the square is still open although maybe closed on christmas day

I read in another post about ' best dressed balconies' at Christmas. Does this apply at most hotels, in particular the Pelicanos. Can anyone give me any ideas about what goes?
I asked in another post about whether bars such as Steptoes, Valentines, Morgans , The Town and similar were likely to be open Christmas Eve or Christmas night but if anyone replied I missed it. Anyone know please.

Thanks in advance

Helen

Its been a few years since I decorated my balcony when I was in Beni at christmas, but I think you will find that most holidaymakers make some sort of effort to make their balconies look festive.

When I decorated mine, the Entertainments Team in the hotel organised a 'Best Christmas Balcony Competition and I won first prize. I think most hotels allow you to decorate your balcony if you want to whether or not they hold as competition. You can buy cheap but suitable decorations from various places around Beni so you don't have to take your own, and as they are inexpensive you can throw them away before you come home.

You will notice that the vast majority of hotels in Beni decorate the outside of their buildings and its a wonderful sight to see all the 'christmas trees' made out of coloured lights adorning the outside of the tower blocks.

Most pubs and clubs are open over Christmas, it's one of the busiest times here, some are closed now until 22nd of December.

Hi all

I am off to Benidorm on 22nd December till 1st January. Unfortunately i am travelling alone as my friend has just cancelled. If anyone knows anywhere i can go for Christmas lunch please let me know

Thank you

Sarah

HI Sarah.
I wouldn't like to recommend anywhere for you to eat, just in case you didn't like it.
But I would recommend that you try and book as soon as you get there, there may be a few places where you don't have to book, but not many.
And you will find that most places are quite expensive, as you get your drinks in with the meal, which is ok if you drink a lot

Hope you have a lovely time and perhaps meet up with someone in a similar situation to you for you to 'pal up with'

Lizzie.

I hear that an ice rink is being placed in Parque De L'Aiguera outside Benidorm Town Hall over the festive period. Ice skating in Benidorm, what ever next ??

Get your skates on, Sanji !!
David

That's interesting David. Any idea of the dates for the ice rink?

Hi pebbles ... it will operate during the period Saturday 16 December to Sunday 7 January, from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm. If temperatures in Benidorm remain below 20c, it will be an ice rink. But if they go above 20c, it will be a paddling pool.

David

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITY PROGRAMME 2006-2007 (courtesy of Benidorm Town Hall)

SATURDAY, 2ND DECEMBER
Christmas announcement and Spectacular Xmas Tree at Plaza SSMM Reyes de Espana (City Town Hall). Opening of the nativity scenes at Martínez Alejos St., Casa del Fester and ACR "La Barqueta". 18'00 hours.

FROM SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER TO WEDNESDAY 3RD JANUARY
"Nadal de Teatre". A Christmas of Theater. Aula de Cultura de la CAM. C/. Alameda, 19.

FROM SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER TO SUNDAY 7TH JANUARY
Ice Skating at Plaza SSMM Reyes de Espana. From 10.00 to 14.00 hours and from 17,00 to 20,00 hours.

FROM WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER TO THURSDAY 4TH JANUARY
Xmas streets animation with traditional Christmas carols of "La Colla de Xirimiters" de la Marina Baixa". From 18,00 to 21,00 hours.

FRIDAY, 22ND DECEMBER
Christmas Concert at "St. James" Chuch. Rondalla ACR "La Barqueta". 20'00 hours.

22ND AND 23RD DECEMBER
Christmas Concerts at: "St. Francis" Church (22nd dec), "St. James" Chuch (23rd dec). Choral Society of Benidorm. 20'00 hours.

SATURDAY, 23RD DECEMBER
Christmas Show for the children at the Bull Ring with the performance of Mª Isabel (2004 winner of the Eurovision Junior Contest) and Los Lunnis. 12:00 hours.

SUNDAY, 31ST DECEMBER
Great New Year's Eve Party at Hispanidad Square with lucky grapes, champagne and live music. Afterwards there will be a marvellous FIREWORK DISPLAY. Starting at 23:00 hours

FROM WEDNESDAY 3RD TO TUESDAY 9TH JANUARY
Spectacular Circus "Wonderland" at the Parque de l'AIgüera fair place (top zone).

THURSDAY, 5TH JANUARY
Three Wise Kings Parade of floats through the streets: Colon, Almendros, Marte, Venus, Ruzafa, Herrerias y Pl. SS.MM Reyes de Espana. Starting at 18:00 hours.

