Benidorm is in full party mode this week with not one but two major events taking place here – St Patrick’s Day, predominantly for the Brits and the Fallas.

Both are fantastic but culturally miles apart and if you can, then try and get to both. The green day has even made it onto the official Benidorm Town Hall fiesta calendar this year, proving what an important (economic) event it is!

Although St Patrick’s Day falls on Thursday, the Rincon – and in particular Calle Gerona, has been gearing up for what has now almost turned into a weekend celebration, which will most certainly continue into Friday and Saturday. Green is the colour of the day and many of the bars will be putting on live entertainment. Don’t be startled to see plenty of leprechauns running around - it’s not the drink, but then again, the Guinness will most certainly be flowing! If you don’t fancy going into town then El Cisne rastro are also putting on a special Irish themed timetable of entertainment.

For those that would like to immerse themselves in a little Spanish culture then make sure you get to see the fallas. Las Fallas is a 5 day celebration marked in this province every March (15th -19th) leading to the grand climax – the burning, on the night of the 19th. There are three points where you can view the giant models - at the Plaza de la Hispanidad (Plaza Triangular where the huge rubber tree is) at the end of Avd Mediterraneo; Rincon de Loix - opposite Burger King at the cable ski end of the Levante beach and on Calle Tomas Ortuno in the Old Town, just past the Molinos cabaret club.

The official “planta” or unveiling takes place on Tuesday 15th and each day there will be bands playing and partying taking place by the penyas who have constructed them. Saturday 19th is the main day, with a giant mascleta – firecracker display lit at 2pm on the Avd Mediterraneo, then a procession at 6pm, starting on the C/Almendros then heading down the Avd Ruzafa and finishing by Don Dino toy shop on Avd Mediterraneo. The children’s fallas will be set alight at 11pm then at 12 midnight the main one in the Rincon followed at 00:30am in the Plaza Hispanidad and finally at 01:00am in the Old Town.