Washing your car? Mowing your lawn? How about soaking up the sun on a distinct black sand beach this weekend? Popular with tourists from England and Germany, the island of Tenerife has a reputation for fun in the sun. But, as Richard Hawes discovered, above the clouds and in the surrounding ocean natural wonders await.

Several hours after getting off my flight from London Gatwick, as dawn made proximity to the coast apparent, I left the Gran Hotel Anthelia for an early morning stroll. Seating myself on a bench, I watched the waves crash against the rocks. It was hard to believe that I was so far from home.

Low cost air fares have made overseas travel accessible to us all and journeys such as this one no more time consuming than a coach trip from London to Liverpool. You don’t even need to change the time on your watch!

Even if one were to disregard numerous tourist possibilities the simple pleasures of a night or two in warmer climes can do wonders in breaking the monotony of 9 to 5 life in Britain. Low cost flight operators such as Monarch Airlines are making this quick, easy and comfortable.

One of many potential destinations for the weekend traveller, Tenerife offers so much more than warm beaches and cocktails at seafront bars, should you have the time to explore.

As a destination for both families and young travellers seeking alcohol fuelled days in the sun, Tenerife is one of the most popular of the Canary Islands; which lay just off the upper North Western coast of Africa.

Notable for the hedonistic nightlife are the southern resorts of Playa de Los Americas, Los Christianos and Costa Adeje. Many travel to soak up the vibrant carnival atmosphere which grips Santa Cruz for a week during February and March. An island in which wrestling and stick fighting sporting events are popular, Tenerife also has diverse geographical features.

As an unseasoned traveller I made a conscious choice to maintain my limited knowledge prior to my visit to see the island through innocent eyes. You can imagine that for a lifelong Kent dweller such as myself that the sight of street signs in foreign languages and strange architecture made those early morning glimpses out toward the ocean somewhat surreal.

An echo of typical seaside resorts found on these shores, British tourists have made their own mark on this place and you never feel far from home. Sky News is on the television and English national newspapers are not hard to obtain. Even full English breakfasts are served in numerous cafes. It's vaguely depressing, but a perfect stepping stone destination for the new traveller or for those intentionally seeking the comforts of home under more favourable weather conditions.

Venturing into the undisturbed, natural regions of the island I was overwhelmed. Here such beauty was all around. Untouched by the hand of man, here was a masterpiece of creation.

More than half of the island is protected. Thanks to conservationists, the fascinating and warm desert landscapes welcome and captivate.

The dormant 3718m volcano Mount Teide is at the heart of Tenerife. Journeying through Teide National Park listening to 80s pop, Spanish lounge singers and unexpurgated gangsta rap on local radio, I was constantly in awe of the changing landscape. After the last concrete constructions disappeared from view, my eyes were greeted with dense pine forests and vast stretches of black volcanic debris. I knew I was somewhere special.

To stand level with the clouds is a bizarre experience, and yet there we were. Mount Tiede is the highest point on the island and while I did not have time to travel to its summit it was nonetheless breathtaking. Continuing a tour around the park I found many designated hiking routes which made it clear that one could easily spend a week or two taking in the crisp air and exploring the park. A prospect I found most inviting.

Travelling beyond the bizarre Dragon trees and back toward civilisation, the banana plantations catch the eye but there is little else to distinguish the urban environment. Here tourism is a routine pleasure which much of the community relies upon. Aside from the occasional goat herd moving among the traffic, there is a sense that one has come back to vulgar reality far too soon.

Loro Parque (Parrot Park) in Puerto de la Cruz is one of the island’s most popular destinations. Founded by German Wolfgang Kiessling in 1972 and featuring an authentic Thai construction at its entrance, this captive animal park is now better known for its trained marine mammals.

A thriving destination for families, Loro Parque is home to the world’s largest penguinarium and most recently several killer whales travelled from Sea World in the United States to take up residence in the newly built OrcaOcean attraction.

Far more agreeable for the Vegan traveller is the chance to see the pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins which live off Tenerife’s coast. Boarding a catamaran with a hundred other travellers makes for a claustrophobic journey, but the sight of these marine mammals in their natural blue habitat warms one's heart.

Fact file:

Monarch runs regularly scheduled flights to Tenerife South and other resorts, visit www.flymonarch.com

The Tenerife tourist board:www.webtenerife.com

Catamaran excursions: www.freebirdsailing.com

Iberostar hotels: www.iberostar.com or call 0034 922 713 335.