The Travel Source: A closer look at La Palma

After briefly looking at La Palma with our overview of the Canary islands last week, what better way to follow up than with a look at one its most coveted islands, La Palma.

A holiday to La Palma can be almost anything you want it to be. Vast green mountains dominate the the island along with sweeping ravines that cut through the picture postcard setting. But all this seems like a minor distraction when you clap eyes upon what was once the biggest volcano in the world, La Caldera de Taburiente. The volcano was about 20km across and has now eroded away the landscape to the extent that it has created its own national park. This curious setting is in the North of the island and no La Palma holiday is complete without a visit to this wonderful, awe-inspiring place.

If you are looking for the classic beach holiday, La Palma is not the best destination for you, but you will find a small selection of very inhabitable beaches in the areas of Puerto Naos and Los Cancajos. Puerto Naos epitomises La Palma holidays; it's laid back, peaceful and a Canary island paradise. The beach itself is made up of the island's black volcanic sand and is a vast 500m expanse across the La Palma coastline. The town itself is dominated by windy streets and traditional restaurants offering the best in Canary island cuisine. Puerto Naos' location at the South of the island also make it ideal for exploring the likes of La Caldera de Taburiente which is less than 20 minutes away by car.

The largest holiday resort on the island is Los Cancajos. Set in a stunning backdrop of rolling, green hills and azure blue waters, Los Cancajos is a well-laid out, purpose-built resort with numerous accommodation choices ranging from luxurious 4-star hotels to budget options perfect for a cheap holiday. The town is home to three Blue Flag beaches, all of which offer tranquillity and relaxation in La Palma's own inimitable way. The waters in this area are also teaming with fish so be sure to take your snorkelling equipment on your La Palma holiday. If you have a real penchant for diving, you should certainly consider visiting the waters in the south of the island where the seas are well populated with a combination of Parrot fish and Amberjack.

So there we have it, La Palma - The Canary island's best kept secret and a paradise for those looking for a mix of beautiful natural sights and luxury holidaying options.