This is the sun destination for winter

We need to talk about winter for a moment. I can certainly appreciate it, but under a few conditions. It must be dry, cold, and sunny. With a sky of the clear blue kind, where you can still warm yourself a bit by the rays. Unfortunately, that almost never occurs in our country, which is why I go to compensate for my lack of sun somewhere.

This year I'm thinking of Tenerife. I was once on the island in the summer with a steady 30 degrees, stunning sunsets, and the best paella I've ever had in a restaurant that jutted out over the sea. But I'm increasingly being whispered about winter Tenerife, because this is the refuge for our six-month-long autumn and it is so much more than just a beach holiday.

First of all: in December and January, the temperature almost never drops below twenty degrees. Look, those are numbers that make you want to have cocktails on the terrace. Literally. But Tenerife has much more than a favorable climate; the island consists of 48 percent unspoiled nature where you can enjoy walking in the low season. How about the nature park Parque Roral de Anaga? If it's good enough for UNESCO, then it's certainly good enough for us. But what you must not forget in Tenerife is: soaking up culture.

Since I fell in love with Spanish music in Seville, I've been hooked. Start talking to me about a festival and I want to go. Tenerife is the backdrop for music festivals in various music styles all year round. In February, you can usually indulge your heart at the carnival in Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz. The festivities are canceled this time, but you can still have fun at the carnival museum in Santa Cruz, which is almost as festive as the carnival itself. Or how about a visit to the annual market in Tegueste? Prefer to delve into the island's history? That’s possible too. Get lost in the streets of La Laguna, which is on the World Heritage List, or marvel at the starry sky in National Park El Teide. Nothing is as magical as the night in a volcanic landscape.

Tenerife is so much more than a sunny island. You just need to get the right things whispered to you, it turns out. You know where to find me as soon as it can and may be done again. See you there?