Latest News Book Now for Summer 2024 and Save Big on Benidorm Holidays with TUI! by Benidorm Travel Mart 23 April 2023 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 2 minutes read TUI Holidays has just added over 500,000 extra holidays for summer 2024, giving you access to a bigger choice of hotels, flights, and packages than ever before. You’ll be able to find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs, from budget-friendly hotels to luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Plus, with flights departing from your local airport, you can start your holiday stress-free. Image by Hernán Morales Carrizo from Pixabay At BenidormTravelMart.com, we understand that budgeting can be a challenge when planning your dream holiday. That’s why we recommend TUI Holidays, which offers flexible payment options including Direct Debit. Spread the cost of your holiday and make budgeting a breeze. Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun on the beach, explore the city’s lively nightlife scene, or enjoy a family-friendly adventure, TUI Holidays has everything you need to create the perfect summer getaway in Benidorm. Book now and save big on flights, hotels, and packages. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | accommodation | airport transfers | car hire | activities. 23 April 2023 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News TikTok Sensation: Beer in Benidorm Cheaper than Tea, UK Tourists Delighted by Benidorm Travel Mart 23 December 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 2 minutes read Two British tourists were shocked to find out that a pint of beer in Benidorm is cheaper than a cup of tea. Graham, 38, and Darren, 48, from Middlesbrough decided to book a 5-day trip to the popular Spanish resort because they thought it would be more affordable than staying at home. In a TikTok video that has garnered over 1.7 million views, the pair can be seen at a bar in Benidorm asking the bartender the price of two drinks. When they find out that a pint costs only 87p (€1), they are surprised because it’s cheaper than a cup of tea, which would cost £1.31 (€1.50). One of them jokes, “Well, I can’t afford not to drink.” The average price of a pint in the UK is £3.95, according to CGA. People on TikTok praised the men, with some calling them “legends” and others saying that they should be the “poster boys” for the average person going to Benidorm. Graham said that Darren ended up singing on stage with Chrissy Rock from the TV show Benidorm, which he recorded on video. Have you ever visited Benidorm or experienced a similar surprise about the cost of a pint of beer? Do you have any recommendations for pubs in Benidorm that offer particularly inexpensive beer? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments! About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels |airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 23 December 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Benidorm transformed into a glittering fairyland for the festive season by Barry Duke 6 December 2022 written by Barry Duke 4 minutes read Image via YouTube Christmas comes but once a year, and when it does Benidorm does all in its power to transform the resort into a fun-packed winter wonderland with attractions that include an ice skating rink, a traditional Yuletide market at Elche Park, concerts, and much more besides. Image via Youtube Central to the festivities is the area around the city hall where you’ll find bouncy castles, the skating rink, and 10-meter-tall figures of the Three Wise Men— thought to be the tallest in the world. Also known as the Three Wise Kings, they—rather than Santa Claus—come bearing gifts. Visit Benidorm reports that, as in previous years, BeniNadal will take place in different locations of the city. One will be The Christmas House located at Casa-Museu l’Hort de Colón. The Plaza SS.MM. Reyes Españoles will be the setting for most of the Christmas shows included in the programme, which are open to the public, free of charge. Four different Nativity scenes have been created in the city and will be on display from December 3 to January 6. Festivities will culminate with a Three Wise Men parade on the afternoon of January 5. It will end at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium. On Saturday, December 31, Benidorm will celebrate its famous New Year´s Eve Party at Levante Beach. The full programme of events can be found here. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 6 December 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Benidorm Palace set to stage memorable year-end shows by Benidorm Travel Mart 30 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read For 45 years Benidorm Palace has staged some of the most spectacular shows in Europe and has hosted a large number of special events and conferences. The venue began hosting big event shows and productions in August 1990. In the same year, the Palace was refurbished both inside and outside. So it hardly surprising that, with the pandemic now a thing of the past, the venue will be pulling out all the stops to bring 2022 to a memorable end with spectacular Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year shows. Special gala evenings will begin on December 25, followed by a Boxing Day special on the 26th. Next on the year-end programme will be a New Year’s Eve extravaganza featuring two magnificent