Vilaflor has a special place in my memory as I did my first big walk in Tenerife at Paisaje de Lunar just above the small but beautifully formed village. That was nearly 10 years ago and I have been back many times to try other nearby walks, never failing to be impressed by the marching pine trees and the tajinaste plants with their bursts of red bloom. The frontage of the Hotel Spa Villalba has always caught my eye as I puffed and panted past but now some lucky pair are going to win a seven night half board break there through Tenerife Magazine.

The rural setting will tie you into the past of Tenerife but as part of the Reveron Hotels group, Hotel Spa Villalba boasts four star comfort and facilities headed by the relaxing and luxurious spa with sauna, Jacuzzi and pool. There is a choice of two restaurants, La Vendimia offers the best of Spanish cuisine with the finest natural ingredients and Terraza has a beautiful outdoor setting with the same high quality.

Two of my colleagues have just got back from luxuriating in the hotel so if you want to read a first hand account just follow this link. just because I like to stomp around disturbing nature and frightening wildlife it doesn’t mean you have to walk all over Teide National Park, slide down rough tracks and commute with nature like Grizzly Adams but I can definately recomend exploring the nearby countryside and sampling a few nice bars and restaurants. Vilaflor is a very peaceful historic town so you could have a walk through there in between enjoying some good old fashioned pampering at the hotel.

To enter the competition just go to the Tenerife Magazine homepage and answer a question so easy that Katie Price would eventually get it. One lucky winner and guest can have a seven nights half board stay for free, all you have to do is answer the question below and click your answer to us by 9 pm on Wedneday 30th November. The draw will be made the following day , you will be notified by email and once confirmed your good news will be posted on the Tenerife Magazine Facebook page. The prize does not include transport and there is no cash alternative, dates are subject to availability. Good luck!

The sea may be lovely for swimming but there are choppy waters around Los Cristianos port as old and new collide. Changes are taking place in the layout of the fishermens area between the old beach and the ferry port as the port authority looks to modernise and increase revenue. It’s not just physical changes, Los Cristianos has grown steadily but is still very much a working area for the fishing trade but many of the seafaring folk and the Asociacion Vecinos – Amigos de Los Cristianos (neighbours & friends) feel their way of life is being eroded by tighter controls on their catch and higher mooring fees.

There has been a crackdown on outstanding fees around the harbour and some boats have been cleared away, others are now being brought nearer the shore at new moorings. Down by the ferry port many old small fishing boats are now moored by ropes while on the quayside new pontoons are being lowered into place in the water. New concrete seating with the port authority crest on them have started to appear and the general look is changing presumably to encourage more profitable leisure craft. On top of this cold wind of change many boat owners complained that their recent traditional celebrations for the Virgen del Carmen were restricted by petty rules being enforced.

There is a growing rearguard action among the locals, several meetings have been held at the cultural centre and the Platforma en Defensa de Los Cristianos attracted 300 concerned supporters to the Plaza del Pescadora two weeks ago. the next protest is on Friday 7th October at the church plaza. then on Saturday 15 October at 4 pm the fishermen are holding their Sortija de Barcos, a gathering of boats with crew in old traditional costume. It’s a celebration of their proud past but in the current climate it may well have an air of defiance as an added extra. So keep an eye on the port, you don’t need a bit of seaweed to predict that things could get choppy.

Well another Saturday afternoon and there I was bobbing up and down on the deck of a Colombian training ship in Santa Cruz. That wasn’t part of the original plan but what’s the odd diversion or two when your having fun. I was up in Santa Cruz to cover the Sal2 promotional day for Tenerife Magazine, loads of shops throwing open their doors with special offers, live music, and lots of food offers.

I was sat in Plaza Candelaria listening to a few bands warming up and noticed in the paper that the Colombian triple mast training ship Gloria was in port, so I had to have some of that. Looking out from the top of the Fred Olsen ferry terminal I could see the masts over by the quayside where the cruise liners tie up, and not knowing whether I could get up close I tried my luck and headed for the port gate, normally manned by a jobsworth security guard. Getting nearer it became clear that people were streaming back with posters and other goodies tucked under their arms – goodie it was open house.

