Benidorm home from home
Forty years ago Benidorm was a small fishing village on the coast of Costa Blanca Southern Spain. Situated about forty miles from Alicante, which is now the airport for people travelling to Benidorm.
Benidorm has become one of the most popular holiday resorts in the world, with its high-rise hotels and palm-tree lined avenues, sandwiched in the tiny old quarter also known as old Benidorm. Palm-trees can also be seen on the sea front over looking both the Levante and Pontiente beaches which are situated either side of the old town. The sand on both these beaches is soft and fine, and of course the beaches look on to the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea.
The weather in the winter is very mild, and that why it is very popular with Pensioners from all over Europe. Although the greatest numbers come from the United Kingdom, there are also a great number of visitors from Germany, Holland and Belgium; some of the winter visitors stay as long as three months. It is possible to stay in some hotels and apartments for a very reasonable price, and sometimes it is cheaper to live there in the warmth, than brave the cold winters of home.
Benidorm has over a thousand bars mostly situated in Levente, most of the bars have music of some form. In the large night clubs have had many well known artist appearing from the U K and U S A, among them Vince Hill, Danny Williams, Eric Delaney, George Roper, and many more well- known artistes.
The Famous Benidorm Fiesta which takes place in November is most colourful and Spectacular. A number of processions take place around old Benidorm, many floats and bands of all types and sizes take part.
The main Procession is the famous Candelight Procession when people from all over Spain take part. Thousands of people watch the procession wending it's way through the narrow streets surrounding the old Church, afterwards a number of large Firework Displays take place. It appears that many years ago a great number of Fishermen and boats were saved from a terrible storm in the Mediterranean Sea, and that is the reason why this fiesta is now celebrated annually.
The beautiful harbour and Jetties, situated in old Benidorm near to the old Church and watching the boats unload their catches is a very pleasant sight, just as enjoyable is watching the anglers fish on the long Jetty.
The area around Benidorm has many lovely places such as Calpeh and Altea where on market days Jazz Bands are paraded around the area.
Benidorm's own Market takes place on a Sunday and Wednesday mornings. Many Thousands of people from the Manchester area visit the resorts, with a large number from Collyhurst and Miles Platting areas. Although I have not been to the resort for a few years, perhaps I may be able to return shortly.