Latest News Two arrested after a spate of hotel break-ins in Benidorm by Barry Duke 25 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read In a joint operation, the National Police and the Civil Guard have nabbed a man and a woman—aged 49 and 51, respectively—in connection with a string of thefts from various hotels in Benidorm. El Periódic reports that, in addition to forcing entry into hotel rooms—where they broke open or stole safes and made off with other property—the pair also targeted tourist apartments. Police say some safes were taken from hotels in suitcases. They also stand accused of possessing false documents, fraud, and belonging to a criminal group. Their alleged crime wave started in July when a significant increase in thefts were reported. The authorities said the pair, “camouflaged in bathing clothes,” broke into hotel bedrooms when guests were either in crowded reception areas or the restaurants. Nearby resorts also targeted As a result of the coordination and exchange of information between the National Police and the Civil Guard, it was found that neighboring towns were also being targeted by the pair. A large task force was set up to investigate the thefts and it was established that the couple, yet unnamed, were part of “an itinerant group composed mainly of Algerian nationals” who would tour different coastal areas to carry out their crimes. The pair were caught red-handed in a central hotel in Benidorm. The tools they used to access the rooms, such as plastic, screwdrivers and gloves, were seized. In subsequent searches, stolen goods and false documentation were recovered by the police. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 25 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News New hotel on Benidorm’s Poniente beach will feature the resort’s first suspended pool by Barry Duke 23 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 6 minutes read Due for completion next May, the Villa España Hotel—a unique creation of the Magic Costa Blanca Hotels & Resorts chain—will replace the old Magic Fenicia Hotel near Park de Elche. According to Spanish site Husteltur, the four-star hotel will be the first conceived as an international showcase for Spanish culture, technology and cuisine. Image courtesy Magic Costa Blanca Hotels & Resorts The hotel will have many unique features. Apart from the elevated swimming pool—a first for the resort—there will also be four mini glass pools, two outdoor jacuzzis and a solarium. A gateway to Spanish and international gastronomy The company plans to make the new hotel a key attraction for gastronomes. Its the bars will have the finest Spanish wines and top-class craft beers, while the seventh floor will accommodate a restaurant specialising in both Spanish and international cuisines. The top floor will feature an adults-only area, offering drinks and delicacies such as foie gas macarons, oysters, Denia red prawns and Iberian cold cuts. Image courtesy Magic Costa Blanca Hotels & Resorts The hotel will have individually themed rooms and suites, each showcasing a different aspect of Spanish life, art and culture—the first in Spain to do so. Javier García, Vice President of Magic Costa Blanca Hotels & Resorts, emphasised the group’s commitment to continue providing Benidorm and its visitors with the latest advances in the hospitality sector. The rooftop area of Villa España Hotel aspires to be a benchmark for tourism in the Valencian community with areas such as the first suspended pool in Benidorm and premium restaurant areas facing the sea. … We will offer tourists and residents an enriching experience, disseminating our heritage and that of hundreds of Spanish municipalities. In this Spanish report, García said that the project will cost of 23 million euros, and will extend the area now occupied by Hotel Magic Fenicia to two adjoining plots close Poniente beach and Elche Park. Each floor will be dedicated to an autonomous Spanish community, while the rooms and suites will have the name of a Spanish city. García said: The new project will make the richness and uniqueness of Spain’s heritage known throughout the world. We hope that it will be a real stimulus for the sector and employment in the Valencian Community. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 23 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
ActivitiesBlog Benidorm’s ‘Pirate Island’ is a magical portal to an underwater paradise by Barry Duke 20 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read If your dream is to get up real close and personal to exotic marine life, including octopuses and moray eels, the place to head for is the rock that’s a short boat-ride away the centre of Benidorm. Photo credit: Barry Duke The small island—only around seven hectares—is home only to birds such as seagulls and peregrine falcons. Oh, and a restaurant called L’illa that specialises in rice dishes. But in the clear blue waters around this rock, a wealth of marine life abounds and people come from far and wide to scuba dive and snorkel in the vicinity. We learned from the Spanish site Viajes that about 300 meters to