Plato spoke of Atlantis, the mythical continent sunk deep into the ocean floor; and those that believe in the existence of this lost continent argue that the Canaries are part of its visible remains. Mount Teide, the world’s third biggest volcano, acts as a climatic barrier between the verdant north and arid south. As Spain’s largest peak, Teide stands 3,717m above sea level. Its snowcapped tip (a crater boasting a diameter of 14km) can be seen from most parts of the island. Santa Cruz, Tenerife’s capital and one of Spain’s busiest ports, is an increasingly fashionable city featuring some groundbreaking modern architecture.