Reproduced with permission from Benidorm Town Hall

(Those in Benidorm during this time would be best checking with Benidorm Tourism or Benidorm Town Hall for any late amendments to this programme .. David HT Mod)

If temperatures in Benidorm remain below 20c, it will be an ice rink. But if they go above 20c, it will be a paddling pool

Sod the ice rink then I'd rather go paddling anyday.



Sanji x

hi folks can anyone tell me what to expect in costa blanca from 19-26 dec ive never been before weather wise xmas dinner etc and also going with airtours mytravel allocated on arrival do you know where we might be placed any feedback much apprecited

Hi Porker...you don't tell us whether you are going in an apartment or Hotel and the type of board....or if you know the resort that you will be allocated in.

Weather wise....well if it is anything like the last 4 years, then early morning, especially in the shade and if it is breezy, then it is quite cool and you'll need a jumper/cardigan.
Around 11am in the sunshine, it warms up nicely and you should be stripping the clothes off...shorts and T-shirt job...hopefully.
Around 5ish as the sun goes down, then so does the temperature and on go the layers of clothes again and you'll need a warm jumper or coat at night.

Average temperature at night is around 8 to 12 degrees centigrade, probably dropping to its lowest in the early hours (3/4am ish.)

Christmas dinner ? again depends on where you are staying.
The accomodation that Airtours use can be found on their website HERE and this may give you some idea.
If for example your resort is Benidorm, then from the drop down menu, it should bring up the accomodation.
It looks like they have accomodation in Albir, Benidorm and Cala Finestrat, so if the booking says the Costa Blanca, then you could be anywhere.

HTH's

Sanjiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Thanks Lizzie

I will have a look around as soon as i get there and try and find somewhere with plenty of English people for Christmas Lunch. Luckily i have already booked New Year Eve Gala Dinner at the Queens so won't be alone for the New Year celebrations.

I do hope that i meet up with a few people in my situation, i was gutted when my friend cancelled but i love Benidorm so much that i could not face cancelling and spending Christmas in England!!!!!

SarahLJ

If temperatures in Benidorm remain below 20c, it will be an ice rink. But if they go above 20c, it will be a paddling pool

Sod the ice rink then I'd rather go paddling anyday.

I agree Sanji, but would love to take my son ice skating, and I might even have a go myself its been donkeys years since I've been ice skating.

I bet it will be lovely at night, I'm getting all excited
So it can stay below 20c for a bit then I want in the 70s everyday.

My son just asked me what I was writing about, told him, he said " I'm not going skating" what a wimp

I might even have a go myself its been donkeys years since I've been ice skating.

Me too Lizzie, I quite fancy the idea, but I don't think my insurance covers me for "sports"

So it can stay below 20c for a bit then I want in the 70s everyday

OK...it's a deal

Sanjiiiiiiii

Sanji with it, hope you don't get a sore botty, I might wear some padding and if I'm there at the same time as you, I might just at you.
Lizzie ( The New Jayne Torville)

thanks for the reply sanji it just says on the booking letter costa blanca benidorm and its self catering allocated on arrival i have never had a holiday this way before and wont choose another one this way i even had to phone airtours today as still not recieved the plane travel tickets they apolagised and said to collect them from the airport the day we travel now myself partner and son are all feeling ancious and a bit scared to what is going on not the best start so near to going maybe we should of stayed at home now things dont seem right do you think we might arrive at airport at 3.30 am on 19 dec and they say theyve got no tickets for us etc and try and pass the buck just dont know what to think have you any advice please

Nah, don't worry about ticket on departure, you just go to the Airtours desk situated in the airport, give over your booking details/confirmation letter and they run tickets off like lottery tickets....even at 3 am.

The first time I had to pick up tickets at the airport, I too was worried, but it is so organised these days, they know exactly who is on what plane and who is going where, your accomodation will already be allocated, they just don't tell you, that is part of the deal that you give them the "right" to place you in their chosen accomodation and the price reflects that.

In Albir, which is lovely little place just a short bus ride away from Benidorm, they use Albir Gardens..select Albir in the drop down menu in my previous post.

It doesn't look like they have any accomodation in Cala Finestrat except the Monika complex which is all inclusive, so that only leaves Benidorm.
Again, put Benidorm in the accomodation search. in the drop down menu, this will give you some idea, you should be able to narrow the options down if you are guaranteed a certain star rating for your accomodation.

You'll love it, especially if the weather is good and you are walking by the sea, whilst everybody else at home is running around like headless chickens.

Trust me...the atmosphere is electric.

Sanjiiiiiiiiiiii