Let’s get technical, Gloria was built in Bilbao, Spain in 1968 and the crew of 160 included 77 cadettes literally learning the ropes.Striding up the gang plank I was welcomed aboard by the white uniformed crew and made very welcome, the decks were split level and loaded up with brasses, tightly coiled circles of rope, and lots of freshly scrubbed floor boards. The tallest mast is 40 metres and even without the sails rigged they looked damm impressive and a little scarey to me. The information room below deck had loads of hand outs and a detailed glossy colour booklet with all the facts about the proud ship. The current voyage was of over 5 months, 10 countries and 14 ports including Waterford in Ireland, and Greenock and Lerwick in Scotland. next stop was Martinique, I was tempted to stow away but remembered how queasy the boating lake in Oxford uded to make my feel.

Leaving the ship I decided to walk away from the flow and Santa Cruz centre to see what the grey battle ship was just around the corner. It was quite a surprise to see the name Black Rover written on the stern end and London underneath. Moving round to the gang plank I shouted up and a British crew member answered and came down to chat. Turns out the Black Rover A 273 is part of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary and spends its missions servicing and supplying naval ships often in very rough conditions. In Santa Cruz for a week, the Swan Hunter built in Wallsend, Newcastle 40 years ago had come in from the Falklands and was heading back to home base in Portland, Dorset.

I didn’t go aboard but was invited back to get permission from the duty officer, sadly I will be away during their stay in Tenerife. Most of the 70 crew were off on shore leave but I extended an invitation to join the Armada Sur pre game the next day, apparently most of the crew are football mad scousers. With duty calling me back to Sal2 i headed back into the city but hope to nose around a few more ships whenever they pass this way.

You probably know that Tenerife Magazine is closer to my heart than my signed photo of Sue Barker so forgive my bias but the new look is pretty nifty. Even better we have another holiday competition, a double whammy this time, GF Hotels have put up a four night stay in the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel, the big posh looking 5 star place just above Fañabe and as well as that Aecan.com are offering a further three nights at one of their rural houses, both prizes for two people. It’s easy to enter, just go to the Tenerife Magazine home page and the entry form with all the terms will jump out at you, just fill in the details and submit them by 9 pm on Thursday 29 September and the next day you will be in the draw.

Costa Adeje Gran Hotel has rooftop swimming pools, great views and the a la carte restaurant La Laja to tempt you as well as great service and a central location. Fañabe and El Duque beaches are a short walk away, both large and good for swimming but I must admit a preference for La Caleta a little further along, the sea is still lively despite attempts to tame it a few years ago, and the fishing village does a great line in sea food. The Aecan rural retreat might surprise some of you but the less developed parts of Tenerife are wonderful with walks that will reward you in so many ways.

So get yourself along to Tenerife Magazine, browse the articles, give us some feedback on Facebook and Twitter if you want, and put your entry in for the holiday. Good luck.

There I was getting my hopes up at the chance of watching the 1930 World Cup in Tenerife. Have I finally flipped, or is it the latest bizarre ruling from FIFA, well neither really, today was the first day of filming in La Laguna of Montevideo, a movie about the first ever World Cup that took place in the Uruguay capital all those years ago.

It’s a Serbian production based on the true story of the surprise packet of the tournament, Yugoslavia, they only went to make up the numbers but their mainly Serbian team finished third. This is the second movie now going into production, the first showed the players growing up and sharing their love of football in their home town of Belgrade. The new movie takes the story on to their World Cup exploits and will be followed by a TV series, apparently this has become a huge hit with the Serbian viewers.

La Laguna is doubling up as 1930’s Montevideo but I was hoping the action scenes would be filmed at CD Tenerife’s Heliodoro Stadium in Santa Cruz. Sadly it is not considered big enough to depict the games, the final when Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 was watched by 93,000 fans. Seems a shame as the Heliodoro is quite an old stadium and with some technical wizardry I’m sure they could add on a few tiers to the stands. CD Tenerife even had a Serbian forward a few years ago, Vejiko Paunavic, but he is now playing in the United States.

It looked like the film team were digging in for a long shoot up by Calle San Agustin, actors were getting into 1930’s clothes in the caravans provided, a large catering unit was in place to feed the crew and stars, and a large dining area had been set up in the shade. The security guard hovering around wasn’t too keen on my camera but it is in a very public area so ya boo to him. So much for my trip back in time to a golden age of football, I will just have to re-create the 1930 games with my Subbuteo players.

Plaza Weyler in Santa Cruz is often the starting point for protest marches but this Sunday 19 June could see one of the biggest yet. Madrid was the birthplace of the 15M protest that started in Puerta del Sol on 15 May with thousands camping peacefully for weeks to protest at the greed and corruption of politicians and bankers that is being felt by the poorest in society.

