A British couple who have visited the sunny Spanish resort of Benidorm more than a hundred times are ditching a traditional UK Christmas for festive fun in the winter sun.
35 Years of Sunshine and Sangria
Roger and Sue Topp, from Leicester, have been travelling to the Costa Blanca hotspot for over 35 years, effectively raising their children there and considering it a "second home." They first swapped unpredictable British holidays for guaranteed Spanish sunshine decades ago and never looked back.
"We used to do UK holidays, but it was always a gamble with the weather," Roger explained. "Then we came to Benidorm once, and that was it. It’s friendly, clean, safe, and the value is unbelievable."
The couple, married for 55 years, now visit around three times a year, escaping the British winter for lengthy stays. This year marks a special milestone as they prepare for their eighth visit in 2025 alone, flying out from East Midlands Airport on December 23.
A Festive Feast Without the Fuss
For their Christmas celebration, the Topps will be staying at their favourite, the Hotel Rio Park, just a ten-minute walk from Benidorm's main strip. They plan to completely forgo Brussels sprouts and turkey in favour of the hotel's spectacular festive spread.
"The first time we tried Christmas over there, we were blown away," they said. "The Rio Park Hotel puts on a feast... a huge traditional Christmas lunch, entertainment all day, and you can have as much wine and beer as you like. It’s brilliant and takes away so much stress."
They credit TUI holidays for making their frequent trips seamless and have built a strong relationship with their local TUI store in Hinckley over the past decade. Travel agent Cameron Morton said: "They’ve been booking with us in-store for around 10 years... They love the Rio Park and won’t go anywhere else."
Kings of the Chinese Buffet and Tapas Trails
When not enjoying the hotel's all-inclusive offerings, Roger and Sue have their favourite local haunts. A major highlight is the Puente De Oro Chinese buffet, where for 19 euros they can enjoy plates piled high with fresh food and unlimited drinks. "We go there all the time," they revealed. "Sometimes there are big groups of 20 of us who are Benidorm regulars."
They are also devotees of a nearby tapas bar called Zodiac. "It does the most delicious 6 plates of tapas and a bottle of wine for 9 euros. You really can’t beat that," they shared.
Between feasts, the couple enjoy Benidorm's sprawling golden sand beaches and the charm of the Old Town. They insist newcomers should ignore outdated stereotypes about the resort.
"It’s one of the friendliest, best-value places you can visit, with something for every age and budget," they advised. "If you don’t enjoy Benidorm, you’ve only yourself to blame."
With over a century of visits under their belt, Roger and Sue have no intention of stopping their annual pilgrimages to the Spanish coast, where Christmas comes with a side of sangria and sunshine.