the south of the island there is a diving area called Bajo de la Llosa. It’s 30 meters deep and home to a variety of exotic sea creatures. So, how to you get there? Viajes recommends a company called Excursiones Marítimas Benidorm, which has boats that make the two-and-a-half nautical mile journey hourly from 10 am to 4 pm. You can buy tickets from Benidorm Top Trips at the indoor market. Once on the island, visitors are offered free journeys on board the glass-bottomed Aquario or Aquascope boats, which offer fantastic views of the sea life around the island. Tickets, ranging in price from 12 to 18 euros can be bought online here. The island has several names Most people in Benidorm call the rock “Bird Island,” but Viajes informs us that it’s is also called “Pirate Island” and “The Island of Journalists.” The former derives from the fact that it was once used as a settlement by pirates who attacked the towns along the coast. The latter came into use in 1970 when the Federation of Press Associations of Spain sponsored the island. Viajes also reveals that it was used as a refuge for families fleeing the cholera epidemic of 1834 that affected Benidorm and nearby Villajoyosa. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 20 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Pioneering scheme gives people with mobility problems access the sea by Benidorm Travel Mart 17 August 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 6 minutes read A Spanish report published this week reveals that three accessible beach points set up more than 20 years ago are attracting record numbers of users. These points, explains Visit Benidorm, are areas where the disabled can gain access to the beaches and the sea via public transport, reserved parking spaces, access ramps, shaded areas and changing rooms and specially adapted toilets Image courtesy Visit Benidorm Help always on hand Specialised teams are on hand to assist users. So far this year these points have served almost 8,500 people during 2022. In June and July alone more than 5,000 have used them. The Benidorm beaches department has an agreement with the company responsible for sun loungers and umbrellas. Free cards for the service are available Those wanting to use the facilities can get a free card if they meet the following critera: More than 65% disabled.Registered as a resident at the town hall.Owner of a property in Benidorm. All documents must be presented at the following address: R.A. Benidorm, Provima building, Lepanto Street at the corner of Mallorca Street. Councilor for the area, Mónica Gómez, said that there are three three points in the resort: one at Levante beach and two on Poniente. She added: Benidorm was a pioneer in the year 2000 in establishing accessible beach points. There is a high demand for the service that has become a benchmark at a national and international level. Benidorm’s mayor said: For us it is an essential service and that is why it is active throughout the year. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 17 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Spotted deer population flourishes in Benidorm by Benidorm Travel Mart 14 August 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read In April this year, staff at Terra Natura were delighted to announce the birth of two chital fawns, a species native to the Indian subcontinent. But problems arose when they were rejected by their mothers. However, thanks to the efforts of veterinarians and caretakers, the two young fawns survived, and this week we learned that they are now in the process of being reintroduced into Terra Natura’s growing herd of chirals. According to this Spanish report, the pair—a female and a male—had to be raised by hand by staff who bottle-fed them with an infant formula. One of the rescued chitals. Image via YouTube/Terra Natura Four months of tender, loving care enabled staff to begin the process of returning the youngsters to the herd. The reintegration process began with the offspring being kept for periods of 15 minutes together with the park’s herd of chitals. The result has reportedly been good. Causes of rejection Fawns can be rejected by their mothers for different reasons. One that the mother is a first-timer and does not know how to interact with her offspring. On other occasions, the mother may not feel strong enough to take care of her fawn. A third reason is that the fawn might be extreme weak at birth, which makes the mother instinctively reject it if she considers that It has no chance of surviving naturally. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 14 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Chilling news: Spain has an ice crisis by Barry Duke 11 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 7 minutes read Apart from having some of the finest tapas restaurants in Spain, Benidorm has numerous bars and clubs that serve a delectable variety of cocktails and drinks created with enough ice to sink a battleship. Think mojitos, sangia and the like. But will venues have to cut back on ice usage in during the summer season? Or, heaven forbid, charge for ice cubes? Mojito image by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden via Unsplash One sincerely hopes not, but there are are warning signs. Last week The Local reported that this summer in Spain the intense heat combined with rising energy bills have made ice much harder to come by. The country reportedly produces around two million kilograms of ice every day. During a normal year, the spring months would see another 2 million kilograms put aside and stored every day in preparation to meet the increased demand for ice during the summer, which doubles to around 4 million kilograms a day. But this year, sweltering heatwaves have seen the demand for ice cubes skyrocketing to a staggering eight million kilos per day. This shortage has made ice a very hot commodity and increasingly hard to come by. In some supermarkets purchases of bags of ice have been limited to one per person, a move reminiscent of the rush for toilet rolls in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with the current volatility of the energy markets, it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon. Ricardo Blasco, owner of one of Madrid’s oldest ice manufacturers, Hielo Blasco, told Reuters this his power bills have risen by between 50 and 60 percent since the start of the year and that he was forced to delay production from March to May to try and offset the crippling costs. Blasco’s story is a common one. At the start of the year, Spanish ice suppliers did not produce as much as normal – certainly not enough to stockpile as much as they usually would – because of a combination of the financial impact of energy bills and the unpredictability of tourist demand during the first real restriction free summer following the pandemic. A recent HuffPost investigation (in Spanish) revealed that several large chain supermarkets in Madrid are limiting the amount of ice customers can buy. These measures show that supply problems are real. Individuals have two options in the face of the situation: either resign themselves or resort to the circuit of small food stores that still hoard some bags of ice and they sell them, yes, at prices that can double those of just a few weeks ago. It reported that shortage is not likely disappear in the short term. Spokespersons for the first and third largest ice-making companies in Spain point out that it all started in May and that the situation will not be resolved until mid-September. Rationing in supermarkets and skyrocketing prices in stores Images have been circulating on social networks for several days. They show “no ice” signs and empty supermarket refrigerators. Poll shows which bars serve the best cocktails in Benidorm. BenidormSeriously is currently running a poll, asking readers to vote for their favourite cocktail venues. Based on these votes, The Stag and Pheasant— a bar located on Levante beach is way ahead of its rivals, with an approval rating of 42.9 percent. Just four of the many icy cocktails on offer at the Stag and Pheasant. Image via Facebook. News of the ice crisis coincides with regulations that came into force this week that limit air conditioner temperatures in public area in order to save energy. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 11 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Satisfaction with Benidorm’s beaches continues to rise by Barry Duke 8 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read Last year Benidorm’s longest beach, Poniente, lost it cherished Blue Flag status. There were fears that the loss would impact negatively on tourism, but this simply did not happen. Image courtesty of the Foundation for Environmental Education In fact, a satisfaction index showed that people were more happy with all Benidorm’s beaches and their facilities than they were when the Mabrian Tourist Intelligence tool began collecting data in 2015. In June Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported that UK tabloids sensationalised the withdrawal of the Poniete Blue Flag by the Foundation for Environmental Education based in Denmark. The Express, not renowned for its accuracy, reported on the Blue Flag loss, and declared: Poniente Beach is a favourite with British tourists in Benidorm. This is simply not true. Most tourists from the UK gather at Levante beach. El Confidencial reported: The British market rarely leaves its preferred area: Levante. However, Poniente is the refuge of the Spanish family tourist. The paper also reported that the Poniete area is experiencing a real estate boom that has seen a succession of futurist skyscrapers taking root close to the beach. Two Sunset Waves buildings are located in the immediate vicinity, and there are two TM Inmobiliaria towers that make up new Sunset Cliffs residential complex. One is still under construction. An artist’s impression of the twin Sunset Cliffs residential towers. Behind them is the recently completed Sunset Waves complex. Image courtesy of TM Inmobiliaria. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 8 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Libraries add to the pleasure of Benidorm’s beaches by Barry Duke 6 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read You’ve packed the refreshments, the sun cream, the towels, your phone and all the other bits and bobs that make for a glorious day at the beach. But then you discover that you forgot to include the book you were engrossed in, and start gnashing you teeth. But all is not lost, for Benidorm has two libraries on the Levante and Poniente beaches that offer books, magazines and newspapers in several languages, including English, and the service is free. Below is a photo of one. Photo credit: Arjan Beune via Twitter Since their introduction, the libraries have provided reading matter to millions of holidaymakers. In addition CDs and DVDs are on offer, and people also gather at them to play chess. The libraries only close for one month in the winter in order for the beaches to be cleaned. This requires the structures to be dismantled. The project came about with the aim of bringing together the concept of beach fun, reading and more broadly, culture in general. It is about bringing books closer to readers, no matter where they are and without their nationality being an obstacle. The Levante beach library is 352 square metres and has seats for 125 readers. In addition, there are chess tables, which can be used to play, even if opponents do not speak the same language. There are around two thousand documents in Valencian and Spanish, but also in English, German, French and Dutch. The Poniente beach library is 125 square metres, has 50 chairs and 750 books. How did they come about? A 2016 report in El País (in Spanish) reported that the marriage of sea, sun, sand and literature in Spain originated in Torrevieja in 2005, and was the idea of entrepreneur Francisco Javier Gómiz. He provided the necessary capital to build several biblioplayas and packed them with more than 5,000 second-hand books. The idea quickly caught on in other Spanish resorts, and by 2016 twenty-six had appeared on beaches and public swimming pools, thanks to funding provided by local authorities. The concept was seized upon by other countries, and, according to this report, beach libraries are now to be found in places ranging from France to Israel. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. 6 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Will Spain’s new energy-saving measures leave holidaymakers roasting? by Barry Duke 3 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read I detest air conditioning. It plays merry hell with my eyes and sinuses, and I avoid entering premises that feel like walk-in cold storage units in the summer months. Last week I lay back shivering in a dentist’s chair in Benidorm for more than three hours while an orthodontist performed a complicated procedure on a molar that had gone horribly bad. When I returned to Via Parque Dental & Salud for a brief check-up I politely asked a nurse to turn off the air conditioner. She looked at me as if I was totalmente loco. So when I learned today that Spain, under a decree that comes into effect next week, will not allow air conditioners in public buildings, shopping centres, cinemas, theatres, rail stations and airports to be set below 27C (80.6 Fahrenheit) I let loose a loud cheer. But The Mirror reports on Spain’s energy-saving measures as if they were somehow a Very Bad Thing: British holidaymakers have been warned of new air conditioning rules in Spain that could leave them sizzling amid heat alerts. A new law has been passed which means Spanish shops, offices and hospitality venues will no longer be able to set their cooling systems below 27C in the summer. Heating should not be set above 19C [66.2 Fahrenheit] ….Doors will need to be closed so as not to waste energy, and lights in shop windows must be switched off after 10pm. The Guardian adds: The measures, which were published in Tuesday’s edition of the official state gazette, will remain in force until November 2023. These lay out a series of measures to save energy and use it more efficiently, which are urgent and necessary when it comes to reducing energy consumption in general, and reducing our dependence on energy outside the Spanish economy. Home use and energy-saving tips Neither the Mirror nor El País reports that the measures apply to home use, so I assume that households remain unaffected. I have three huge wall-mounted air conditioners in my apartment—one in each of two bedrooms and the third in the living room—and, since taking occupation in 2010 of our fabulous apartment in Sol de Poniente II, I have never used any of them, making do instead with a freestanding water-cooled unit that cost me less than 100 euros, and is used very occasionally. Image via Amazon.es This is because the west-facing apartment is on the 31st floor and is constantly filled with cooling breezes. As I write this, the temperature is a tolerable 31 degrees ((66.2 Fahrenheit). This, of course, limits my electricity usage. My average monthly bill is around 50 euros, which makes one wonder why on earth fuel prices in the UK have been allowed to soar to at all all-time highs, and are set to rise further at a time when providers are making indecently high profits. Other factors that keep my energy costs low are using an induction hob and a table-top halogen oven to prepare food, rather than the cooker. In the summer I hardly cook at all and just eat cold salads, which my husband Marcus claims is turning him into a rabbit. I also turn the boiler down to its lowest setting. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. 3 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Blog Reaching for the sky: all you need to know about Benidorm’s Intempo building by Barry Duke 2 August 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read Gazing from my 31st-floor balcony, a friend from the UK, on his first visit to Benidorm, exclaimed “geez, what the hell is that monstrosity?” He was staring at Europe’s tallest residential building standing 198 meters high close to the resort’s pristine Poniente beach. When I arrived in Spain in 2010, the Intempo building was under construction and I wondered when I would be completed. Then, In July 2011, when the building had reached the 46th floor I was on my balcony when I heard a terrible crash and saw clouds of dust rising skywards from the base of the Intempo. A freight elevator had collapsed with 13 workers inside and ambulances were unable to access the site because no vehicle entrance had been built in order to save money. Several workers were seriously injured. Construction was immediately halted, and for what seemed like years I saw no further activity at the site. But work resumed in earnest just before the Covid pandemic, which further delayed building work. However, in July of last year Spain’s leading newspaper, El País, reported that the 47-storey-high building, with 256 apartments, was set to receive its first occupants. Photo by Andrey Lapikov via Unsplash The M-shaped building, according to this report, was to commemorate the victims of Madrid’s March 11, 2004, terrorist attacks that killed 193 people and injured around 2,000. Interesting facts A cone joins both parts of the tower from the floor 38th to the 44th.The building’s design was officially presented on the 19th of January 2006.It surpassed Gran Hotel Bali as the city’s tallest building.The building was erected on a lot of 12,950 square metres.The towers resembles two giant 1 numerals with a cone joining them at the top floors.First proposed to have 75 floors.The two sides are separated by a 20 metre gap.The works on the tower were halted several times. First due to the 2008 financial crisis and again in 2014; months before completion the investor went bankrupt. The El País report, which describes Benidorm as “the New York of the Mediterranean is also a city that never sleeps” has more interesting details about the project. The Intempo has 13,000 square meters of common areas, including an 800-square-meter pool on the ground floor. It takes around seven minutes to walk the 200 meters to the nearby Poniente beach from the building. On the 46th floor, there is another pool, and from the sun loungers you can enjoy a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the city. The 47th floor is the highest point, and is home to common areas. There will be a cocktail bar up there, along with four jacuzzis. The building managers estimate that around 800 people will live in the building in the high season … The most exclusive apartments are located on the 45th floor. The two residences there boast 300 square meters of space, and have been sold for more than €2 million. El País has a stunning gallery of photos which you can see 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. 2 August 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Terrific news: Europe’s largest water park has reopened in Benidorm by Barry Duke 9 June 2022 written by Barry Duke 6 minutes read Aqualandia, rated as one of Benidorm’s top ten attractions, has begun welcoming thousands for the summer season after its forced closure due to the Covid pandemic. According to this Spanish report, the Aqualandia team is expects to receive a huge influx of adults and kids over the coming months. Among its most popular attractions is Verti-go, the longest slide capsule in the world—it’s 34 meters in height—and Cyclón, an aquatic roller coaster guaranteed to to give thrill-seekers an enormous adrenaline rush. People who have visited the park rate a day out at Aqualandia very highly, praising its clean waters, grassy parks and shady areas where one can enjoy excellent food bought at a variety of outlets. One visitor wrote: The staff members were exceptional with us and we thank the lifeguards for their work!!!’ Via the Aqualandia website, you can plan your visit your way. Get to know the different routes that cater to all types of visitors to make your day at the park memorable. There are three routes: the Family Route, for adults and kids who want to have a great day surrounded by water, family fun, and entertainment. The recommended attractions are Adventureland, the Mini Zig-Zag, Splash, Black Hole, and the Rapids, amongst many others. The Friends Route includes the Amazon, the Lagoon, and the Wave Pool. Finally, there is the Extreme Route—made for those looking for maximum thrills. The Big-Bang, the Rapids, Verti-Go, and the Zig- Zag are some of the attractions that are suitable for this type of visitor. Terra Mitica is now also open Image courtesty Terra Mitica The park, in listing its many attractions, says: Are you a fan of extreme sensations? At Terra Mitica you will find rides to excite you and make you shout like there’s no tomorrow. Its attractions include Titanide, the inverted roller coaster that travels at more than 100 kilometers per hour; Synkope, a disk that rotates 90 km/h, and Tornado, a 100-meter-high tower with flying chairs. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. • Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 9 June 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News Benidorm prepares for a fantastic tribute to 90s music by Barry Duke 6 June 2022 written by Barry Duke 5 minutes read Top DJs are set to gather in Benidorm’s famous Julio Iglesias Auditorium in Parque de l’Aigüera on June 18 to present a major event called “Tribute to the Route”, a celebration of the music of the 90s. The event will feature 15 performances and follows a similar celebration held in 2019 in Valencia, before the pandemic. The Councilor for Festivals and Events, Jesús Carrobles, unveiled plans today (Monday), accompanied by Víctor Pérez, representative of the organising company, and José Vicente Fuster, President of the Comissió de Festes Majors Patronals. Carrobles said the event—‘La Ruta’— will be a “the starting signal for Benidorm’s musical summer”, while Pérez said that audiences would come from all over the region. It will no doubt enhance Benidorm’s reputation for being one of the best party resorts in Europe. Seven hours of “Bacalao” music Among the celebrated DJs who will provide “bacalao” music for seven hours will be Danae, Jerry Daley, New Limit and Two Power. “Bacalao” is Spanish for cod fish, and was a slang term used by Valencian DJs who were central to the the region’s rave scenes from the 80s onwards. More than 120 people collaborated to make the Benidorm event possible, including representatives of Benidorm clubs. Organizers revealed that those who bought their tickets when this event was announced before the pandemic will receive a CD with original “La Ruta” songs as a gift. If you have not yet booked, your can get your tickets by following this link. Tickets cost €25.00. A gift will also be given to the first 500 people who enter the auditorium, the doors of which will open at 4:00 pm. The music will start at 5:00 p.m. and end around 1:00 a.m. “to cause as little inconvenience as possible.” An estimated 2,000 people are expected to attend the event. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. • Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 6 June 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Blog Terrific news: Benidorm is getting back to pre-pandemic tourism levels by Benidorm Travel Mart 30 May 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 4 minutes read Spanish newspaper El Espanol reports that according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the tourist capital of the Costa Blanca is experiencing a surge in tourism. With 433,171 stays it was the second most popular to Madrid, which had 678,886 visitors in the same period. In general, so far this year, establishments in Benidorm have registered 1.8 million overnight stays. This comes after a virtual shutdown of the hotel and the entertainment industries in Valencia and other reasons in April 2021 that made tourist activity impossible. Even better news, according to the newspaper, is the fact that in the Valencian territory—of which Benidorm is part—rising energy, fuel, food, and beverage prices are not being passed onto customers, and prices remain around pre-Covid levels. The report found: Average prices and income per room in the region are well below the average for the sector in Spain. The city of Valencia itself has only recorded a price of 1.3 percent. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest hotel rooms on the web BTM’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. • Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 30 May 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Blog Exercise caution when visiting this stunning beauty spot near Benidorm by Benidorm Travel Mart 28 May 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 7 minutes read Just 15km from Benidorm and 3km from the centre of Callosa d’en Sarrià, Fonts d’Algar is a beauty spot where nature is at its finest. However local authorities are concerned that people are ignoring warning signs and in recent months four people have died at this renowned “paradise.” The latest to drown was a 25-year-old British man identified as Paul Lebihan who was reportedly trying to save his dog. According to this Sun report he was was pulled unconscious from water near a famous waterfall close to the Fuentes del Algar earlier this month. The latest tragedy in the area takes the death toll this year at the same spot to four. Two