Situated off the north-west coast of Africa yet part of Spain, the Canary Islands offer remarkably constant year-round temperatures which average about 25 degrees Centigrade. Here are 10 great reasons to visit the Canaries, to help start your holiday planning and further research together.

Beaches: Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have the best beaches of golden sand, while on other islands you can discover beaches of dark volcanic sand or shingle. The biggest resorts are Playa de las Americas in Tenerife and Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria.

Nightlife: It's sophisticated and international, blending mainland Spanish influences such as flamenco with the hottest disco sounds. Santa Cruz (Tenerife) and Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) are large cities with strong cultural programmes.

Food: The emphasis in resorts is on international cuisine, with a widening choice of fine dining. Also check out local specialities such as fish or pork dishes with green or red mojo sauce, served with salted "wrinkled potatoes".

Wine: Tenerife and Gran Canaria excel at white and sweet wines, but they are little known off the islands because of limited production. "Canary" wine is mentioned in Shakespeare.

Wildlife: The waters around the Canaries are teeming with fish, and the channel separating Tenerife from La Gomera is great for spotting pilot whales and dolphins.

Activities: Volcanic landscapes make the islands a great choice for walking, with many signed routes. Also try camel trekking in Lanzarote, golf (most islands) and diving.

Nature: The interior of most islands is a protected national park. Mount Teide in Tenerife is Spain's highest peak.

Island hopping: Don't forget the smaller islands, which have very little development and can be reached by sea. La Gomera is notable for its banana plantations, La Palma for its vast volcanic crater, and El Hierro for its cliffs and wild landscape.

Shopping: The islands are a recognised tax-free zone so you can pick up bargains, especially electronics.

A holiday in the Canary Islands are warm, welcoming and far more interesting than you can ever imagine if you think only of beach holidays. These volcanic islands have the most amazing landscapes, and local food and wine which are highly distinctive. Discover somewhere different!

The Canary Islands are served from airports throughout Europe, and from the UK all the major regional airports offer a regular year-round service of no-frills , holiday flights to the Islands. You are never far away from a great holiday in the sun.