Tag: Spain

The history of Benidorm, Spain

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The history of Benidorm has more to it than beaches, though this vintage photo looks pretty sweet ... photo by CC user 49093093@N02 on Flickr

It is the best time of year to plot out your holiday plans for 2015, with many parts of Southern Europe figuring into the aspirations of travelers. If you’re going for a Short all-inclusive break to Benidorm, Spain this summer season, it pays to brush up on the history of the region to give yourself a better sense of the place that you are about to visit.

So read up on the following fun facts about the history of Benidorm and impress newly made travel friends at the bar … no need to thank us!

Origins

Traces of Punic and Roman settlement have been found in the Benidorm area that put the history of human presence here as far back as 5,000 years.

However, it was the Moors that established the first major community here, laying down roots and giving this community its name back in the 13th century.

With the Christian conquest of the area just a century later though, Benidorm officially became a town, with the granting of its charter in 1325.

Its fishing history & struggles with intruders

Being the home to roving fishermen that sailed the high seas in search of the finest marine life to grace the dinner tables of Spain, Benidorm was a humble town that was home to their lonely families for much of the season.

This fact must have made their breadwinners nervous and worrisome as they did their jobs far from home, as their home suffered from a number of pirate attacks that led to the town being razed a number of times over its history.

In response to this, the castle (which no longer exists) was increased in size in the 16th and 17th centuries, providing badly needed security that finally enabled the town to grow, along with an irrigation system that opened up another avenue of growth for the region, as farmers now had insurance against dry years, allowing them to tend the soil with confidence.

Benidorm’s rise as a tourism hotbed

After rising to its apex as a fishing hotspot in the 18th and 19th centuries, the industry began to decline, with economic losses starting to pick up speed around 1952. It was at this time when that the town’s council began to explore tourism as a way to diversify its economy, and by 1956, they began to build the promenades that hordes of visitors stroll along in the present day.

It was the construction of the Alicante airport in 1967 that really fuelled their current success though, as waves of Britons began to arrive after being linked to these significantly sunnier shores by the brand new miracle of jet liner travel.

3 Countries that Have to Feature on Your European Bucket List

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Seeing fine statues in Florence is on the European bucket list of many people ... photo by CC user ashleyhexum66 on Flickr

Europe is a vast continent, and with so many countries offering different experiences for the discerning traveler it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide where to go.

If you have endless time and resource available then you could spend your years visiting every single one, experiencing the sights and people of each country, whilst picking out your favorite. However, if you want three that will satisfy your every need and offer you a trip of a lifetime then these three countries will not disappoint as you tick off boxes on your European bucket list.

Italy

Think of Italy and you think of the ancient historic sites, the wonderful food and wines, and the beautiful landscapes of incredible beaches, rolling hills and great lakes. It is all of these characteristics and more that make this a destination that should feature on your bucket list.

Not to be missed are the cities of Florence and Rome which are jam packed full of incredible attractions such as the Coliseum and Roman Forum in Rome and the Ponte Vecchio and Statue of David in Florence.

Away from the cities, in the Tuscan countryside you can cycle through the vineyards and soak up the postcard perfect views whilst stopping occasionally for a glass of locally produced wine. Top things off with a stay in one of the regions stunning luxury villas like these and your trip will be complete.

Spain

Spain oozes charisma and charm with its passionate people and vast number of great destinations for the traveller. In the south, the cities of Seville and Granada with their Moorish architecture and flamenco soul are perfect for a cultural city break. The coastal city Barcelona is great for a city/beach break in the summer and northern San Sebastian serves up a gastronomic treat.

The beaches of the Costa Del Sol offer the holiday maker some great hotels and resorts perfect for relaxing in the sunshine and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada even provide opportunities for skiing!

Spain really does have everything and is often cheaper than other European destinations such as France and Italy.

UK
The UK may not be known for its fine weather but that shouldn’t put you off a visit as there is still plenty to enjoy come rain or shine! Brilliant London is just as you imagine it to be with its iconic red buses and black cabs and wonderful sites such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

Many people come to the UK and only visit London and if you do this then you are most certainly missing out. In the north of England, the historical city of York with its magnificent minster and old cobbled streets will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Lovers of the outdoors should head to the Lake District where the countryside is simply stunning. Then you have the quaint villages of the Cotswolds where you can sit back in a beautiful cottage (check these out) and explore wonderful countryside and enjoy village life.

