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Basic prices in… Oslo (Norway)

Basic prices in the city of Oslo in Norway

One of the questions we usually ask ourselves when preparing a trip is how much money we should take. There are destinations where it is easier because the prices are similar or because they use the same currency (as it happens in all countries of the Euro zone) so we do not have to worry about carrying money changed or making card payments. But there are destinations where the task is made more complicated by the change of currency and the difference in prices. This is the case of Norway, where the official currency is the Norwegian Krone, its value is not similar to that of the Euros o Pounds and, moreover, the prices there are well above the prices of the countries of southern Europe.

So in our post today we are going to review the basic prices of Oslo to help you decide how much money to take to travel to Norway.

In the restaurants

If we think that eating cheap is eating for 10-15 Euros per person (or less), then eating cheap in Oslo is not easy. To give you an idea, a normal-size Big Mac menu at McDonlads will not fall below 100 NOK (about 10 Euros). There are alternatives to spend 150-200 NOK (16-22 Euros) per person, without drinks included, in restaurants such as pizzerias, kebab, burgers or oriental restaurants. They are not usually very elaborate dishes and are simple (we are talking about a margherita pizza, for example) but you can eat for a more affordable price. If you decide to try the local cuisine, in a restaurant you can pay 400-500 NOK (about 44-55 Euros) per person for a main dish and a dessert.

The gardens of the Royal Palace may be a good place to make a picnic in Oslo

You can always compensate for a few days of higher spending on restaurants with shopping in a supermarket to prepare some snacks and some fruit and have a picnic in one of the parks in the city (which is a fairly common custom when the weather is nice) or if you visit the lake areas and surrounding nature.

In the restaurants the water is free and they serve it to you in jars and quite cold. You can ask for all you want. But if you want to order a beer, you will pay peacefully between 80-100 NOK (8-10 Euros).

Visits and activities

First of all, don’t be scared. There are free activities and many places to see in Oslo without spending money. You can tour the Vigeland park (and take the opportunity to have a picnic that day), enter the Akershus Fortress (without a visit to the castle) or stroll through the Opera and its surroundings in the Town centre.

Outdoor spaces of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

Here you have a list of the prices of the main tourist attractions, but keep in mind that, if you buy the Oslo Pass, you will have free entrance fees to some of these museums as well as other activities and discounts.

Akershus Fortress: the entrance is free. The guided tour costs 60 NOK (6 Euros)

Norway Opera: walking outside and roof is free. The guided tour is 100 NOK (10 Euros). Seeing a function costs between 300 and 1000 NOK (33-110 Euros) depending on what you want to see.

Museum of Viking ships and Historical Cultural Museum: the entrance costs 100 NOK (about 10 Euros) per person and is valid for the two museums in 48 hours.

FRAM Museum: NOK 120 (12 Euros)

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History: 160 NOK (16 Euros)

Munch Museum: NOK 120 (12 Euros)

Transportation

Oslo has a good transport network that includes buses, trams, ferries and metro. The single ticket costs 36 NOK (about 4 Euros) and can be used for 1 hour if you have to change. If you buy the ticket directly on the bus it is 20 NOK more expensive (2 Euros).

Usually, people use public transport, but if you decide to take a taxi, the prices to go or return to Gardemoen Airport are 750-850 NOK (82-92 Euros) depending on where you stay. There is also a train service (Flytoget) that costs about 190 NOK per ride (about 20 Euros) and a bus (Flybussen) which costs about 180 NOK.

The best option if you are going to use transport and visit some museums, is to buy the Oslo Pass. With this card you will have included transport, tickets, discounts on attractions and restaurants,… for 1, 2 or 3 days for 445 NOK, 655 NOK and 820 NOK respectively.

Booking.com

Find the best accomodations in Oslo

Sleep

The average price of a double room, with private bathroom, per night is about 1200-1500 NOK (between 130-160 Euros more or less). Are not there cheaper options? Of course. You can find options for half the price (or even less) if you move a little away from the center or if you opt for options such as hostels and B&B. If you're looking for something very, very cheap, there are hostels where, sharing a room and bathroom, you can pay about 300 NOK (about 30 Euros).

Tips

In bars and restaurants it is usually left between 5% and 10% of the total bill as tip, as long as the service and food have been good. It is not obligatory, it is up to you. In other services such as hotels, taxis, etc. Tipping is not common. But a good service or help in case of need, can always be compensated with a tip.

Trick to calculate prices

We show you a trick to calculate the prices in Norwegian Krones and know more or less what they are in Euros. When you see a price in NOK, remove the two leading zeros and duplicate the first number. E.g., 100 NOK would be 11 Euros, 500 NOK would be 55 Euros, 800 NOK would be 88 Euros, 5 NOK would be 5.50 Euros. It is an approximate change, but useful to make the calculation fast for amounts under 1000 NOK.

