Leaving the big vehicle on the campsite, and buzzing around in the little towable car, maybe the norm in other parts of Europe, but here in Spain it is illegal. The official reason is because to allow any Tom or Dick to tow Harry home after a break down is probably dangerous. But unofically, it’s all to with protecting jobs; in this case the job of the tow truck owners!

The normal autumn downpours didn’t arrive, neither did the refreshing showers of February and now into spring the trees and plants of the countryside are showing the effects, and wilting for lack of a drink.

Picudo Rojo is the name of a big red bug that is munching its way up the Mediterranean coastline, killing off a huge number of our palm trees as it goes.

Dust off your ra ra skirt ladies because the 80’s are back in Benidorm thanks to the brand new Totally 80’s radio station.

At the time of going to press it had just been announced on Spanish television that the unemployment figures in Spain had topped 5 MILLION!

According to opposition party PP, Benidorm’s ’lecky’ bill is higher than ever. They recently announced that Benidorm Town Hall owes more than 2.5 million euros to electricity suppliers Iberdrola and that there is a serious risk of being cut off if they don’t pay a large chunk of the bill in the next month.

Do you think there should be a zero tolerance on all crime? 

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Here is a shot of Benidorm beach  taken on the  morning of  December 2^nd at 9.30 am.  As you can see there were no semi naked sunbathers but it was a lovely morning for a stroll along the prom!

A sunny snapshot from Benidorm beach taken this morning.

The name Sticky Vicky is synonymous with Benidorm, a trip to Europe’s biggest holiday resort without seeing her act would be like buying fish without chips, or turning on the TV to see Ant without Dec!

After what Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba termed "a heated debate" in Cabinet at he end of June, the Government decided to restore from July 1st the speed limit on Spanish roads to 120km/h from 110km/h, a measure which the Socialist reminded detractors had been merely transitional.

We’re all clued up to the many fake brands available on the street – from ‘Burpberry’ caps to ‘Chantel No 5’ perfume, but with the recent hike in cigarette prices, it’s cheap fags that are lining the pockets of many street rogues these days -  and with times being so tough some bars are even topping up the takings with these counterfeit goods.

Smoking was banned in public places in Spain on January 2nd and has hardly left the headlines since!

A massive Elvis festival affectionately termed ‘Elvis Por Favor’ will be taking place in the resort from 8^th to 10^th of April 2011. “Elvis is a feel good party brand and so is Benidorm” said events organizer Peter speaking exclusively to Roundtown on a recent trip to the resort.

Non Spanish residents of Villa Joyosa are invited to meet with the Mayor of Villa Joyosa Jaime Lloret on November 9^th at the ‘Llar del Pensionista’ (Pensioners Club) in Calle 8 de Mayo in Villajoyosa.

Finally! The infamous bridge at the end of the Avda Mediterraneo is being ‘updated’ and whilst for the short term it will cause havoc with motorists vacating the Old Town, it being off limits for the duration of the roadworks, in the long term this is one renovation that’s long overdue.

Oakhouse foods are a Home Meal Delivery Service that delivers high quality frozen meals direct to your door and they cost a fraction of what it would take to make yourself – not to mention the time you save. New to this area, they’ve actually got more than 15 years experience doing the same job in the Uk where they delivered to thousands of satisified customers every week – and even advertised on channel 4.

Spanish kids enjoy a massive 12 weeks off from mid June to Mid September – and mornings only from 9am to 1pm for two weeks either side of the giant break, because it’s too hot for lessons in the afternoon. But October finally sees the 8 million school aged kids heading back into the classroom full time and for your enjoyment we’ve compiled some basic information surrounding schooling in Spain.

Spain is gearing itself up to its first general strike in years. The strike is set to take place on Wednesday September 29^th bringing the country to a virtual standstill.

On Thursday 19^th of August Her Majesties new ambassador to Spain Giles Paxman, visited Benidorm. Roundtown was one of several news media invited to this historic event in Benidorm’s history.

If you’re missing popular radio presenter Pauline McGough you might like to know you can listen to her every afternoon on OCI between 3pm and 4pm Monday to Friday. OCI, which stands for Onda Cero Internacional is part of the nationwide Spanish station Onda Cero and was at one point the only English speaking radio in this area until it ceased broadcasting in English a couple of years ago.

No Vote no Say

Yes, it’s that time of year again! When huge groups of people take to the streets of Altea, waving swords and firing ancient guns, amidst huge clouds of smoke….all to the sound of music of course!

WOW - Iceland in Benidorm!" Ok Ok, so if you’re here on holiday you probably won’t get quite as excited about this HUGE news as us locals...and that’s because you’re surrounded by dozens of supermarkets at home whose shelves are packed with all your favourite British flavours. But to us locals this is fantastic news!

We’ve all heard about the famous “Queens” hotel in Benidorm tucked away in the centre of the old town with its sunny terrace, friendly staff, and excellent entertainment.

Fiesta is a party! To the outsider a fiesta just looks like a reason for a party – but in actual fact there is a reason behind each and every one – and it’s usually religious. Most of us are familiar with Benidorm’s annual fiestas in November and many book their holiday’s especially to coincide, but inland, the village fiestas are every bit as spectacular and each honours a different saint.

The Spanish government recently unveiled a plan to invest 17 billion euros over the next two years to improve Spain’s transportation system and provide much-needed jobs in a country suffering from high unemployment. The vast majority of this huge amount is to be spent on two major projects; the motorway system and the RENFE high speed rail system. It is hoped that Spain will overtake France as the country with more high speed rail lines than any other.

Terra Natura in Benidorm, which literally means “Natural Land”, it is in the same area as Terra Mitica, and is reach Benidormed by the same approach road. The number 21 and 22 buses from Benidorm will drop you there, or you could jump in a taxi for around 10 euros each way.

Benidorm Market Mad! For those of you who like nothing better than a good mooch around a market well you won’t be disappointed to know that Benidorm has a massive, open air market every Wednesday and Sunday morning.

In summer when the sun streams endlessly from a clear blue Benidorm sky and the temperatures soar in to the 90’s, it makes a nice change to get away from the crowded Benidorm beaches and poolside, and go inland just a little way to a cool green shady oasis where crystal clear water gushes out of the mountainside in a series of waterfalls, forming pools where you can swim and jump in from the rocks. This little Paradise is called Algar and it is only 15 miles from Benidorm.

Benidorm is split into several ‘barrios’ or areas, which are nick- named according to their location; from the ‘Rincon’ which means corner, which refers to the most eastern part of the town nestled under the hillside, across the New Town, the Old Town, the Poniente and finally the ‘Cala’ – the small cove occupying the most western side of town.

Benidorm skyline? Think that strips of high-rise hotels are an eyesore and an environmental crime? They may not be as bad as you think. According to a study in Spain, concentrated tourist towns can make more efficient use of local water resources than the more discreet villas.

The ‘Isle de Benidorm’ or ‘Peacock Island’ as it is sometimes known seems to be changing.  It shrinks and grows at the mercy of the official or tourist booklets.

Meet the neighbours

Looking for inspiration for a day away from Benidorm? Or maybe you fancy spending your next holiday somewhere a bit more Spanish? Here are just two of the many towns that are within minutes of Benidorm and provide the perfect excuse for a day out – you may even find them attractive enough to book your next holiday there.

For close on 50 years now, the Costa Blanca in general and Benidorm in particular has been the epicentre of British tourism.  Ever since the now deceased Mayor of Benidorm, Pedro Zaragoza opened up Franco’s harsh dictatorship by introducing money and bikinis into Spain, the area has never looked back.

Benidorm’s biggest indoor attraction, the indoor market is in the Rincon (located in the new town) area.

The nearest town to Benidorm, travelling north, is Albir and it’s easily accessed using the number 10 bus which costs 1.25 each way. Essentially a residential town, it’s gradually waking up to tourism with some half a dozen hotels.

These days we’re all too aware of the long term damage too much sun can cause and in fairness most of us start our holidays on the right foot, using plenty of high factor protection. But as the end of our fortnight looms ever closer good intentions seem to go out of the window until finally, the protective sunscreen often gets discarded altogether in favour of baby oil, as our determination to return tanned overtakes all rational thoughts of skin safety! The sun here in Benidorm is exceptionally strong in the summer and a high factor sunscreen is a MUST everyday of your holiday!

Benidorm’s Beaches are the indisputable jewel in the resort’s crown. Made up of over 6km of fine white sand the three main beaches are the two bays, Levante, (sunrise), and Poniente, (sunset) and the small beach in between, Mal Pas.

Moraira, Costa Blanca, is the coastal area of the municipality of Teulada. It is a beautiful little town, nestled below the pine clad hills on the coast, about 30 kms north of Benidorm It is a quiet, relaxed town with lovely unspoilt scenery all around it, and attracts many British people, both as residents and holidaymakers.

The Sierra Helada is a national park and mountain separating Benidorm from Albir and is also know as the ice mountain, hence the name. What better way to burn off a few calories, enjoy some stunning views, and get to know the surrounding areas of Benidorm?