Welcome to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival.
© Meredith Mullins

Carnival Celebrations in the Canary Islands

When I told people I was headed to the Canary Islands, most folks responded with some form of a “W” word. Where? What? . . . and the ominous Why?

Some had heard of the islands, but couldn’t quite place them. Most had not.

Even as I finalized this trip from many possible choices, I wasn’t quite sure myself where or what these islands were. Or if canaries would become a dominant theme in some strange Hitchcock-like way.

I flew into North Tenerife; and, for the first time in many years, I entered a new land alone—one where I did not speak the language and one where I had few preconceptions.

Sometimes, that’s the best way to go. Travel adventures of the memorable kind.

Cymbalic travel adventures
© Meredith Mullins

Becoming an Explorer

As it turns outs, the islands are a volcanic archipelago off the west coast of Africa (and one of Spain’s far-flung territories).

I settled in on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the seven main Canary Islands, and my travel skills kicked in. Open eyes. Open heart. I became the ultimate explorer, as well as an astute observer. And I tried to make my brain begin to piece together the puzzle of the new language.

As the journey unfolded, three travel tips came to mind—all of which helped to build a foundation for memorable travel adventures.

A Carnival Princess in flamboyant splendor
© Meredith Mullins

#1  Visit a Place when Something Special is Happening

Check. One of the reasons for my visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife was “Carnival.” Many places in the world have pre-lenten carnival celebrations, from Rio de Janeiro to Venice to New Orleans and from the Americas to Spain to Portugal to Germany.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is famous for its festival. And, although most other places are overrun with revelers, Santa Cruz seemed like a town that could handle the excitement in a relaxed way.

Walk wildly and carry a sequined stick.
© Meredith Mullins

I can also make a case for traveling to places when nothing special is happening and no one else is around, but, in this instance, I was ready for all that Carnival had to offer. And I was not disappointed.

Why go during festival time?

When there’s a celebration in town, everyone seems to be in a good mood and the spirit of community and joie de vivre is strong.

In Tenerife’s case, the locals had been preparing for the festivities for a year, ever since the day after the last carnival. Every event is a highlight.

Dancing in the streets
© Meredith Mullins

The gala for the election of the queen is sold out every year. The Friday night parade lasts for more than four hours, with more than a hundred groups, all in costumes surpassing Las Vegas flamboyance and Cirque du Soleil dazzle.

People dance in the streets. And, as the grand finale—a unique part of Tenerife’s cultural heritage—there is a procession for the Burial of the Sardine.

Everyone in town is part of the fun.
© Meredith Mullins

#2  Ask the Locals “What is the most unusual thing to see?”

When exploring any new place, there are maps, guides, and virtual advisors that lead you to the traditional sites and specialties.

To find the real secrets, you have to seek out—ask about—the unusual.

The answer to this question led me to the hard-to-find, but extraordinary, exhibit of carnival queen costumes for the past 80 years, as modeled by our very own Barbie.

The first carnival queen in 1935. Costumes were a bit simpler then.
© Meredith Mullins

And now . . . feathers, sequins, exotic fruit, color, and dazzle.
© Meredith Mullins

Another answer to this question led me to the otherworldly landscapes near the Mt Tiede volcano, part of a national park and World Heritage Site. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Lunar-looking landscapes formed by lava flow.
© Meredith Mullins

#3  Look Where No One Else is Looking

This third travel tip is smart advice when exploring new places and cultures, as well as when living everyday life.

Look up. Look down. Poke down alleyways. Peer over walls. You never know what you will discover.

On my first ramble down to the old town of Santa Cruz, I looked up and noticed a tree warmed with a lovely knit wrap. Then another. And another.

Look up . . . to see artistry in tree tops.
© Meredith Mullins

The knitters’ guild in the town decided years ago to knit outfits for the trees of the pedestrian streets—just to make the town prettier.

Handknit “sweater” for the local trees.
© Meredith Mullins

I also visited the Tenerife Symphony Hall (Auditorio de Tenerife), designed by Santiago Calatrava Valls. Like most admirers, I was struck by its clean modern lines and its purity against a very blue sky.

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Symphony Hall
© Meredith Mullins

I was also mesmerized by the shimmering ocean surrounding it.

Mesmerizing sparkle on the terrace of the Symphony Hall
© Meredith Mullins

But the real surprise came when I looked over the seawall to find the rocks below had been painted in tribute to musicians, past and present.

I am pretty sure that most of the visitors to this majestic place miss this hidden treasure. And that’s a shame.

A rocky tribute to musicians—from Bach to Britney and Sibelius to Sinatra.
© Meredith Mullins

Discoveries Abound

My journey to the Canary Islands was filled with “Oh, I See” moments. Such is the case with unscripted travel adventures to any new and unknown place.

But after a week of carnival celebrations, seeing the secret sites, and adding at least 50 new language words to my vocabulary, I felt right at home.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.