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If it were not for the intense blue of the sky, many photos taken in Lanzarote could be mistaken for landscapes from Mars. The volcanoes and the fields of virgin lava in this national park of over 5,000 hectares situated near the west coast of the island of Lanzarote constitutes one of the most visual and picturesque spectacles of the Canary Islands, one unaltered by the human hand. Neither the vegetation nor the climate has had time to change the pure beauty of this red and black land which has been included in The Unesco Network of Biosphere Reserves.

The real treasure to be found in La Gomera is its dense, intense green laurel forests, which crown the centre rim of the island. The laurisilva, which grew in abundance millions of years ago, are now few and far between and found in only a few places in the world. One of these places is in the Canary Islands, and in particular in the protected 4,000 hectare Garajonay National Park, a place where natures continues to reign.

Anaga is a highland of mountains with sharp peaks and deep ravines covered with carpets of laurel trees and dotted with charming hamlets. All this less than an hour's drive from La Laguna, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and the island capital, Santa Cruz. Exploring Anaga is a journey to a place that has an authentic rural flavour, a journey back in time to when the relationship between humans and their natural surroundings was much stronger.

A day trip to the Islet of Lobos is a guarantee of tranquillity, crystal-clear waters and incredibly beautiful volcanic landscapes. This islet, which takes its name from the sea lions and seals which lived along its coast until recently, doesn’t offer much to do – 4.5 square kilometres, 127 metres high, and not a single road. Just 15 minutes by boat from the extreme northern part of Fuerteventura, its valuable landscapes and natural fauna and flora have seen it be declared a Natural Park.

Photos simply cannot do justice to the spectacular sight of this eight-kilometre-wide cleft that reaches depths of up to one and a half kilometres, covered by dense Canarian pine woods, and criss-crossed with deep ravines: you just have to see it in person. The Caldera de Taburiente National Park in the centre of the island of La Palma is the number one attraction of the island known as “La Isla Bonita” (“The Beautiful Island”), a Unesco Biosphere Reserve. Here, nature guards a valuable treasure of geological and biological diversity.

The Nublo rural Park, the largest natural area in Gran Canaria, protects a range of natural treasures and the main symbol of the island; the monumental lava plug that is Roque Nublo rock. The 26,000 hectare park in west GRan Canaria, with 30 small settlements, is recognised b y Unesco as a Biosphere Reserve. It shelters natural areas of rich biodiversity full of unique plants, from cool Canary pine forests to arid plains at the mouths of its valleys.

The Roque de los Muchachos viewpoint is situated at the very top of La Palma, one of the best places in the world for astronomy. Laid out below is a breath-taking view of a giant volcanic crater 1,500 metres deep, covered in trees and with volcanic rocks in amazing formations. This area, declared a National Park, is an absolute must for anyone staying in La Palma. For those who suffer from vertigo it is best to prepare yourself beforehand for the magnitude of the visual spectacle.

The largest volcanic tube in the European Union can be found right here in Tenerife. It’s the ‘Cueva del Viento’ or Wind Cave, and you can visit it! Walking towards the centre of the earth as if you were reliving a Jules Verne novel is a completely unique experience. The cave is formed by a labyrinth of underground passages on three levels, where visitors can admire the geomorphic beauty. The 18 kilometre-long tunnel make this one of the longest tubes in the world according to speleologists.

What to buy and where to buy it in the Canary Islands

The House of Wine and Honey (Casa del Vino y la Miel) is located in a typical old Canarian farmhouse, over 300 years old, in El Sauzal, north Tenerife. It is an obligatory stop for any tourist interested in gastronomy, as not only can you discover the local wine and honey making processes in Tenerife, you also have the chance to sample different local dishes and typical products of the island all in one place. The smallest guests can enjoy themselves in a specially designed children’s area.