adminNow I am an avid planner I think it’s a combination of my job and general anxiety to know what I’m doing and not like nasty surprises along the way. A perfect example is at work I had to plan a photoshoot, I wasn’t in charge of getting the samples from China but the date kept getting pushed to the point that of the two-day shoot, I could only make one as the second day I was at a family wedding. Not wanting anything to go wrong I created a list of products to be photographed, grouped them by room, and then listed all the additional items that would be needed ie a roasting tray with trivet needed roast potatoes and a cooked chicken. Once this was all done I rented an airb&b for three days the first night I stayed got all the props arranged all the products into the room they would be required and built up certain items, the first day of shooting everything was ready and we got everything photographed and videoed in one day, the second day was not wasted as we filled it with products that needed re-shooting, but the Director who was in charge of day two had to admit that the photo’s I have organised was much better, all down to planning.
Accommodation and Flights
So we booked a penthouse apartment up near the church for four nights and a beachfront hotel for four nights, we do get bored staying at the same hotel for eight nights, there is only so much you can do for breakfast. Names and full reviews of locations will be released along with images once we are back. At the same time as booking accommodation (we used booking.com) we booked flights checking prices on Skyscanner, Ryanair came up with the best price and times, we like an early flight out and a lunchtime back whenever possible and this is exactly what we got this time.
Extras
We live about 20 miles from EMA in a fairly rural area so it’s drive, taxi or get somebody to drop us off, now our flight is at 5.45am so to be fair driving is the only real option, we have in the past book an overnight hotel at the airport with parking and this can be economical as EMA parking is not cheap, but this only really gives us about an extra hour in bed and we are both early raisers so parking it is. Last time we got a deal on concierge parking and whilst it was cheaper than all the other options and kind of worked well, they just messed with my car, call me OCD if you like but they changed my seat, mirrors, radio station, and set all my auto options to manual, took me days to reset things still not 100% about my lumber support. Anyway off-site parking as usual was the cheapest but I still feel like I been mugged and it does mean a 10 min bus ride (window lickers unite).
Far to early to even bother about airport lounges.
Insurance we have a 12 month policy with Coverwise which auto re-news, so nothing to worry about there only leaving transfers.
I do like a taxi transfer and always use mytranfersbenidorm.com they are great, reliable and very helpful, I have them on my WhatsApp and usually book through that. However due to us arriving so early, we are in no great rush to get into Benidorm so I have booked a bus transfer which to be fair is cheap about 12e, which I always manage to lose the confirmation for and end up going from kiosk to kiosk giving them my name until I find the one I’ve booked with.
Packing
Now packing takes us forever, here is the process. Suitcase/s on this occasion I have booked us both 20kg hold luggage which is a first but it is the way it worked out, so suitcases are laid out on the bed in the spare room and we will start throwing things in sunglasses, electrical adaptors sock, pants ect. As time goes on we get on to day clothes which is generally easy but my wife did say I needed some new shorts for daytime and whilst she likes to see me in white T-shirts and I only buy cheap t-shirt due to them being ruined by the sun and suntan lotion by the end of the holiday, and I like the lightweight sports fabric as I can take 3 t-shirts and wash them as they dry in hours.
Now it gets serious night clothes for me it’s simple I have 2 pairs of smart shorts 3-4 shirts and a couple of polo shirts and I can swap and change, footwear I tend just to wear flip-flops all week but have bought some deck shoes for this trip that I may wear at night but are mainly for travelling in. Now the wife and to be fair over the years she has got more organised but if I tell you for the wedding I mentioned at the start she bought 3 new dresses you will get some idea of what she is like and I have to be fair she always looks stunning, yes I am punching well above my weight as she will often tell me, lol. So I have lost count how many new dresses she has bought but I love to se her in a dress and in the UK it’s jeans everyday so I see it as an investment in my enjoyment. Just dont ask about shoes I do not even want to think how many she is taking to not wear and also complain I cant walk far but I expect this.
So we got serious now we get next level what do we travel in? For me, it’s something warm enough for the UK and plane and cool enough for Benidorm with the option of a jacket that goes with everything that if it’s cool of an evening I can utilise. Wife ‘I need new trainers, a tracksuit and a jacket’ why so I did point out she has new trainers and a nice tracksuit top / jacket so all she really needs is some bottoms which led to her buying a Ralph Lauren Polo Neck Jumper, a Boss T-shirt and I’m sure some other items none of which are for holiday and I have to admit I’m in two minds as to whether I need yet another jacket. I have worked in clothing and fashion for many years so we are a little fashion obsessed.
On Location
Now we have finished al the boring stuff it’s about looking for new places to eat and drink and keeping in touch with our Benidorm friends planning meet-ups and meals. There are a number of new places I am wanting to try and due to us not having any food included for the first four days we are looking for breakfast places which for the wife have to be English as she loves a Full Engish but has exacting standards, but I’m looking for to try Jolly Roger for a daytime refreshment and seeing what the evening entertainment is like, weather dependent we may pop in Pig and Whistle with will 100% going to see our friends at La Mina and of course one in the Groupo Aurrera, I am wanting to try Baldo it will be a drink to gauge the atmosphere they maybe an evening meal, I have been looking at Aromas for a breakfast, D-Vora (this will be weather dependent and I think it’s more for the view), Amigos has good reviews. We did try and book in Ian’s but they were booked until November and I WhatsApp’ed them in July, wow.
So many places I want to try so little time! Sorry for the places I have missed that are on my mental list but we will be giving reviews of the ones we visit, we don’t ask for or expect free food or any special treatment and most of the time we remain anonymous.
