Benidorm - Time to catch up with the changes
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Benidorm, it’s a name that still conjures images of the
Brits’ first package holidays, of Watneys beer and fish and chips
eaten as the sun beats down. Mike Rees brings you
up to speed a little.
Benidorm attracts visitors from all over Europe and is a
family-orientated resort with something for everyone.
It became popular with tourists in the early 1960s when Benidorm
was no more than a small fishing port. Now, the rocky peninsula is
surrounded by an unbelievable number of hotels, apartment blocks,
bars and restaurants and visitors could be forgiven for believing
they were in Las Vegas rather than the east coast of Spain.
Tourism officials have been working hard to re-brand it as the
new, cool place to go and believe me, their efforts are paying
off.
The city has come a long way since the San Miguel swilling days
of the late 70s and early 80s.
Whereas two weeks in Benidorm used to consist of daily trips to
roast on the Poniente (sunset) and Levante (sunrise) beaches – vast
strips of golden sand that are packed in parts but surprisingly
quiet in others – there’s a lot more to do these days.
Benidorm offers something for everyone on every budget but the
most exciting discoveries can be made at the upscale end of the
market, which features luxury spa resorts and classy restaurants
that couldn’t be further from the crowds that flock to the English
square and its strip clubs and bars.
There are several theme parks just waiting to be explored.
Inspired by the five civilisations of the Mediterranean,
Benidorm’s Terra Mitica theme park will take you on an incredible
journey back through the mists of time to the Egypt of the
Pharaohs, Ancient Greece, the glory of Rome, Iberia’s pirate past
and the Mediterranean Islands of myth and legend.
Of course, a great theme park would not be complete without
great rollercoasters and rides and Terra Mitica does not
disappoint.
Board Tizona for an adrenaline-filled ride of death-defying
nosedive falls, 360-degree loops and corkscrew turns.
The wide Benidorm boulevards are perfectly suited to mobility
scooters and the best way to secure your own battery-powered
transport is with a Segway tour with Costa Blanca Tour Services.
These two-wheeled machines run off electricity and have a top speed
of 20kmh. They are good fun and a great way to get around town.
Tours begin with a brief explanation of how to ride a Segway and
once you’ve grasped the basics, form a single file and follow the
guide to explore the town’s impressive promenade and the winding
mountain roads of the nearby Sierra Helada.
Benidorm has the sort of climate that makes it inviting almost
all year round. There are only a couple of months, January and
February, when it can get a bit chilly but for the rest of the
year, the sunshine is guaranteed.
All in all, Benidorm – a little over a two-hour flight away – is
the perfect holiday, for young families and those a little
older.
Forget all those "Blackpool with Sun" comparisons. They should
be consigned to the travel history books.
Benidorm is up there with the best when it comes to European
holiday destinations – but don’t take my word for it, find out
yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
More information on Benidorm: www.comunitatvalenciana.com
Thursday, June 24 2010
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