As we have said, prices in Norway are generally much higher than in other European countries. Calculate your budget based on the days you are in the country and the activities you want to do. Always carry a card for incidentals, but keep in mind that you may pay high fees for using it in a non-Euro country.

If you want to buy your Norwegian Krones right now, place your order on our website and recieve them at homr or pick them up in an office in 24-48 hours.

Enjoy your trip!

New Airport of Murcia – Corvera

The new Murcia Airport is already working

Last week the new International Airport of the Region of Murcia (RMU) began its activity with the arrival of a flight from East Midlands of the Ryanair company.

Location of the new Region de Murcia International Airport between Murcia, Cartagena and the former San Javier Airport.

Airlines and destinations

At the moment, 3 companies with 12 destinations are operating in the new airport. TUI will link with Antwerp and Brussels; Ryanair with Birmingham, Dublin, Nottingham, Leeds, London and Manchester and Easyjet with Bristol, London and Southend.

The popular Jet2 will start operating at the new airport starting April 1, 2019 flying, initially, from Leeds and Manchester. In the same month, Norwegian activity will also begin, linking Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim with Murcia. Between the months of May and June, SmartWings activity will start with flights from Tirana, Brussels, Burgas, Varna, Zagreb and Prague. And in the month of May there will also be flights from Asturias operated by Volotea.

In addition, other companies that did not operate in the former San Javier Airport are studying the option of starting to fly to the new Murcia Airport, as in the case of Iberia and Vueling.

How to get to the new Murcia Airport

The bus company Interbus is responsible for transporting passengers to and from the airport. At the moment they have put into operation 4 lines.

Two of them connect directly with the Murcia Bus Station (with a price of 5 Euros each way) and with the Cartagena Bus Station (for 6 Euros each way). A third makes the route to San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar and the fourth goes to Los Narejos making stops at La Torre Golf, Golf Terrazas, Mar Menor Golf, Serena Golf and Los Alcazares (these two with a price of 10 Euros each way).

It is expected that from the months of April and May there will be new lines connecting the Airport with other localities such as Lorca, Mazarron, Aguilas or La Manga.

The company Radio Taxi of Murcia has confirmed that the taxi service is higher in the new airport since it is better prepared. The journeys between the new Airport and the main coastal areas last about 30 minutes to San Javier (approximately 30 Euros), about 40 minutes to Los Alcazares (approximately 40 Euros) and about 50 minutes to San Pedro del Pinatar (approximately 50 euros).

There are also three car rental companies available at the moment: Europcar, Goldcar and Firefly. In addition, companies like Beniconnect also offer private transportation services that can be interesting for families or for those traveling with special baggage.

Currency exchange

If you are going to need to make a currency exchange before or after your flight, in Los Alcazares you will find the nearest exchange office to the Region de Murcia International Airport where you can exchange more than 35 different currencies with the best prices.

If you like to prepare your trip in advance, you can place a reservation of Euros to be collected on arrival or the currency that you need to be collected before your flight. This way we will have everything ready for you to collect it.

San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), American Capital of Culture in 2019

Discover the American Capital of Culture of 2019, San Miguel de Allende, in

In our post last week we told you what will be the European Capitals of Culture for this year. And today we tell you what the American Capital of Culture will be, in case your 2019 vacation takes you to Mexican lands.

San Miguel de Allende has been chosen to be Capital of Culture this year. This Mexican town is located in the centre of the country, which is why it is known as the Heart of Mexico. In addition, the City is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008 for being a benchmark of the Mexican Baroque and for its important role in independence.

What to see and do in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel offers many attractions for tourists who visit it, it is also considered one of the best destinations in Mexico (and the world) to travel.

Tourist attractions

If you visit San Miguel there are several things you have to visit. First of all, you can enjoy visiting the most important religious sites of the city such as the Parish Church of San Miguel Archangel, the Temple of the Immaculate Conception or the Temple of Our Lady of Health. You can also walk through the Main Garden or the Handicraft Market to buy a souvenir of your visit. In the Museum House of Ignacio Allende you can soak up the history of the region and learn more about the War of Independence and Ignacio Allende, one of the inciters and leaders of the independence movement (the city has his surname in his honor). And if you want to see what the region was like in pre-Columbian times, visit the Cañada de la Virgen Archaeological Zone, an old Otomí settlement with pyramidal constructions located a few kilometers southwest of the city.

Culture and tradition

In San Miguel every month there is a celebration. They have religious celebrations, in tribute to Independence and popular festivities. As they say in San Miguel, there everything is celebrated in style and they like to prepare their parties and enjoy the streets. Check the calendar of celebrations during your visit to be able to fully enjoy their traditions.

Nature and wellness

In recent years San Miguel has taken force as a wellness destination. It has a wide range of active tourism in the middle of nature with activities such as hiking, cycling, zip lines, abseiling,… And to relax after a day of adventure, nothing better than enjoying its thermal waters in one of the SPAS of the region.

