El Hierro, Canary Islands

Friday, midday

Check into the Parador (doubles from £60, www.parador.es), right on the ocean beneath 1,000m cliffs, an appositely spectacular introduction to this unique Macaronesian island.

1pm

Head to Valverde for lunch at Gastro Manila (tel: +822-775 032). This pub offers a stodgy, cream and carb laden menu, ideal for what’s next.

2pm

Meet Paolo of Atlantidea (www. atlantidea.net) for a 12km hike that shows you why the island has been designated both a World Biosphere Reserve and a Geopark by UNESCO.

4pm

Your walk will take you by the Garoe Tree, held in mystical regard by the first inhabitants, the bimbaches.

7pm

Enjoy dinner at the Parador. Kick off with Jamon Iberico air dried ham, before sea bass or swordfish fillet and Canarian palm honey to finish.

Saturday, 9am

Meet Paolo again or self drive/cycle around this compact island.

10am

Drive through the verdant El Golfo bay, stopping off to tackle a section of the oceanfront walk.

Midday

Cyclists will wish they were in a car battling up to the Mirador de La Peña (tel: +922 550-3000) for lunch. The building was the brainchild of Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique.

1pm

Head west in search of the otherworldly Trade Winds gnarled trees of El Sabinar in the desert.

4pm

Ease back through lush pine forests to visit the Volcanic Interpretation Centre to learn about the 2011 offshore eruption.

5pm

Drop to the fishing village of La Restinga and take in the sun and big ocean skies.

7pm

Savour dinner at El Refugio (tel: +922-557 029) with local barracuda, washed down with the bone dry La Frontera white wine.

Sunday, 9am

Take it easy at the Parador, enjoying a dip in their pool or the Atlantic. ■