Tag Archives: wildlife

Top family attractions in Tenerife

Loro Parque, with entertaining aquarium shows, are one of the best family attractions in Tenerife

Tenerife has long been a popular destination among families – its wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and excellent resorts all make it a natural choice for parents looking for somewhere to escape with the kids.

There are, naturally, a host of family-friendly attractions on this Canary Island. If you’ve never been before and are wondering what to expect – or just want some new ideas of how to spend your break – check out our guide.

Loro Parque

Loro Parque is undoubtedly one of the best family attractions in Tenerife. It’s home to a wide array of exotic animals – including parrots, penguins, sea lions, aligators, flamingos, tigers, chimpanzees and many, many more. There’s an aquarium with an underwater viewing tunnel, allowing you and the kids to get incredibly close to the majestic sharks that patrol the waters.

There are also several kids’ play areas, where little ones can let off some steam while you and your partner relax with a drink. You’ll also find a cinema in Loro Parque, which shows a film about various ecosystems from all over the world and explains why conserving them is so important.

Siam Park

To cool off from the hot Tenerife sun, head to Siam Park. This is the island’s largest and most exciting water park, providing thrills and spills for people of all ages. There are dozens of adrenalin-pumping rides here, including Tower of Power, the Dragon, the Volcano and Kinnaree.

As well as the slides, there is also a white-sand beach, a wave pool (designed so you can surf), a lazy river and plenty more to keep everyone occupied.

There are also plenty of play areas for little children, so toddlers are just as well catered for as teenagers.

Whale and dolphin watching

You don’t have to stick to purpose-built attractions during your stay, as Tenerife has more than enough natural ones to keep every member of your family happy. One particularly lovely way to spend a day together is to go on a dolphin and whale-watching tour.

There are numerous boats that depart from the island’s harbours each day in search of these stunning marine mammals and, thanks to Tenerife’s location on the migratory route of many species, there is a lot to look out for. Resident species include bottlenose dolphins, pilot and sperm whales, while minke, sei, fin and blue whales, along with Atlantic spotted, striped and common dolphins are just some of the migratory species that pass by.

Camel Park

Camel Park is a great place to come with the kids, especially if your youngsters love getting up close with wildlife. As its name suggests, there are camels here and you can ride them if you’d like to have a go. These animals are ideally suited to Tenerife’s dry, rocky terrain and this is a wonderful way to see some of the island’s arid landscape from a new perspective.

In addition to the camels, this place has a farm where you and the children can interact with animals like donkeys, chickens, goats, ducks and dogs.

Those are just a few suggestions for family-friendly activities in Tenerife – there are many more places to discover and things to do that are bound to enthrall kids, not least of all the stunning beaches for which the island is famous.

Whatever you plan to do during your holiday, make sure you book the best accommodation in a favourable location – you’ll find lots of options here.

18 Jun 2014

Top Things To Do In Sydney

Visiting the Sydney Opera House easily ranks as one of the top things to do in Sydne

The top things to do in Sydney aren’t top secret. In fact, they’re pretty much a giveaway due to its popularity. Known as the Harbor City, Sydney is the oldest, largest and most developed city in Australia and is one of the most visited in the world. It ranks high on the list of most beautiful and livable cities. Sydney is a hub in the Pacific for business, design, culture, art, history, fashion, boating and cuisine. Hence, when you go here, you’ll not only be greeted by iconic sites, you’ll also be able to join in some interesting activities.

One of things you should definitely do is attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon back in the 1970s. Many make the mistake of thinking the opera house only offers performances, but it actually is a multi-use venue that hosts around 1,500 types of gatherings each year, attended by more than 1.2 million people. Around the Sydney Opera House, you can enjoy a multitude of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Don’t miss the sunrise here which offers amazing views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and skyline, it’s magnificent.

To add to the list, you could also consider water-based activities as one of the top things to do in Sydney as it is also where you’ll find Bondi Beach, the setting for many surfing, sailing and swimming competitions over the past few years. This widely popular strip of sand surrounded by suburbs is popular with tourists and locals alike, and is a spectacle to see during the summer. There are plenty of bikini clad ladies, good-looking men as well as pods of whales and dolphins cruising the area!

Don’t miss Rushchutters Bay, a very nice suburb near the city center where you can enjoy a bit more relaxed of an atmosphere, but still being just minutes from the Sydney mix. Rushchutters Bay also houses the d’Albora Marina which is a fun place to hang out and check out all of the amazing boats coming and going.

Now, if these top things to do in Sydney don’t satisfy your curiosity, you could always head on out to Luna Park (a popular amusement park), located in Milsons Point, which has been in existence since 1935. Some of the attractions include the Staple Rotor, which has been operated since the park’s opening, the Skylab Ferris Wheel, which gives you a view of the area from 35 meters up in the air, and the Wild Mouse roller coaster, to name a few. Other hangouts you could check out after are the Taronga Zoo, Sydney Observatory, and the Powerhouse Museum.

25 Apr 2014