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Benidorm
Spotlight
- A
colourful
and
comprehensive
guide to
the
exciting
resort of
Benidorm. |
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The
biggest
holiday
resort
on the
Costa
Blanca.
Nowadays
the
6km of
beach
area
along
Benidorm'
s
frontage
attracts
an
average
180,000
people.
It
hasn't
always
been
like
that
though.
It was
once a
sleepy
fishing
village
-
before
the
holiday
boom
of the
70's.
The
area
is now
a mass
of
high
rise
hotels
and
apartments
and a
major
centre
of the
package
holiday
industry. |
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Local
officials
are in
the
process
of
cleaning
up the
image
of
Benidorm
and
trying
to rid
it of
the
lager-lout
reputation
it
once
had.
The
council
now
provide
such
things
as
free
jazz
and
classical
concerts.
Families
from
all
over
Europe
flock
to
Benidorm
in the
summer
and in
the
winter,
the
hotels
and
apartments
fill
with
pensioners,
enjoying
the
climate
for
the
winter
months.
The
shopping
areas
are
typical
touristy
shops
offering
all
manners
of
goods.
Benidorm
has a
youthful
and
pulsating
nightlife
with
many
discos
and
nightclubs,
endless
bars
and
fine
restaurants.
Here
you
can
party
till
dawn.
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Benidorm
has
two
crescent
shaped
beaches
with
golden
sand
that
is
always
well
cared
for
and
clean.
This
makes
it an
ideal
family
holiday
resort.
Whether
you
love
it or
hate
it,
Benidorm
has
become
a
holiday
phenomenon
and
most
of the
restaurants
serve
everything
from
bacon
and
eggs
to
fish
and
chips
and
'tea
like
mum
makes'.
The
old
part
of
Benidorm
sits
on the
piece
of
land
that
divides
the
two
beaches
and is
about
the
size
of a
postage
stamp.
A fort
stood
here
until
1812
when
the
British
and
Spanish
troops
blew
it up
whilst
expelling
the
French.
The
greatest
concentration
of
shops
and
entertainment
is to
be
found
here.
This
point
that
divides
the
beaches
is
called
Canfali
Hill. |
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In
Benidorm
you
can
entertain
yourself
on the
beaches,
sample
go-karting,
ten-pin
bowling
or
take
in two
theme
parks,
the
water
features
at
Aqualand
or
watch
a
dolphin
show.
Located
just
north
of
Benidorm
is
Calpe,
a
resort
worthy
of a
visit.
Further
north
is
Denia
which
is
again
very
much a
family
resort.
A
quiet
little
town
that
was
once
the
centre
of the
region's
raisin
growing
industry.
Although
tourism
has
taken
over,
raisins
are
still
grown
here
and
remain
to be
a
local
delicacy.
The
main
avenue
in
Denia
is the
Plaza
de la
Constitucion
where
you
can
sit
and
watch
the
world
go by.
Here
you
will
find a
wonderful
17th
century
church.
The
area
around
Denia
has
been
voted
the
third
healthiest
place
to
live
by the
World
Health
Organisation.
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Another
quaint
little
town
north
of
Benidorm
is
Altea
where
careful
development
and
planning
has
maintained
the
tranquil
atmosphere
and
character.
There
are no
high-rise
hotels
here
and
for
the
energetic
there
are
257
steps
up to
the
old
town
from
which
a
wonderful
view
can be
had. |
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Inland
from
Benidorm
The
mountains
you
see on
the
horizon
are
fragrant
with
wild
lavender
and
herbs
and in
July
and
August
blackberries
are
abundant,
ready
for
the
taking.
Drive
south
on the
motorway
to
Villajoyosa
then
take
the
smaller
road
to
Sella.
The
countryside
is
bland
until
you
look
down
to see
the
blue
waters
of the
Amadorio
Dam,
a
fisherman's
favourite.
From
Sella,
the
road
winds
higher
through
a
terraced
hillside,
filled
with
vines
until
you
reach
the
Safari
Aitana,
one of
the
largest
safari
parks
in
Europe.
From
here
make
for
Guadalest
(25km
from
Benidorm),
where
you
will
find
the
famous
fortress
built
by the
Moors
some
1,200
years
ago.
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The
fortress
is
only
accessible
through
a 50
feet
long
tunnel
through
the
rock.
From
here
take
the
Parcent
road
for
2.5km
to
stumble
upon
the
El
Algar
Waterfalls.
Leave
your
car in
the
car
park
and
walk
to the
80
foot
falls.
It is
possible
to
swim
in the
cold
waters
beneath
them
or
take a
donkey
ride
round
the
area.
10km
further
along
the
C3318
is
Tarbena,
an
extraordinary
mountain
village,
famous
for
its
delicious
sausages.
There
is no
doubt
that
within
just a
short
drive
from
the
coast
you
can
see
such a
diversity
of
different
landscapes
and
cultures
which
makes
the
Costa
Blanca
an
ideal
destination
for
any
kind
of
holiday. |
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