Wine Tourism

Another trend that has grown in the city is wine tourism. The region of Guanajuato is becoming one of the wine producing areas of the country and there are wineries that you can visit, walk among the vines and taste the wines they produce.

If you have already decided to visit San Miguel de Allende, keep in mind that for your trip you will need to exchange your Euros for Mexican Pesos. You can make your change in Eurochange with the best price.

For more information, visit the website of San Miguel de Allende.

Matera and Plovdiv, European Capitals of Culture in 2019

In 2019 Matera and Plovdiv will be European Capitals of Culture

At Eurochange we think that the best way to start the new year is to start planning the holidays and the getaways of the year. That's why we want to start our first post of the year by proposing two cultural destinations for your 2019 holidays: Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Matera in Italy. The two cities will be European Capitals of Culture this year and therefore will be two destinations with a lot of activities throughout the year.

Matera, a city carved into the rock

The city of Matera is located in the south of Italy, in the region of Basilicata. Since 1993 it is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site for its Sassi and its set of rock churches.

The Sassi are the typical houses that confirm the old town of Matera that are excavated in the limestone of one of the slopes of the Gravina ravine. The Sassi are considered one of the first settlements of population in Italy, since objects belonging to the Paleolithic have been found.

Among the cave churches stand out San Pedro Barisano and Santa María de Idris, both also carved into the rock.

During the year 2019, in Matera you can enjoy exhibitions, theater, concerts and workshops among other activities that will take place from the opening ceremony on January 19, until January 20, 2020.

On the official Matera website you can find the complete program of activities.

Plovdiv, a city with history

Plovdiv is now the second most populous city in Bulgaria after Sofia. It is located more to the center of the country and is considered one of the oldest cities in Europe since its history dates back to the 4th century BC.

Throughout its history it was conquered by the Macedonians, the Thracians and the Roman Empire. And as a result of these conquests, today remains in the city remains of its former inhabitants, from Nebet Tepe (the first settlement of the city) to the old town (architectural and historical reserve) through the Roman stadium or theater.

For this year 2019 Plovdiv has prepared an extensive program of cultural activities that remember their origins and under the motto "together" they will create a new legacy for the future uniting the different social groups, ethnic groups and religions that coexist in the city converting it in a better place to live and an attractive destination for new tourists.

On the official page of Plovdiv 2019 you can see the full program of activities.

We hope we have given you some inspiration to include one of these two destinations (or both) in your list of places to visit in 2019.

5 Christmas traditions around the world

Five tradicions of Christmas celebrated in five different countries

Christmas and the arrival of the New Year are celebrated in different ways around the world and in each country there are own traditions or that have been extended to other countries by the expansion of religions, migration and globalization.

Today we tell you 5 traditions from different countries related to the celebration of the Christmas holidays.

United States: Thanksgiving

Although it does not officially belong to the Christmas celebrations, we have included Thanksgiving among the Christmas celebrations because it supposes the beginning of the Christmas season. And although it is not a party held exclusively in the United States, it is the best known.

The origin of this celebration is reason for discussion. Some people say that their roots are in the celebrations of appreciation for good harvests, but the most widespread belief is that it recalls a time when a group of settlers did not have enough food for all and a Native American tribe offered them food.

Whatever the origin, today the celebration always takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. It starts in the morning with the Thanksgiving Parade that Macy's celebrates in New York. This parade gathers 3 million people who watch it live and 44 million watch it on television.

And the final culmination comes with a great family dinner (the more family better) in which you can not miss the roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and pumpkin pie.

The next day is Black Friday, where shops offer great discounts to start the holiday shopping season.

Denmark: the J-Dag and the Christmas beer

In the year 1990, the Danish beer brand Tuborg began the tradition by announcing the J-Dag (J of julebryg which is Christmas beer in Danish and Dag that means day) for the launching of its Christmas beer. The Christmas version of his beer was born a few years ago and it is a beer with a little more alcohol and more spicy.

This marketing action generated great expectation and since then it has continued to be celebrated, although with small changes. The current date on which it is celebrated is the first Friday of November. On this day, the Tuborg delivery people go out on horse-drawn carriages wearing blue Santa hats. They distribute this limited version of beer and the bars are filled with people celebrating this day as the beginning of Danish Christmas.

Currently there are other brands that also produce their versions of Christmas beer, but undoubtedly, the most demanded is that of Tuborg, which can be found in bars and shops only during the 6-7 weeks between the J-Dag and the end of the Christmas.