In Scotland, the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow each have their own personality with plenty going on and some wonderful restaurants. If you are lucky enough to visit Wales as well then head to the lovely seaside town of Aberystwyth.

What’s with all the hype about Benidorm, Spain?

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When your holiday in Benidorm starts off with views like this, you know you're going to have a great one!

When your holiday in Benidorm starts off with views like this, you know you’re going to have a great one!

Not content to let an entire summer go by without once leaving your home city for a little fun in the sun, you have been aggressively searching last minute deals for a getaway in sunny Spain before it is too late.

After spending several days compiling options that captured your attention, you believe you have finally found a worthy contender. You have been looking into booking an all inclusive hotel in Benidorm, but you want to be sure that the surrounding destination is legit before committing a week long holiday there to your credit card statement.

The following highlights will ensure that you are entertained during the duration of your holiday in Benidorm, which is one of the foremost resort towns on the Costa Blanca, as they have long been favorites of repeat visitors to the region.

Enjoy the cleanliness of Benidorm’s blue flag beaches

Enjoy a dip in the ocean as much as the next person, but recoil at the idea of diving headlong into a breaker and coming up covered in all sorts of plastic trash? Prefer to not catch rays surrounding by tons of loose refuse, blowing around aimlessly across its neglected sands?

It was concerns like this that prompted the founding of the Blue Flag beach program, which recognizes seaside paradises around the world for the quality of their water and the cleanliness of the shore that fronts it.

Benidorm has two popular beaches that meet this program’s stringent criteria, one of which is favored by the party-hearty crowd, while the other is better suited to families and is favored by the locals.

Stay cool and get your adrenaline fix at the same time

If jumping in the ocean doesn’t appeal to you, or if you pine for something a bit more exciting than just a seashore, than spending a day at Aqualandia is allow to you to cool your jets and get your adrenaline fix all in one efficient package.

Those who are continually on the lookout for the best thrill rides out there will love Vertigo, which is the world’s highest enclosed slide in the world, and with nineteen other rides that range from kamikaze drops to rapids, there is plenty of other wet attractions at Aqualandia that will satisfy you until park closing.

Paint the town red in the heart of the Costa Blanca

With 800 bars scattered throughout the streets of Benidorm, there is an alcohol-serving venue here that will meet your needs … you just have to come find it! Irish pubs, sports bars, nightclubs, and Spanish-style cafeteria bars all await you here, and with many serving brews that rarely cost more than €1 per bottle, your biggest concern will be drinking enough water to stave off the inevitable headache the following morning.

Why spend Christmas in the cold? 3 Unique Xmas Travel Ideas

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Of all the Xmas travel ideas you can get, Lanzarote is a marvelous one!

Yes we know … summer isn’t officially over for another month and a half, but with booking season for winter holidays just around the corner, we just wanted to give you a gentle nudge so that you can get your plans set before the rush begins. If you spent last Christmas at home, you might not need much convincing to spend the merriest season of all in the tropics this year.

After all, with the memory of the brutal polar vortex fresh in your head, wouldn’t you feel more joyous with sand between your toes on December 25th instead of having snow in your shoes? I think we can all agree that a silky smooth tropical breeze feels much more relaxing than the sharp bite of a northern gale, so if you are seriously considering a tropical escape this year, we have compiled three Xmas travel ideas for tropical destinations around the world that will allow you to escape the bitter cold of a Christmas in the north.

1) Lanzarote

If you don’t wish to subject yourself to a long-haul flight in order to get somewhere warmer this holiday season, then checking out cheap Christmas breaks to Lanzarote will get you out of the dour weather of the continent, and on to an island that rarely ever sees day time highs fall below 21 degrees Celsius in the winter time. Weather here is the polar opposite of the dampness witnessed further north, with the arid climate virtually assuring rain-free skies for most (if not all) of your visit.

When you’re not unwinding on Lanzarote’s diversely coloured beaches (ranges from white to golden brown to volcanic black), the active can try their hand at some of the best diving and/or surfing in the European Union, while those more artistically inclined can check out Jameos del Agua, a concert hall, restaurant, bar and swimming pool built inside a former lava tunnel.

2) Barbados

If the baby blue waters of the Caribbean are calling out to you subconsciously, then Barbados stands out as one of your best options as a place where one can relax in tropical surroundings, do many enriching activities, and celebrate Christmas in style. Submarine tours and catamaran cruises are both excellent ways to get to know the marine environment of this former British outpost, while those that enjoy a tipple or two will love the Mount Gay distillery, where Barbados’ most famous beverage, dark rum, is conjured up from the sugarcane that grows in abundance in the island’s interior.