orchestras. Three Kings Festival One of the many colourful floats seen during the Three Kings Festival in Benidorm before the Covid pandemic. Image via YouTube. Then, at the beginning of the Three Kings festival—January 5—another incredible show will be staged. The Christmas event will begin at 8:30 pm and will include a presentation by the New Bambú Orchestra. The special menu will consist of a duo of starters, a main course, dessert, and a bottle of wine for two people. In addition, there will be Christmas sweets for the little ones. The Boxing Day Gala will also feature the New Bambú Orchestra and the venue promises “many more surprises”. New Year will be ushered in by TWO orchestras—New Bambú and Los Happys. Tickets for all of the events can be obtained from Benidorm Top Trips at the indoor market, in the Rincon de Loix, or for more information, you can send an email to gail@benidormtoptrips.com. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 30 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Fans of ITV’s Benidorm would love a return of the ITV series by Barry Duke 25 November 2022 written by Barry Duke 4 minutes read Those who attended a crowded gathering in Benidorm earlier this month of fans of the series, which debuted on ITV in 2007, were delighted to learn that new series of the sitcom might soon be on the way. Benidorm was axed back in 2018 after an impressive run lasting more than a decade, leaving fans of the show devastated over its demise. Reporting on Benicom, held over three days at the Meliá Hotel, The Leicester Mercury revealed today that Derren Litten “hinted” that a new season might be launched. Although it disappeared from the screens, Benidorm was resurrected in as a stage show that began touring the UK in 2019 and is still attracting delighted audiences. After it debuted as Benidorm Live in Wales, reviewer Karen Woodham enthused: As you can imagine Benidorm Live is certainly just has crazy and as funny as the TV show, if notfunnier. Image credit: ITV Litten reminded those at Benicom that onstage version is still running: He said in a tweet: But the story continues in the form of… benidormonstage.com. Come see us on tour and see what happens next! Many interpreted this as hint the series is due to return to TV screens. Benidorm has become one of the British classic sitcoms, alongside some of the greats such as Only Fools and Horses, Derry Girls and Friday Night Dinner. The series was highly acclaimed by British critics to the point of receiving two National Television Awards during its career, and nominations for the British Comedy Awards and the BAFTA awards. It reached an audience of almost eight million viewers in its fourth season, although it never fell below 4.5 million. There had been plans for a film, but, according to The Leicester Mercury, it did not go ahead due to Litten reportedly having left the show business to run a themed bar in Spain. A gallery of photos taken at Benicom can be viewed here. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 25 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News ‘Here comes the sun’. New Netflix film takes an in-depth look at Benidorm by Barry Duke 21 November 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read While most other holiday resorts experience the peaks and troughs of seasonality, Benidorm is a destination that enjoys year-round popularity. This is made clear in a new Netflix documentary (in Spanish with English subtitles). The film—Here comes the sun, small reflections on sun and beach tourism—examines the economic, sociological, cultural and historical aspects of the resort, and uses images of a Brits enjoying the winter sunshine at the annual fancy-dress street party—said to be the largest in the world— which this November attracted around 40,000 people. Image via Facebook The documentary is directed by Óscar Bernàcer and lasts 55 minutes. Numerous people appear talking about different topics related to sun and beach tourism. It begins by examining the impact Covid had on Benidorm, and then addresses other issues, such as the future of the city, seasonality and the Imserso, the holiday scheme for pensioners sponsored by the Spanish Government. During the off-peak season, from October to June, cheaper holidays are made available to resident pensioners in Spain, whatever their nationality. Benidorm through the camera lens The resort first became famous—or notorious, depending on your point of view—through the ITV series, Benidorm. A reunion of the cast of the hugely popular ITV sitcom took place at the Melia Hotel earlier this month and ran for three days. You can see fantastic gallery of photos of the event here. Image via YouTube Most recently the resort featured in the movie, It Snows in Benidorm, featuring veteran British actor Timothy Spall, above. The film was released in 2020. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 21 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Spain tells EU ‘we want UK visitors to stay indefinitely’ by Benidorm Travel Mart 14 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read As a consequence of Brexit, Brits travelling to Spain and other EU countries are only allowed to stay for up to 90 days within every 180 days but Spain is negotiating with the EU to have these restrictions lifted. Image via YouTube The Daily Express reports that Spanish Tourism Secretary Fernando Valdés, above, said the EU-wide rule is proving disadvantageous for his country as Spain relies heavily on tourism from UK holidaymakers. Valdes said: Unfortunately, this is not something Spain has established by itself or can get rid of. It is true that after Brexit some problems have emerged with people wanting to stay longer. He added: It is in our interest to lobby and convince the EU we can try to work an exception with them. But the solution must come from them. The paper also reported that, In a bid to circumvent the EU, the UK and Spanish governments are also negotiating a bilateral agreement that would not require Brussels’ approval on British workers in Spain. Sunny holiday destinations hope to attract Britons looking to escape their soaring energy bills. “Thermal tourism” is a trend where British people fly to cheaper and warmer European countries to escape the UK winter. Image via YouTube Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, above, said: Our doors are open 12 months round, our friends in northern Europe should know this. They should head here for winter. A Greek advertising campaign reads: Wanna feel 20 again? With warm winter temperatures up to 20 degrees, Greece is the place to be. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. 14 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest NewsTravel Tips TUI Summer 2024 holidays now on sale by Benidorm Travel Mart 12 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 9 minutes read TUI, which takes bookings for 36 top quality hotels in Benidorm, this week announced that holidays from May 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024 are now on sale. Plus, there are thousands of free kids’ places available. Live Happy and be one of the first to lock in your TUI summer 2024 holiday. Breaks to everywhere from Greece and Turkey to Florida and Mexico are now up for grabs. Included in a list of more than 1,700 2024 holidays available in 2024 is the popular 4-star Rio Park Hotel. Additionally, the company said the bookings can be made with low deposits. In a press release, TUI said: We believe in responsible travel, and we’ve long been recognised as an industry leader in sustainability. That’s why, as part of our Summer 2024 events we are proud to announce the Green & Fair accreditation for our hotels. ‘Planet-friendly’ vacations Photo credit: Image Boards via Unsplash TUI added: This growing portfolio is full of hotels and resorts that help support local communities in our destinations, look after the environment and create more sustainable holiday moments. They’ve all been recognised for meeting the standards set by the independent Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The GSTC Criteria works as a worldwide standard in sustainability that all hotels should strive for, and is focused around four key areas: Sustainable management Environmental protection Social and economic support of the local community Recognising and promoting cultural heritage Green & Fair labels If a hotel has earned a certification that shows it complies with the GSTC criteria, TUI awards it with a Green & Fair label. This badge of honour shows off hotels with more planet-friendly practices, it also makes it easier for customers to make more sustainable holiday choices. When a customer books a Green & Fair Hotel, TUI will donate to the TUI Care Foundation, which helps fund initiatives worldwide. With more than 30 projects in 25 countries, the Foundation uses the positive power of tourism to improve the lives of young people, care for the natural world and help local communities thrive. It focuses on the unique needs of a destination – from coral reef restoration in Bali, to keeping sand and sea plastic free in Cyprus or to vocational training at the TUI Academy for young people in the Dominican Republic. You can search for a Green & Fair hotel by following this link. TUI Weddings Photo credit: Muhammadh Saamy vua Unsplash TUI weddings are tailored to each customer; every couple’s different. The company offers ceremonies in over 100 venues in 16 countries to help them find their perfect-fit big day. All our weddings come with ATOL protection, meaning customers money is protected. TUI have been planning weddings abroad for almost two decades, so customers are in the hands of experts. The packages are affordable, starting at £875, but if they want to blow the budget on their big day, we can help with that too. TUI Flex now includes cancellation TUI flex is an addition that customers can purchase which allows them to make selected changes for up to 28 days before departure date without amendment fees. This means they can change their date, destinations, or hotel fee-free. In addition, they can change passenger names, or get a refund if they cancel their holiday up to 28 days before their departure date*. Marella Cruises Photo credit: Derek Lynn via Unsplash TUI revealed that its Marella summer cruises’ are also on sale, providing customers with more choice in different destinations around the world The cruise line has significantly increased its beloved Cruise & Stay hotel portfolio by more that 59% across eight destinations and has introduced two new ports in Sardinia and Spain. As the market leader in Cruise & Stay holidays, Marella Cruises offers its customers a combined package holiday, with the chance to experience life at sea along with a stay at a hotel, which can be tagged on either before or after a