| A recent poll has revealed that many British | | | | mainly an industry of the southern part of |
| holiday-goers are ashamed to admit where they | | | | the island, the north is catching up, |
| are going on vacation. Many popular | | | | especially in the town Puerto de la Cruz. |
| destinations are deemed to be too low-class | | | | Somehow this town manages to be highly |
| by British society, including many popular | | | | developed, yet retains much of its old, |
| areas of Spain. In fact, vacationers often | | | | harbor town charm. |
| lie about going on an expensive, classy trip | | | | |
| when they actually go somewhere less | | | | Other destinations that are looked down upon |
| expensive and common. What's strange about | | | | are party island Ibiza, holiday island |
| all of this is that most of these locations | | | | Magaluf and Cyprus resort area Ayia Napa. |
| are actually quite elegant and luxurious. | | | | These areas are shunned because of their |
| | | | associations with party-goers and the |
| Topping the list of shameful holiday spots is | | | | electronic music scene. Though they may not |
| Benidorm, a coastal town in the Alicante | | | | have the high-end features of Benidorm and |
| province of Spain. Far unlike many of Spain's | | | | Tenerife, they are still full of great places |
| coastal areas, Benidorm is lined with | | | | to visit and fabulous vistas to see. Oceanic |
| skyscrapers. It's often called the Manhattan | | | | views greet vacationers at every turn, and |
| of Spain. For this same reason, it's also | | | | many of the finest clubs and restaurants of |
| referred to as the 11th Belgian province. | | | | Spain and Cyprus are located in these |
| | | | destinations. Ayia Napa, in fact, has some of |
| Before tourism became a large industry in the | | | | the most beautiful beaches in the world, |
| town, it was a tiny coastal village. It began | | | | great for water skiing and scuba diving. |
| to cater to tourists, especially the British, | | | | |
| in the 1960's. Today it contains four-star | | | | All of these destinations offer world-class |
| hotels, several family theme parks and three | | | | facilities, yet they are viewed in a negative |
| major beaches which were granted the highest | | | | light by British vacationers. The top places |
| award for quality by the European Union. | | | | to visit in the poll include Paris, New York, |
| Benidorm also hosts the Benidorm | | | | Portugal, Australia and Thailand. |
| International Song Festival, a renowned | | | | |
| songwriting contest. Julio Iglesias became | | | | For some reason, Benidorm and Tenerife, which |
| famous because of this festival. | | | | originally catered to the British, don't |
| | | | match up to these destinations in modern |
| Second on the list of shameful destinations | | | | British eyes. But hot spots are cyclical, and |
| is Tenerife, the largest of the Canary | | | | some day soon these areas will be on the top |
| Islands. Tourism is concentrated on the | | | | of the British holiday destination charts. |
| southern part of the island, as it features | | | | Until then, when your family asks where |
| highly-developed resort areas and a drier | | | | you're going on holiday, proudly proclaim |
| climate. A moratoria act passed by the | | | | 'I'm going to the coastal paradise of |
| Canarian Parliament keeps resort standards | | | | Benidorm!' |
| high by forbidding any new construction | | | | |
| unless the hotel will be five-star quality. | | | | But there again, you might want to keep it |
| The Costa Adeje contains world-class | | | | quiet if you want to keep on good terms with |
| entertainment centers, nine golf courses and | | | | the neighbours! |
| high-end shopping centers. Though tourism is | | | | |