people including a guide were killed on April 8 after being swept away by the current after heavy rains. On April 17 a hiker drowned after falling down the waterfall. One police source said, “he was swimming and was swept away by the current.” Image via Comunitat Valenciana The alarm was sounded around 6pm and a helicopter with firefighters, police and paramedics mobilised as part of the emergency response. Witnesses reportedly tried to save him by performing CPR on him before professionals arrived to take over but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Visitors who want to do more than just swim around in the rock pools below the waterfalls are advised to bring hiking boots to negotiate the hills and walkways around the Bolulla and Algar Rivers. The Bolulla waterfall, around a 15-minute hike north of the Algar Waterfalls, is a 65-feet cascade at the end of a ravine. Local Mayor says warning signs are being ignored Bolulla Mayor Adrian Martinez said after the first three people lost their lives in two separate incidents: What we have seen here are examples of rashness. The river has become swollen with heavy rains and people have gone in despite that and we can’t control everything they do. He also flagged up the fact some visitors were ignoring signs warning them to take care. Speaking before the latest tragedy, he said: In the two accidents where three people died the same thing happened. They fell in the area where the Bolulla waterfall is and there’s a sort of turbine effect there and the people who fall get trapped in the water. Equipped with tourist services, Fonts d’Algar was declared a Protected Water Area in 2002. The importance of water The Comunitat Valenciana website, which has stunning photos of Fonts d’Algar, described the spot as a “paradise” and an “oasis” that will show you the importance of water as an ecological, economic and cultural resource. During your visit, you can walk 1.5km along the banks of the river Algar, which in Arabic means “cave”. The pathway will immerse you in a landscape that is the result of the karst process on the limestone, composed of spectacular waterfalls, springs and sources that bubble up out of the rock, as well as the “tolls”, pools where you can take refreshing dips in the pure and crystalline waters. In the past, Fonts de l’Algar was considered a ‘fountain of health’. Fonts de l’Algar also has different hiking trails you can walk with all the family. One such trail is camino al Fort de Bèrnia, in which you’ll come across old terraces, a cave and a farmyard for cattle. Along the way you’ll find information panels telling you about the local area. The trail also affords incredible views over the Calp coast and the sierras of Aitana y Xordà. Come to Fonts de l’Algar and discover a magical landscape. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest flight and hotel prices on the web BTN’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including:• Expedia• Booking.com• Hotels.com• Agoda• Trip.com• Snaptravel• Hotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form on this page. • Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 28 May 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Blog Stay close to the Benidorm beaches that suit you best by Barry Duke 23 May 2022 written by Barry Duke 7 minutes read Back in 2018, the differences that characterise Benidorm’s beaches were highlighted when a woman from Blackburn, demanded compensation from Thomas Cook after she discovered that the hotel in which she was accommodated—The Poseidon Playa—was full of Spanish people! Freda Jackson, 81 demanded to know why “rude” Spanish holidaymakers in this wonderful beach-side hotel couldn’t find somewhere else to stay. I recalled that incident when I met some friends this week for a drink at the Poseidon Playa—and yes, the majority enjoying its fabulous facilities were indeed Spanish. That’s because Playa Poniente—a beach that stretches from the centre of Benidorm westwards for 3.1 km—is both beautiful and quiet. Rowdiness is certainly not a feature. It starts just behind the marina and stretches as far as Tossal de la Cala, where you’ll find the hermitage “Virgen del Mar” situated on top of the hill at the end of the beach. This sandy beach is especially popular with older people, and so during the day, there is a wide range of senior gymnastics, yoga and various fitness programmes. Playa Poniente. Image Lauren Bate via Pexels. An amazing difference to Levante Beach Because it rarely gets too crowded it is in direct contrast to Levante Beach, which is much closer to where most Brits choose their accommodation. Accommodation near Levante beach, according to this report, allows one to watch the sunrise and is located in what everyone calls the New Town. It’s the most popular beach with Brits and stretches from the beginning of the Old Town to the Rincon de Loix. It has fine golden sand, sunbeds and sunshades to rent, lifeguards are in attendance and the beach is backed by cafes, bars and restaurants. Some of these are quite loud and partying people spill on to the promenade. Some bars offer live