As you meander the pedestrianized cobblestone streets in the heart of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, you will admire not only the pastel-colored historic architecture that frames the narrow lanes but also the urban planning, which became a blueprint for New World colonial towns like Havana, Lima and Cartagena. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Laguna’s original layout remains intact, transporting you into the past as you explore some of the more than 350 buildings constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries. After a coffee break at the wonderful Hotel Laguna Nivaria, head into the countryside to marvel at the dramatic lunar landscapes created by volcanic Mount Tiede and sample Canarian cuisine in the shadow of Spain’s highest peak.
Contrast the beautifully preserved colonial architecture along the cobblestone streets of La Laguna with the striking volcanic landscape of Teide National Park, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.