I went to Tenerife for the first time - there's 1 thing I don't understand

The heat that hits you when you step off the plane in Spain is different to that felt during a warm day in the UK - thicker and more intense. After landing in Tenerife, it reminded me of the beginning of family holidays in Almeria, where my uncle owned a villa for a time. I have special memories from this time, including walks through a nearby town and along the local playa, enjoying local food at restaurants or with a barbeque by the pool, browsing the Mercadona and looking up at clear starry nights from the roof.

Like Anakin Skywalker, I don't much like the beach, as sand gets everywhere. A lot of time was spent relaxing, which my parents had well and truly earned. But, as a more energetic kid, scant of responsibilities, I often grew a tad bored. There were only so many books one could read. Otherwise, I had to resort to daytime TV. Looking around Tenerife during a few days there to cover protests against what local activists call overtourism, I sensed that Brits were having the same sort of break - lounging around, enjoying a no doubt deserved rest, and doing nothing much.

But this just isn't compatible with me. I can't understand how people can spend weeks doing this, without growing frustrated and eager to return home.

Perhaps the fact that, in the south of the island especially, one is surrounded by Irish and Scottish pubs helps with this.

Incidentally, I find it a bit strange that people travel hundreds of miles and spend hundreds of pounds to reach these places, when they could do the same in an actual British pub during a sunny day at home.

It might be beneficial to try out somewhere that's more different to what they're used to.

Nowadays, I get to choose my own getaways, and usually choose somewhere with plenty of culture and places to explore.

My trip to Florence last year, for instance, was perfect.

I'm aware that the Tuscan city isn't exactly an original place to choose (even in September the amount of tourists milling around was staggering), but it was filled with stunning historic streets and squares, good local food, tours, interesting museums and galleries, stunning views and relaxing gardens.

Maybe I'm being too snobbish, and, at 27, still too young to fully comprehend the appeal of the Canaries.

Saying that, however, I was struck by the number of younger people enjoying a holiday in Tenerife. It was my thinking that the destination was mainly a favourite of my parents' generation - but this seems to have been passed down to their children.

Please don't think this is purely a narrow-minded rant against a place loved by so many.

I greatly enjoyed speaking tovisitors and expats (some told me of a lower cost of living compared to Britain, which may be another reason some spend a lot of time on the island) on the Playa de las Américas, who were very friendly and up for a laugh.

This is of course a trademark of British folk. Perhaps there lies the magic, the familiar personalities of home, but with infinitely more reliable weather.

In addition, Santa Cruz was certainly a pleasant surprise. The Tenerife's largest town is miles away from the Benidormy image I had of Tenerife before I arrived, and still proudly retains its native charm.

Yes, there are definitely plenty of reasons to drop by. But just don't expect me to be returning for pleasure any time soon.