Buenavista
Nestling in the foothills of the seven million year old Teno Mountains in Tenerife's north western corner, Buenavista is part of what is known as the Isla Baja region – the lowlands.
A stranger to the tourist trail, the area is characterised by emerald swathes of banana plantations, laurel trees and palm groves sweeping down to a rugged coastline and infinite ocean.
Not only geographically removed from the popular purpose built resorts of the south coast but also a million miles away in terms of character and facilities, Buenavista is not so much sun and sangria as green and golf. Attracting top international swingers to the island by hosting events such as the Tenerife Ladies Open, the Seve Ballesteros-designed championship Buenavista Golf Course provides stunning vistas and challenging shots for golfers. Rumours abound of fish caught off the coast having golf ball-shaped bumps on their heads.
With only one to its name, what the region lacks in choice of hotels it makes up for in location. With the clue being in the name, the brand new five star Vincci Buenavista Golf Hotel brings luxurious Colonial chic to the 19th hole where it shares the panorama and drama of the greens from beneath its elegant portals. Those who are not obsessed with clubs and caddies will find all the hallmarks of Vincii in the hotel spa where they can be pummelled and pampered to their hearts' content.
An undulating coastal path which runs all the way from the western tip of the Teno Mountain range to the outer bunkers of the golf course provides the perfect platform for watching fishermen casting their lines, swimmers in the rock pools and waders along the shoreline. It also takes you to the pebble and black sand beach of Las Arenas where locals spend their summers surfing and sunbathing.
Billowing in the breeze on the cusp of Las Arenas beach and the golf course are the fishing net canopies of the El Burgado restaurant. Looking like a castaway's cabana that's had a make-over from the style police, El Burgado serves succulent fish on its terrace over the waves and is the perfect spot to enjoy a Buenavista sunset.
On days when the low cloud hangs around like a visitor who's outstayed their welcome, point the car towards the Teno lighthouse and, providing it's not high winds or heavy rain, ignore the myriad of warning signs to drive along the snaking road that skirts the side of the mountains. A stop at Mirador de la Monja lets you play at Kate Winslet in Titanic without the aid of a prow as the ferocious updraught hits you like a wall, before you enter the abyss of the roughly hewn tunnel. Several dark and scary hundred metres further on, you'll emerge into a different climate zone and, hopefully, sunny skies beneath which you can continue to the end of the road at the little beach and lighthouse of Punta Teno. It's a Dr Who experience and one to fill the postcards.
