It’s crept up on us again, Christmas is racing in and Los Gigantes is bracing itself for a bumper crop of visitors for the festive season. The friendly community feel of the west coast is never more evident than at this time of year and re-located Brits that have bought a property soon discover the special attractions of a Tenerife christmas.

While a trip up to the capital Santa Cruz answers all those big department store needs, some of the best and more personal gifts can be found in the small family run shops in the heart of Los Gigantes. Souvenirs with a local flavour are a great way to share that Canarian spirit with friends and family. The church plaza always looks delightful decked out for Christmas and New Year and it’s a focal point for celebrations and music.

The festive season Tenerife style packs a lot in, of course Christmas Day is celebrated with echoes of back home, sprouts an all, but many Canarian shops and restaurants will be open as usual, they tend to have a big family meal the evening before. Boxing Day is not part of the Spanish calendar but it’s another chance for celebrations, the two big days at the beach or around the pool can be quite a novelty. New Years Eve is a huge event with the church plaza again playing a central role but come midnight local traditions like eating a grape for each stroke of the clock are eagerly shared and the firework displays that greet the new year are always tremendous.

There’s still the biggest Tenerife celebration to come,Reyes – Kings Day, January 6 commemorating the three kings, they ride into town on camels the night before showering the crowd with sweets and then dishing out presents from the stage. It’s one of the great traditions and a large mixed community like Los Gigantes welcomes all to join in. These are just some of the annual festivities to look forward to once you find a property and make the move to live at least part of your year in Tenerife.

Just up the hill from Los Gigantes is Puerto de Santiago a Canarian village full of charm and character. The plaza is the social hub of the community, equally at home hosting a dog show, political rally, fiesta dance, or a food fair. In these hard times for local traders it is also a rallying point for local business to gain a much needed boost with a bargain fair.

The 6th annual event will take place on Sunday 6 November from 9am to 4 pm with local traders offering large discounts on many lines of clothes, toys, books etc. The plaza juts out into the sea, is a natural sun trap, and set below the road level it’s a safe place for families to bring children for a fun day out, there will be bouncy castles this year.

Bar Plaza at one end of the area has a large terrace and serves traditional food and drink. It’s sure to be a good day and holiday makers will be made very welcome, you may even pick up a few useful bargains with one eye on christmas.

Tenerife is blessed with some tempting coastline to explore and enjoy and up on the west coast the diversity and depth of water sports makes it a magnet for all sports fans. The Canary Islands Gobierno (government) has recognised the interest in its sea life and has embraced technology to offer a new guide.

Promotur the tourism agency for the government has developed and launched a new App for the Apple phone called Water Sports Experience. The new App gives a wealth of information and tips on making the most of the sea around all the islands and pinpoints areas of particular interest. You can download the service in English or Spanish from the Apple Store for free.

A stroll down to the Los Gigantes marina will soon reveal the amazing choices for sea fun such as diving, jet skiing, whale and dolphin watching, fishing or just sitting back and relaxing on a pleasure craft. The rugged coast that stretches around into Puerto Santiago also offers plent to explore from snorkelling in rock pools to surfing at Punta Blanca. These are just some of the natural pleasures that make Los Gigantes so popular.

There will be even more reason to celebrate easter in Los Gigantes as the Los Guios beach is due to re-open after being closed in 2009 when a rock slide killed 2 people. A lot of hard work has been taking place to drive metal poles into the cliff face and spray large areas with concrete, strong meshing has also been draped over the cliff face to catch any small trickles of rocks and stones. Santiago del Teide council budgeted 500,000 euros for the safety work on the 40 metre stretch and have set easter as the target to take down the barriers.

Los Guios may not be the biggest beach in Tenerife but it is certainly the most charming, the towering cliffs that give Los Gigantes its name provide a striking backdrop that has featured in many holiday photos. The repair work has been tricky and workmen have been abseiling down the cliff from the top and hanging from secure lines as they drill into the ancient rock. The council hope at a later stage to look at extending the small beach but only once extra the cliff there has also been bolstered.

The easter holidays are a busy time with the west coast attracting a good share of visitors, the popular beach will once again be filled with the sound of families enjoying the soft sand and gently sloping swimming area. No wonder so many people decide to buy property in the area.

Election of the Carnaval Queen and Gala: Thursday 17th March
Time: 9pm
Location: Plaza Buganvilla

Children’s Parade and Grand Ball: Saturday 19th March
Time: From 5pm
Location: Plaza Buganvilla

Closing Parade: Coso Apoteosis followed by masked ball takes place on Sunday 20th March
Time: From 5pm
Location: From La Pescadora roundabout to Plaza Buganvilla.

Burial of the Sardine followed by Widows’ Ball: Monday 21st March
Time: 9pm

Like a giant washing powder advert, Los Gigantes will be gleaming white on Sunday 13 March as they stage the Fiesta Blanca Latina. It’s an all day extravaganza of music and dance based around the church plaza from 11 am to 11 pm and everyone is invited to attend and wear as much white as possible.

As the name suggests, the music will have a distinct Latin feel which should encourage everyone to shake off their inhibitions and dance. There’s something for everyone including a display of classic cars and more bands than you can shake a maraca at. The line up is Maikel Jimenez, the Corinto Band, and from the island of La Palma Chango. That last band may hint at some of the fun and games to come, La Palma has just celebrated its annual Los Indianos festival where white also dominates and flour is liberally sprinkled around to add to the white theme.

All this is in advance of the main Los Gigantes Carnaval which runs from 17 to 21 March so keep your dancing shoes at the ready, full details of that to follow.

Dont forget you can click onto the weather symbol on the front of our website for a constant update.

For those who have never visited Azafran you will find it beautifully situated just outside the village of Los Gigantes (a taxi should cost you 3 euro from here) and large sofas nestle amongst fairy lights for your aperitif on the terrace whilst inside the attentive staff will ‘dress’ your table and await to excite your taste buds with the dishes prepared by our chef.

Xmas day will see our excellent menu available as usual then New Years Eve we have a special selection of six courses for you to enjoy and linger over up to midnight.

Azafran can be seen on the website www.mytenerifeinfo.com- go to international restaurants- and our menu is available by clicking at the top right hand corner on ..’menu’. This site also gives you a 360 degree tour of the venue.

Please note we will be open every day over the Xmas and New Year period.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Paul Ruane and Megashop-offering you the best services available.

LIONS CLUB

For those heading to the South West of  Tenerife over xmas we would like to update you on a couple of events that will be held this year not just for you to enjoy and be a part of but to help raise money for those in need.

DEC. 11th

Santa’s Grotto will be a part of the the xmas fair in the Los Gigantes plaza (square) this year. All the usual stalls  of tomobola,bric-a-brac and more will be there but the timing will be a little different! Starting at 5pm and going on through the evening, this year you are invited to partake of mulled wine and home-made mince pies,mmmm a perfect way to ease you into what is always a magical  and yet sunny time here in Los Gigantes!

DEC. 20th

El Marquez will be hosting the xmas concert with many local artistes performing. Entrance to this will be a mere 6 euros and if you wish to partake of the buffet (and why not’??)  then your ticket will cost you 13 euros.

We look forward to seeing everyone wether resident or holiday maker and don’t forget the Paul Ruane team are here should you need assistance for legal work,property purchases,airport transfers,excursions and much more.

Azafran restaurant at the San Francisco Beach club will be open as normal over the xmas period but will have a special menu for new years eve. Early bookings are very adviseable.