Whatever you want it to be! (Benidorm)

Member Name: tange

Product:	Benidorm
Date:	01/08/02 (1634 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone, Has really got its act together, Surrounding area is gorgeous!

Disadvantages: People are put off by its reputation!

WELCOME TO BENIDORM!


I went to Benidorm again this year for our annual holiday. This was our second visit. We went there for our honeymoon in 1999 and enjoyed it so much that we just HAD to go back. I don't think it will be our last visit either - there's so much more for us to experience!

WHERE IS BENIDORM?

It's located in Europe, approximately at 38º 30' latitude north and 3º 30' longitude east(for you anoraks out there!). It's in a great place geographically because it is backed by mountains on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Benidorm enjoys a "microclimate" that helps keep the temperature warm throughout the winter months, making it an ideal "all year round" holiday destination. Even though we were travelling at the beginning of May, we knew that the weather had a great chance of being warm and sunny - we were right because it was gorgeous!

Benidorm is part of the Costa Blanca ("White Coast") a lovely region of Spain and a very popular tourist destination. It has two main sandy beaches (Levante and Poniente) and clean blue seas (they have won awards for the facilities and cleanliness). It's a lovely part of the world and has gone a long way to get rid of the "Blackpool of Spain" image it had a few years ago. Close to Benidorm you will find lovely villages, beautiful scenery and so much more than the picture you will probably have been painted of the town! Benidorm itself has a lot to offer too; granted there are the seedy bars and high rise hotels, but you have to look beyond that! Walk down to the Old Town and see the buildings and church, or go to the viewing platform and look at the views over the sea.

Days can be spent either by your hotel pool, sunbathing on the sand, or exploring some of the beautiful and interesting places nearby. The choice, as they say, is yours!

GENERAL HOLIDAY INFORMATION

Curr
ency

Benidorm is in Spain, so the currency you will now find is the Euro (it was the peseta until January 2002). Banks will change money and travellers cheques. You may also change at authorised exchange offices, at a similar rate. Always check the exchange rate and minimum charge before exchanging any money or traveller cheque.

Siesta

Bear in mind that the Spanish have a Siesta in the afternoons, so most shops and banks, etc, shut down for a few hours. Pubs and bars don't seem to be affected by this, so you can usually get a drink in one of the town's many drinking places. Mind you, I do recommend that you have a siesta yourself so you have the energy to experience the nightlife too!

Language

The official language in Benidorm is Spanish, with the regional dialect being "valenciano". Most people speak good English and there are a lot of English people working there too (as well as a large ex-pat community).

Electricity

Voltage is 220 volts, however if you bring your own electrical appliances you may need an electrical adaptor that you can find in most hardware shops.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

There's so much to do, we didn?t want to go home last time we visited. Just as long as you don't waste your day sleeping you will get so much out of the place and the surrounding area.

Pubs

There are loads of pubs and bars around, ranging from Spanish places to Traditional English pubs. As with all holiday destinations there are some dodgy pubs, but there are some really nice, friendly places too. Many serve food and most open until the early hours of the morning. Prices are good and there are loads of "Happy Hours" to seek out.

Clubs

Benidorm is one of the biggest nightlife capitals in the Mediterranean and attracts some of the major DJs - it even rivals Ibiza for its pulling power! If you'd rather be entertained in a
more traditional fashion, enjoy a show at the huge Benidorm Palace.

Shopping

Benidorm Market is a good place to go for a bargain. It takes place on a Sunday morning (near the Barcelo Pueblo Hotel), but you have to hold on to your belongings; it gets really busy and there are pickpockets about. Don't worry about not finding it - first thing on a Sunday morning it's the only direction people are going! There's also a good range of shops, selling souvenirs, clothes and just about everything else! Perfumes, alcohol, electrical goods, etc, are cheaper than in the UK - we came back well stocked with drink, chocolate and smellies! You can even get vodka, etc in plastic bottles to make packing easier!


Out and about.

Terra Mitica: We really enjoyed going to Terra Mitica, the new theme park that has opened nearby. It is divided into themed regions; Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Islands. The theme is based on mythology and is really interesting. I'm not going to tell you too much about it because I am planning to write about it in detail in another review.

Calpe: Calpe is a port along the coast from Benidorm. It can be reached by local transport, car or by boat. Trips go there from Benidorm harbour (they go twice a day? - once in the morning at about 10.30 and once in the afternoon about 3.00). It's a really nice place and is very popular with artists. It has a few restaurants (serving locally caught seafood) and bars, as well as a nice beach and a museum. It has a Gothic Quarter and some very nice shops. It's a place I would recommend that you visit. Calpe has a Market day on Saturdays and it can get very busy. If you just want to relax and see the sites, then I would advise a different day for your trip.

Alicante: This is the capital of the region and it's well worth a visit; it's where the Airport is too, and that is probably the only contact most tourists have with the p
lace. It's quite a popular tourist destination and is getting to be a well known holiday destination too.

Guadalest Monastery: This is a gorgeous fortified monastery in the hills, 22km inland from Benidorm. It's a great place for photographs and, despite the amount of tourists that visit, it a quiet relaxing destination too. Please remember that it is a religious building and, as such should be treated with respect. The village of Guadalest is lovely too and has some little shops and beauty spots of its own. It's pretty hilly though, so be prepared for a steep walk!

Lemon Express: This is a "must do" thing in Benidorm! It's as essential as seeing Sticky Vicky (just ask anyone who's been). You travel on an old train on a five-hour journey through Benidorm, Altea and Teulada and other places you might not normally get to see. The train stops in Gata de Gorgos where we visited a guitar factory. The fun starts on your return journey, where you are bathed in sparkling white wine - you do get to drink some too! I would certainly advise you to book this trip if you can; it's well worth the money and I laughed until I felt ill!

There's a load more to see...I hope this has whetted your appetite without giving too much away. I'm so excited about visiting again and hope that it's as good as I remember.

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