Benidorm gearing up for ‘maddest’ season ever with World Cup and Cheltenham

EXCLUSIVE Britain’s favourite holiday resort is set to be bombarded with boozed-up revellers taking advantage of cheap drinks, sunshine and top class horse racing and football

Benidorm is gearing up for its wildest year yet due to the Cheltenham Festival and the World Cup. Bar owners are preparing themselves for utter mayhem when hordes of beer-drenched holidaymakers jet out to soak up the festivities in the sun.

The iconic holiday hotspot has been soaring in popularity over the last few years, with huge numbers of racing fans heading there for Cheltenham in March. Pub staff now reckon it’ll be the “maddest” season yet as football supporters also flock there to watch the summer tournament.

Boozers are selling pints like they’re going out of fashion as they cash in on our love for the Spanish paradise. Georgia Foy, of Collier’s Bar in Benidorm’s Old Town, said the Scottish pub – where a pint of local Spanish beer Alhambra costs just €3.50 (£3) – is busy getting ready for the chaos.

She told the Daily Star: “It is going to be difficult this year because we have got the World Cup and Cheltenham. Normally, we have Paddy’s Day and Cheltenham but we have the World Cup this year as well so you’ve got to be over prepared.

“But yes we are ready. I’m trying not to think about it and take every day as it comes.” For those considering a trip to the Costa Blanca resort the next couple of months, Georgia’s advice is simple: “Just do it because the atmosphere is going to be amazing.”

Musician Mark Sebastian D’Lacey, who performs in the popular Bon Jovi tribute act Bon Jersey, confirmed the holiday favourite is ready for the busy season ahead. He said: “We can’t wait.

“If you have been down the strip during any type of event. It is the best place in the world.

“It is the maddest place but it is the best and friendliest place in the world. Forget what some people say, it is a beautiful place and everybody is just up for good craic.”

Travel bosses are among those looking forward to a hectic few months in the sunny seaside city, particularly when it comes to the showpiece steeplechase event next month. On The Beach is now offering the world’s first Cheltenham Festival package holiday, which includes return flights, five nights at a four-star all inclusive resort, along with unlimited food and drink.

And to make it feel even more like a home away from home, there’s now even a Wetherspoon pub ready for holidaymakers when they head back to the UK. The Castell de Santa Barbera opened in Alicante Airport on Monday, with punters returning from destinations like Benidorm confirming it felt like “home”.

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