Settling down in Benidorm

A question we get asked quite often, when we tell people we are over wintering in Spain, is why we have chosen Benidorm?

We have only been to Benidorm once before, last February when we visited to celebrate John's birthday. We arrived with an open mind and ended having one of the best holidays we have experienced in a long time. I think it is wise to arrive with realistic expectations - if you are expecting a quaint fishing village then you will be disappointed. It really is a metropolis - sky scrapers, long boulevards, lots of hotels, restaurants and bars. It is not everyone's cup of tea but is similar to many other metropolises such as Hong Kong or New York.

Owing to its size and popularity, it is busy year round with lots to see and do and can easily accommodate any taste. The beach stretches for miles and is pristine, lined with palm trees and overlooked by restaurants and bars. There is an old town which could rival any other in Spain with cobbled alleyways dotted with tapas bars and shops selling local produce. There are many shops and the town is thriving, even in December. These are the reasons why we chose Benidorm over other destinations in Spain - it is open for business year round - and not just for British - you will find far more Spaniards visiting the town than British.

When we traveled through Spain in November, busy and popular towns we had visited in the summer were now ghost towns, restaurants closed, boarded up until April. The atmosphere had changed completely and we were often the only people there.

The weather is Benidorm is a lot better, being further south than other places we considered.

When we arrived, it was a very pleasant 26c and many people were sunbathing around the pool and swimming. This has really been something we have been keen to do - escape the cold British winter!

The abundance of hotels and restaurants, as well as the proximity to Alicante airport with its many flight options from the UK also made it a good place to welcome friends and family who wish to fly over and see us.

We have already established our favourite restaurants and bars in the town - and there are so many to choose, from fresh seafood, steaks and tapas to Chinese and Mexican restaurants.

The neighbouring coastal towns of Albir and Altea are our particular favourites - offering a more traditional setting, pretty beaches and a picturesque old town which is a joy to explore!

Our campsite, Camping Villasol is absolutely fantastic. It is on the outskirts of the town, with magnificent views of the mountain range of the Puig Campana behind us and acres of orange groves and parkland.

You would not imagine that the bustling and vibrant town of Benidorm is just a few minutes walk from the site.

The site is beautifully landscaped with walls of bougainvillaea, a large swimming pool lined with palms and waterfalls and gently sloping roads with terraces which makes you feel as if you are on a very intimate and small site.

There are people who live here year round with their motorhomes and caravans and their pitches are elaborate, with paved courtyards and lots of plants (some with their own lemon or orange trees), wicker furniture outside and large awnings.

Benidorm Market is also on our road, which you can enjoy on a Sunday or a Wednesday.

You can buy anything from fresh local fruits - juicy pomegranates, sweet oranges, lemons, limes, vegetables, salad items - even meat and then on to hand made lace table cloths, hand carved ornaments and the two coffee shops.

We are settling in to a pleasant and gentle life in Benidorm - it has been everything we have hoped it would be and more. We have made friends with our immediate neighbours on our little road and have been out with a lovely couple called Debbie & Steve.

Everyone is friendly and will stop for a chat when you meet them out and about. We're here until the beginning of March and loving every minute of our time here.