Clear Atlantic waters, fascinating rock formations, stunning sea life, no wonder the Arona coast is so popular with scuba divers and snorkelers. The stretch from Palm Mar to Las Galletas is one of the most rewarding parts of the Tenerife coastline and its treasures are now part of a promotional campaign to attract more dive tourists.

Arona Ayuntamiento (council) has launched a  campaign called Las Galletas, Capital del Buceo to spread the word to more diving enthusiasts. The natural cove of Palm Mar protects it from the rare extremes of weather and leisure and fishing boats tend to pass by further out to sea. Between Palm Mar and Las Galletas the protected nature reserve of Malpais de Rasca is made up of volcanic lava fields and is home to many species of wildlife.

With all these natural attractions it’s no surprise that Palm Mar is a big favourite as a place to make a new home, its position as a natural sun trap is also very handy. To browse some of the luxury properties available try the Grupo Los Menceyes website and think how nice it would be to live here.

A sedate, relaxing natural sun trap, that’s Palm Mar but if you are feeling energetic you don’t have to look far for a challenge, Sunday 3 April is the annual Las Galletas Half Marathon. The old Canarian fishing village just along the coast from Palm Mar will again attract 800 competitors of all ages and abilities for a 9 am start but this year there is also a 10.8 km category for those who prefer a shorter distance.

Runners come from all over Tenerife each year to enjoy this gathering that is very much a social event for spectators as well as a sporting test for those taking part. There are plenty of age categories for male and female including the over 65′s and there are cash prizes and trophies for the top ten men and women. All the entrants get a commemorative running vest and a small micro chip ensures that everyone gets an accurate time for their completion of the race.

Inscription for the race is just 15 euros with entries due by the 28 March, the website has full entry details or you can sign up at Los Cristianos sports hall, Guzman Sport in La Laguna or mundi sport in Puerto de la Cruz. Just to give you a rough idea, the records for the course are 1 hour 13 minutes for the ladies and 1 hour 4 minutes for the men. If you are running good luck and if not, pop along and urge the others on.

Everyone is welcome in Tenerife, you will find a large cross section of nationalities settled here lured by the climate and relaxed lifestyle. Consuls offer advice to natives of their country and often get a chance to meet senior politicians that pop over to strengthen ties with the Tenerife Cabildo.

This week there was a meeting of multi national friends in Santa Cruz hosted by Ricardo Melchior President of Tenerife at the governments Palicio Insular. The meeting was to celebrate the opening of the new Dutch Embassy in Calle Villalba Hervas. The Dutch Ambassador to Spain Peter Van Wulfften was able to exchange home news with Stan Weyjtens the Tenerife Dutch Consul.

If your thinking of moving to Tenerife one of the big questions is how to get your car and bigger personal items over, it’s always been a long tiring journey with a 49 hour sea crossing from Cadiz but now that time has been slashed thanks to a new fast ferry service from Naviera Armas.

From March 2011 the new Volcan del Teide cruise ferry will link Santa Cruz, Tenerife to Huelva in Spain in just 28 hours with a full range of accomodation from basic to luxury. The new ship is the biggest and most modern of its type and cost 120 million euros. There’s room on board for 1,500 passengers and 350 vehicles as it cruises along at 26 knots. On Wednesday 26 January Volcan del Teide was officially presented at Santa Cruz port and is ready to become the new savior of many choosing to settle in Tenerife.

Of course once you decide to move you need to pick a nice area to live, Palm Mar is a popular choice due to its secluded setting and convenient location just under an hour by motorway to the capital Santa Cruz and a mere 20 minutes to Los Cristianos and Las Americas. Have a look and see what living in style is all about with Grupo Los Menceyes.

Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire, here in Tenerife Christmas was all about people roasting on open beaches. The weather is normally good during the winter months but this Christmas Day was perfect, clear blue skies, barely a breeze and temperatures pushing 24 degrees.
It’s a long holiday in the Uk this year with 2 extra days as Christmas Day and Boxing Day fell on a weekend, but in Tenerife it’s a triple whammy spread out over a few weeks. Next up is New Years Eve, a great tradition climaxed by champagne and grapes as midnight strikes and followed by cascades of fireworks to welcome 2011.
Then along comes Reyes – Kings Day on January 6 to mark the arrival of the 3 Kings at the stable with presents for Jesus. Local children will unwrap the bulk of their presents that day but the evening before in many cities and towns the Kings arrive on camels amid a parade of music and colour.
Don’t worry if you are missing any of these events, Tenerife is packed with traditions which stretch through the year and everyone is always invited to join in. Palm Mar is well placed for easy access to any point on the island but retains its cosey community feel as it nestles in a natural sun trap on the south coast. Property prices are very competitive in these hard financial times, maybe 2011 could be the time for you to invest in a sunshine festive home for next year.

