I haven't visited Tenerife for a while. In the past I always stayed in Puerto de la Cruz ­ as I much preferring the atmosphere of the northern part of the island. I can't find a company that does a package to this area though. Can you help? Ian Forbes, by email

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green: Puerto de la Cruz is on the north coast of Tenerife, a good 25 miles from the south western resort towns - the engine rooms of Tenerife's image problem ­ along the dramatically sloping hillsides of Spain's highest peak (the 12,200ft high volcanic Mt Teide.

It's a cosmopolitan old colonial spa town with stylish boardwalks, a lush and leafy centre, traditional terraced restaurants and bars, and the beautiful black sand beach of Playa Jardin.

Plus it's perfectly placed for exploring ­ places like the scenic Orotava valley and Teide National Park, or for visiting the banana plantations, pine forests and vineyards of Icod de los Vinos. The charming cliff-backed town of Garachico is a short drive along the coast too, with its cobbled streets, fishermen's cottages, and sheltered harbour, as is the historic hilltop town of La Laguna, a showcase of traditional Canarian architecture and home to the island's history museum ­ housed in a 16th century mansion.

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The Hotel Botánico is the most exclusive address in Puerto De La Cruz. Set in lush gardens, this low-rise hotel has large rooms, and excellent bar and restaurant, terrific pool, and smart Oriental Spa Garden. Cadogan Holidays (0845 615 6793) has a week¹s B&B in November from £1,072pp, with flights from Gatwick, and return private transfers (February high season is from £1,370pp).

A good three star option is the family-run Hotel Monopol. The fine 17th century building, with a large internal courtyard, has been a hotel since 1888. Thomas Cook has a week's half board in November from £453pp, with flights from Stansted (high season from £549pp).

Other tour operators that feature the north include Thompson (0871 231 4691), and First Choice (0871 200 7799).

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