Welcome giff you will have a fantastic time in Benidorm. My friend stayed in the Gran Bali last summer, she said it was fantastic, plenty of choice at meal times and the hotel was lovely. La Cala where you are staying is a lot quieter than the Levante side of Benidorm, it is a lovely place for having a wander round, a few bars but most of the entertainment bars are at Levante side. You could walk to Dove park from La Carla in about 30/40 mins depending how fast you walk. At Dove park is the marina and the steps up to the beautifull church of St James.There are some lovely views of both Levante and Poniete from here.If you carry on walking you you will come to Tapas alley and Levente side. If you are wanting to explore my advice to you would be to buy a winter tourist train pass for a few euros each this will entitled you to unlimited train use at the weekend. You should be able to buy it in the hotel if not ask at reception and they will advise you where to buy one. The train runs from Denia to Alicante with Benidorm being in the centre (roughly) we have used this several times and full enjoyed it.I think you will be able to get a bus to the train station from La cala. Places we have visited are
Denia, a large port town.
Calpe, famous for the rock.
Albir, we walked from Altea then back for the train.
Altea (see Sanji video)
Villa joysoa (my favorite) fishing village with a marina,house all painted in bright colours.
Alicante (dont forget to change for the tram)
If you love building you will be amazed at some of the older blocks in Benidorm,on first glance they appear ugly then upon further inspection they have a beauty of there own.
Get a map then you can get the most out of your stay.
Have a great time

Christine, thank-you so much!

That is a wonderful response full of helpful tips and ideas. I will definitely get the train pass sorted (I am a big kid at heart and love train rides). I had a quick look on the map and Calpe appears to be near the Cactus gardens too so that is good. I have printed your response to take with me. I am now going off to google the other places you suggest and to have a look at Sanji's video.

I cant tell you how much I appreciate your reply. I was very worried that I might find myself like a fish out of water but you have much re-assured me. I can now stop worrying and get on with being excited.

You are a treasure. The internet is wonderful. Full of people willing to help complete strangers.

Warmest Regards
Vicky (aka Giff)

Hi Vicky ... in addition to any info you may pick up here in the forum, it would also be worth dropping an email to turismo@benidorm.org quoting your home address, and asking for a Benidorm street map, leisure guide and tourist information. All are free, and are normally sent out within a few days of request.

David

Vicky I forget to mention that at night in La Cala they have street stalls my friend loved these. You wont stick out at all as there are loads of visitors to Benidorm. You will be that busy that you won`t have time to feel nervous. If you like markets there are quite a few in the area, if you search on here there will be a list of days there on. Please do take care in Benidorm, get a safety deposit box as soon as you arrive and only take enough cash out that you need, try not to take valubles with you. Don`t walk with your hand bag nearest the road. I don`t want to scare you but it`s always best to be careful. It`s not just Benidorm but anywhere these days. Buses are great in Benidorm, again there is a good list on here. The two main places they depart from are centro(near Macdonalds) for Levante and beyond. and Dove Park(Parque de Elche). There are free trips to be had as well these are called Blanket trips, they usually go somewhere good and stop off at factory or shopping place. To book one of these you will see a stall set up with someone stood there to book you on, not sure where they are but have seen them.
Christine

Hi if you fancy a good night out with good entertainment that is enjoyable without being smutty I would suggest you head for the UK caberet bar which is near the hotel Presidente or The Town which is just round the corner both have fantastic entertainment all night long in a safe environment and you can then jump a taxi back to your hotel for probably about 10 euros? Never had a bad night in either of these places!

Thanks for the tip David. Appreciated.

Christine, thanks again for taking time to help me out. Stalls sound a great way to spend an evening. Also your words to take care are noted.

John, I have added your recommendations to my printed list for packing in my suitcases. I do want to try not to be a party pooper and try some nights out so that is great. I have had a quick google following your post and the Cabaret Bar looks like something my lad would really enjoy too.

Thanks again to you all for your kindness.

Do make sure that you visit the Old Town both during the day and at night, there is a high proportion of Spanish people around and the atmosphere is quite different from the Levante side. Altea is a nice day out, again much quieter with its own character, and only 1 euro on the bus. A walk up to the church (shown on Sanjis video) is really nice, its a beautiful church with lovely views of the coast, a lovely quaint old streets, with a few bars and restaurants in the square opposite. I would also agree about trying a few of the entertainment venues on the Levante side. Dont really know what music your son likes, but theres a Take That Tribute in Rockerfellas, and a Westlife one in Morgans Tavern. Would also agree that the Uk Bar, and The Town are decent venues. Wheeltappers is pretty decent too, a duo there called Smart Move are quite popular and they also play Rockerfellas. If you like comedians then Stardust, Palladium and Zodiac Bar have several good ones. I also like the Talk Of The Coast Bar too, but i've not been in there since it was refurbished over the last month or so. Make sure you visit tapas alley and the other streets around there, to try some different "nibbles". A boat trip up the coast could also be considered. I know you mention not liking Theme Parks, but Terra Natura is pretty good really if its open when you are there. Also just walking along the beach front at night is also very nice, with plenty of places to stop off for refreshments and to see the sand scultures too. I'm sure you will have a nice time.

Best Regards - Taggy

Ps...You could also try a day out in Alicante too!

Ooooo....I love sand sculptures! Some fantastic ideas there Taggy, thank-you. Tribute bands sound like they could be fun. Also I have never seen a comedian live so that might be an experience. I would imagine live comedy may seem quite different to watching it on the box. Food is a favourite occupation of ours. Being 15 my lad eats a lot so tapas is definitely on the agenda and I am looking forward to visiting the old town. I have now gone from being worried that we wont know what to do with ourselves to thinking that we will never cram it all into 5 days. So that is brilliant.

I am very grateful to everyone and will definitely let you know how we get on. I have given up trying to make notes on all the wonderful ideas here now. Instead I am simply printing out the whole thread which has been fantastic.

Yes I'm sure you and your Son will have a great time Vicky, i've been to Benidorm many times now and theres still so much i hav,nt seen there and in the surrounding area. One thing about the comedians in Benidorm some of them can be a bit near the "knuckle" and do swear quite a bit, but i would'nt say they were over vulgar. Some of the better ones are Tony Scott, Mike Curtis, Jonathan James and Gary George. Others who i believe dont usually swear in their acts would be Rikki Stevens at UK Bar, Chic Smith at The Town and The Mad Mauri at The Talk Of The Coast. Neil Ross is also a great Singer and he's on at the Talk of The Coast too. Also a chap to look out for who also plays Talk of The Coast and Cafe Benidorm is Moff...he's a Freddy Mercury Tribute.. he looks nothing like him, but has a really good voice! Another nice club is Sandras on Calle Lepanto, at the moment a couple of good singers on there are Asa Elliot from stars in their eyes, and Ricky Dale. If you wanted something completely different, there is a Drag Show at The Rich Bitch in the Old Town, this is a really good show if you like that kind of thing, is very professionally done, not at all smutty. They do charge to get in here, but its only about 4/5 euros i think, but is a very good night, and a lot of fun. They open about 9-9.30 but the show does'nt start till after ten, so you are in there for quite a while. The beauty of most of the entertainment bars in Benidorm is that most of then have about 4 or 5 acts on each night, so you can move on from one to the other, or wait for the next act if you dont like whats on. Pop in, if you dont like what you see, go somewhere else, you really will be spoilt for choice, so hopefully you'll find a few you like. The one area which can get a bit rowdy is "The Square" this is where most of the younger British tend to gather, so i would probably pass through if i were you. Most of the places mentioned on this thread arnt actually on the Square but are close enough to it to be lively without be over the top.

Best Regards - Taggy

PS...As David said, get yourself a Street Map and Tourist Guide from the internet address he gave you. This lists all the hotels on it, as well as the streets so its very easy to find your way around using that. If you dont get one in time, pick one up from the tourist information office when you get there.

Taggy, that is wonderful. Really, really informative and helpful. I will certainly look out for Moff (love a Freddy tribute) and the comedians you have cited. Also I am sure that everyone young and old loves a drag show so that sounds like a plan. Your caution about The Square is noted too, thanks.

It is very kind of you to take so much time. I am so looking forward to this now thanks to you all.

Warmest Regards
Vicky.

Vicky ... I wonder if Benidorm Palace may interest you for a special night out. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. You will find some info and discussion HERE.

David

Thanks David. I will go and read the thread now. This is a very helpful board.

Hopefully when I come back I will be in a position to be able to pass some of the kindness along to another new to Benidorm poster.

Hi Vicky

Apart from all the excellent advice that has already been posted, can I suggest that you spend a few minutes and view some of my video's in the video library at the top of the Costa Blanca page.

In particular, I would suggest you look at the following video's....
View from the Gran Hotel Bali....this is your hotel and it will give you some idea of the size of the resort and the distance, it will also show you the nearby bay of Cala Finestrat and looking towards Benidorm, it shows Poniente beach, which runs all through La Cala to the "point" or the rock that sticks out and divides the two main beaches that Benidorm is very proud of.
Benidorm Beaches...again another video which shows the two main beaches of Benidorm and where your hotel is situated.
Benidorm Old Town
Parque de Elche and finally the Tourist Train video, which travels around the new town (Levante) side of Benidorm.

Sanjiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Hi Sanji,
Thanks very much for this and for all your wonderful videos. I have looked at some of them including the Benidorm beach video. Off to look at the others you suggest now. It helps to see your videos a great deal. It is like i am going somewhere not so strange to me now.

Thanks Vicky.

Hi Vicky, just a quick note to say have a fabulous time in Benidrom. Let us know all about your trip when you get back.

We are safely back and had a nice trip. Didnt manage to get half the suggested things done. We did go to Tapas Alley (nice atmosphere and funny food), caught a show at the Rich Bitch (good night), went to Mundomar and saw dolphin show (very enjoyable), went to Terra Natura (wouldnt recommend) and liked the sand sculptures. Didnt manage to get out of Benidorm at all which i was rather disappointed about as i really wanted to see Gudalest. This was just because by the time we got our bearings it was time to come home. Saw some sunshine and got a tan.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Aww thanks for posting and letting us know how you got on....I was thinking about you yesterday..honestly

What did you think of it all then.? did you like the hotel and the surroounding area.? did you like the old town and more importantly...would you ever go back ?

Oh Sanji, those are very perceptive questions.

The hotel was okay, big airy rooms, very helpful reception staff and spectacular viewing platform. Laying in the Jacuzzi on 19th floor with view over the Benidorm beach was amazing. Food was very poor i thought but i am picky. The location of the hotel was too far out for my liking. Cant blame the hotel for that one as it was certainly my fault for not doing my homework before booking. It was a royal pain having to get a bus, sometimes 2 buses everytime we wanted to go anywhere. There was a nice little beach nearby though.

I liked the old town, was a nice feel about the place and i was suprised to find how friendly the Spanish were.....you would think they would be heartily sick of Brits by now. But they were very kind to two lost folk where-ever we went. I loved the way higgedly piggidly buildings ran into each other so it was difficult to tell where old ended and new began.

Overall, Benidorm isnt somewhere i would go back to. I just dont like pubs, nightlife, or shopping much (i am rubbish i know ) and I was a little at a loss in the evenings. Perhaps if it had been later in the year when it would have been still warm and light in the evenings it might have been easier. Could have chilled on the beach or gone walking which would have suited me better.

Still it was nice to have a break, get some sunshine, spend one to one time with my lad and i am glad we went.