CHARMING PLACES

I am so glad that I found this lovely and lonely place to take a break when I’m stressed. This charming place is in Santa Cruz near the port and it is quite relaxing to go there while you’re listening to music or even if you only want to listen the waves crashing on the sea wall. Definitely the best moment of the day to go there is when the sunset starts and then came at night because this place at night equally helps me to calm down.

From the first moment that we could go out to do sports, I decided to discover new places near my area, and here is my favorite by far. I have always loved the sea and its calm, and here I feel that freedom that it gives me. Almost every day I usually go on my bike to see the sunrise and stay a while longer. Some days with my headphones and others being the sound of the waves the music. Definitely, it is my charming place, to relax or to hang out. It is the perfect place.

Story by Daniel Sánchez Rodríguez In these days of lockdown, Puntagorda, a village in the north of La Palma where I was born, is the place I have missed the most.  While I am lucky to consider Tenerife as home, there is a part of me willing to spend some days there, my very first home. There are few sensations as fulfilling as returning there in winter, enjoying a walk through the forest, under the rain, picking up some wild mushrooms with my brother. As I imagine myself sitting by the fireplace, reading a book, I understand why the Portuguese call this sensation 'Saudade' .

I was in this place last year, this is in front of the Guggenheim Museum in the city of Bilbao. I took this photo because i felt in love with the puppy. It remind me a really good moment.  I was very exited to be there. I remember that i cried a little bit.  Honestly,  this esculture reminds me the love I feel for my dog. I think the happyness is on the little things like a simply pet.  I hope be there next year.

It is very difficult for me to express with words what this place means for me. I Feel that this is my space in the World. My magical corner... When I arrive there, time seems to stop. It flows slowlier and my problems disappear. I only have to sit in front of the sea and close my eyes, listen to the sound, breath slowly and that’s all.  It heals me! I am not be able to remember anything in my life without the influence of this place.  It is in my memories since I was a child, when I spent the summer with my family and all experiences that come to my mind are the happiest ones.  I reckon that this is the reason why La Punta del Hidalgo will be always my shelter and I love sharing it with you.

Even though I have a lovely girlfriend, a caring family and a lot of friends, there is no place where I find the calm I need to escape from the cruelty, sadness and the stress that this world has in store for us. Well, I should emphasize that said place does not exist on land , but far away from the coast, where I am the only living creature that uses lungs; is where I really feel relieved, where nobody disturbs me and where the time slows down so much that I found myself out of reality. Alone, pure, alive. Rafa.

    This is my favourite place since I was a child, it brings me the best childhood's memories when I went to work with my mother every weekend very early in the morning, at 6.00 a.m., I'm always have been an early bird and I love it because it reminds me that wonderful feeling breathing fresh air, the sea smell and swimming in the cool water after work when we got together with the family and we spent the rest of the day on the beach. While the older ones made the food the younger ones had fun.

There is a beach in south east La Gomera with no roads to reach it with cars but hikking a rocky path. From times of conquer, it's still said a legend in which there was a native leaders metting to plan the way to stop conquerors. The metting was set on a very difficult place, a rock in front of Iguala's beach, to avoid somebody could hear their plans. Hupalupu the King told how he wanted to kill La Gomera Count whose power was disturbing natives lives. After the secret was told, one of the warriors was concerned because somebody could know this dangerous secret. But suddenly the King killed Ajeche warrior in order to stop him to tell his plan. They call the place Secret's Baja after that. When I was born my father wanted for me a native name and also a special baptism so he made a reunion with the whole family and friends to celebrate it. Back then, there was a road for an old banana shipment factory and they had to take water from a farm nearby to use it for the

A great place which made me feel peaceful is The Lakes of Covadonga . I remember that we had not planned to go there the first time, but a wise waiter told us that the weather was perfect to go there that day and he hit the nail on the head. It is a quiet place where you can feel calm and relief with serene lakes and some animals are at ease. Even there can be crowded, you can find a hideout where you feel the power of nature and think how tiny we are if you look from above.

LA BAJITA La Bajita is a wonderful hidden corner in the Island of La Palma. Its beach, its tranquility, the lack of connectivity and the good neighborhood are the biggest attractions for me. I have spent there the best summers enjoying watching my daughters grow up playing. We used to play different games including hide and seek, "el planto" and "un, dos tres, Juan, Periquito y Andrés".  As summer approaches, I am counting the days to gather the family around a good barbecue and enjoy those conversations in which remembering those who have gone is a big and a pleasant part. Maria E. Pérez D.