Mexico: Las Posadas

With almost half of its population of Catholic religion, Mexico is the second country in the world with more inhabitants belonging to this religion. It is not surprising that one of its Christmas traditions pays homage to the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph before the Birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

The origin of this celebration is in the sixteenth century, when Catholic priests in an attempt to evangelize the population, began to celebrate nine Masses before Christmas, one per day, until December 25. Slowly, this tradition passed from the churches to the streets until it became the popular celebration that is celebrated today.

Las Posadas is celebrated between the 16th and the 24th of December. During these 9 days in the neighborhoods or communities simulates the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Each year people choose which houses will be the posadas for each day and the participants arrive to request hospice in each one. Sometimes there are even those who play the roles of Mary and Joseph and carols and popular songs are sung. Once inside "la posada" the participants enjoy punch and typical Christmas sweets.

Japan: ōsōji, the tradition of cleaning the whole house

The Japanese prepare for a couple of weeks before New Year's Eve with a general cleaning of the whole house. In fact, not only the house, offices, shops, schools,…

This tradition is derived from other ancient traditions in which the house was cleaned to welcome the Shinto deities in the New Year with a clean house, a clean body and a clean spirit. Nowadays the Japanese usually start with the big cleaning in the last week of December, but in the old days it started around the middle of the month.

And don’t think it's just about doing a general cleaning of the house. It's about cleaning in depth in a Zen way, stopping in places that don’t pay much attention during the rest of the year, to take advantage of the cleanliness and order to cleanse and also order the mind. They are based on the premise that in clean, orderly and clear spaces we are happier and suffer less stress. It is a good way to prepare to receive the New Year with energy.

Spain: The Magi

The celebration and tradition of the day of the Magi is not exclusive to Spain. There are other countries such as Portugal or Italy where it is also celebrated.

Tradition says that after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem, the three Kings (or wise men) traveled from the East guided by a star to give him three gifts: gold, incense and myrrh.

Since the end of the 19th century, the celebration of the Three Kings Day takes place in Spain with a Three Kings Parade that takes place on January 5, where their Majesties go through the streets of towns and cities distributing candy and gifts. That same night, the children have to go to bed early for the kings to make their deliveries during the night: children who have been good will have gifts and children who have been bad will have coal. It is common for children to leave a snack to be taken by the Kings and their camels when they pass through their homes.

Something that can not be missing is the roscón de Reyes, a sweet and shaped bun that is taken for breakfast or snack on the day of Kings. Hidden inside the bun is a figurine and a bean. Whoever finds the figure will be the King and will be able to wear the crown (which usually comes with the roscón) and whoever finds the bean will have to pay for the roscón.

What do you think of these Christmas traditions? Do you dare to celebrate some?

5 December getaways

5 ideas to plan a getaway in December

If you are one of the lucky ones who has a few days off in December you can prepare the last getaway of the year before the Christmas holidays. If you can’t think of where to go, today we give you 5 ideas for a December getaway.

1. London

London is a very affordable destination to visit from Spain: in about 2 hours or 2 and a half hours you are there from any Spanish airport and the prices of flights are usually quite cheap (around 70 Euros per flight). People say that if you sit on the stairs of the Picadilly Circus statue for a couple of hours, you meet someone you know. Because London is still one of the favourite cities for tourists from around the world.

Essential for 4 days in London: take a picture with Big Ben, go through Buckingham Palace (if you wait for the changing of the guard ceremony, better), see Westminster Abbey, a tour of the London Eye, visit the Tower of London, a walk through Hyde Park and the Camden Market, visit Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown and, at least, the British Museum.

2. Copenhagen

Denmark has been considered for several years the happiest country in the world. And it is something that is transmitted and enjoyed during a vacation. Copenhagen is a perfect city for a getaway. It is not very big and its main tourist attractions can be seen in a few days. In addition you will get a relaxed lifestyle and you will like more than ever to sit in the sun on the terrace of a café, cover yourself with the blanket (yes there are blankets in the bars so you can sit in the winter) and enjoy a coffee or a warm chocolate.

Essential for 4 days in Copenhagen: a view of the Tivoli gardens, contemplate the Little Mermaid, go through the Nyhavn canal, an immersion in the hippie lifestyle in Freetown Christiania, climb the tower of the Vor Frelsers Kirke church, enjoy the Nørrebro modern neighborhood, visit the Rosenborg Castle and the Amalienborg Palace, have a drink in a café in Strøget and, of course, visit the Christmas markets.

3. Oslo

Some people are in love with Norway because of its fjords, its natural landscapes, the Northern Lights, … but Oslo is a European capital that is also worthwhile. It is a city with a large area, but with few inhabitants compared to other European cities. This contributes to create a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere, perfect for quietly enjoying a few days of relaxation (and probably snow).

Essential for 4 days in Oslo: visit to the Viking Ship Museum and the Fram Museum (boat used by the explorer Roald Amundsen), tour the roof of the Oslo Opera, walk through the Vigeland Sculpture Park, enter the fortress and old prison Akershus, see the Royal Palace (from outside, for visits only open during the summer months) and the Museum of Cultural History where you will see how people lived in Norway centuries ago.

