Canary Islands

This volcanic archipelago lies in the Atlantic off the north-west coast of Africa, far to the south of mainland Spain. Tenerife is crowned by Teide, the country’s highest peak, set in a UNESCO-listed national park of moon-like lava fields, while the sunny southern Costa Adeje gathers the island’s finest resorts. Gran Canaria is often called a continent in miniature, with the dunes of Maspalomas in the south and mountains and pine forest inland. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura complete the main group.

Thanks to the trade winds and the ocean, the weather stays spring-like all year — summers without punishing heat, warm winters — so the islands are especially popular from November to April. The Canaries suit families, hikers, golfers and stargazers, and anyone looking for sun in the middle of the European winter.