Digging into my memories, the Lello bookshop appeared clearly. I love books and this was my most treasured discovery on a memorable trip to Porto. I was lucky enough to visit it before Harry Potter fans queued up to enter the place that had inspired J.K Rowling. This bookshop is over 100 years old and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. And there, I spent hours like a bookworm, breathing the scent of books while the light that entered through the stained glass window drew mysterious colors. Perhaps the fame of this bookshop is due to Harry Potter, but the magic was already there before …

I felt in love since the first time I was there. A deep link was created instantly . Every year, along the last ten, I have been visiting on holidays El Cotillo in Fuerteventura. I hire an apartment, the same site always, for one or two weeks, and enjoy the stay. A totally disconnection without mobiles and internet. Only a tablet to read and one smart TV to watch series and movies. The pleasure of read a paperbook in a terrace in front of the sea, with a beautiful beach, and sharing a drink with your lover watching the sunrise, it haven’t comparison. The Paradise really exists. Sshhh, don’t tell anybody Sabino Álvarez

Someone suggested me that before speaking about a country I should have lived in it for at least six months and nothing more true. I had heard of Medellin before I travelled to Colombia. I knew the city  was rather dangerous and that it was mainly known as the city of drug traffic, where everyone was armed and where it would be very easy for a stray bullet to cross my path, but I soon realized things weren’t like that. Due to a twist of fate, I ended up with my bones in the city of eternal spring (that’s what they call it). Now I can tell you that nothing to do with reality because one thing is what they tell you and another very different is how things really are. Medellin is a beautiful city with friendly people and the breathtaking view of lake Guatapé is one of my best memories that I will always keep in my heart. Carlos Sadarangani Rodríguez.  B2.2A

  There is a place in the south of Tenerife,near Costa del Silencio, that I discovered many years ago.I find it amazing due to its beauty.Sunsets are unbelievable and highly colorful. It has recently opened a small bar where you can enjoy several cocktails in a peaceful atmosphere.The relaxing music that accompanies us during the afternoons make this place a great choice to share with your partner or friends. I highly recommend it if you want to have a nice time and forget your issues...

There are so many places that had made me feel in peace. Most of them where influeced for the people I were with. Anyway, I prefer the Caletillas beach, in Candelaria. It reminds me of last summer memories. Second of bach was so stressful and that day i felt so free, and forgot about all my worries. It was just my friend and I enjoying the time like there was no tomorrow. We spent the whole day there, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery and of us too! The sun was shining day and there were too many shops and resturants opened along sidewalk. I didn't know about that place, but now I can’t wait to come back!

There are plenty of places where I love being, such as: my parent's house surrounded by family, also sharing time with friends talkin g or just laughing around a table. Besides, I am fond of stroking my pets as well, being in their company. But on the other hand, I am a lone person, not a lonely one. W ho enjoys the silence, the birds singing, the sound of the wind passing by the trees and branches, the smell of the wet soil, the cold breeze and the dense fog. Therefore, my choice will be the forests of Anaga where I feel real freedom.

I decieded to talk about the whole island of Lanzarote, because I felt in love with this island and the person who came with me. Moreover, it was the home of César Manrique, one of the best architects and person who took care for protecting and preserving the natural heritage of the island. I will always remember the four days we spend here and the different places we visited.When I think in Lanzarote what comes to my mind is the beautiful landscape of Timanfaya National Park, stunning natural places such as Papagayo beach or Cueva de los Verdes, and also lovely/funny moments with my special person. This trip was the best birthday-gift I have ever received!!

I have been living in Tenerife since 5 years ago, and one of my charming places in this beautiful Island, is my window... Yes, my window!! Everyday when I wake up, the first thing I do is to enjoy the amazing views. And not just in the morning, but in the afternoon, at night... It´s really stunning the amount of colors in the sky, the several shapes of the clouds, the reflections of light in the sea... each day is a different ladscape even it is the same view.  In this quarantine time, I really thank having this special space, in which I can really appreciate life by itself. It´s lovely!! -Yazz Cervantes

This is a very charming place which I had the pleasure to visit last year. It´s a lagoon located in Astun´s ski station (Huesca). In summer, melted ice show this breathtaking landscape. These lagoons widespread throughout The Pyrenees are called (Ibones) which means lagoons for native people. You can climb walking or paying for using the chair lift. When you´re on the top just follow different routes. The France border is there and probably you´ll stay crossing it in different times. You can see cows grazing in a very green landscape with lots of “Ibones” and for sure you´ll feel like dreaming.

