Its Carnival time – if you can´t get to Rio, the spiritual home of Carnival then Benidorm is your next best bet... and somewhat cheaper to get too! The Spanish certainly know how to party and on Saturday night – which also happens to be Valentines Day, the Carnival Parade takes place in the Old Town.
Carnival is dictated by Easter so the date changes every year – but the parade always takes place on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday, better known to most as pancake day and Ash Wednesday, the day after and which also signals the beginning of Lent.This is when you give something you like up for 40 days!
Each group in the Carnival competes in a competition for the best and most original costume – and they take it all very seriously, carefully planning throughout the year. You will see all the toyshops full of fancy dress outfits at this time of the year – and not just for children either, the grown up like dressing up too here. Look at the effort that goes into the Moors and Christians parade.
If you are about on Saturday night head to the Old Town for around 9:30pm – and remember to wrap up well. The parade starts from the very top of the Calle Ruzafa – the one way street which has the Cristal Park hotel half way down on and then makes its way to the Town Hall Square – where the panel of judges sit to mark each group. Last year nearly 70 groups took part – many of which will choreograph routines that they perform along the route to the spectators. Speakers blast out music along the roadside, creating a great festive mood for all.
