The new season starts today when Terra Mitica opens its doors for the first time this year. The company went through a long dispute with employees after nearly half of last years workforce were sacked, reducing this years staff to under 200.The park will be open every day from 10am until 8pm over the 2 week Easter period (until Sunday 15th April) but then reverts to opening only over long weekends.
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You know that feeling when you're rushing back to the car and just praying that the traffic warden hasn't been because your ticket has expired ... well I'll let you in on a little secret.I ts not get back to the car quicker or shorten your lunch by the way - that's simply out of the question! So you're literally a few minutes over the pay and display time on the ticket and are faced with a rather hefty fine.
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If you want to be "All Shook Up" then Benidorm is the place to be this coming weekend. From Friday 30th until Sunday 1st there is a 3 day "Elvis Fest" bought here by the organisers of Porthcawl - THE largest Elvis festival in Europe. Now in its 9th year there it attracts over 30,000 fans every September.
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Yesterday saw a great turnout for the third sponsored High Heel Hike for Help for Heros. Samantha Hurren, who is the founder and originally started this annual event flew over specially from the UK, as she relocated back there last year - however she has been integral in the organisation. The sun was shining and spirits were high ... literally by the end of the day!
Drinkers and smokers faced added misery following the budget this week as the Chancellor announced another duty rise on alcohol and cigarettes. A packet of cigarettes will go up by an astonishing 37 pence and alcohol will increase by 5% - seeing the price of a pint of beer rise by as much as 10 pence. Since 2008, the price of beer has risen by an eye watering 40%.
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The Department of Tourism in Benidorm is hosting the second annual "Tapas and Pinchos" competition commencing on Monday 26th March and finishing on Sunday 1st April.An amazing 37 establishments are taking part which are all located in the Old Town - 14 of which can be found down Calle Santo Domingo - famously known as Tapas Alley. Each of the participating competitors has a "Concurso Tapa y Pincho" poster in its window.
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The traditional Burning of the Fallas on Monday night almost didn't take place in Benidorm! The City Council owe the fire service 549,000 euros from 2011 and last Friday the Provincial Fire agency sent a fax to the Town Hall announcing that they would not be sending fire crews to the annual burning's until it had been paid.
Despite recent reports that passenger numbers flying into El Altet Alicante airport have fallen over the last two months, business in Benidorm appeared brisk and busy over the weekend.Walking down the Avd Mediterraneo you would be forgiven for believing the reports but turn onto the Calle Gerona and surrounding streets and it was positively heaving.
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Terra Natura is often referred to as a zoo but it is actually a wildlife park. It is based upon 3 continents which replicate the animals and eco-systems of that environment - Europe, Asia and America. Animals and plants typical of that continent can be seen within each region making it not only an enjoyable visit but also an educational learning experience.
Aena, the airport operator have announced that footfall at El Altet (Alicante) airport fell by a staggering 120,000 passengers, a 13% decrease over the same period last year. The two main contributing factors are the collapse of Spanair and cancellations by Ryanair. During February a total of 455,827 passengers passed through El Altet, representing a decrease of 12.9%.
Today saw the opening of a brand new Primark store within the Gran Via shopping centre in Alicante. Police were even on hand to direct traffic on the roads leading to the car park underneath, which is free of charge.The opening was due at 12 noon but true to Spanish timekeeping was late! The Alicante fiesta queen was there to cut the ribbon and officially open the store with management from the Primark Head Office.
An ITV is the Spanish equivalent of an MOT for all motor vehicles. In Spain a car is required by law to be tested once it is 4 years old - every two years then once it is 10 years old it has to be tested every year. In the UK vehicles have to be tested every year when they reach 3 years.The rates for a test vary depending on fuel and whether they have a catalytic converter.
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Many of you will be looking forward to your Easter break here in Benidorm ... sun, sea, sand etc. The stressful bit is always the flight over - will your case be overweight and therefore subject to an extortionate excess fee, will you manage to sit together on the plane - having refused to pay even more to pre-book the seats on those that offer "the service".
Yesterday evening the British Vice Consul, Lloyd Millen and his team came to Benidorm to give an informative talk on the services offered by the Consulate - which took place at Benidorm Town Hall.The presentation was well attended with over 100 British ex-pats and was opened by Mr Millen, who gave an informative talk on the role of the Consulate.
