Archive for January, 2010
Spain has some of the most liberal laws for gay visitors with equal rights and public tolerance making the Iberian peninsula the ideal gay holiday destination. Sitges, Barcelona and the Canary Islands have long been favourites of European gay visitors for many years but for mature and retired gay visitors Benidorm on the Costa Blanca offers a unique and buzzing resort for a pink vacation.
For those who enjoy a low key friendly holiday, where everything is within easy reach and where value is important Benidorm really does offer it all. With a very long established scene of some twenty plus small cosy bars all within a few minutes walk of each other in the center of the old town, Benidorm is a perfect destination for older gay and lesbian travellers. And for those on a pension you really will get more bang for your Euro!
Flights from major European cities will get you to Benidorm in under three hours and cost much less than the major popular Spanish gay resorts. With over 250 hotels Benidorm guarantees accommodation to suit every budget with room rates from just 20 Euro per night in a traditional 2 star gay friendly Spanish hotel seconds from the gay bars in the old town.
Benidorm has a long tradition of attracting the mature generation and ” gay grey tourist ” who prefer a social scene without the loud discos. Indeed Benidorm is one of the few gay holiday destinations in Spain where everyone of all ages is welcomed and mix well together in all the bars. It has to be said that Benidorm has the friendliest little gay village where many come once and return often. As many as 40% of older gay visitors have been regulars several times a year since the late 1970´s .
Local gay owned businesses aware that there is a market for older gay singles and couples have risen to challenge and provide some of the best reviewed mature bars in europe. Bars such as Ingognito and JJ´s which are buzzing every weekend with the older generation and those who enjoy their company.
The best time of year to visit Benidorm as a gay holiday destination is from March until the end of June and from mid September until December. Peak season is from September to November when room rates and flights to Alicante also happen to offer the best value.
So, if you are a mature gay tourist looking for a different holiday in Spain, where you will be welcomed in a safe and cosy environment, take a look at Benidorm the perfect grey gay holiday in Spain. For more information on bars, hotels and a complete gay guide go to Benidorm, Spain Gay Holidays Guide
January 12th, 2010
Spain looks set to remain one of the top destinations for British tourists for 2010 Holidays with 5 out of the top 10 destinations being in Spain. Alicante (for Benidorm and the Costa Blanca) is number three in the top 10 favourite destinations searched for online according to figures from Sky Scanner the flight search engine. Also in the top 10 for searches of flights from Britians airports are Malaga (No1) up one place, Tenerife (No2) up two places, Palma (No8) down one place and Lanzarote (No9) up four places with Alicante remaining in the same position as last year.
This is great news for Benidorm and Costa Blanca Hoteliers who have worked hard to ensure that the favourite resorts in Spain attract more visitors in 2010 after a difficult year last year. Early indications show a bright season ahead as more and more people discover the great value and huge choice to be found in resorts like Benidorm. Although the Euro exchange rate against the British Pound is still low, visitors can expect to find prices for Hotel rooms are also low making Benidorm a good bet for a bargain Holiday in 2010. This is especially true for those who book online through accommodation websites where rates are very competitive as Hotels battle to secure early bookings for Easter, Half Term and the Summer season.
Hotels in Benidorm can be booked in advance with just a 20% deposit for the Summer and many also offering early bird discounts deals especially in three and four star Hotels. Check the prices today with our travel partners who offer some of the best prices available online and the widest choice of Hotels in Benidorm and across Spain. For those who want a cheap Hotel combined with a Flight to build their own Holiday there is a new quick Holiday finder facility to grab a seat to Alicante then add a Hotel, Transfer and even Holiday insurance.
Go to the Benidorm Holidays Finder
January 11th, 2010
Visitors to Benidorm have for many years asked for and questioned why there are no public toilet facilities on the Levante or Poniente Playas. Well at last the town hall and Mayor have plans to open facilities on both beaches with baby changing facilities and disabled toilets, in all there will be 40 brand new toilets between them.
The local council have rented empty locals on both beaches with work to commence shortly with a planned opening in time for the busy 2010 Easter season. In total there will be six new locations for public toilets which are welcomed by local bar and café owners who for years have had to allow the public to use their private facilities. This has added to operating costs for small businesses in Benidorm, the news is good for bars especially in these difficult times as many are strapped for cash.
