COSTA DEL SlLENCIO TENERIFE

This resort at the island's southern tip was one of the first tourist developments, though its name has become rather incongruous since the construction here of Reina Sofia Airport. There are almost no proper beaches just the odd shingle strip and a few coves but several seawater swimming pools make up for the lack. Costa del Silencio includes Las Galletas, a former fishing hamlet with two small beaches and a waterfront promenade, and Ten Bel, one of Tenerife's first purpose built self catering resorts. Ten Bel, on the Costa del Silencio, takes its name from the nationalities of the two business partners who created it in 1969. One was from Tenerife, the other from Belgium. 

A near-constant breeze has been both the blessing and the bane of Tenerife. EI Medano, on the island's exposed south-east corner, has the best natural beaches, but is generally too windy for sunbathing to be enjoyable. There's a wind farm on the hills nearby, and this is the island's leading resort for windsurfing. International contests are held here, and anyone who really enjoys the sport should visit. The resort itself, on the headland of Punta del Medano, lacks charm and is very close to the international airport Unspoiled pale beaches extend south to the hook nosed volcano at Punta Roja.