A couple of weeks ago I was up in Tenerife’s capital Santa Cruz and saw our own Acampada in Plaza de Candelaria. It was a big site made up of tents, workshops, kitchens, and even Radio 15M a rebel broadcast station. Ok it was small compared to the Madrid version and the many others that spread across Spain but still significant. The camps have started closing down now, in Madrid they are melting away but leaving a small presence. Last Saturday the police went in to clear Plaza de Candelaria, it’s remarkable they have been so unusually restrained over the weeks, local press reports say 5 people needed hospital treatment, the first alleged violence surrounding this protest.

Posters have been going up the last few days for this Toma La Calle (take the street) protest this Sunday at 6pm. Over on the mainland marches are due to start in major cities also on Sunday to slowly converge on Madrid for 17 July. People are getting angry, they see the leaders, politicians and bankers playing Monopoly with the economy, losing a fortune and then telling the people they serve to tighten their belts a bit more to pay for it.

I’m surprised there has not been more revolution in the UK, everyday the news is full of more jobs being slashed and pensions being cut at the same time as big companies hike prices (19% gas increase) to feed the ever rising packages of their directors. Teachers are now threatening to strike in the UK to protest at their pensions being cut back, I just saw an MP on the news spluttering about how outrageous it is – nothing wrong with fiddling expenses of course.

I’m sure the teachers and many others were as impressed as I was yesterday to see former Marks and Spencer boss Stuart Rose on the news proudly saying he deserved his 8.1 million golden handshake when leaving his job – more like a golden 2 fingers to everyone else. Maybe the recent uprisings in oppressive countries around the world has shown people that they can change. Power to the people as Wolfie Smith used to say.

Not a string vest or knotted hanky in sight just young enthusiastic local models and a selection of clothes and accessories from shops close to the catwalk. Plaza del Pescadora looked Absolutely Fabulous as fashion took centre stage at Los Cristianos old beach last night with two shows.

On the way down I passed children sitting for face painting at one stall and free make overs outside the Mego perfume store, luckily for them I didn’t set them the ultimate challenge. Arriving at the stage area Mickey and Minnie Mouse were parading and entertaining the crowd of families and holiday makers. I was surprised to see security staff at each end of the catwalk, maybe Minnie Mouse had heard that Ryan Giggs was on the prowl.

The shows were organised by the local business association to boost trade, an excellent idea, just a pity it was only advertised in the immediate area. Once the cartoon heroes had departed the compare took the microphone and invited the first models to hit the catwalk from their impromptu back stage dressing rooms. Each group of models showcased the stock of a different shop, many were for youth fashion but there was also emphasis on glasses, shoes and bags. For some strange reason my photos have captured mainly the ladies but there were some male models too. All were volunteers from local schools and colleges, fair play to the young chaps for running the gauntlet of their teenage friends in the crowd.

There was a section for toddlers that was packed with the aaah factor. The first boy and girl were quite happy and revelled in the attention but the next couple had a difference of outlook. The little girl was ready to stride out and milk the crowd but the boy got an attack of shyness and was rooted to the spot fighting back the tears. After a lot of coaxing, cheering, steering, and almost dragging by the much keener girl he did take a bow, the applause was warm and very loud.

After starting as a clear sunny day the clouds had appeared for the 6.30 pm first show but the spotlights were all rigged, the sound system ensured music and commentary for all and the video wall turned the models into giants and made sure everyone knew where they could buy the fashion items.

A well presented show with some very plucky models but a bigger crowd would have enjoyed it if the advertising had been aimed further afield and in a range of languages. There are two more parades tonight (Saturday) at 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm, try to catch them. You can see more photos here.

With a slap of a hand, or the cut of a ribbon, the new Los Cristianos auditorium will make its debut on the musical stage tonight. Auditorio Infanta Leonor is the new pride of Arona and will provide a great new venue in the south of Tenerife for music and performance. Infant Leonor is the 5 year old daughter of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain and judging by the huge speakers being put in place outside today she will arrive in good voice.

The new centre is at the back of the cultural centre in the heart of Los Cristianos and was a scene of frantic activity today as last minute preperations were made for the 8pm civic opening. The gruas were moving parked cars from the nearby area, the concourse was being swept and the water features turned on so they could trickle through the rock gardens. There is a large statue, donated by the Valdes family, waiting to be unveiled tonight, it’s sculpted by Fernando Mena who made Cetaceos, the popular whale tail display down by the front on the old beach of Los Cristianos. when I went by earlier the cover was off and a workman was polishing what looks like a huge shark tooth. A large lighting and sound rig will ensure that the overflow from tonights opening concert can be heard probably as far away as La Gomera.