The new toilets will also create 12 new jobs for local people which is likey to increase as plans are in place to add further facilites around the resort which will be high quality portable toilets in places where it is not possible to rent a local. New signs will also be placed around Benidorm clearly showing where the nearest public toilets are located. This will be a big relief for tourists who in future will be able to relieve themselves without begging bars and cafés to allow them to use their facilites.
January 10th, 2010
Heavy Seas Destroy The Levante Playa January 9th 2010
Strong winds over the past 48 hours have caused havoc on the Levante beach in Benidorm. Winds and a high sea swell sent waves right up to the promenade resulting in hundreds of tons of sand being washed away along the beach. Worst hit is the old town end of the Levante Playa which has seen a large section of beach completely washed away. Along the entire 2km length of the Levante up to 50 meters of beach is now under water and this will take many tons of sand and thousands of Euro in costs to the town hall to repair the damage to Benidorm´s biggest asset.
This is not the first time that strong winds and gales have caused major damage to the sands, but in a time when Benidorm town hall is strapped for cash it could not have happened at a worst time for the resort. As Benidorm is set to continue with unpredictable weather over the next week or so it looks like it will be some weeks before the Levante Playa will return to the usually immaculate condition expected by visitors to the resort.
For more information visit the Benidorm Beaches guide.
January 9th, 2010
EasyJet have commenced their biggest ever seat sale offering the best deals ever. They are offering up to 25% of ALL seats on ALL routes, not just selected flights on limited seats. This is for bookings made before midnight on January 12th and is for travel from February 3rd until July 14th. The good news for passengers is that this includes Half Term, Valentine´s and even Easter week.
This has to be the best time to grab a bargain seat on the Alicante route for Benidorm. Add this to a cheap Hotel and that should equal a great saving on a Holiday to Benidorm right up until July 14th. BUT remember you need to book by midnight on January 12th. To check the best fares to Alicante (or any route) go to Real Benidorm flights to use the deal cheker widget which will compare EasyJet fares against ALL other Airlines for Alicante. Although having checked several fares already it seems EasyJet are the best value with this great sale. Check Seat Price now Click here.
January 8th, 2010
HOSBEC announce that Benidorm Hotel occupancy rate closed 3% down in 2009 against 2008 figures, a worrying outcome with 4 Star hotels badly hit in the economic slow down. At close of business on December 31st the annual average occupancy rate peaked at 74.6% of capacity a marked negative against the 77.8% of 2008.
Hotels with a 2 Star rating weathered the storm best with an occupancy for the year of 86.3% whilst 4 Star establishments came in at 50.9% and 3 star Hotels doing better at 57.9% occupancy. Proof enough that visitors are taking a serious view on Holiday spending with many booking cheaper and budget Hotels in 2009 a trend that looks likely to continue in 2010. Indeed reading reviews of 2 star Hotels there is certainly a trend of positive reviews as Hotel owners enjoy well above average occupancy rates in these budget establishments, which traditionally were not frequented by foreign visitors. However as is evident on sites such as Tripadvisor more and more foreigners and especially UK tourists to Benidorm are opting for 2 star Hotels who are offering better services and better international food to meet the UK market.
Foreign higher spend visitors continued to keep Benidorm afloat in 2009 with those from the UK contributing 43% of all Hotel room sales in the resort, with those from the Netherlands and Belgium contributing 7.3%. The Spanish domestic market however, continues to be the largest source with 58% of all Hotel room sales.
Whilst figures are a concern for Hoteliers in Benidorm the 2009 results are better than expected, helped by early booking discounts and offers with many room rates lower in 2009 than in 2007. Forecasts for the first half of 2010 are expected to show an occupancy rate of just over 50% with many of the harder hit 4 Star Hotels in Benidorm expected to make substantial offers to attract guests in Spring and early Summer 2010.
The traditional peak booking season of January and February will show many great savings and exceptional deals for those who are able to book well ahead. For those looking for a bargain Holiday the Internet is again expected to see a rise in independent online Hotel and Flight bookings for Benidorm Holidays where the best room rates can be found on Hotel booking websites. Already available are some of the lowest deposits ever seen for Hotel rooms and with flights to Alicante until April as low as £50 return from UK departure airports Benidorm offers a good deal for anyone who wants some Sun for little money. One week including self catering accommodation, flights, luggage and transfers are available from as little as £149 for last minute and late deals to Benidorm.