4. Budapest

Budapest is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In it you will discover the charm of a city that enjoyed its maximum splendor at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and you can relax enjoying its thermal waters.

Essential for 4 days in Budapest: visit the Buda Castle, contemplate the Parliament building from the other side of the Danube, visit the Fishermen's Bastion and the Matthias Church, stroll through the Heroes' Square, cross the Bridge of the Chains (the oldest in the city that had to be rebuilt after the Second World War) and take a bath outdoors or covered in the Spa Széchenyi.

5. Warsaw

Known as the City of Phoenix because of the enormous reconstruction work that took place after the Second World War, Warsaw is a perfect city to visit in a few days. In Warsaw you will find classic buildings next to buildings of the communist era and you can enjoy a young city, with a cool atmosphere.

Essential for 4 days in Warsaw: stroll through the Old Town and the Market Square, visit the Royal Castle, walk through the Lazienki Park, climb the viewpoint of the Palace of Culture and Science, visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum and discover the lives and works of the two most famous Varsovians: Marie Curie and Frédéric Chopin.

If you have already decided on one of these destinations (or any other) remember to check the temperatures and plan your trip to make the most of your vacation time. Also, remember to make your currency exchange before your trip so you do not have to worry about doing it during the holidays.

Enjoy your trip!

New Year’s Eve in London: How New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are celebrated in London

Plans to enjoy New year’s Eve in London

If this year you are going to spend New Year's Eve and the New Year’s Day in the British capital, we tell you how Londoners celebrate these dates so you can take note and plan your stay.

Attractions, activities and ice skating

One of the most fun and lively options to spend the last day of the year is to visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. From the end of November to the beginning of January, a Christmas fair will take place in Hyde Park, where you will find attractions, shows, a Christmas market, bars, restaurants,… in a familiar and welcoming environment.

Admission is free, you just have to pay for some attractions and shows. It is possible and advisable to buy tickets online in advance if you are interested in attending one of their shows or enter some attractions such as the Ferris wheel, the ice skating rink or the roller coasters.

You will find more information on the Winter Wonderland website.

Last dinner of the year

There are multiple options for the last dinner of the year in London. One of them is to dine on board one of the Thames cruises. Most of them include dinner and party or show. There are various prices and there are also formal and informal ones. Some of them come close so you can watch the fireworks and others don’t reach the area. On the website Discount London you can see a list of all available cruises with their prices and route.

Another option is to book a table at any of the restaurants in the city that offer special menus for New Year's Eve dinner. There is also usually a wide range of prices for all budgets and for all tastes. A quick search by Tripadvisor will help you find the option that best suits your needs.

Chimes and fireworks

As in many other cities in the world, in London the farewell and arrival of the year are celebrated with bells and fireworks. The show takes place next to the London Eye, on the banks of the Thames. During the show you can hear the chimes of Big Ben and the London Eye lights up changing color.

For some years it is mandatory to buy tickets to see them (up close). There are several zones, but the price of the entrance is the same, 10 Pounds. If you haven’t been able to get your ticket, don’t worry. You will be able to look for a place to see them with less visibility in the streets and bridges around the viewing area or look for some hill further away from which to see them.

New Year’s Eve partys

If after the fireworks you feel like going, you can go to one of the clubs in the city where you can dance and enjoy until the early hours. In addition, there are also emblematic celebrations in the city such as the Vintage New Year's Ball, the London New Year's Eve Ball or the party at Sky Bar London (some of them with dinner option).

New Year's Day

If you have survived the New Year's Eve, there are also activities to enjoy on New Year's Day.

The main one is the New Year's parade that goes from Picadilly to Parliament Street. You can see it from any point of the route for free. There is also access to bleachers paying for a ticket. In the parade are involved neighborhoods, associations, schools,… from around the world. It is a totally recommendable tradition. After the parade, at Waterloo Place there is an area to eat something and regain strength.

We hope you enjoy your stay in London and that you celebrate New Year's Eve as it deserves. To avoid having to worry during your stay, remember to change Euros to Pounds before your trip. At Eurochange you can make your change immediately in our offices or make your purchase online and receive it in 24 hours at home.

Enjoy your trip!

A walk through the Old Town of Benidorm

Discover Benidorm’s Old Town with a nice walk

A walk through the Old Town of Benidorm

A sunny autumn (or winter, or spring) day may be perfect for a walk and discover the Old Town of Benidorm. Walk its streets and discover the best views of the beaches of Levante and Poniente. And, if your visit coincides with the second weekend of November (during Benidorm Fiestas), you may find flower offerings, peñas, bands or processions that will make you enjoy the traditional festive atmosphere of the city.