cruise. Hand-selected from the TUI range, there is an unbeatable range of properties and durations for customers to choose from. From stylish TUI Blue hotels offering a tailored experience, to its premium Platinum collection, or the option to stay at an authentic Small and friendly hotel, there is something for everyone. Lakes and Mountains holidays Photo credit: Lucas Wesney via Unsplash Lakes and Mountains holidays from May 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024 are now available to book. Customers can take advantage of offers including the ability spread payments with direct debit, the ability to book with low deposit and 100,000s of free kids’ places for families to take advantage of. Don’t miss out on all the fantastic TUI Summer 2024 holiday benefits such as low deposits and free kids. Follow this link and start searching today! About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. We would like to thank you in advance for your support. 12 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Benidorm will decide who will represent Spain at Eurovision 2023 by Benidorm Travel Mart 10 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read For the second year running, Benidorm has been chosen to host a four-day event that will select a finalist to represent Spain at Eurovision 2023. Eurovision Fun reports that Spanish broadcaster RTVE has announced that 876 songs have been submitted for the event which, in 2022, saw thousands gather in Benidorm around the giant, newly-installed Tecnohito display at the heart of the Old Town. Image courtesy LED DREAM RTVE said that the quality of the songs has been better than last year’s. Record labels have been actively involved in the selection process. Moreover, there will be “more professional candidates” in the contest, among them well-known artists. Judges will narrow the 876 songs down to 16 for the national selection. Benidorm Fest 2023 will take place from January 29 until February 04. These are the dates of the main events of the Spanish national selection: January 29, 2023, Opening Ceremony January 31, 2023, First Semi-final February 02, 2023, Second Semi-final February 04, 2023, Grand Final Follow this link to search for accommodation for the Benidorm Fest 2023 The final result will be determined by the combination of a 50/50 televoting and public vote. The jury vote will include national and international professionals. Image via YouTube Chanel won the first edition of Benidorm Fest. She represented Spain in Turin with the song Slomo finishing in third place. That was one of the best results for Spain in recent times. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you click on any of the links in this feature and make a purchase. We would like to thank you in advance for your support. 10 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest NewsTravel Tips Join Expedia and make big savings on holidays by Benidorm Travel Mart 7 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 6 minutes read When you sign up or sign in to your Expedia Rewards account, you can instantly save an average of 15 percent on thousands of hotels each time you see a yellow Member Price tag, in addition to the points you’ll earn on eligible bookings along the way. You can become an Expedia Reward member by following this link. As of 2021, member-only Deals and loyalty rewards have saved clients almost €10 billion on travel. The Seattle-based company’s programs serve a total of 145 million member customers worldwide. If you’re not signed up for Expedia Rewards, you’re missing out on some terrific free savings. The loyalty program earns you points on every booking that you can use toward your next vacation. On average, Expedia Rewards Members save €35 per booking with their points. Black Friday promotion Expedia has just announced that its Black Friday promotion will be running from November 15, 2022, until June 30, 2023, and that members will get 30 percent off holidays booked during that period. Benidorm features strongly in Expedia’s list of top world destinations and says: A Benidorm holiday makes it simple to relax and unwind. Whether you like the thought of sitting by the water’s edge or strolling along the shoreline in search of treasures, a trip to Benidorm will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Christmas in Benidorm Benidorm pulls out all the stops to decorate the city for Christmas. Image via YouTube Year-end celebrations in Benidorm last year saw the streets of the resort and a multitude of restaurants and bars transformed into a fairyland of lights, sparkling trees, and gigantic baubles. An added bonus was the exceptionally warm, sunny weather that drew hundred out in summer gear during the day, While no one can predict that this December will be equally mild, should you want to escape winter climes Expedia has launched a Christmas promotion, offering 30 percent off breaks during the festive season. The promotion runs from November 7 and running until November 13. You can book your break here. Other Benidorm deals Expedia offers can be found here. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 7 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BlogLatest News Benidorm gains more upmarket hotel accommodation by Barry Duke 4 November 2022 written by Barry Duke 4 minutes read Cheap all-inclusive holidays have, for decades, been a feature of Benidorm, but at least one leading hotel group has recognised the potential the resort has to attract people seeking more luxurious accommodation, gourmet dining and much more besides. Earlier this year we revealed that Accor, a global hotel brand that’s part of French company Mecure, had transformed the old Benilux Park Hotel into the Mecure Benidorm. The hotel became the first non-Spanish branded hotel on the Costa Blanca. Mercure Benidorm is the most innovative hotel in Benidorm. Its Malaspina restaurant offers “groundbreaking gastronomy” and the hotel is located on Poniente beach 15 minutes from Playa de Levante or 10 minutes from Balcón del Mediterráneo. Its attractions also include exclusive penthouses and duplexes. Before the opening, it was reported that international tourists might not be buying as many packaged and all-inclusive Spanish vacations. Instead, visitors to Spain are looking to stay in branded hotels. Cristina Ramos-Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer of franchised hotels in Southern Europe for Accor, said that destinations such as Benidorm and Torremolinos—farther south on Spain’s Costa del Sol—now are attracting guests who book their hotels and flights separately and do not want to book package vacations and all-inclusive. Globally in Southern Europe’s hospitality market, there is a trend to change the mass-tourists destinations market offer to attract more individual customers and break away from the exclusive distribution of tour operators. Ramos-Fernandez said hotel brands are looking at opportunities in other mass-market destinations in Spain. She added markets such as Benidorm and Magaluf—a Mallorca hotspot known for attracting young adult travelers who like to party—are reinventing themselves with more mature hotel offerings. Several owners of hotel assets have invested in modernisation and renovation to reposition their hotels as good-quality 4- and 5-star hotels, differentiating themselves from the market’s existing offers and satisfying ‘premium’ international guests. In this scenario, international brands such as Mercure, considered attractive for international premium customers, have taken this advantage to adapt to given brand standards. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 4 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BlogLatest News Rochdale mazazine publishes a Brits in Benidorm photo collection by Benidorm Travel Mart 1 November 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read The magazine, simply called 01706—dedicated to “showcase real life and youth culture in Rochdale, Greater Manchester”—has focused its attention on Benidorm by publishing a series of pictures by local photographer Oliver Jackson in its fifth edition. Jackson, according to this Creative Boom report, accompanied the Woolworth FC Sunday league team to the resort in June and later 01706 created a fun-in-the-sun album that shows images Jackson captured of the group. Writing for Creative Boom, Dom Carter said: Taken in June 2022, these photographs are especially interesting as they mark the first tentative steps to get abroad and enjoy holidays again now that the worst of the pandemic has passed. He quoted Jackson as saying: The photographs were taken wherever we went with no set plan; most were shot on the Calle Gerona strip where the famous Red Lion pub is situated. Benidorm felt more English than England, somehow or in the early 2000s, in my mind, with a very easy and relaxed feel. Also, the extremely affordable food and drinks made it feel like a place where everyone is welcome. Oliver, wrote Carter, had a great deal of fun photographing people battling to stay on on the “lethal” bucking bull, above—a popular feature at The Red Lion pub. The 01706 publication can be bought online for £12.00. Author’s note: The images used to illustrate this report are YouTube screenshots and are not part of Jackson’s collection About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 1 November 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Creator of Benidorm’s iconic Intempo apartment tower featured in a biography by Barry Duke 31 October 2022 written by Barry Duke 4 minutes read Not many know this, but Pérez-Guerras, the renowned Alicante architect who designed Benidorm 47-storey Intempo—completed in 2021— had once been commissioned by Libya’s leader, Colonel Gaddafi to build the word’s second largest mosque. But the project never materialised because Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. The fact came to light this summer with the publication of Building Strong: Roberto Pérez-Guerras by the Gil-Albert Institute of Culture. Its Spanish title is Construyendo Fuertes. Photo courtesy Benidorm City Council Appropriately, the lavishly illustrated biography was launched at the pinnacle of the tower block at a ceremony attended by the architect and Benidorm’s Mayor, Toni Pérez, pictured above gazing out on the magnificent vistas from the viewing platform. Image via YouTube The biography was penned by journalist Martín Sanz Moros. The President of the Diputación de Alicante, Carlos Mazón and the Vice President and Deputy for Culture, Julia Parra were also present at the launch. Mazón used the occasion to highlighted the importance of Intempo, which he described as being “one of the icons of Benidorm. Parra described Pérez-Guerras as ” one of the great names in architecture ” and said that the publication is: An invitation to reflect on a very interesting topic: the existence of Alicante architecture with its own stamp and what better than to do it in a setting like the Intempo building, one of its most emblematic works and a milestone for Benidorm, for the province of Alicante and for the Valencian Community. A long-time resident of Alicante, Pérez-Guerras welcomed the book ” as a gift with an incredible value.” He recalled that, from the age of nine, he aspired to be an architect. Moros revealed in the biography that among the architect’s many projects was the planned Libyan mosque. • You view examples of the architect’s spectacular projects on his website. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 31 October 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Brace yourselves for Benidorm’s November fiestas and fancy dress parade by Barry Duke 30 October 2022 written by Barry Duke 7 minutes read You’ll see jailbirds, angels, demons, clowns, gladiators, pirates, ancient Egyptians and a whole lot more when, on Thursday, November 17, thousands will sing and dance their way through the streets of Benidorm in weird and wonderful costumes. One of the thousands who dressed up for the 2021 fancy dress celebrations. Image via YouTube. An annual tradition The craziness dates back some 20 years, when, according to this report, the annual event began when Sinatra’s bar at Calle Lepanto 12 in the New Town offered a free drink to anyone turning up in fancy dress. The sheer volume of fun lovers that now attend the event soon put paid to the free drink promotion but despite that the numbers continued to grow each November. An estimated 40,000 are expected this year. Booking.com The fun kicks off outside the Morgan Tavern at midday with an enormous paella, the internationally renowned Valencian rice dish. This is prepared outside the bar and portions are given out for free. Daily Motion screenshot Morgan’s greatest claim to fame is its frequent appearances as Neptune’s Bar in the popular ITV series, Benidorm. The biggest one yet On its Facebook page, Sinatra’s says: This year will be the BIGGEST and BEST fancy dress party yet with the party starting and finishing here in Sinatra’s! As always, we will also have live day-time entertainment, free t-shirts, and the very best fiestas party atmosphere in town. Around 2 pm a parade starts at the top of the Strip (Sinatras & Cafe B). There are still some last minute accommodation bargains on offer but you’ll need to be quick to take advantage of these prices! Click on the links to check them out. 45% discount at the Hotel Melina from the 12 to 19 November – was €903 now €500. 37% discount at the Apartamentos Terralta from 12 to 19 November – was €432 now €274 48% discount at the Hotel Benidorm City Olympia from the 14 to 18 November – was €312 now €163 37% discount at the Hotel Madeira Centro from the 14 to 18 November – was €420 now €271 38% at the Hotel Port Benidorm from the 16 to 19 November – was €519 now €320 37% discount at the Servigroup Rialto from the 16 to the 19 – was €371 now €254 All prices are based on 2 sharing, some have free cancellation and breakfast included. The city’s fiestas Image via YouTube The fancy dress celebrations follow the fiestas held in November in Benidorm to honour its two patron saints, the Virgen del Sufragio and Sant Jaume Apòstol. The streets throughout the city are bedecked with floral decorations and there is live music, firework displays and religious parades. Benidorm’s fiestas this start on Friday, November 11, usually around 17:00 and culminate on Wednesday, November 15, with a spectacular firework display. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 30 October 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BlogLatest News Benidorm’s Indoor Market has all that your heart desires by Barry Duke 26 October 2022 written by Barry Duke 7 minutes read No trip to Benidorm—especially in the winter months—would be complete without a visit to the Indoor Market located at Av Ametlla de Mar in the Rincon de Loix. Apart from featuring a vast array of stalls offering everything from bling to bed linen, and curtains to candy, the Indoor Market is the place to visit should you need help with a mobile phone or computer problems, want to sink your teeth into a delectable, Brit-styled meat pie or simply go bargain-hunting. Melchor and son David, who is president of the market’s community Photo credit: Barry Duke The first thing you’ll notice when you enter the building via the main entrance is the five-star rated Carnicería Melchor, run by father and son—Melchor and David. Melchor, who opened his butchery in 1979 has been witness to many changes in the indoor market over the years. He told me that the original market—called Mercaloix— was totally Spanish in ambiance when it opened half a century ago. It was home to butchers, fishmongers, and shops selling a variety of other comestibles. It also had cafes, bars and restaurants—and still does. But from 2000 onward Brits, and people of other nationalities started renting stalls and began giving the market an international flavour. Andy, the Phone Man Photo credit: Barry Duke One of the earliest newcomers to the market was Andy Fernando Alverez Brown, above, who set up a stall 25 years ago, and today is Benidorm’s go-to guy for anything to do with mobile phones and computers. Few in the ex-pat community are unaware of “Andy, the Phone Man”, and many—myself included—have