As we mentioned in our previous post, we will begin featuring every month different places we hope you may find of interest, and that you can visit while you are on holiday in Tenerife.  We would love to receive your feedback and comments, to let us know what other places of the island would you like us to  discover for you.

Todays visit is to the Ethnographic Park Pirámides de Güimar, which I believe is one great unknown for many of you. I have tried to make a brief description of its history:

The Ethnographic Park Pirámides de Guimar  is a complex of six steep pyramids , that bear a surprising architectural resemblance to those found in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Sardinia, Sicily and Latin America.

The existence of these pyramids first came to light in the early 90’s, after an article was published in a local newspaper. This unusual information  got to the hands of Dr. Thor Heyedahl, a Norwegian anthropologist, internationally known for his adventures on the high seas aboard replicas of prehistoric boats and his theories about prehistoric human migrations.

Dr. Heyerdhal carefully studied these pyramids on site, and related them with the prehispanical civilizations of Tenerife. In 1991, it was confirmed that they were astronomically orientateded towards the summer and winter solstices, and hence they are of great , cultural, historical and archeological value.   This investigation became of a personal interest to him specially after the grounds of the park were bought by Fred Olsen and in 1998 the Park open its doors to the public.

In the Park, not only can we find the pyramids, but also a museum, an auditorium  where a documentary about the park can be watched so visitors can have an idea of the magnitude of their surroundings.  Also a cave known as Cuevan Chacona can be visited.  Cueva Chacona is an 8 meter long cave were archaeological rests were found (goat bones, fish bones, lithic piercers,  potshreds  and bead necklaces). These rests  date  from  680 to  1020 C.E . Another  interesting feature of the Park are its gardens, as they  treasure a wide representation of endemic Canarian Plants, and other from different parts of the world.

The Park is situated in Güimar, 26 Km away from the capital city Santa Cruz de Tenerife. To get to the Park from the North of the island, you must drive on the TF1 motorway  direction South, and take the exit 19 Km at Arafo. If  you travel on the TF 1 from the South of the island you must take the exit 23 at  Puerto de Güimar, and go up direction Cacona in Güimar

The opening hours of the Park are: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm (Closed 25^th December an 1^st January)

The Ethnographic Park Pirámides de Güimar, has given us 2 tickets ( without transfers) to raffle between our readers. You just have to leave a comment saying you wish to participate . We would announce the winner within

Good luck to you all!!

Hello everybody!!! Today we are starting a new project in the Spring Hoteles Magazine Blog.

We have have given it  a good “facelift”, made it user friendly,  easier to read  and we will be adding interesting features. We will be posting frequently in Spanish and English. You will be able to find here what is happening in “the backstage” of our Hotels. We will keep you informed of our attendance at important tourism fairs. We will tell you who is visiting us. We will help you get to know the personal side of our staff. You will have the chance of participating in interesting prize draws.  We will be offering you other features such us Day Time Out, Night Time our, Traditions, Gastronomy,  Sports etc, and we hope that you may find them interesting.

Despite being present in Facebook and Twitter, we would like to use this blog to bring us closer to you. Please follow us , and participate with your comments on this new and exciting  adventure.

Thanks for reading and for your support!!

Where else could you hope to find two Apollo astronauts, a pop guitarist turned doctor, and a legendary German rock band, all under one roof. Tenerife is full of surprises and attracts people from all over the world, and a few that have been out of it.

From March 21 to 26 next year, 2011, the Magma Arts And Congress Centre in playa de las Americas will stage the Starmus Festival celebrating greatness in astronomy just a few day short of the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man in space. Among those gathered to say their piece will be Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11, Jim Lovell (pic) captain of the ill fated Apollo 13 and Queen guitarist Brian May who a few years ago completed his PHD in astronomy thanks to research in Tenerife and La Palma. And just in case you think these space experts are all work and no play, they have arranged a concert by German rock band Tangerine Dream.

During their stay the assembled experts will be visiting the observertories in Tenerife and La Palma and getting to see some of the unique volcanic features of our holiday heaven. They may even let their hair down and head for the beach, just a short stroll away from the Magma centre.

From the moment you sip your glass of champagne in the Exit Palace courtyard on arrival it’s a musical and visual treat with three pulsating rock shows under one very stylish roof. Pick your table, maybe add a drink from the bar and sit back as Abba open the night dazzling through a selection of their big hits. The stage isn’t big enough to hold all this talent so they make good use of the boxes high up at the side of the stage and the catwalk out into the audience. Everyone gets a prime view as Agnetha and Anni-Frid, the bubbly Lucinda and Hayley, belt out the hits, taking barely a breath to flit backstage for several costume changes.

There’s time for a break as the stage is rebuilt and with drinks at reasonable prices, 3 euros a pint and 2.50 a glass of wine, it all adds to the pleasure. Pink Floyd are next up and the set is amazing with lasers and video screen but the acrobatic dancers dangle twirling from the ceiling to the haunting guitar led anthems of classic rock. Money, Shine On You Crazy Diamonds and Another Brick In the Wall all stir the memories and have the audience clapping. While the expert musicians give the ears a treat, the ever changing light show is a perfect compliment.

The set builders have a busy night too, after another 15 minutes break Freddie Mercury roars through the audience on his motorbike and joins the band on a transformed stage for a Queen tribute. Moody and magnificent Freddie struts his stuff to It’s A Kinda Magic, Radio Ga Ga, and Bohemian Rhapsody and even recreates the duet Barcelona with a versatile and soaring substitute for Monserrat Caballe.

The three hours whizz by and a buzzing uplifted crowd spill out with favourite songs set on replay in their heads for days to come. It’s a stunning show, right in the heart of Playa de las Americas at Exit Palace every Tuesday and Saturday at 9.30pm. Tickets start from 25 euros with children 14 and under only 9 euros, ask at reception for booking details and make sure you add this to your Tenerife holiday experience.

It’s one of the biggest tourism fairs in the world and Spring Hoteles will be there flexing their muscles to keep Tenerife at the forefront of the holiday industry. The World Travel Market is taking place in the ExCel Centre near Canary Wharf, London from Monday 8th November to Thursday 11 November and Spring Hoteles are part of the Tenerife stand.

During the event thousands of travel industry movers and shakers will browse the stands, attend presentations and generally absord all that the exhibitors have to offer. The big political guns of Tenerife will be attending, President Ricardo Melchior and Tourism Councillor Jose Manuel Bermudez will be singing the praises of our beautiful island and ensuring that it stays firmly on the travel map.

Stealing a march on the hundreds of other exhibitors, Turismo de Tenerife will be hosting  a pre event presentation in the Tate Modern Gallery hoping to paint a bright and rosey picture of what they have to offer.