Click the map to enlarge

The Old Town is on what is known as Punta de Canfali and it is the first settlement of the inhabitants of the city. Nowadays it is a very pleasant area to know and a great tourist interest.

Let’s go for a walk!

Plaza Canalejas with Levante beach at the end

We begin our tour in Plaza Canalejas (1), at the beginning of the Levante beach. In this square is the Torrejo Municipal Center building, where you will see a tourist information point. Here you can get a map of the city and also information on all the leisure, tourist and cultural offer of the city. In this building was the city council until 2003.

Main entrance to the church

We go up the first slope that we found, along Calle Médico Cosme Bayona and we arrive at the door of the Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana (2). This church is the oldest in Benidorm and was built in the second half of the 18th century.

Inside the Church is the image of the Virgen del Sufragio, patron saint of Benidorm since her discovery intact among the ashes of a ship in the year 1740. If you want to know more about this historical fact, the second Saturday of November, before the offering of flowers, on the beach next to the Parque de Elche (the dove park), there is a representation of it.

San Jaime square with the church at the end

The square in front of the church is the Plaza de San Jaime (3) that leads to a viewpoint to Levante beach.

Plaza Castelar with the domes and the anchor

Views from Castelar square

We continue climbing going under the arch that follows the facade of the church to reach the Plaza Castelar (4). From this square you can see the two blue domes of the church. In addition to a mosaic made in honor of the Virgen del Sufragio in 1992. In this square is also an anchor donated to the city by the Spanish Navy in 2007. From here you can look out to contemplate the Cala del Mal Pas, the marina and Poniente Beach.

Cannons on Santa Ana square

We continue ascending to the Plaza de Santa Ana (5) where we will find four iron cannons each pointing to a cardinal point. These guns belonged to the old castle that was located at the top of the Old Town. A curious fact is that the people of Benidorm know the Old Town in a popular way as "the Castle". And visitors are surprised to be called that way when there is no castle. This is because the castle that was in the city (more a fortress than a castle) was destroyed in the 19th century. The little that remains of this place of defense today are these four guns.

Plaza del Castillo, old well and the viewpoint

We go up the stairs that we find on the right or the left of the square to reach the Plaza del Castillo (6). In this square there is a wooden pergola with benches to sit and rest and enjoy the views. Behind it is a well, which is an old cistern that was in use for several centuries to supply water to the inhabitants. At the end of the square we find a staircase that goes down to the Mirador del Castillo (7) where you can have a 360 degree view of the two beaches of Benidorm. A few meters from the viewpoint, in the sea, there is a metal structure. It is the old geyser of the city. One of its tourist attractions until a few years ago when it stopped working due to the erosion it caused in the rocks of the castle.

Plaza de la Señoría

From this point we take the road back up the stairs again and following the balustrade that we find on the left. We return to the Plaza de Santa Ana and Plaza Castelar and continue down the small corridor that is behind the church to reach the Plaza de la Señoría (8). In this square during the summer nights there is a market with handicrafts. On one side there is a sculpture formed by an anchor and two figures of men surrounded by water. It is a monument to the dead in the sea since Benidorm has a strong fishing tradition.

Breakweather walk

We continue our walk again following the balustrade on our left until we reach the stairs (9) that will take us down to the Marina. From here we can walk the breakwater to the lighthouse having one of the best views of the Old Town.

View to Benidorm's Old Town from the promenade

Do we take a break?

In the Old Town and surroundings, British establishments, cocktail bars and tapas bars coexist in harmony. If you fancy a break and have a drink, you will only have to go down the streets of Santa Faz or Alicante to find a varied gastronomic offer in a few minutes.

Entrance of Boca del Calvari Museum, at Calle Tomás Ortuño

We hope we have encouraged you to take a walk through the oldest part of the city and discover a little more about its history. If you want to know a little more about the city, go to the Boca del Calvari Museum (10), where there are usually exhibitions of the history of Benidorm.

If you are in the area and need a currency exchange office, in our office on Paseo de la Carretera you can make your exchange with the best rate and without commissions. You will only have to go down Calle Santa Faz and you will find us right in front of you.

Enjoy your stay!

5 things to do in Benidorm in Autumn

You some things you can do to enjoy your autumn holidays in Benidorm

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Benidorm. While in the UK the temperaturas are lower every day, they are still good here (with average temperatures of 25 degrees during the day and 17 degrees at night), there is still a good atmosphere and things to do and there are not as many people as during the summer months. If you still don’t know everything you can do in Benidorm in autumn, keep reading this post and we'll tell you.

Levante Beach in October, Benidorm — This photo was taken the 4th October 2018

Going to the beach

Yes, it’s true. In the autumn months the beach is still almost full. Once November or the beginning of December, the bathers are disappearing, but tourists and locals still take advantage of the mild temperatures of the day to sunbathe.

