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Excursions |
Pyramids of Guimar
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Tenerife has it's own pyramids! How and Why? The favourite theory is that they are step pyramids similar to those found in Peru and Mexico. Then there are those who say that the pyramids are nothing more than piles of stones, cleared away by local farmers, which have simply built up over time to vaguely resemble pyramids! Go to Guimar in south Tenerife and have a look and decide for youself. There are six Chacona pyramids in the Valley of Guimar, Tenerife. Unlike the agricultural terraces around them, which were built from rounded boulders found in the soil, the pyramids were built from angular blocks quarried from lava flows. The main pyramid complex with plazas was found to be astronomically oriented to sunset at the summer solstice.
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Observatorio del Teide
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The first telescope, which was dedicated to the study of "zodiacal light" came into operation in 1964. The Observatorio del Teide belongs to Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).Various telescopes each have their own purpose - dedicated to the likes of photgraphing the stars and sky, analysing the sun and its atmosphere, studies in infrared, tracking comets, cataloging space debris and the Vacuum Tower Telescope (the largest with a 60cm primary mirror) dedicated to the study of the solar atmosphere. You could even watch a comet crash on Jupiter from here! Teams from around the world come to study here.
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Parques Exoticos
Tel +34 22 795424 Open 10am to 6pm
Free bus to and from Playa de los Americas and Los Cristianos every hour. Spitting distance really from Los Cristianos (exit 26 off the TF1), the Parques Exoticos is a cactus and animal park, some 70,000 meters square in size. Some of its features include a tropical rain forest, the cactus garden, a butterfly garden and bat cave.
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Tenerife Zoo
Tel +34 22 790720
Staying near Los Cristianos and exit 26 off the TF1 and Tenerife Zoo is around there somewhere too. Lots of animals to see here but their speciality is the Monkey Park. There's also an adjacent camel park where you can have a ride too.
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Parque Las Aguilas
Tel + 34 22 729010 Fax + 34 22 729362
Open 10am to 6pm daily
MORE INFO HERE
Go down the TF1 until you see the exit for Los Cristianos and you'll see the signs for Parque Las Aguilas too. It's also a nice place to start at on your way up to Teide from the south as it's on the same road, not far from the two resorts. So, the name says it's the park of the eagles but there's a lot more to see besides. There's a huge arena to watch the eagles perform but the park is a pretty impressive zoo - jaguars, siberian tigres, monkeys, penguins... there's other attracions too that aren't animals; an obstecal course for the kids, tobogan slide and more. There's a free bus to the park every hour each morning anfd back again hourly in the afternoons.
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Aqua Park
Located in Costa Adeje which is more or less the same thing as Playa de Las Americas, this is the main Aqua Park on the island. There's a free bus there from Los Gigantes Tuesday & Thursday; from Puerto de la Cruz (pre-book it though) on Wednesday & Thursday and every day from Playa de las Americas.
As well as a nice choice of slides for people of all ages, there's a dolphon lake and dolphin shows too.
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There are also a choice of coach excursions from major resorts around the island. The more popular ones are of course ones that go up to Teide, there's one that does Teide and the west coast and another popular one is a tour around the coastline of the island, avoiding Teide altogether. There are also day trips to La Gomera and Lanzarote.
AND BY NIGHT
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Medieval Adventure at Castillo San Miguel
Tel +34 22 700276 / 374811 (costs around €40)
Located in the south (isn't everything!?) off exit 24 of the TF1.
A medieval night in a castle. Once inside, you take your seat in an arena for dinner and watch knights on horseback duel until one falls off! Knights in armor, fire, swords, spears and all the stuff you'd expect from olden days, including the Drifters singing afterwards?? |
Pasion Espanola
  
Pyramid de Arona Auditorium - Avenida de las Americas
Tel + 34 22 757500 Fax + 34 22 757510
It's worth going along just to see the entrance, at the base of a 50-foot high pyramid, I kid you not. There's a casino next door if you're looking for somewhere to leave the kids. The show itself is typical, Spanish flamenco with a bit of modern dance thrown in and a highly recommended night out. you can go for just the show or go and have dinner first in the adjecent restaurant. If you're looking for somewhere in Playa de las Americas to go by night and avoid drunken revellers, I think this is the only place. Dress posh!
Palace Show
  
Tel + 34 22 797330
If you're looking for a more relaxed version of the Pyramid show, this comes close. Located near Playa de las Americas (exit 29 off the TF1) the venue is a large hall decorated Canarian style. A night out here includes a meal followed by an international show which includes the Spanish Ballet, dancers, singers and various other entertainers.
Loro Parque's the biggest by far and has it's own page.
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