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