Among tonights artisitic delights are the Trio Candelaria, comprising of soprano, guitar and piano, and the Tenerife Ballet. There is a stage with open air seating area upstairs in the cultural centre but it is very small and the lack of cover leaves it at the mercy of the elements, the new arrival should attract many more cultural gems to this busy tourist area. Once I get a calendar of forthcoming events I will be shouting them from the rooftops.

Even though I’m now a Tenerife southerner I still feel the pull sometimes for the west coast where I lived when I first moved to this land of sun, sea, Dorada and CD Tenerife. Puerto Santiago was where I first rented, a lovely Canarian enclave just above Los Gigantes, with some lovely bars and restaurants. Sitting on the terrace outside Bar Camber or Bar Central I could just see the top of Hotel Barcelo Santiago but you can seemuch more of it by winning a weeks holiday in the latest Tenerife Magazine competition.

This 4 star hotel is perched on the craggy coast with views from the pool area across to the towering cliffs thsat give Los Gigantes its name. Packed with the best in accomodation, service and food it welcomes families, couples and singles all with the same warmth. Since I moved on the commercial area nearby has been given a complete facelift and a new coastal walkway has been added so everyone can enjoy the rock pools and great views out to La Gomera and of course to those famous cliffs. Recently I took a walk along the coastal path and was very impressed by what I saw, take a peep yourself.

If you hurry you could still win a weeks half board holiday for two, and it’s dead easy to enter. Just click like on our Tenerife Magazine Facebook page to join the other fans in the draw on Monday 31 January 2011. If you are the lucky winner you have 7 days after we contact you on Facebook to confirm you will be taking the prize, then you and a guest can enjoy a weeks half board stay at Hotel Barcelo Santiago anytime in the next year subject to availability. The prize does not include transport, is not transferable and there is no cash alternative. If the lucky winner does not claim the prize within 7 days it will be drawn again. If you find yourself up on the west coast pop in and have a look around, the staff will make you very welcome – but if you stroll around a few of the local bars don’t mention my name, I think I settled all my bar bills but you can’t be too careful.

As the shower of sweets rained down I had to keep reminding myself that this was a gesture of goodwill from the 3 Kings as they rode through Los Cristianos. Children, and a fair few adults, formed a festive scrum on the pavement trying to grab a few of the stray sweets that hadn’t been caught and squeals of delight rose above the sound of the marching band that headed the procession. Aah christmas Spanish style is always a delight.

Walking into town the supermarkets were heaving with shoppers topping up on food ahead of the big day Reyes Janaury 6th, and the bakers were doing a roaring trade in Roscons, the traditional ring shaped christmas cake stuffed with cream, fruit and many other tasty variations. My timing was good as the procession had started pretty well as advertised at 7.15 pm from the port. Every vantage point on the harbour wall was taken and the street leading up to town was lined with expectant families. I squeezed into a good spot and waited as the procession approached, much bigger this year and with more groups of children in fancy dress and the usual fire jugglers, acrobats and musicians.

The kings were as always the star attraction, Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar arrived perched on their camels and spraying great handfuls of sweets to their eager fans. All over Tenerife similar scenes were taking place, in Adeje the kings arrived by helicopter and in Santa Cruz they were holding court in CD Tenerife’s Heliodoro ground. The Reyes tradition marks the arrivsal of the original 3 kings at the stable in Bethlehem with their gifts for the new born baby, sadly this year someone stole the baby Jesus from the crib in Santa Cruz. The camels are always remarkably calm for their annual pilgrimage through the streets but then these are showbiz camels, they probably have their own agent to negotiate their fee.

As the parade turned into Avenida de Suecia the crowds grew even bigger and I had to duck and dive my way through to get some pics as the kings headed towards the cultural centre and their thrones. It was quite cramped as police tried to keep people out of the direct path of the camels and it was a living hell for me to be pushed up against all those young yummy mummys but I stood firm. The arrival at the cultural centre plaza and the dismount of the kings is always a slow process so I adjourned to The Devon Arms for some Dorada and made my way slowly to the plaza. The kings had taken their place on their thrones and were engulfed in a sea of small children, some with parents, waiting to take their turn to meet a king and receive a present, this year wasn’t quite as well marshalled, last year children were invited forward a group at a time but now it was a tidal wave of toddlers. The goats and chickens were taking it all in their stride in their barn area so with a long magical night ahead I popped off for a few beers on my way home.