entertainment. At the Rincon de Loix end there is a permanent water ski course and you can also participate in watersports like parasail, jetski and banana boats from here. In the summer months the boat to the island stops here to pick up passengers. Why I live near Playa Poniente When I chose to settle in Spain, my first priority was to learn as much Spanish as possible, so I chose an apartment close to Playa Poniente. It was a wise decision because virtually all my neighbours are Spanish and I quickly picked up some useful phrases—as well as a number of “naughty” words. Although the Levante and Playa Poniente are Benkidorm’s best-known beaches, there are others, each with their own special characteristics. After settling in Spain the one I chose for a daily workout was Playa Mal Pas, described by one fella on Trip Advisor thus: It is a little cove situated between the bigger Levante and Poniente beaches. There are rocks you can lie on or loungers for a charge. The sea is so clear and very easy to walk in … It really is the loveliest place and when you’ve finished swimming or sun bathing you can walk up the steps and you’re right in the old town with it’s bars and tapas restaurants … Image credit: Barry Duke With a backdrop of yellow rocks and palm trees, it’s a gift to photographers. I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with renowned Spanish model Juan Torregrosa, above, at that location a few years back. 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, hotels, airport transfers, car hire, and activities. The cheapest flight and hotel prices on the web BTN’s powerful search engine can compare hotel prices from all major booking companies including: ExpediaBooking.comHotels.comAgodaTrip.comSnaptravelHotellook You won’t have to visit numerous websites to find the best deals anymore. Our algorithm will present you with the best prices on the internet and direct you to the hotel or airline booking agent of your choice, where you can book with confidence. Sign up for our newsletter and get all our latest news, views, and exclusive offers delivered to your inbox each week. Leave your email in the form at the top of this page. Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 23 May 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Latest News 100% occupancy as Eurovision Fever invades Benidorm by Benidorm Travel Mart 15 May 2022 written by Benidorm Travel Mart 5 minutes read The Spanish representative’s performance in Turin was broadcast live last night in Benidorm, provoking Eurovision Fever. Eurovision fans turned out in their 1000s to enjoy a free afternoon-night party at the Plaza Triangular thanks to the City Council. It’s all about Eurovision in Benidorm A stage was set up at the base of the tecnohito, a tall, cylindrical structure that has been erected in the Plaza Triangular forming part of the revamped Avenida del Mediterráneo. With its 20-meter high and 264-square-meter ‘led’ screens, the ‘techno-milestone’ was a spectacular visual feature during the event. ‘tecnohito’ in Benidorm At 10:00 p.m, the Spanish representative’s performance was one of the night’s most intense moments. Chanel electrified the audience as they sang and danced along to the song. The mood intensified as voting began As the voting began, nervousness increased in the Plaza de la Hispanidad, where, with flags in the air, the public cheered and celebrated each of the 12 points that Spain received from the technical jury of several of the participating countries. Live transmission of the Spanish jury votes took place on Poniente beach, showcasing the resort to the world. 1000s of people joined in the celebrations Finally, the European public vote confirmed the third position for Spain, behind Ukraine and the United Kingdom. SloMo and Chanel were the highest-ranked Spanish contestants in almost three decades. Benidorm Town Hall is already planning for the second Benidorm Fest, which will take place early next year. The 2023 contestant will be chosen at this event. 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, hotels, and airport transfers. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll get by booking your holiday through Benidorm Travel Mart. The cheapest prices on the web Our search engine can compare hotels from all major booking companies, including Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com, and help you find the best available deal. Save valuable time searching No more trawling through dozens of websites. Our powerful algorithm will dynamically present you with the best possible prices on the web, all in one place. Have more money for fun in the sun Finding a bargain accommodation deal means more money for fun in the sun. No need to pay over the odds, we have hundreds of cheap deals. No hidden charges There are no hidden charges or fees to worry about. You’ll find lots of information about Benidorm on our site, including where to eat, the best nightlife and the many daytime activities Benidorm has to offer. Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a booking. 15 May 2022 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail