Bird of paradise grows freely on the Canary Islands. (By Donna Tabbert Long)

It seemed appropriate that I awoke my first morning in the Canary Islands to bird song.

When I opened my French doors to the little balcony overlooking a courtyard, I also heard the exotic rush of breeze through palm trees -- the wonderful sweep of sound that indicates a tropical region of the world -- and definitely not in, say, northern Minnesota or the Rocky Mountains.

I had flown the day before from Madrid to Tenerife, the largest of the seven islands that make up the Spanish archipelago known as the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are notably the most touristed of the Canaries. Each of the other five -- El Hierro, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera -- offers its own character and attractions, albeit at smaller and more remote venues.

Located closer to Africa and Morocco than Spain, the Canaries are well known to Europeans, who flock to them for the sunshine and warmth. With average winter maxiumum temps near 70 degrees, it's tough to match this climate or the accompanying beach scene. Still, on a weeklong visit, I learned there's much more to these islands than umbrella drinks and sun-worshipping.

WINERIES AND WRINKLED POTATOES

Banana plantations blanket the land, even nudge up next to city areas, while vineyards (more than 100 on Tenerife alone) have long been part of the islands' history and landscape. Even Shakespeare mentioned Canarian wine in his works.

As it turned out, one of the first

After the mojos were ready, the chef demonstrated how

Candelaria is one of many picturesque towns along the coastline on Tenerife. (By Donna Tabbert Long)

Continued here:

Canary Islands exploration goes beyond the beach