nostalgic creak. This is the case, for example, with the oldest residence in the city. You’ll find yourself, without quite knowing how, sipping sangria on the rooftop, looking out at a lovely church. Scheduled: a carefree, relaxed and spontaneous visit. ¡Salud!
From the east coast to the west coast, drive to Tazacorte. After a few winding turns and a glimpse of the aptly named hinterland, the port city comes into view. Stay for three nights in a former 17th-century sugar plantation, now steeped in baroque opulence. The lush tropical gardens conceal around thirty colourful private residences with an abundance of period furniture. Artefacts worthy of a museum adorn the rooms, which have nonetheless sacrificed nothing in terms of comfort. Time slips away in the spa as well, where you wait for your massage, moving between the Finnish sauna and the hydromassage pool - a most delightful dilemma. As for the service and dining, they live up to the atmosphere that surrounds the place - which says a lot.
Already planned - Walk around Las Tricias. As soon as you reach the western slope, the coastline stretches north. The hamlet of Las Tricias serves as a gateway to explore this region of the island. Along the trails and around a bend, the intriguing dragon trees unfurl like parasols. Further on, caves and troglodyte dwellings nestled in the rock offer a glimpse of what daily life might have been for pre-Hispanic civilisations. Your private guide shares information and anecdotes as you walk, from mills converted into museums to rustic taverns.
In your itinerary - Hike to Tajogaite volcano. On 19 September 2021, the archipelago held its breath: the earth opened up in La Palma, in the south-west of the island, with a resounding roar. Magma spray, steam and gases rose as the youngest of the Canary Islands volcanoes began to emerge. This would last for 85 days. You have to break through the layer of lapilli and ash to reach the eruptive centre, where the lava flows that affected the villages and hamlets began. Amid the ravaged vegetation, the Canary Island pine stands like a phoenix, having lived with fire for millions of years.
Optional extra - The open-air Barranco de la Galga.
Drive the east coast to Santa Cruz airport, return the car, and take your international flight home.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Barranco de la Galga and the wide open skies
Beneath the canopy, the first steps are hesitant. Visitors disappear into the ancient forest amid giant ferns, vines and laurel trees. The air is devilishly humid, the landscape intensely green. Beyond this natural dome, above you, your gaze stretches far into the distance. Birds emerge from this thick cover as if they had lingered too long beneath the surface. "How many shades of green are there here?" you wonder, back in civilisation, comfortably seated in front of a steaming cup of local coffee.
Why visit Spain with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Spain
- Globally unique concierge service
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
