Doris Visits La Palma in the Canary Islands
Once you are in the Canaries area, your ship is just a floating hotel, which overnight moves you to another island. La Palma, ‘the fair isle’, was our stop having left Madeira. It is so called because of its fabulous landscape. Of all the many cruise stops, Santa Cruz is up there as one of the prettiest harbours and is again small enough to explore on foot. If you were not on a cruise, your Canary Islands holiday might never see this gem.
Stroll along the Avenida Maritime promenade to the old quarter around Plaza de Espana, with its 16th century fountain and town hall, a magnificent Renaissance church and a handicrafts market. You are in Spain so the cafes will offer wonderful tapas and their specialty are small potatoes cooked in their skins and covered in a hot sauce.
Inside the island is a huge volcanic crater, Caldera de Taburiente, it is crammed with rare animal and plant life and has been designated a national park. It is a sun trap so take water, sun lotion and a hat.
It’s night skies are so clear that a major astrophysical observatory has been built at Roque de los Muchachos.
Although La Palma is the least visited of the Canary Islands it has a definite charm and there is plenty to do and see. There is a naval museum which is under a reproduction of Columbus’ Santa Maria , interestingly made out of concrete but painted to look like wood. It is quite hilly but there are many restaurants along the way where you can have a drink and a rest.
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Tours available from your ship will probably include
- The Heart of La Palma
- Volcanoes and Wines
- Santa Cruz Trolley Train and Walk
- La Palma Buggy Adventure
- Leisurely La Palma
- Silk Scenery and Sugar Estate
- Volcano Hike
- Wilderness 4x4 Adventure
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