No need to go in a bikini with the umbrella and the mat as we would in the middle of August, but you can really spend a very nice day lying in the sand.

Enjoy the gastronomy

In the months of most tourist affluence it can be very difficult to visit the gastronomic area of Benidorm par excellence: the Basques street or the tapas alley. In these 4/5 streets you will find bars, taverns and restaurants for all tastes. From the beer+tapa (or wine+tapa) for 1 Euro to restaurants where you can eat the best typical dishes of the area and the country.

You can wander around, enter the bar that you like to have a drink, go to the next one, stay there,… What you most want, without overwhelming people.

Moreover, during the autumn months there are several gastronomic events such as the Oktoberfest or the Paella Days.

Excursions and more excursions

If you still don’t know the surrounding villages, it is the perfect time to make excursions and discover the charms of the area. Different bus and Tram lines connect Benidorm with El Albir, Altea, Guadalest, Finestrat, Villajoyosa, Calpe,…

Each place has its charms, whether on the beach or in the mountains, you will surely find something that you love in each one.

In addition, there is also a large offer of organized excursions to these places and also excursions in quad, on horseback, in off-road, in cityboards,…

Photo from: Visit Benidorm

Moors and Christians

The festivities of Moors and Christians are very common in the province of Alicante. In these festivities, the Arab invasion of the peninsula and, later, the reconquest by Christians is represented and commemorated.

Each town celebrates its festivities on a date throughout the year. In the case of Benidorm they are celebrated in the first days of the month of October. During the holidays you can enjoy Moors, Christian parades, floats,…

Benidorm Fiestas

In this blog we have already referred in some occasion to the Festivities of Benidorm, also known as Benidorm Fiestas. In them homage is paid to the patrons of the town: the Virgin of Sufragio and Saint James.

The fiestas begin the second weekend of November. During the holidays there are also parades, religious processions, flower offerings, mascletas, fireworks, concerts,… and above all very good atmosphere, a lot of music and many activities for all audiences.

If you already have it clear and you are going to spend a few days in Benidorm, we give you one last piece of advice: don’t forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat. Although the sun and good weather predominate, a sunny day may come out and a storm may fall in the afternoon. But at night the sky can be clear again.

And above all, what you can,t forget is the desire to have fun!

Remember that you can exchange Pounds (or any other currency) to Euros in any of our 5 branches in Benidorm. You can also place a reservation in advance to be collected once you are here.

10 tips before travelling to Iceland

10 things to keep in mind before planning a trip to Iceland

Thanks to the locations of Game of Thrones and cheap flights from Low Cost companies, Iceland continues to grow as a holiday destination. As this country doesn’t belong to the European Union, there are some things to keep in mind if you are planning a trip to Iceland.

1. Their currency is the Icelandic Krona, called króna (and represented with kr or ISK). One Krona is divided into 100 cents, having coins of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Krona. The notes are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 Krona. A curiosity is that all their coins have on one side some marine animal of Icelandic influence, from the crab to the cod.

2. British can travel with valid Passport, with a minimum recommended validity of between 3 and 6 months, and don’t need a visa for stays up to three months.

3. There is a British Embassy in Reykjavik where you can call in case of need: if you suffer an incident, if you lose your travel documents,…

4. It is important, before any mishap, to have the European Health Insurance Card. You can request yours free of charge in the NHS and with it you will be taken care of before any medical emergency without added costs.

5. Mostly British mobiles are compatible. Currently Iceland is included in European roaming so you can enjoy your usual rate. Remember to activate roaming!

6. In case of emergency, you can continue calling 112.

7. Their official language is Icelandic but most Icelanders speak English, so it won’t be difficult to be understood in this language.

8. In Iceland you can request the tax free. Only for products that you are going to bring with you, the ones that you don’t consume there, and for an amount higher than 4000 ISK (about 25 Pounds/30 Euros).

9. The climate is very variable and can change many times during the day, going from the sun to the rain or vice versa. Prepare your suitcase for different types of weather even in summer and check the temperatures before your trip.

10. No vaccination is necessary to visit Iceland, but take warm clothes to avoid returning from your trip with a cold.

Do you already have everything you need? Then prepare the suitcase and enjoy your trip. And remember that if you need to exchange your Euros for Icelandic Krona, right now you can make your purchase on our website and receive them or collect them in your nearest branch in 48 hours.

Have a good trip!

How to get from Alicante airport to Benidorm?

Four ways to go from Alicante Airport to Benidorm

The Alicante Airport is one of the 5 airports that receive the most tourists in Spain. And a rather high percentage has as final destination Benidorm.

If you are one of the lucky ones who will spend a holiday or season in Benidorm, we tell you how to get from the airport to the city so you don’t waste time in transport and you can enjoy your stay to the fullest.

