Benidorm - The European Florida   by Andrew Edgington

Benidorm is situated to the northeast of Alicante and is just a 40 minute drive from the Alicante airport. If you don't have your own transport, you can either take a cab or if you can't afford the 50 Euro fare, you could catch the bus into Alicante and then the fast tram to Benidorm and that would work out at about 5 Euro. Benidorm is very popular with the younger crowd in the high season and in the winter it fills up with lucky pensioners that can enjoy warmer winter climates and some excellent entertainment. I have heard of some pensioners that can afford to live in a hotel for three months on their pension and their winter electricity allowance, but whatever time of year you plan on visiting you will be able to chose from other 100 restaurants and nearly 50 night clubs. The beaches of "Poniente" and "Levante" are of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca coastline as so much money has been invested in this once small fishing village and whenever Benidorm's beaches are shown on the news here in Spain, you can hardly see the sand, for the amount of people that set up camp on these golden sands.

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Bird island is just a ten minute boat ride and you will be amazed at the natural beauty that the island beholds and the wildlife is well worth the trip.

Tourists come to Benidorm from all over Europe and you will see Pubs of all European nationalities and the choice for international restaurants is without a doubt the best on the whole of the Costa Blanca region. Benidorm is also popular with Spanish tourists, although I see a few shocked faces sometimes when some waiters can't even understand them. The English language has taken a grip on Benidorm and is not usual in this Valencian district, but thankfully the Benidorm authorities have seen just how important it is to give a quality service to its visitors.

If you are traveling with Kids to Benidorm, well make sure you take them to "Terra Mitica" (Theme Park) and "Aqualandia" (water park) and golfers can also escape to a couple of local golf courses including one at "Terra Mitica". The ideal transport today is the tram that runs up the coast from Alicante to Denia stopping at every one of the seaside villages, where you can enjoy a different Spain away from the fish and chips.

One great night time trip though is a trip to the Alfaz Medieval Castle where you can enjoy and sit down barbecue meal while watching the jousting and other tricks that the knights get up to. Not far away you will also find Benidorm Palace which really is quite special with fine cuisine, a luxury setting and the excellent live entertainment.

Make sure you also visit Altea, Denia, Calpe and Vistahermosa, which are all within 30 minutes of Benidorm. Alicante is also worth a day trip and just in case you are golfing mad, then try a round on the Alicante Golf Course, which is also found on the tram line.