“To understand the brutal geography that funded La Orotava, you have to go up to the source. This place sits literally inside the ancient volcanic crater at the foot of Mount Teide—way above the misty hills and as far from a package holiday sunbed as physically possible.”

“Exactly what the name promises. It’s tucked away behind high, unassuming walls that hide a brilliant little maze of shaded inner courtyards and lush, spiteful gardens. If you want to disappear into the historic fabric of the town and forget the rest of the island exists, this is where you do it.”

“If you want to feel like a 16th-century agricultural baron, this is where you drop your bags. It’s a beautifully maintained estate right in the steep historic centre, complete with the massive, shaded internal courtyards these old traders used to show off their absurd wealth.”