Think of Tenerife and visions of masses of high rise hotels and apartments come to mind.
But Tenerife is a Spanish island. Playa las Americas and Los Cristianos can hardly claim to be Spanish. The southern coast of the island is a vast multi-national swathe of mass tourism. If that’s your idea of heaven, good luck to you. Even Puerto de la Cruz in the north is giving way to the hoards of visitors from northern Europe.
If you’d like a flavour of Spanish life on a Spanish island there are places away from the hotspots to enjoy a more tranquil sojourn.
15 minutes from Reina Sofia airport is Los Cristianos, but also in the same time the charming town of San Miguel can be reached. A request for the Finca Vista Bonita to the taxi driver brought a shrug of shoulders and a blank look. But contact with his colleagues elicited the location. The road from the airport zig-zagged its way uphill for the 7 kilometres to the town followed by another kilometre round more bends to arrive at the Finca.

A finca is really a traditional Spanish farmhouse or country dwelling. Vista Bonita is actually a small complex of 14 apartments built in the traditional style – 11 one-bedroomed plus three two-bedroomed. Not as isolated as some fincas we were on the edge of the town and soon discovered a short cut to the centre down a steep street – that’s OK but coming back up is not for the less agile.
All the apartments have large terraces with stunning views over the farmland, town, airport and down to the coast. In the distance can be seen the outline of Gran Canaria. The siting of the terraces means the sun is captured for most of the day. Breakfast on the terrace under the blue skies and morning sun will remain in our memories for many a year. Sitting by the roadside outside the Finca is an elderly gentleman and his dog – a bronze sculpture – with a further statue in the grounds.
Facilities at the Finca include a small indoor heated pool; a massage room, gymnasium, a meditation room, and a launderette. The small lounge area gives the appearance of being the original finca but with the inclusion of a pool table. The furniture and fittings throughout are of the rustic type in keeping with the buildings. The kitchens are fitted with all appliances: microwaves, cookers, kettle, even an electric juicer.
For those wishing to integrate into the local life there are weekly Spanish lessons.
The Finca seems to be the only accommodation in the town for visitors. Thus a sprinkling of Spanish is useful in the bars and shops. However, most bartenders and check-out staff have a sprinkling of English.
Being about 1500 metres up from the coast means the temperature can be colder than the coastal resorts – disadvantage in winter, but probably an advantage in the summer.
For information on the Finca log on to www.finca-vistabonita.com. If you did prefer Los Cristianos, there is a sister establishment www.aparthotelneptuno.com/portada.htm - more modern style.