Just off the coast of Africa but proudly Spanish, the Canary Islands are seven slices of sunshine, volcanoes, and beachy bliss — all with their own personality. Technically, the Canary Islands belong to Spain but they are closer to Morocco. Also, the name Canary actually comes from the Latin, meaning “Islands of the Dogs” not birds.
Kyle, Theresa, and I set off from Santiago, our early morning flight lifting off through the rain … not quite on schedule but close enough. The journey was smooth and uneventful. We landed at Tenerife South Airport, ready for a new adventure. Picking up our rental car was easy, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained and modern the roads were. It was about a 40-minute drive to Santa Cruz, and it took a little time to adjust to the local streets and traffic signs.
A bit of finagling later, we found our rhythm. Thankfully, our apartment came with a garage parking space — a real blessing. After a bit of a scavenger hunt to track down all the necessary keys, doors, elevators, and garage openers, we finally settled in. All was good.
We didn’t have much time to soak in our new surroundings — Quinn and Emily’s flight had just arrived, and we were soon back on the road, heading to the airport to pick them up.
Needless to say, everyone was pretty wiped out from a long day of travel. On the way back from the airport, we made a quick stop at a mercado, and Kyle whipped up an amazing meal while we all settled in and relaxed, soaking up the comfort of our apartment. Despite our exhaustion, the excitement of being there made it hard to finally call it a night.
In Spain, Easter is celebrated in a more relaxed and low-key way. The focus is on family gatherings, attending church services, and enjoying the outdoors. The atmosphere is festive yet peaceful, with many people heading to the beach or exploring the countryside. Similarly, our day was quiet and leisurely as we spent time walking around and getting to know Santa Cruz.
We strolled past the harbor and along the shoreline, where cruise ships were docked and ferry boats came and went. Santa Cruz is full of interesting public art.
I was intrigued by the El Muro sculpture — mostly because I had absolutely no idea what I was looking at. Apparently, the sculptor, Juan Bordes, is famous for his expressive depictions of the human form. It’s supposed to evoke a sense of balance and physical tension. Personally, I’m still not entirely sure what was going on, but hey — it looked impressive.
Charcos de Valleseco is a newly developed coastal area designed to provide residents and visitors with a modern seaside experience. The project transformed a previously underutilized stretch of coastline into a recreational space featuring natural-style pools, floating platforms, sunbathing areas, and accessible facilities.
This is a city where nature and urban life bloom side by side. From lush botanical gardens to vibrant public parks, the city showcases a rich tapestry of flowers that reflect its subtropical climate and cultural heritage.
It was a quiet Easter, yet very pleasant. We had a wonderful dinner at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely walk back to our apartment, soaking in the calm evening.
Jane in Spain 