The very mention of the name Benidorm among any gathering will always bring about a varied response, some will either adore it or abhor it! Certainly in times past it was the byword for a naff package holiday resort, but now this is not the whole case, Benidorm has cleaned up its act so to say.

Literally millions of visitors from all over northern Europe (and beyond) vacation in Benidorm every summer and when you investigate why, the truth is obvious, it has something for all. Certainly, there are still the hotels offering very inexpensive packages and self catering apartments by the bucket load, but there are also first class five star hotels.

Short and weekend breaks have become a major part of the local economy as well, with the expanse of ever more leisure time and the current boom in budget and cheap flights to the nearest airport (Alicante Airport, El Altet). The current trend to book individual flights and hotels personally on the web has obviously played a major part as well.

During the winter the mild, dry climate in Benidorm and excellent marketing has enabled the hotels to keep busy (and obviously help pay the staff wages) during the cooler months. It is a fact that many retired or semi retired people spend months or even the whole winter in hotels there at ultra reasonable prices. This has meant that the town stays alive, even during January and February whilst many other Mediterranean cities resemble ghost towns.

The town has three main white sand beaches that are always kept very clean and have all you would expect to find on them from sunbeds and parasols to pedalos and cafes. The water quality also meets the highest blue flag standard of the European Union.

For evening entertainment there is a truly vast choice, with great shows, cabaret, comedy clubs, dancing and discos, you are almost certain to locate something to suit your own taste there. Plus of course the younger visitors flock there for the cheap drink and the great clubbing which starts about twelve and seems to go on through till early morning.

For family day time fun, the choice is also copious and varied, from the huge Terra Mitica (one of the best amusement parks in Spain, with roller coasters, rides, shows etc), Aqualandia (a large water park with flumes and fun pools) to the Mundomar Park with its very popular dolphin shows. There are also lots of smaller tourist attractions, gardens and parks to keep the entire family or party, entertained and busy.

The local food is not just limited to the usual "chicken and chips”, but fine restaurants, cafes and myriad takeaways are found on every street corner offering good meals or an English breakfast for only a few euros, the choice is enormous.

To find more travel advice and tourist information about Benidorm and its attractions, please visit Benidorm