...and some other resorts worth a second
chance
SOME MEDITERRANEAN resorts have become
so notorious that their names have virtually become synonyms for bad taste.
Even the least well- known of these have acquired a subliminal, awful presence
in the brains of anyone who glances at the holiday pages of teletext or the
cheap flights ads in travel agency windows. But isn't this just snobbery of the
highest order? Many of the following resorts are excellent places to party and
to make pan-European friends. They can also be extremely cheap to fly to, out
of season. And finally, those flying on a ticket-only basis can easily escape
out of town in search of more "authentic" local attractions, if beer
and beaches are not their thing.
Bear in mind that for the cheapest
seats you are likely to be travelling at odd times of the day (such as 7am from Gatwick) and
will need to find late-availability tickets. And because the prices given in
newspaper ads are always "subject to availability" you may not get
the prices listed. Nevertheless, bargains such as Alicante
LLORET DE MAR
This was the first part of Spain Barcelona Gerona
BENIDORM
This is almost certainly the most
maligned of all Mediterranean resorts. Not only does it have three miles of
good, sandy beaches, but it is also blessed with palm-tree-lined boulevards as
well as a pretty old quarter piled up on a rocky peninsula. Admittedly, the
place is packed with British pubs and more than 70 discos, and contains many
more northern Europeans than native Spaniards, but if people are enjoying
themselves, who cares? There is a surfeit of inexpensive accommodation out of
season. Quick escapes: Alicante , Valencia Alicante
TORREMOLINOS
Just 30 minutes east of Malaga Granada Malaga
The tiny capital city of Rhodes is
undeniably packed for the longest part of the year, but part of the reason for
this is that it is so beautiful: a perfectly preserved medieval city built by
the crusading Knights of St John, with palaces and old city walls, as well as
Byzantine and Turkish relics. Rhodes also contains plenty of cheap,
pension-style accommodation, even in high season. Airport: Rhodes
RIMINI
In the middle of the Riviera del Sole,
(Italian for Costa del Sol ),
this is the only Italian destination in this category, and does have the
distinction of attracting a majority of local Italians. Attacked by John Paul
II for immorality, Rimini San Marino Ravenna Rimini
PAPHOS
On the south-western corner of Cyprus
The largest of the Canaries, it is hard
to imagine why this varied volcanic island, far to the south of mainland Europe
and just off the coast of Africa ,
should be considered as anything but a pure fascination. The resort Puerto de
la Cruz has a stylish old centre (but black beaches). Quick escapes: Lava deserts,
volcano craters, primaeval forests. Airport: Tenerife
Perched on the southern edge of
Portugal, this year-round resort sees a huge flow of people through its
international airport but is by no means an unattractive destination in itself,
with a harbour, beaches and lots of late-night carousing. Quick escapes: the
scenic mountain area, Serra de Monchique. Airport: Faro.
JEREMY ATIYAH
The following all offer cheap flights
to the featured resorts:
l Flightseats: 0990 239904
l Icarus: 01476 514666
l Embassy: 01273 700737
l Jetline: 0171-360 1111
l Flightclub: 01903 231857
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