Well it´s Christmas Eve and here on the Costa Blanca it is predicted to be another lovely day. Yesterday I drove down the Levante front and it was such a clear day you cold actually see the cross up on the hill. There were quite a few people on the beach and even some brave souls swimming in the sea - perhaps they are practising for the San Silvestre race!
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Well it´s the last weekend before Christmas and I am sure that every High Street and shopping centre in the UK is jam packed. Here in Benidorm things a somewhat more relaxed and laid back. The town has now got into the Christmas spirit - well about as much as it well ever do, though not a patch on the UK.The ice rink under the Town Hall has now opened and there was a steady stream of visitors.
In spite of good hotel occupancy over 2013, Antonio Mayor, President of HOSBEC - the hoteliers association cautioned that the industry must refrain from "slashing prices to fill rooms at any price", as has been occurring. With the increase in IVA and other utilities it is not unusual for them to be operating at almost zero profit after overheads and he warned that "we are far from a return to make the sector sustainable".
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There are only 3 days left in which to buy your "Loteria de Navidad" or El Gordo lottery tickets - the annual draw takes place on the 22nd December and this year that day falls on Sunday. The prize pot stands at 2.24 billion euros and apparently, 98% of Spanish adults will take part!You can almost feel the excitement in the air as you walk past long queues outside the lottery shops and kiosks - ticket sales will close at 5pm on Saturday 21st.
Its full steam ahead at Specsavers opticians in Benidorm following their hugely spec-tacular "Save your Glasses" day last Monday - 9th December. The leading High Street name has joined forces with the local Lions Club, and over a three month period they are endeavouring to collect 3000 frames for those in the Third World.
Christmas arrived in Benidorm yesterday as the lights were officially switched on by the Mayor, Agustin Navarro and the fiesta queens at the Town Hall square - named Plaza de Navidad, or Christmas Square for the festive period.The ceremony kicked off a little after 6pm with a children´s Christmas themed puppet show on the specially erected stage.
The Moscow Ballet RFB are on tour across Spain and coming to the Costa Blanca to perform two classic Christmas ballets - Nutcracker and Swan Lake. On Sunday 15th December they will be at the Auditorium in La Nucia dancing Nutcracker - this is the seventh consecutive year that the town have welcomed the company here. The performance starts at 8pm and tickets are priced at 25 euros with a 20% discount available to pensioners, students and
Benidorm attracts a number of sporting events - in June there are the BASE Jumping Championships which take place off the Gran Hotel Bali in La Cala and at the end of October the International Taekwon-Do Championships took place at the Sports Centre.There are plenty of sporting activities available that keep both locals and holiday makers amused - and now there will be another...
Hotel wise Benidorm is certainly raising its profile. Next year the hotel Villa Venecia, located in the Old Town is to be included in the 2014 Michelin Guide - something that will hopefully attract a new breed of clientele to the resort. The Town Hall are certainly trying to attract the Russian market and next year there are more flights coming in from Moscow and St Petersburgh.
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There are plenty of acts on the Benidorm entertainment circuit, but one which features on most peoples lists are singing duo Debbie and Emma - better recognised as "DebnHer".The phenomenal pair are highly regarded by both fellow entertainers and their legion of fans - which was more than evident when they got married in September.
So the much anticipated date has at last been released by ITV - Thursday 2nd January! That is the date when Benidorm 6 will hit our screens and for the millions of fans, can´t come a day too soon! It seems an age ago since the cast and crew arrived here - the first date of filming was 25th March and they didn´t wrap until the end of June.
Councillor of Tourism and Deputy Mayor Gema Amor, together with Jose Marcet, Councillor of Security have submitted a request to extend the opening hours of bars and clubs throughout the Winter months, so that they are the same as the Summer. But before you all get too excited, it´s only by half an hour!
This Friday, 6th December is "Constitution Day" - the day that Spain became a democracy following the death of Franco, and a National Holiday across Spain. Although many places will be closed as locals take the opportunity of having an extra long weekend, things will be alive and buzzing in Benidorm - especially at the Marina Hotel.The hotel will be hosting a 2 day Health & Beauty Fair in the Neptune Suite, which is located downstairs.
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A press release was issued this morning announcing the much awaited by-law on what many consider the scourge of Benidorm - mobility scooters!The council have now passed the amendment regulating the use of mobility scooters on the streets of the town, thanks to the additional votes of non PP councillors.
B&H 50.00€
Camel 47.00€
Embassy 50.00€
JPS 44.50€
L&B 48.50€
Marlboro 50.00€
Mayfair 45.00€
Silk Cut 50.00€
Golden Virginia 89.50€
Old Holborn 90€