Island Dreams and Iberian Flavors: Spring Break

Spring break finally arrived, and this year I split my escape between volcanic Tenerife North and South and coastal Portugal. The trip was the perfect remedy after months of deadlines and routine.

Tenerife truly is two islands in one. I started in the north, basing myself in Puerto de la Cruz with its traditional Canarian architecture and relaxed local vibe. Mornings were spent wandering colonial streets, and afternoons exploring natural wonders in the rainy weather.

The highlight was undoubtedly Mount Teide. The drive through pine forests that gradually transform into Mars-like terrain feels like crossing multiple planets in an hour. Taking the cable car up revealed breathtaking panoramic views of the entire island, with the Atlantic stretching endlessly in every direction. The bizarre volcanic landscape with its red rocks and twisted formations filled my camera roll embarrassingly quickly.

Midweek, I relocated to Los Cristianos in the sunnier south. I liked it much more, and for good reason, the warm weather. Following a local tip, I hiked down to a hidden cove near El Médano, a pristine black sand beach framed by dramatic rocks with barely another soul in sight. Hours passed, swimming in crystal-clear waters and watching waves crash against the jagged shoreline.

At Playa de las Americas, I spent a morning watching surfers tackle impressive waves before attempting a beginner's lesson myself. Let's just say the reality of surfing proved humbling, though I did eventually manage to stand for three glorious seconds before the ocean reclaimed me.

The second half began in Porto, where colorful buildings were stacked along steep hills, and the massive Dom Luís I Bridge created an immediate sense of someplace special, even though it was quite windy at times. 
I dedicated a day to exploring port wine, touring historic cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia where our guide led us through cavernous spaces lined with enormous oak barrels. Sampling ruby, tawny, and white varieties, I fell in love with a 20-year tawny's complex flavors of dried fruit and caramel. Another cool experience was the World of Wine museum, where we experienced new flavors and learned all about the history of wine. I definitely recommend it!

The next day took me into the spectacular Douro Valley, with vineyards terraced impossibly into steep hillsides. At family-run quintas, I enjoyed traditional lunch pairing regional specialties like bacalhau with estate wines. 
On our route to Lisbon, we stopped in Nazaré to see some of the biggest waves in the world. Although it was the off-season, the waves were still very large. It was extremely windy and definitely not meant for the average surfer. 
My final stop was Lisbon, Portugal's vibrant capital. Taking the famous Tram 28 through the historic Alfama district, I discovered narrow winding streets opening onto breathtaking vistas and tiny restaurants serving incredible Portuguese cuisine. I made it my mission to sample as many versions of pastéis de nata as possible, starting with the original recipe at Belém's famous bakery, which was a crisp pastry filled with creamy custard and dusted with cinnamon.

On my final evening, I watched sunset from São Jorge Castle as golden hour bathed Lisbon's terracotta rooftops in warm light. The Tagus River glittered in the distance as I found myself already planning a return trip.
As my flight touched down in Barcelona, I realized my spring break had delivered exactly what I needed: natural wonders and beach relaxation in Tenerife balanced perfectly with Portugal's cultural depth and culinary discoveries. New perspectives, necessary relaxation, and enough stories to last until summer.