Taxi

As in all airports, at the exit of the terminal you will find a Taxi stop. You can take a taxi that will take about 45 minutes to drive you to Benidorm. Prices are usually between 60 and 70 Euros (it is usual to ask the driver before) depending on the area where you go.

It is not the cheapest option, but it is profitable if you pay it among 4 people.

Bus

There is a bus service that leaves every hour from the airport to Benidorm. Every hour there are two lines, one of them stops at the Bus Station (45 minutes) and the other one also stops at Avenida Europa (55 minutes). The price doesn’t reach 10 Euros per person.

Once in the Bus Station or on the Avenida Europa urban bus service is available to reach the final destination if necessary. This service can be an option if you travel alone or with your couple and you are staying near the main stops.

Express Shuttle

There are several private transfers services to and from Alicante Airport, but Eurochange Club members have a discount on one of them. It is the Express Connect Shuttle service of the company Beniconnect.

This service goes to La Cala and Benidorm (it also stops Villajoyosa and El Albir). The price is 15/16 Euros per person and Eurochange Club members have a 5% discount that is applied with a web code that the client has to request to Eurochange.

This service will leave you at the door of your accommodation (as long as the street is not pedestrian). The maximum waiting time at the airport is 60 minutes, but usually it is less time. In addition, Beniconnect keeps track of your flight, so if there are delays, you don’t have to worry. They will make sure you have transportation when you arrive.

This is a good option if you travel alone, in a couple or with a group. The price is the same and you avoid having to take an urban bus to get to your accommodation.

Rental car

If you prefer to travel on your own, you can rent a car to get from the airport to Benidorm and then you will have independence to move around the city or visit the surrounding towns (something we highly recommend).

At your arrival you will find desks of the main rental companies, although they usually offer better offers for online reservations in advance. In addition, Eurochange Club members have a discount again. In this case it is a 15% discount on the rental of your car wit Centauro Rent-a-car for reservations made through their Call Center (by phone or email).

One last recommendation

It is common to see private individuals at airports offering transportation services at very low prices. Normally they approach people of their nationality or who speak their language to offer them transport to the destination with very cheap prices.

It is important that you try to avoid using these services because they are illegal. They are people who do transports without a license and without the corresponding insurance that covers your security and your belongings.

Keep in mind that, if an accident or problem occurs during your transfer, with these illegal services you will not have the right to claim. So we recommend that, for your safety and tranquility, always use licensed services.

We hope you are ready to get to Benidorm and enjoy your holidays as they deserve.

Enjoy your stay!

How to reach my destination from Murcia-San Javier Airport?

Different options to reach your destination from San Javier Airport

Update January 2019: The airport of San Javier was no longer operational at the beginning of January 2019. Since then, the airport in the region is the International Airport of the Region of Murcia.

San Javier Airport is located in the Mar Menor area. It is small airport that connects this region with the main cities in the United Kingdom: London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bournemouth, East Midlands and Glasgow.

Taxi

At the Airport you can easily find a Taxi service that will drive you to your destination. Los Alcázares is 5 minutes far from the Airport and San Pedro del Pinatar is 10 minutes far. So if you are staying near those areas you can get there by Taxi with a cost of 10-15 Euros.

If you are staying near Cartagena or Torrevieja (20 minutes) the price will be between 20 and 25 Euros and if you are visiting Murcia (30 minutes) the prices abre around 35-40 Euros.

Remember that Taxis are valid for 4 people.

Private Taxi

There are also a few companies offering private Taxi services. You can book these services in advance and the cost is about 20 Euros per person to travel to Cartagena or Torrevieja and about 30 Euros per person to go to Murcia. There are cars for 4 people and they use to offer other shuttles for more people like mini-vans or buses.

Bus

This is a regular bus service (line 70) connecting San Javier to Murcia and Dehesa de Campoamor with stops on the main towns. The prices use to be less than 10 Euros.

To get this bus the nearest bus stop is in Santiago de la Ribera, in Avenida del Mar Menor. You can walk (45 minutes) or get a Taxi (5 minutes).

Rent-a-car

If you prefer to travel by your own, there are car rental companies in the Airport such as Goldcar Rental, Europcar or Firefly.

You can book your car online in advance (with better prices) or you can directly rent you car on the desks in the Airport.

Driving in this area is easy. AP-7 goes parallel to the coast and RM-19 goes to the Murcia city area. Google Maps will be very useful. Keep in mind that AP-7 is a toll motorway.

Very important: Where do I exchange my money?

As this is a small Airport there are no currency exchange companies there. Moreover, companies in the Airport have very expensive rates, so try to avoid them.

The nearest currency exchange office is located in Los Alcázares, in the shopping arcade under Hotel 525. It is 5 minutes far from the Airport and we offer the best rates for Pounds (and many other currencies).

If you like to prepare your trip in advance, you can place a reservation to be collected on arrival. This way we will have your Euros ready for you to collect them.

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