A place that I have always loved is Las Canteras beach, situated in the next province, Gran Canaria. Located in the heart of the city, is the main urban beach in the town that you can enjoy at any time of the year, due to the good weather that we have always on the islands. I like this place specially because it brings back memories of my childhood and mid-teens, but above all this beach brings me sweets souvenirs of my dead mother when we walked  down the avenue and enjoyed together having an ice cream.   Mercedes Rodríguez Martínez  B22A

This picture reminds me my childhood. It’s near my family’s country house, where we spent the summers when I was a child and where we spend weekends nowadays. As a kid, I used to look for frogs hidden among the leaves around the pond with my youngest brother. I would love to be there now, not looking for frogs but spending weekends all together. There are many pictures like this on my mind that make me feel happy. Montse del Castillo.

In September of 2018 I had the chance to do a wonderful trip we rented a car and toured the West Coast of USA in 20 days. We visited magical places with astonishing landscapes, not only could we be in contact with nature in some beautiful parks such as Yosemite, Bryce Canyon or Monument Valley but also visited big famous and totally different cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. I could enjoy a lot and I have very good memories of it but one of highlights was the sunset in the Grand Canyon of Colorado, it was amazing! This trip was an incredible and unforgettable experience!

What you are seeing is a sunrise on an August day from the bed of the house of  "my soul cousin"   A couple of years ago she moved to a rural area in Cáceres and last year I went to visit her and her new house. It is at the side of a mountain range, it is a beautiful little house in the middle of the field, near a bird recovery center. It has its own large land and the incredible luck of  being able to walk through the mountains from a direct access from her house, in general, this is priceless but  in times of confinement, far less ... But the best thing is that during the days that I was with her, I was able to enjoy these incredible sunrises every day from the bed in my room, pink and orange skies accompanied by the song of the birds and without city noises that only carry calm and peaceful. A vision that gives energy and creates mornings for good purposes. What else can you ask for?

I highly recommend a wonderful place that I visited in 2018 when I walked through a stage of the Camino de Santiago, along the so-called French Way. This simply peaceful restaurant, O Pino, is located in Boavista, La Coruña. People who want to have peace of mind walk the large route as the pilgrims have been doing over many centuries. The path is basically rural and have espectacular views. Thus, when you arrive at this point, you should recharge your energies with a well-deserved rest and enjoy tasty dishes from the local cuisine, while gazing at  beautiful natural landscape.

Cafetería El Ramal It´s a really remakarble old café in Tejina, Tenerife called “Cafetería El Ramal”.   It was inaugarated in 1987, and sitting in there can still make you feel like in Paris or Austria (tables are facing the street). As you walk in from the dazzlingly sunny street, it doesn´t take a while for your eyes to get used to the café. Indoors there are four huge windowns next to furniture. However, walls are covered in a large decorative wallpapers and loads wooden arches and columns make café appears tiny and cheerful. For other side   bitter aroma of arabic coffee mixed with the salty smell of King sandwiches in the area start to make you feel hungry as you sit confortably in the solid wooden chairs. On the White table, waiting for you to cover it with delicious foods and drinks. You might order a delicious chocolate topped sweet cream. Waiters, in their striking Pink apron are more likely to be serving local and unlocal people with their problems, dailey routi

I'm searching into my album looking for “the photo”. OMG, I have a lot! Some of them remind me the fantastic places I've been before. Others, the amazing moments I’ve spent with my family, my friends and on my own. I notice, at the the background of many of them, the sea is always present... Punta del viento and Paseo de San Telmo at Puerto De la Cruz, Teno, Fuencaliente’s lighthouse, Bajamar... there is no doubt: It was a bright sunny day at a place called “LA ROSA DE LOS VIENTOS” (La Coruña) the photo makes me feel like if I were just on the line between everything starts and everything ends at the same time. I would like to share with you the day I spent with my children six years ago. I wish you can hear the whisper of the waves and feel the fresh air as I do when I gaze at it.