Tenerife

Sizzling Spanish sun, warm sea and golden sand - Tenerife, the largest of the seven Canary Islands, lives up to its reputation as a package-holiday paradise. While pleasure-seekers flock here just to laze around on the beach and do little else, that's only a piece of Tenerife's picture.

Veer away from tourist turf and the climate might cool a trifle, but the scenery and local culture certainly hot up to make up for it.

Playa de Las Américas and the harbour town of Los Cristianos are the two major resorts among a string running from the southern tip of the island up its east and west arms.

Soaked with over 300 days of sunshine a year, this is where to loaf unashamedly on a beach, sup cocktails and perhaps indulge in a spot of jet-skiing or scuba diving. If you need a break from the crowds, you can use your resort as a base to see more of the island too.

For adventure, try hiking up majestic Pico del Teide, a dormant volcano in the central interior. As Spain's tallest peak at 3700m, it's unlikely you would have missed it flying in - and fortunately, its spectacular views of Tenerife and surrounding islands are also accessible by cable car.

To the south is the gorgeous traditional village of Vilaflor, while the north holds the lush Orotava Valley, its picturesque colonial town of La Orotava, and the veteran resort of Puerto de la Cruz. Near the island's northeastern point is the capital, cosmopolitan Santa Cruz, thick in architecture and culture, and thin on tourists.

Alternatively you could hop on a ferry to see the smaller neighbouring islands of Gomera, Hierro and La Palma.