Embarking on an exhilarating island-hopping journey, Jane McDonald explores the Canary Islands’ hidden gems.
Her first stop is Tenerife, where she settles in Playa de las Americas. Venturing north, Jane ascends Mount Teide by cable car, accompanied by local resident Steve. At the summit, she savours the pristine air and stunning vistas.
Descending the mountain, Jane joins Steve and his friend Laura for a taste of traditional Canarian cuisine, including local potatoes, garlic dip, and cheese.
At her hotel, Jane befriends guests Angie and Alison, and together they tour a local banana plantation. Guided by Anna, they delve into the intricacies of banana cultivation and the unique all-female nature of banana bunches.
The group samples an array of banana-based products, such as banana wine and jam. Later, Jane, Angie, and Alison relax by the rooftop pool, sharing insights into Tenerife’s allure.
Jane’s next destination is La Gomera. There, she immerses herself in local crafts, learning basket weaving with date palm plants. She also tries her hand at Silbo, a traditional whistling language used for long-distance communication across the mountains.
Concluding her Tenerife adventure, Jane joins holidaymakers Les and June at Siam Water Park. Here, she indulges in the park’s attractions, from the relaxing lazy river and thrilling high slides, to experiencing the artificial beach’s wave machine.
The Canary Islands with Jane McDonald airs on Channel 5 on Friday, 5 January 2024 at 9:00PM.
The episode is the first from the new series.
