Alicante airport

Between today and Sunday an estimated 214,000 passengers are expected to pass through El Altet Alicante airport - or should I say Alicante Elche airport to be correct! Somehow I don´t think that it´s going to catch on and despite the town of Elche insistent on having their name included and spending around 50,000 euros on it, people will still say Alicante.

According to Aena, the airport operator, 1,225 flights are scheduled to land over the next three days so the airport and surrounding roads will be chocka! If making a journey to the airport by car allow extra time and be patient - there will be an awful lot of hire cars out there with drivers unfamiliar with the road layout etc. The new section of N332 has opened between Carrefour and La Nucia - causing mayhem as it was reported the signage is confusing! Make sure that you slow right down as drivers will potentially be swopping lanes at the very last minute.

With the social instability in Egypt and Turkey many are choosing Spain and in particular the Costa Blanca for their holidays this year. Foreign tourists represented 50.4% of the total staying in Benidorm throughout the month of July, with 39.1% of that figure attributed to the Brits - a growth of 7% on last years figure. However, despite the encouraging figures, Antonio Mayor - President of the HOSBEC commented that hotel profitability has fallen between 15 and 20 per cent since the crisis began due to falling prices and increase in taxes.

Even La Cala was heaving yesterday

Yesterday Benidorm was packed - the traditional August influx of Madrileños, the term referred to of residents of Madrid, appear to have arrived already. Parking in the centre is a nightmare throughout the month with all the extra cars - most of which do not move from their parking space for the entire duration of their stay.

There have been several weather alerts in the region for the coming week, with highs expected well into the 40´s - so take precautions. Stay out of the searing midday sun, drink plenty of fluids and apply an abundance of sun protection - especially for children. Sunburn is a very painful and dangerous consequence - and on that note make sure you have your European Health Insurance Cards with you incase you need to seek medical assistance, remembering that you need your passport too.