Located around 100 miles east of the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands boast what has been described as the world's best climate. Average temperatures vary little throughout the seasons, falling to a winter low of about 21 degrees, and peaking in the summer months at around 27 degrees.

 The number one destination for winter holidays in Europe, the Canary Islands are part of Spain. Tourism is the major industry and English is widely spoken. There is a good choice of self catering holiday accommodation, both apartments and villas. The coastal areas of all the islands are well developed with hotels, apartment blocks and villas.

Many of the apartments and villas were purchased by absentee owners who spend only part of the year in their properties. Most are rented during the remainder of the year on a self catering basis, a profitable business as holiday accommodation is in demand all year because of the agreeable climate. The largest of the islands,Tenerife, is triangular in shape with Mount Teide, a dormant volcano, in the middle of the island. Tenerife is the most popular islands for tourists, although tourism is concentrated in the hotter and drier south.

The north of the island is cooler and greener. The volcano and mountains separate the two distinct parts of the island and are responsible for the two different mini-climates. The largest population live on the island of Gran Canaria which is also home to Las Palmas, a shopper's paradise.

Like Tenerife, Gran Canaria is also split into two distinct halves with mountains separating the north from the south of the island. here too, the south is drier and warmer than the lush green of the north. The most popular beaches (Maspolmas, El Ingles, and Casa de los Coroneles) are in the south of the islands. The fishing villages of Puerto Rico, Puerto de Morgan and Pasito Blanco enjoy picture-postcard scenery and are a 'must' for your holiday itinerary.

The Canary Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in Lanzarote where the landscape is black and almost moon-like. The National Park of Timanfaya includes spectacular scenery and is a popular tourist choice.

The beaches here are famous for their fine sand. Fuerteventura is home to the longest beaches in the Canary Islands. The stretch running between the towns of Pajara and Jandia offers some 4 miles of golden sand. This area is popular with divers who can enjoy the spectacular underwater world. Tourism has yet to spread to the other three islands, with the result that there are very few self catering apartments or villas available.

The island of La Gomera is reachable by ferry from Tenerife and has several small, sandy bays and large banana plantations. La Palma, or Green Island as it also called has, as the name suggests, lush green forests. The landscape is wild, and there are many huge waterfalls. El Hierro, the smallest of the islands, is very popular with divers. Not for nothing are the Canary Islands the most popular holiday destination for so many Europeans. The climate is as near perfection as one could ask for, and the scenery is spectacular and varied.

Indeed, the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria in particular enjoy completely different climates and scenery in the south and north of each island. Once you visit the Canaries you will want to return many times, as on each visit you can enjoy a very different experience.