Discover the cultural jewel of The Canary Islands

Live Webchat
with Adrian Mourby Wednesday 1st March 2006

Despite its reputation as a destination for sun, sea and sand, there is another side to Tenerife. In truth, this Spanish island is largely a paradise of unspoilt, tranquil landscapes and cultural diversity.

Two of Tenerife's cultural jewels come in the form of Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and is full of colonial buildings, culture and pedestrian streets.

The city is set against the Anaga Mountains which have some of the most ancient bay forests in Europe and surround the superb golden sand beach, Las Teresitas. Santa Cruz is also the home to The Tenerife Auditorium, designed by Santiago Calatrava, opened in September 2003. It is not only the permanent home for the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the now annual Canary Islands Music Festival, but also welcomes visiting opera, drama and dance companies and is an exciting venue for Conferences.

La Laguna, the old capital of Tenerife, is a cultural and religious city. It has also been named a World Heritage site by Unesco. Filled with outstanding architectural monuments, palaces and traditional houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, the city is celebrated for the architecture of its religious buildings; the most outstanding being The Cathedral, the Santo Domingo and the Concepción Churches.Rich in historical architecture, traditional classical music, and amazing gastronomy, and only a mere four hour flight away, why not choose Tenerife's Santa Cruz or La Laguna as the destination for an enriching weekend getaway?

Adrian Mourby joins us live online on Wednesday 1st March 2006 at 14h30 to discuss the hidden treasures Santa Cruz and La Laguna have to offer to the discerning traveller.

In the last ten years Adrian Mourby has had four books published, written and presented various series on Radio 4. Adrian now produces opera and other musical events. He has acted as international and architectural correspondent for Opera Now magazine, lectured for Martin Randall Travel and Travel for the Arts and won the Sony Silver Award for Creative Writing on Radio. He has also written various travel pieces for the likes of The Daily Telegraph and The Independent.