called on his expertise and walked away happy. Health and vape store My next port of call was to a health and vape store, Nova 89, run by Albir resident, Joan, Nicholson, who set up a store selling mainly German lotions and other health-related products. Then, 12 years ago, when people started cottoning onto the fact that smoking was far more dangerous than e-cigarettes, she began selling vaping products. Hers was one of the first vape stores to open in the city. Joan, Nicholson. Image credit: Barry Duke Then, to meet the demand of those wanting vape juices that contain health-giving CBD oil which can be inhaled with e-cigs or taken orally, she introduced a variety of cannabidiol oil products that complement her wide range of “mods”, a term used to describe electronic cigarettes. Benidorm Top Trips My tour of the market this week of the 100 or so stalls led to the discovery of Benidorm Top Trips, run by market newcomers Gail Jewkes and Geoff Gartland. Gail has a wealth of experience in the travel industry. After she settled in Spain 13 years ago, she decided to branch out on her own and launched a business that sells tickets to all of the many attractions on offer in Benidorm and its surroundings. “We are in full post-Covid recovery mode,” Gail told me, “and we are attracting a lot of attention from visitors to the market. Those who have made use of our service have returned to book the excursions we offer, and tickets we sell for a variety of attractions. Gail Jewkes and Geoff Gartland at their Indoor Market stall: Photo credit: Barry Duke Exploring the market further, I found that, although very much British in appearance, it is home to many enterprises run by a variety of people of nationalities other than British or Spanish. They sell perfumes, Aloe Vera products, fashion, souvenirs and books, or operate bars, restaurants, hairdressers, key cutters, shoe repairs and more. There’s even a section containing a large Garra Rufa foot spa, where “doctor fish” nibble dead skin from one’s feet. Image credit: Barry Duke You may enter not intending to spend a cent at the Benidorm indoor market, but I guarantee you leave with something you couldn’t resist, even if it’s just a fridge magnet … or one or more of Melchor’s succulent pies. Photo credit: Barry Duke Today more than 1,000 people visit the Benidorm indoor market each day. It is open six days a week from 9 am to 6 pm. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 26 October 2022 2 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Poppy appeal once again receives support from Benidorm Council by Benidorm Travel Mart 18 October 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 5 minutes read The sound of bagpipes resonated in Benidorm last Saturday when Royal British Legion launched its 2022 appeal, which received full support from the city’s Mayor, Toni Pérez. Image courtesy Benidorm City Council Pérez, above, led the dignitaries and in a speech, he passed on his congratulations on behalf of the city to the RBL. It is our duty to always honour those who fought for peace. Pérez had attended last year’s appeal in Benidorm, saying how delighted he was to host Poppy Appeal once again and he highlighted the multicultural and multinational make-up of the city. He described the Royal British Legion “as a role model” and vowed that the organisation could always count on the support and encouragement of his council. He was then presented with an RBL plaque by then Chair Don Cubbon, on behalf of the RBL in Spain. Other official guests at this year’s launch included Captain Stephen McGlory, Defence Attache at the British Embassy in Madrid and the British Consul for Alicante Province, Sara-Jane Morris. A two minutes silence was observed after the sounding of the Last Post by RBL district bugler, Mark Benson. That was followed by the playing of the British and Spanish national anthems by the RBL Concert Band. In a newsletter published ahead of the launch, Jack Kemp, the newly-appointed Chair of the Royal British Legion, Spain District North, said: I would like to start by thanking Toni Pérez, the Mayor of Benidorm. Without his support today’s Poppy Appeal in Benidorm ceremony could not take place, so many thanks to Toni and indeed to the people of Benidorm. Kemp said that during his time in the Royal British Legion he had been fortunate to hold various positions and appointments. Undoubtedly the two most satisfying were becoming a District Caseworker and acting as Alicante Branch and the District Poppy Appeal Organiser: both are inextricably linked to the PoppyAppeal Launch. He emphasised that all of the donations received in Spain remain in Spain to provide support and assistance to hundreds of beneficiaries in his local district, and he appealed to people to consider joining the Legion. Kemp concluded by saying that the Legion is “very close” to forming a new Branch in Madrid which will be a huge boost to Veterans and Expats living in the Madrid area who have been thinking about joining the Legion. About Benidorm Travel Mart As an online travel service, Benidorm Travel Mart helps you build your own holiday by providing access to a wide range of cheap flights | popular hotels | airport transfers | car hire | activities. We may get a commission at no cost to you if you click on our links and make a purchase. Thank you in advance for your support. 18 October 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail