| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 01/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 24 |
| Copyright: Other |
Regional centres provide a wealth of cultural contrasts
Benidorm: one of the ‘hidden’ quiet courtyardsPairing visits to Benidorm and Valencia is like pairing candy floss and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Benidorm offers a sweet but decadent excitement: sun, beaches and parties, while Valencia offers something more wholesome, lasting and substantial: a perfect getaway from crowded beaches.
Benidorm’s reputation as a ‘Brit-haven’ precedes it but it offers more than that.
Of course there are the pristine beaches, groomed twice daily; cheap food and drink; and everything you could want in a home away from home.
But take a little wander away from the high-rise hotels and you’ll find the old town. Here you can discover a different culture – the narrow cobbled roads promise a more mystical Spanish experience.
But if you really want to escape the ‘Brit pack’, there’s always Valencia only 2hrs 30mins away by coach.
This is where you will find history, architecture, and culture.
Tiny streets lead to a rich collection of ancient churches and cathedrals – Neoclassical, Renaissance and Gothic.
Quaint restaurants are hidden in narrow alleyways, ready to offer a delicious meal.
There’s also a beach that is equally as beautiful as Benidorm’s but without the choice of a typical English fry-up. So visitors will have to be a little more adventurous and indulge in some Spanish cuisine washed down with a little bit of real European style.
These destinations are perfectly juxtaposed and provide just the right amount of spice.