It’s not just holiday makers that are drawn to Tenerife, it is also an important centre for business and politics. From 26 March to 1 April the ACP-EU are holding their 19th annual parliament at the Magma Artes and Congress Centre In Costa Adeje.

The ACP-EU pulls together key countries from Africa, the Caribbean, Pacific and the European Union to discuss ways to work together to solve common problems. This year 400 delegates including a sprinkling of British members of the European Parliament are attending at the distinctive stone building between the Las Americas bus station and Siam Park.

Tenerife is a natural choice as it is central to all the nations involved and has  a wide selection of 4 and 5 star hotels within easy reach of the airport. On the agenda this year are climate change, trade and the global recession. Tenerife is already playing a big role in helping African countries by building the NAPWACI communication hub to provide West Africa with quicker and cheaper internet links with Europe. This hub should be finished and ready for use in 2011.

In the meantime the delegates at Magma can do their important work and hopefully have some free time to sample the many delights that Tenerife has to offer to the World.

Please don’t hate us if we tell you it was 30 degrees in Tenerife today. That was a little above the norm due to a calima, a weather front blown in from Africa, but it is warming up nicely. How about winning a weeks holiday at El Marques in Los Gigantes to check out the weather, the pool, and the friendly welcome for yourself?

It is difficult to keep track of everything that goes on across this fascinating island, but thanks to a team of long term resident writers, www.tenerifemagazine.com covers most aspects of culture, sport, living, events and places. As they are an instant online magazine they are constantly updating and reporting back to let you know what is happening. In much the same way you can check out the full range of Wimpen resorts at their main website, all this at the touch of a computer button.

Back to that enticing competition, all you have to do is join the Tenerife Magazine Facebook page and wait for the draw on 2 April, it’s that easy. The prize is a week in a one bedroom self catering apartment at El Marques. You have a year to take the holiday, subject to availability, and there is no cash alternative.

One lucky winner will soon be enjoying the beauty of Los Gigantes and the comfort of El Marques. We will put extra ice cubes on hold for your refreshing drink and keep that pool perfect ready for your arrival. Good luck.

Work is well underway with the minimum of fuss replacing the main water pipes at Las Rosas.

Owners & visitors report “that the boys are doing a good job – keeping pathways clean & tidy the work has not interferred with our holiday”

The works are due to complete in Mid April.

An island of contrasts and surprises, that’s Tenerife, even as Hurricane Xynthia threatened to wreak havoc, the sun beat down brightly and temperatures nudged up into the high 20 degrees. As the storms move on and through mainland Europe, it’s business as usual in resilient Tenerife, and the snow capped peak of Mount Teide looks a picture from Wimpen head office in Playa Paraiso.

It takes a lot to throw Canarians out of their stride, even Carnaval season went on largely unaffected, a few events were moved to other days but the street parties carried on. Making provision for just a few days of severe weather each year is a tough balancing act but Tenerife makes a good job of it. The barrancos(ravines) channel the water down to the coast and as soon as the rain stops the council workers and emergency services swing into action. Santa Cruz, the northern capital, suffered quite a deluge but even on the national Carnaval holiday the street cleaners were out early in the morning to mop up.

The snow on Teide can be seen from all around the island, it’s a proud and defiant symbol of the enduring qualities of Tenerife and its people. It’s quite a feeling to lay on the beach soaking up the sun as you look up and see the snow glinting in the skyline. The rainfall will also bring its reward, the lusher, greener north of the island emerges revived from the pine forests of the La Orotava valley to the many vineyards that make Tenerife wine such an export favourite. Raise your glass and say cheers to Tenerife, there’s plenty more sunshine to come.