Santa Cruz De La Palma, Spain

When we disembarked today, we had no set plan. Just a few meters from the ship, we started talking to a taxi driver who, in Spanish, convinced us to take a three-hour tour with him.

I wondered how we would communicate, since the driver spoke no English and we don’t speak much Spanish. But once we got into the car, he turned on Google Translate, and for the next three hours he became the best tour guide. He didn’t stop talking, telling us fascinating stories about the island.

We drove along serpentine roads up to an elevation of 1.5 km. On some stretches, the two-way roads were barely wide enough for one car. We made a few stops along the way, each offering beautiful views. One side of the island is lush, with orange, banana, mango, and avocado trees. At the top, we visited a small village. The other side is dominated by pine forests, with many hiking trails.

We stopped for a delicious coffee, then drove down to the area affected by the volcanic eruption of September 2021. Many people had to be relocated, but fortunately, there were no casualties.

Finally, we asked to be dropped in Santa Cruz. We walked through the city for a few more hours, enjoyed a snack of small shrimps with a beer, and strolled along the beautiful black sand beach.

The combination of perfect weather and the island’s stunning scenery made this day truly memorable.Read more