Category: Countryside

Southern Tenerife Tour with Vilaflor and Banana Plantation

Dramatic landscapes and rugged, volcanic shores come as standard in Tenerife. But, not a lot is said about the rich agriculture the island offers. On this tour, you'll journey through the south and get to know the island's culture and identity. You'll see how aloe vera is grown and learn about its many uses at a plantation, explore the lofty village of Vilaflor de Chasna and sample local wines. Ivan, one of our expert local guides, says “Vilaflor was once called Chasna. But, when a ship captain called Pedro de Bracamonte visited, he spotted a beautiful Guanche girl and shouted Vi la flor de Chasna, which means I've seen the flower of Chasna – after this, the village got its name.”The dry climate and year-round sunshine in the Canaries mean that aloe vera thrives here, even though it is not a native species – it originally came from the Arabian Peninsula. You'll take a guided tour of the plantation, and the owners will share their knowledge about the curative powers of this well-known plant, which is used for medicinal purposes in cultures throughout history.Next, you'll visit Vilaflor. Perched on the southern slope of the island's volcano, Mount Teide, the views down to the coast from 1,400 metres above sea level are next level. The village has an almost Alpine feel that's totally different from the tropical coastline – it has the largest pine forest in the Canaries on its doorstep. After a look around the village, you'll visit an award-winning family-owned winery and sit down for a tasting.