La Palma, on a reduced surface, offers us an enormous
variety of landscapes changing constantly according to height and orientation.
Of extraordinary interest are: The National Park de la Caldera de Taburiente (El
Paso), where impresses the grandeur of this singular geological formation. El
Bosque de Los Tilos, close to Los Sauces, which was declared biosphere reserve
by the UNESCO, where trees and ferns grow considered authentic living fossil, is
an essential visit for every nature lover. A surprising contrast offers us a
visit to San Antonio’s volcanoes and Teneguia in Fuencaliente (where the hotel
Princess is also situated). This last one had a spectacular eruption in 1971 and
in its crater yet today it is possible to feel the heat under the your feet.
Groups of legendary dragon trees you can visit in La Tosca (Barlovento) and in
Buracas (Garafía). La Palma counts with good beaches with fine volcanic sand
like there are Puerto Naos and Charco Verde (Los Llanos de Aridane), Los
Cancajos (Breña Baja), Echentive and La Zamora (Fuencaliente) and Nogales (Puntallana).
Also the natural swimming pools of Charco Azul (San Andrés y Sauces) and La
Fajana (Barlovento) are visited frequently. In the cities and villages of the
island you can find examples of non-ecclesiastical, religious and militairy
architecture, besides the traditional Canaries houses. A singular example
constitutes the historical and artistic attributes of Santa Cruz de La Palma. A
surprising and valuable artistic legacy, which nobody expects to find in this
isolated corner of the Atlantic Ocean, constitutes the collection of sculptures
and Flemish paintings arrived at the island in the XVI and XVII Centuries thanks
to the active commercial and cultural interchange with The Netherlands. You can
see them in different churches on the island. Remarkable among the traditional
products of the island is the silk, handmade cigars, embroidery, basket making
and pottery. Typical restaurants offer the Canary kitchen and specialties from
the island such as: cheese, desserts and the famous wines from Mazo and
Fuencaliente. There are several popular and religious fiestas, where folklore
and the Canary battle are always present.