3) Goa

If you’re looking for a little Asian flavour this Xmas, but want a place where you can still attend mass on Christmas morning, then Goa will satisfy both of these requirements admirably. While most of India identify with Hinduism or Islam as their primary faith, Goa is an enclave of Christianity, as it was a colony of the Portuguese more than a half milennia ago.

A sizable chunk of the population still identifies as Christian, worshiping God in one of several gorgeous cathedrals in the area. After celebrating in this fashion, or if you are just here for the amazing food and beaches, take advantage of Goa’s other attractions. Flea markets filled with hippie garb can be found everywhere, clubs, bars and pubs are chock full of cheap drink, and the old town of Goa has plenty of centuries old Christian art, much of which has an Indian twist.

For those looking for a piece of authentic India, the cuisine, Hindu temples and volunteer opportunities can be examined just as readily as in other places in India, so don’t be scared off by proclamations that dub Goa a tourist trap.

5 Fun Things to Do in Tenerife

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If you are an active person, hiking up Mount Teide will certainly be one of the fun things to do in Tenerife!

If you are an active person, hiking up Mount Teide will certainly be one of the fun things to do in Tenerife!

For generations, the Canary Islands have been a getaway for those fleeing from the stressors in their lives, if only for a week or two. Some have managed to settle here permanently, but for those of us who haven’t the resources to live in permanent exile from bosses, bad weather, and irritating in-laws, we need to make the most of the time that we have in this idyllic sub-tropical islands.

Fortunately for you, time to get away from these inconvenient but necessary burdens is close at hand, so you have been researching Tenerife flights in order to make your (temporary) escape official. While some time on beaches like Playa de Las Teresitas is definitely in order, you don’t want your holiday to go by in a blur while you bake away on a sun lounger.

Indeed, the best breaks are defined by moments of discovery and excitement, and so you wonder: what fun things to do in Tenerife will achieve this goal? It offers plenty, and the list of potential adventures below is but the tip of the iceberg.

1) Go on a trek up Mount Teide

Did you know the highest mountain in Spain is not on the Iberian peninsula, where 99.9% of its territory is situated, but is instead on Tenerife? Before we got into the travel business, neither did we. Being of volcanic origin, Tenerife was built up in dramatic fashion by a hotspot in the Earth’s crust, resulting in Mount Teide, the dizzyingly high peak that has shot up from the placid Atlantic Ocean, to the alpine elevation that its summit is at today.

You could take the gondola up, but what fun would that be? Don’t forget winter coats and sweaters for the climb, as the peak tops out at 3,700 metres above sea level, putting the temperature at the summit at about 5-7 degrees Celsius in the summer, and below zero in the winter. The beach below will feel extra warm when you get back from this adventure.

2) Cool off and find thrills at Siam Park

If you’d rather thrill seek by slipping down steep water slides rather than freezing your buns off, then spending a day at Siam Park will help you fulfill this desire. A water park that was designed based on the exotic architecture of Thailand (and was even opened by one of the princesses of its Royal Family), Siam Park has the largest collection of Thai architecture in one spot in the world outside the Southeast Asian country, has slides that include racers, plunge slides, bowls, and rapid rides. The food concession even serves Thai food in a full-fledged dedication to its theme!

3) Play a solid 18 holes at Golf del Sur

Tenerife has plenty of raw beauty to gawk at everywhere you look, which must have made the first duffer to grace its shores dream about opening a course here. Well, golf has certainly found its way here in the present day, with Golf del Sur, one of the best courses on the island, standing ready to challenge your ball control skills.

4) Learn how to kitesurf at El Medano

Are you the time that likes to try and pick up new sports in your free time? If this describes you, then why not give the uber exciting adrenaline sport of kitesurfing a try while on Tenerife? El Medano is one of the world’s best places to practice this relatively new discipline, as strong and consistent winds combine with sheltered waters to create the perfect environment for a kite rookie to learn the sport in.

5) Catch a show at the ultra modern Auditorio de Tenerife

If all this physical activity has you worn out at this point, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to resign yourself to the beach for the rest of your holiday. In 2003, the Auditorio de Tenerife, with its daring late modernist design, opened its doors to lovers of the performing arts, hosting musical festivals, stage shows, galas, award shows, and much more.

There is a consistent schedule of performers/groups putting on shows and productions, so check when you arrive to see if there is an offering that might appeal to you.