Going to Torrevieja in 2 weeks time and our friends have just got back to say that yes things are more expensive as the euro/pound rate is low at the minute, but said the bars etc are quieter than normal. I think this season is going to be very hard on those over there trying to run a bar, a position I certainly wouldn't want to be in, but you take the rough with the smooth as they say.

my mother in law lives in Torrevieja. She says prices have gone up but are still cheaper than the UK.

We've just come back ourselves and the prices were much cheaper than we expected. Where in the uk can you get a pint of beer for 1 euro - nowhere. Having said that I think it's the price of package hols that's putting people off going abroad. So the bars aren't half as full which is hitting the bar owners.

Prices are still cheaper than the UK even with the £ worth 13% less than this time last year. You can eat a 3 course meal with wine/beer plus salad, bread and coffee for as little as 7 Euros. Many restaurants are offering deals at the moment but from my experience so far this year the good restaurants are busy but the not so good are suffering. I ate in a superb Dutch restaurant in Alicante recently and the place was packed on a Thursday evening, not a table to be had. The restaurants nearby had one or two tables occupied.

AHV,
what was the restaraunt in Alicante called?, it sounds like it might be worth a visit, thanks.

It's actually in Gran Alacant and is called Tres Besos. I can recommend the homemade Dutch Apple Pie.

I can't post a URL yet so Google "tres besos gran alacant" for their website.

I would say that everyone everywhere is suffering and can't see any winners in this economic crisis.

I always like to plan ahead and am worried that I won't be able to get away at all next year so intend on making the most of this years holidays.

Sure some bars and restaurants are struggling but the good ones offering good quality food and good service seem to be bucking the trend. There's a franchise in the Alicante are called Patagonia Steak House - try getting a table on a Saturday night without pre-booking. A meal for 2 plus drinks will set you back 40/50 Euros yet the 'Brit' run places can't attract people for 10 Euros a head.