Canarians call La Palma ‘la isla bonita' – the beautiful island – which is quite the compliment. It's so enchanting that Rudi, one of our guides, decided to make it his home 40 years ago. ‘I love doing this tour,' he says. ‘It shows you the island's past and present – from one of the world's biggest observatories to Tajogaite, Europe's newest volcano.' Plus, you'll discover wonders such as Roque de los Muchachos and the primeval Caldera de Taburiente.

Your adventure kicks off as you venture up the 2,500m-high Roque de los Muchachos – La Palma's highest peak – passing the domed astronomical observatory on the way. At the top, take in the views over the 8km-wide Caldera de Taburiente, the island's only national park. Ringed by cloud-bursting peaks, this immense bowl is thick with pine forests and waterfalls. Your guide will fill you in on the park's history and how your visit will help conserve its eco-systems.

Next, it's on to Santo Domingo, a village famed for its cured meats and cheese. Enjoy free time to wander its moss-covered cobbled lanes, find a nice spot for lunch or browse the stalls of the market for a few foodie treats – it's a great way to support the local community, which is suffering depopulation. At El Time viewpoint, there are heart-pounding views over the Angustias gorge. We'll also make our way to Tajuya viewpoint, from where you can observe the scarred, inferno-like slopes of the Tajogaite volcanic cone, formed from an eruption in autumn 2021.