At a time when the tourism industry is expecting a little turbulence Ryanair has given a massive boost to the Canary Islands in general and Tenerife in particular by announcing new bases on our shores. Tenerife and Gran Canaria will lead the way as the low cost flight company opens bases on both islands in February 2011, that will be followed by another new base at Lanzarote airport in March, talks are underway for Fuerteventura to possibly make it a fourth.

The 400 million euro investment will increase Ryanairs prescence to 35 routes serving the Canaries and will bring in 4.5 million passengers a year. Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands in visitor numbers, it’s a real shot in the arm for this beautiful island and will help to safeguard the long term futures of people investing in property in Tenerife.

The evening before the race, they are staging the annual Arona Blues Festival in the Rambla area of the village. This year, starting from 7.30 pm, you can enjoy FREE music from Six Fired Guys, Dixieland Jazz Band, and D’Ebony, until late into the night.

Just as long as you are up bright and early for the Sunday morning half marathon to see 100′s of runners head out of Las Galletas, up to the Palm Mar roundabout, right to Guarachico, and back past Costa del Silencio, to a warm welcome in Las Galletas. 

If you want to take part, you have until April 2, and can join at the Los Cristianos sports hall in Avenida Chayofita or through the website , the cost is 10 euros. Either as a runner or a spectator, it is always a fun event to watch as it passes by Palm Mar. 

Both Playa de los Menceyes and Bahia de los Menceyes, are spacious and luxurious, and furnished to the highest standard. You wont have seen many holiday rentals with such high standards, but there is even better to come when you pop outside. The balconies and terraces look down the natural alcove of Palm Mar, and out to the Atlantic, with the bustling resort of Los Cristianos away to your right and the island of La Gomera in the distance.

When you go out for a stroll, you will soon notice the tranquillity, as you wend your way down to the recently added promenade, with its seats and rest points. The naturally rugged beach attracts a sprinkling of local swimmers, amateur fishing fans, and nature enthusiasts.

To see how easy it is to get the slice of paradise that you deserve, contact Christine on (0034) 922732173 or by email at sales@grupolosmenceyes.com See you soon.

Make a note in your diary, Sunday March 2 at the Rancho Restaurant from 4pm. For just 20 euros for adults and 15 euros for children under 10, you can enjoy the 3 course meal, entertainment, stalls and a bouncy castle for the kids, all in aid of K9 animal charity. It’s being staged by children from Britannia School and will count towards their Travel and Tourism A level course. During the afternoon, there will also be a raffle with a European city break as the main prize.  

You are sure to be impressed at the natural sun trap that Palm Mar is, and the way the Guaza mountain shields it from the wind. Have a good look round, the beach will draw you towards the new maritime walkway and you will finally know just why everyone is talking about Palm Mar.

Hundreds ofexhibitors from 46 countries will gather to talk golf, holidays and property and the Canary Islands in general and Tenerife in particular, will be well represented to make sure the thousands of visitors realise that this island has so much more to ofer than just a perfect climate.

Among those displaying the islands charms are Canarias, the tourist board for all the 7 islands, Tenerife Golf and Turismo de Tenerife. Palm Mar has the perfect combination of tranquility and relaxation for those who love golf, as it is well placed for some of the best courses on the island. Golf Los Palos right on the doorstep is a perfrct training ground for new and rising players with it’s 9 holes and great training facilities.

Just 5 minutes to the east, before the south airport, there are the twin delights of Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf, both 18 hole courses with fantastic views out to sea and challenging courses. Palm Mar is a great place to relax and pursue your passion for golf. The property in Palm Mar lends itself to a luxury lifestyle, just take a look at the Los Menceyes high quality complexes finished off with top materials and blessed with great facillities. Bring those golfers on from all around the world, they are bound to like what they see.