Well, hello there! Are you ready to hear about my two weeks adventure in Tenerife? I recently traveled from my hometown in Cluj, Romania to the breathtaking island of Tenerife, and boy do I have some stories to share! From navigating budget airlines to renting cars, I managed to make my way around with humor and grace (or at least that's what I like to tell myself). Of course, there were a few bumps in the road - and I'm not just talking about the winding, hair-raising mountain roads of Tenerife. But fear not, because I'm here to tell it all, starting with my stay in Bergamo. So, fasten your seatbelts and hold on tight - it's time to take a wild ride through my Tenerife escapades!

If you're based in Cluj, you know that finding the perfect flight can be quite the challenge. That's why I always try to find a flight that offers the opportunity to explore other cities along the way. And what better place to make a stop than in the land of mouth-watering cuisine - Italy! As a die-hard foodie, Italy has always been my top pick for a layover destination.

So, I decided to book a flight from Cluj to Bergamo. We stayed for one night at the charming Maison al Parco, which I had visited once before. It's conveniently located near the airport, with a nearby bus station for easy transportation. And if you're up for some sightseeing in Bergamo, the city bus is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

Here's how we got there:

• If you're flying into Orio al Serio Airport, I recommend taking the airport bus (ATB network). You can easily purchase tickets from the bus station right outside the terminal, or even download the ATB Mobile app for extra convenience.
• The cost of a ticket is 2.60 Euros (Zone 3 fare)

As for our accommodation, Maison al Parco offers self-check-in, which is a real lifesaver when you're arriving late (as we were). The rooms are spacious and spotless, making it the perfect spot for a short stay. Depending on the time and season, prices can vary from 80 to 100 Euros - for our stay, we paid a total of 90 Euros for the night.

If you have a few hours to spare during your Bergamo layover, I highly recommend taking a trip to the old town and exploring the charming streets of Citta Alta. This ancient city has stood the test of time, and wandering through its narrow streets is like taking a step back in time.

To really make the most of your visit, I highly recommend taking the funicular for a breathtaking journey. I suggest taking the San Vigilio one. Trust me, the views from above are worth it! And as you make your way up the hill, be sure to grab a take-away pizza slice from one of the many delicious pizza places you'll find along the way. There's nothing like munching on some authentic Italian pizza while admiring the beautiful architecture of this historic town. Get ready to drool, because this mouth-watering proof from “Il Fornario” will have you dreaming of pizza slices for days!

And speaking of architecture, you won't be disappointed with what you find in Citta Alta. The city is filled with stunning examples of medieval and Renaissance-era buildings, with elaborate facades and intricate details that will leave you in awe. Take a stroll along the old city walls or check out the impressive Piazza Vecchia, where you can soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by.

Before you leave Bergamo, make sure to indulge in some authentic Italian gelato! Trust me, it's the perfect way to end your layover on a sweet note. For some of the best flavors in town, check out Carmen’s shop, located just on the main street.

Now, let’s go back to the airport for our 5 hours flight to Tenerife South with Ryanair. Let's be honest, low-cost airlines can be a real drag, but for me, it's just another adventure. I'm no stranger to the chaos - I've managed to survive multiple flights with Ryanair on my previous European adventures.

When we landed in Tenerife at sunset, I swear I felt like I was in a movie. The views from the airplane runway were breathtaking. Since we always travel light, with just a backpack and a trolley, we made a beeline for the car rental company to avoid the crowds.

If you're planning to rent a car in Tenerife, I have one word for you: CICAR. Not only do they offer great prices, but all the insurance is already covered. Plus, you don't have to worry about wasting time checking for scrapes when you return the car. I opted for a Seat Ibiza or something similar and only paid 340 euros for 13 days. Can you say steal of a deal?

Now, let's talk about the drive to Puerto de la Cruz. It took us just over an hour on the highway, and let me tell you, the south-east part of the island has a truly unique, volcanic look and feel to it. It's like we were driving on the moon or some SF movie set. We even got to experience a few different climate changes during our drive, from light rain to wind, and of course, the last bit of the sunset.

