Even when you make the big move to live in Spain, the pull of family and friends back home is strong, that’s where a reliable, affordable phone and internet package can shrink those miles. Direct Telecom have grown by 20 % each year since their birth in 2000, demand is now so high, they are opening a new Tenerife branch in the El Galeon district of Adeje.

The current financial squeeze has made people look closely at their phone bills, and shocked by what they see, they are looking for better deals. There are many alternatives available now but Mike Broeckaert, Commercial Director of Direct Telecom explained how they can slash mobile phone bills by using the latest GlobalFone technology by Direct Telecom. International calls can be as cheap as 3.3 cents from your mobile, that’s a saving of around 50 cents per minute. “Additionally we have a VoIP system, included in our ADSL package, that basically uses the internet so that your call is charged at a discount local rate. Many people have heard of Skype, but you need all sorts of technical equipment before you can use it, and it is limited, Direct Telecom’s VoIP can handle multiple calls and still do your normal internet downloads without affecting call quality.”

There are 52 million mobile phones in Spain and all the users want a better service from them, again Direct Telecom can come to the rescue. “We are one of a very limited number of distributors for BT Mobile, they provide a strong reliable service with a track record of quality. GlobalFone allows cheap international calls to be made on your mobile from just 3.3 cents per minute, it’s easy to use and you aren’t tied to certain times of the day.”

Of course the other big phone problem for ex pats is getting to grips with the national provider Telefonica, even with a good grasp of Spanish, phone customers turn into quivering wrecks at the thought of having to deal with them. Direct Telecom have always offered multi lingual help and advice but from September, they will be able to take on all your billing and service enquiries from Telefonica.

As technology continues to evolve, Direct Telecom will keep ahead of the pack, providing clear guidance in a choice of languages and the best options for landlines, mobiles and the internet, now that’s something to call home about.

• Full name: Dial Direct Telecom S.L.
• CIF: B-38585204
• Address: Edificio Eden Nº 101, Los Cristianos, 38650 Tenerife, Spain
• Tel: 902 107 111
• UK Tel: 0844 550 1100 (if calling from the UK)
• Fax: 922 797 511
• E-Mail: info@direct-telecom.es
• Web Site: http://www.direct-telecom.es
• Blog Site: http://www.direct-telecom.info

Costa Adeje always has the ability to surprise, a trip along the coast to the west of Playa del Duque, will lead you to La Caleta, one of the loveliest villages in the south of Tenerife.

The village is quiet and sedate with a selection of small bars and shops, but the real beauty lies on the coast. A tight narrow walkway hugs the coastline and works it’s way around several points that jut out into the sea. Along here you will find some of the best fish restaurants in Tenerife, and as for fresh, well just look out and see the fishing boats bobbing up and down on the waves, and you can see where the catch comes from.

The series of small harbours are a wonderful place for individuals to fish with a rod and line or others chose to swim off the many metal ladders that lead into the waves. The sea has smoothed large slabs of rock and carved channels in them, a perfect place to lay out and catch the sun. Further to the west, a path leads over the headland to a remote area of coast that is protected as a site of scientific interest. due to the abundance of wild plants and insects.

La Caleta is a haven of peace and a draw for hikers and nature lovers to explore the coast and discover new colours and shapes. Just another example of the diversity of Costa Adeje, and a good reson to want to live there, check out some of the property offers on www.secondhometenerife.com .

Passing through the bustling shopping area of San Eugenio, you could easily overlook Puerto Colon, but a short walk down the slip road will bring its reward in a whole range of water based fun. The beach is a real family favourite, small and intimate and with fine grain sand that brushes off easily. The sea shelves gently out into the partly enclosed bay and is always calm. A popular summer addition is the series of inflatables moored just off the beach, for a small charge, children can clamber over them, slide off them and generally have a good time whilst supervised by life guards.

At the back of the beach, a selection of bars and restaurants are just a step away, and with no traffic to worry about, the little ones will be in their element. To the left of the beach, the walkway leads round to the marina. Here you can find every sporting and leisure pursuit you could wish for, from dolphin and whale watching trips to jet ski hire or diving schools. There’s a buzzing social scene here day and night with a wide choice of restaurants and plenty of live music later in the evening. Puerto Colon is one of those hidden gems that is popular with locals or those who have bought a second home here, and a great discovery for holiday makers.

The old town of Adeje is always a delight to visit, a little inland and uphill, it has bags of charm and is a great place to relax over a coffee. The main road meanders uphill from the small plaza to the Ayuntamiento (council) building and church, and is lined with shady palm trees that add to the serene feel. Once a year, on Good Friday, the main street is lined with thousands of people who flock to see the Passion, a very graphic and moving depiction of the cruxifiction, played out with a cast of hundreds in full costume.

Tourism has not been allowed to intrude and change the face of Adeje, at the top of the two main roads you can walk through to the remains of the old fortress, the Casa Fuerte still has the old canon on guard outside. Just above here is the entrance to the Barranco de Invierno, and almost everywhere you go in Adeje, the table top peak of Roque del Conde dominates the view.

Tradition is very important here, and fiestas are celebrated with colour and flair . There is room for more modern entertainment though, and the sports stadium is always busy with football, rugby and big open air concerts by leading Latino artists. Adeje is a great place to visit, the wider Costa Adeje area is bright, modern and vibrant, but it’s good to see that the old heart still beats strongly and influences the flavour of local life.

Now that work has started on the beachfront upgrade in La Caleta, more details have been released of the large green park and leisure area that will be a key part of the project. The Las Nieves park, just behind La Enramada beach, will cover 27,000 square metres and feature special areas for different types of flowers, plants and even vegetables, as well as lots of open space for walkers to enjoy.

At a cost of 1,900,000 euros, special efforts will be made to bring together some of the best examples of the Canary Islands flora, to create a natural area to compliment the steady development of this popular area of the island. Palm trees and other varieties will ensure shady protected areas and more exotic species like sugar cane will also be grown, and new strains of vegetables. The plans have been drawn up and some of the ground work is already underway, the planned completion date is Spring 2009, it should be well worth the wait.

Welcome to Costa Adeje, one of the fastest growing, fastest changing and most diverse of all the regions in Tenerife. This south west corner may delight you, challenge you, even frustrate you at times, but it will always surprise you.

The contrasts are amazing, from the long established, young and brash nightlife of Playa de Las Americas to the up market designer shops and hotels of Fanabe and Bahia del Duque, and on to the develoing coast of La Caleta and the fishing village beyond, Costa Adeje is never afraid to change. Moving inland, Golf Costa Adeje

Shopping takes on a new dimension in Costa Adeje, whether it be dipping into the book and craft fairs in Adeje old town or name dropping designer labels at Gran Sur and Plaza del Duque. If you want something a little unexpected, you can find a multi screen cinema, beach volleyball or a centre of sports excellence. The main motorway passes through so you are only a short drive from the south airport or a direct route up north to the Tenerife capital, Santa Cruz.

No two visits to Costa Adeje are ever the same, there is always something to discover, and it is our pleasure to help point you in a few interesting directions. Feel free to add your comments and suggestions and share youur favourite places with those that follow in your foot steps.