Tenerife -- La Oratova or Mt. Teide?

[MalibuCA]

Our ship, the Crystal Serenity, offers a shore excursion to La Oratova (which sounds like a beautiful, charming town) and a shore excursion to Mt. Teide (which sounds breathtaking). Which excursion do you recommend we take? If we rent a car and drive ourselves, is it possible to see both La Oratova and Mt. Teide in one day? Our ship is in port from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and I am sure that we must be back on board by 4 p.m. Is it difficult driving to either of these places if we rent a car? Thanks for you help!

[Longin2cruise]

I don't know anything about LaOratova, but the summit of Mt. Tiede looks like a moonscape. Definitly not pretty, but strange & intriguing. If you decide to drive, be aware that the roads are very narrow & very winding.