For the first part of our adventure, we booked ourselves for 3 nights at the Alua Tenerife, which was amazing, to be honest. However, if I could turn back time, I would have opted to stay 5 nights in the northern part of the island because there are loads of cool things to check out there. So, if you're planning a 2-week stay in Tenerife and you're keen on exploring the island, it's best to spend at least 5 nights in Puerto de la Cruz. This area is the gateway to the north and northeast part of the island, which in my humble opinion, is the best part for natural wonders and sightseeing. From beaches and mountains to charming old towns and traditional villages, there's plenty to see and do in this part of Tenerife.

Our room at Alua Tenerife offered more than just a comfortable bed and a nice shower. In fact, it was a whole experience in itself. The moment we opened the door, we were greeted by the most amazing views. We had a balcony that overlooked the ocean, and we could hear the waves crashing against the rocks. It was like having our own private ocean soundtrack, even though the ocean was not that close to us. And if that wasn't enough, we also had a window in the hallway that gave us a clear view of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain.

But the real showstopper was the sunrise view of Mount Teide. We were lucky enough to have our room on the highest level, level 7, which gave us the most stunning views in the whole resort. The morning light illuminated the peak, and the sky was a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples. It was the perfect way to start our day. We took some pictures to capture the moment, but even those don't do justice to the beauty we experienced.

I cannot tell much of the pools, as we did not stay too long at the hotel. 😁

For the rest of our trip, we decided to spend the time in Adeje, where we booked a one-bedroom apartment with breakfast at Ramada Residence for 10 nights. While the apartment was nice, it felt a bit outdated for my taste. However, the balcony was a great feature that we enjoyed every night, watching the sunset and listening to live music from the restaurant below while sipping on a glass of wine.

Visiting the island for the first time, we chose to stay in the more touristy southern part of the island because we wanted more amenities, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. We were not disappointed, as Adeje and Los Cristianos offered plenty of options for dining, shopping, and activities. It felt like we were on a beach holiday with resorts, hotels, and people from all over the world speaking different languages.

I wouldn't say one area is better than the other; it depends on what you're looking for in your trip. If you prefer natural landscapes and less touristy sites, then the northern part is the way to go. But if you want sunny weather, good beach conditions, and nearby amenities, then the south is the better choice. My recommendation would be to split your holiday equally between the two zones or at least spend a minimum of five nights in the northern part of Tenerife.

Now, let’s talk about the beaches and the differences between the two locations.

One of the things that drew us to Alua Tenerife was its proximity to Playa Jardin, one of the most popular black sand beaches in Puerto de la Cruz. Walking on volcanic sand for the first time can be a trip - it's rougher and hotter than your average beach sand. But trust me, it's worth it for the stunning views. And here's the best part: you won't break the bank renting sunbeds and an umbrella - we only paid 13 euros for the whole day! Just don't forget your sunscreen (even if it's cloudy - trust me, I learned the hard way). 😊

The beaches in the southern area, especially in the Adeje and Los Cristianos offer a mixture between golden and black sand, but in the majority of cases, you will find long stretches of fine golden sand. These beaches are more crowded and animated, offering lots of amenities and having plenty of restaurants in the walkable area.

In this area the prices are also a bit higher, meaning you will send around 22 euros for the same set of 2 sunbeds and one umbrella. Quite a difference from Puerto de la Cruz, right?

Make sure you visit the Playa del Duque and Playa Camison. They were my absolutely favorite ones in this area.

People usually ask me how much money they need for a trip and my usual answer is always “it depends”. But you'll soon see that I'm all about that middle ground when it comes to my travels. I'm not gonna spill the beans on how to penny-pinch for every aspect of your trip, but you won't catch me flaunting about 5-star hotels or Michelin-starred restaurants in my blog or Instagram. I'm a foodie, y'all! I try to find the best that my budget can offer and for this two-week adventure in Tenerife we budgeted around 3500 euros. Let’s see our budget breakdown:

• Plane tickets (total amount of the 4 flights for 2 people): 550 euro
• Car rental: 340 euro
• Accommodation Bergamo: 90 euro
• Accommodation Alua Tenerife: 270 euro
• Accommodation Ramada Adeje: 1000 euro
• Daily spending: 90-100 euro

My next post will reveal the must-visit places on both sides of the island and pro tips on how to plan your days to squeeze in as much adventure as possible. Don't miss out on my recommendation for one-day itineraries.