It has never been a better time to buy into Benidorm, the resort that started cheap tourism way back in the 1950´s and continues to attract over 4 million visitors every year. Not only are Hotel rates some of the lowest in Spain but visitors can also expect some of the cheapest restaurant and drink prices as local bar and café owners keep prices low with little or no increases in prices in the past two years. Superb set menus are available across Benidorm with great British restaurants offering fine dining from only £12 per head.
For some of the best online Hotel rates and to grab the best available flights or cheap Transfers visit Real Benidorm the local guide from local people who actually live in Benidorm. Go To Real Benidorm
January 8th, 2010
BMI Baby have just announced their January sale with up to 50% off all flights to Alicante for Benidorm from Cardiff, East Midlands and Birmingham. Sale fares are available on all departures up to October 22nd 2010.
To check fares for this and all other airlines that serve the Alicante route check our flight comparison widget and grab a bargain before they go! Compare all Alicante fares for any dates or any month Click Here.
January 7th, 2010
Money a bit tight? Still want a holiday in Benidorm to look forward too? NO PROBLEM the lovely people at sunshine.co.uk have got the best deal available online for Benidorm Hotels! Book now and pay just £10 per person deposit on any of 150 Hotels in Benidorm.
This has got to be the very best offer and when you see the great room rates you will know why sunshine are one of the most popular Hotel booking sites for Benidorm. Not other travel website is currently offering such a good deal to secure you next Holiday in Benidorm. Choose to either book just accommodation of add a flight and cheap transfer too. You decide! Great discount deals this Spring and Summer 2010 and pay just £10 deposit each perso with the balance due 12 weeks before you arrive. How fare is that! Book now Click Here.
January 7th, 2010
Jet2Holidays are a good bet for a last minute Benidorm Holiday this January and February with prices from only £175 per person for 7 nights including Flights, Accommodation, Transfers and a generous 22kgs of Luggage. These very low prices are for departures from Northeren UK airports and depart in the next two weeks or so.
Although Jet2Holidays do not appear to be showing a Winter sale at these prices it is unlikley anyone esle will be able to beat them on price for last minute Holidays in Benidorm. So if you are sitting in the UK freezing cold take a look at their latest deals and offers to grab a fantastic bargain week in the Sun on the Costa Blanca.
If you are looking to book a Summer 2010 Holiday Jet2Holidays are offering the facility to book now and pay just a £30 per person low deposit. All Package Holidays booked with Jet2 are of course ATOL protected and the company have been trading for over 30 years. To look for the best deals to Benidorm go to Real Benidorm and check out the Jet2 Holidays Click Here
January 6th, 2010
As Britain suffers a big freeze with the worst weather and snow in many years more and more people are ready for some Winter sunshine and Monarch are a good bet to grab a bargain in their January sale which is the biggest they have ever launched.
All Holidays including Benidorm and the Costa Blanca plus all flights including Alicante routes have been reduced this month. Flights to European hotspots, such as Malaga and Alicante start from only £32 one way including taxes and charges, with holidays starting from just £149 per person for a seven night stay. All hotels are also reduced and start from an amazing £2 per person, per night based on 4 sharing a sefl cartering apartment.
Managing director of Monarch Flights and Holidays, Liz Savage said, “After the snow filled days pre-Christmas and the stresses of the festive season, people in the UK are now longing to get away, relax and enjoy some much needed sunshine. Monarch is delighted therefore to launch it’s biggest ever January Sale which includes millions of flights and thousands of discounted holidays and hotels. With low deposits of only £75 per person, plus the security of knowing that Monarch is now entering its 42nd year of operation and that all that holidays are ATOL protected, there never has been a better time, or safer company to book with”.
Holiday offers to Benidorm at the time of publishing commnece from £171.95 for seven nights at the Las Torres Apartments and include flights from Gatwick on January 31st. Flights are still available to Alicante in January from £32 one way including taxes.
To check ALL Monarch offers to Benidorm for either a Holiday or just a flight visit Monarch Holidays Click Here
January 5th, 2010
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