World Cup 2014 - My Predictions

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

The countdown is almost over. Summer is here, four years have passed and the talking is going to stop. Football’s greatest show on earth is around the corner, with the opening ceremony just two days away now (written on 10 June).

The greatest football show on earth is just days away from beginning

The World Cup arrives home in one of its most spiritual places, Brazil. It is the first time the country will host the competition in 64 years and the first time in the continent since Argentina hosted and won the 1978 edition. No European side has ever triumphed overall on these shores.

32 teams all arrive in their various destinations across Brazil, preparing to take part in 64 games in some beautiful stadia (depending on whether they are all completed!). England is among the elite and Roy Hodgson has assembled a young, hungry squad with the country back home having much lower expectations than for any major international event for at least a generation.

I now give a quick guide to all the teams taking part in the World Cup of 2014, and how well I think they will do. One record I think will go over the course of the next month.

Group A

Brazil

All eyes will be on the hosts and whether they can cope with the pressure of an expectant nation. Luiz Felipe Scolari is in charge, just as he was when Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002 and there seems to be a good vibe around the camp (team photo pictured). The golden boy is Neymar and if he performs to his absolute peak, the Brazilians will be hard to stop. There are still some concerns though about the lack of depth in attack behind Neymar and Fred and it is for this reason that I think they will just fall short in their efforts to win a sixth World Cup.

PREDICTION: Semi-Finals (3^rd Place)

The Brazil team will be under huge pressure to deliver the main prize on home soil

Croatia

Niko Kovac was playing in a World Cup as recently as 2006. Eight years later, he guides Croatia to this tournament. Qualification was assured via the play-offs over Iceland but they have lost Mario Mandzukic for the first game. The Bayern Munich hotshot is suspended due to a red card in the second leg of the play-offs. Luka Modric is their main threat but this is a tough group for the Croats. A trip to Manaus to face Cameroon convinces me that this tournament won’t give much for the supporters to cheer about.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Mexico

Mexico limped through to another World Cup, needing a two-legged play-off success against New Zealand after making a meal of qualifying automatically. Four coaches have come and gone in the last few years, so stability at the top of the hierarchy remains a concern. However, they have a good tournament record. 1978 was the last time Mexico qualified for a World Cup and failed to make the knockout rounds. The Oribe Peralta/Javier Hernandez strike partnership should be just enough to carry that statistic on for another four years.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Cameroon

It has now been 24 years since Roger Milla’s corner dancing and the Indomitable Lions stunning run to the quarter-finals at Italia 90. Since then, Cameroon have flattered to deceive on the main stage, failing to qualify for 2006 and ending their finals in the group stages on three other occasions. A pay dispute has already disrupted pre-tournament preparation, so confidence is not high. Ex-Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o needs to play well throughout for them to have any chances to progress but an early flight home is the only forecast here.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group B

Spain

It isn’t quite the frightening force of previous major tournaments but the Spanish squad is still incredibly strong and that is despite leaving out the likes of Isco, Jesus Navas, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Negredo. The holders must not be discounted, even if they aren’t favourites with many pundits. There is plenty of quality in the final third and del Bosque’s men should go deep into this World Cup. From a personal point, I want them to win again but a brave runners-up spot is what my professional instincts are telling me.

PREDICTION: Finalists

Netherlands

There is often a team that implodes on the main stage and I think that prize will go to the Netherlands this time around. They might have some stars, such as skipper Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben but there is a lack of team unity and most individuals can’t win football matches on their own. Outgoing manager Louis van Gaal already has a job after the finals and I don’t think his man-management skills will help any mutinies that break out. There is little chance the Dutch have of repeating their exploits from 2010. It will be three games only this time around.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Chile

Chile outclassed England in an international friendly back in November and are a very popular team with many neutrals. Coach Jorge Sampaoli has followed Marcelo Bielsa’s trend of playing fluent, attractive, attacking football. Arturo Vidal is at the top of his game and when on top form, Alexis Sanchez is very tough to stop. Injuries have affected preparation slightly but I like the Chileans a lot. Only a probable run-in with the hosts (like in 1998 and 2010) will stop them progressing further than the last 16.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Australia

Brazil 2014 will be a third successive World Cup for Australia. The Socceroos have gone for a mixture of youth and experience in the squad. The likes of Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano will be making way after this tournament for a younger generation of Australian footballer. They conceded 16 goals in three games to Brazil, France and Ecuador in friendly matches, so I don’t think they will threaten the other three teams in Group B. They will go down fighting though as expected.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group C

Colombia

16 years have passed since Colombia were at France 98. This crop of exciting footballers shows much promise under boss Jose Pekerman. The loss of Radamel Falcao to injury is a big blow, but that is more for the tournament spectacle. Jackson Martinez and Adrian Ramos promise goals and James Rodriguez is one of the young superstars of the European game. A quarter-final result is most definitely achievable for this bright South American side.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Greece

Rewind back to Euro 2004 and no-one gave Greece a hope. Yet the 150-1 outsiders stunned the world with their success and showed teams win football matches, not single individuals. A decade has passed and there are still representatives of that squad, like Giorgos Karagounis. They’ve done well to qualify for their second successive World Cup but lack the firepower required at the highest level. I think a lean tournament awaits the Greeks. However, they deserve to be here and have the potential to surprise people once again.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ivory Coast

Having been given the dreaded ‘Group of Death’ in both 2006 and 2010, the Ivory Coast must be happy to have a more favourable draw this time around. They have one of the best midfielders in the world in Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Didier Drogba is bound to have a say in what is likely to be his international swansong. They qualified well and could be Africa’s best hope for success. Sadly for the White Elephants, it will be third time unlucky when it comes to escaping the group stage.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Japan

Technically gifted and with plenty of power and skill to hurt opposition, 2014 could be a breakthrough competition for Japan. They might have lost all their games at the Confederations Cup last summer but they impressed many with their free-flowing style. Keisuke Honda of AC Milan is their star player, but Shinji Okazaki is a proven goalscorer having netted 15 in the Bundesliga last season and Shinji Kagawa has a point to prove after his frustrating time at Manchester United. The Blue Samarai in my view will produce Asia’s best performance in a World Cup on foreign soil.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Group D

Uruguay

The Uruguay squad is relatively unchanged from four years ago, when they reached the semi-finals. Holders of the Copa America and semi-finalists last summer in the Confederations Cup, there is no doubt that the Uruguayans are big tournament performers. In Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, they have the deadliest frontline duo going to Brazil but a fragile backline could be their undoing. The last 16 is as far as they will go in 2014.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Costa Rica

Costa Rica are an unpredictable outfit but don’t underestimate them, despite being in one of the tougher groups. Scotland did in 1990 and were embarrassingly beaten. There aren’t many household names, although Bryan Ruiz did have a spell in England with Fulham and Joel Campbell impressed for Olympiakos in the Champions League against Manchester United. They have a sound defensive unit but will be missing main goal threat Alvaro Saborio, due to a foot injury. It will be a battling, but predictable group stage exit.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

England

So what do we make of England’s chances? Roy Hodgson has picked a strong squad and whilst he has been starved of Walcott, Rodriguez and Townsend – injuries have been relatively unscathed compared to some nations. This is the final chance for the likes of skipper Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and maybe even Wayne Rooney to shine on the international stage. There is plenty of promise for the future and with more experience; the 2016 European Championships is a more realistic target for a better performance. With two wins in six since qualifying just in October, form is sketchy but confidence and morale is high within the Three Lions camp. I think getting out of the group is the realistic goal and they will just about do that. Anything further than the Round of 16 and World Cup 2014 will have been a notable success for the Three Lions. If anyone is still dreaming of winning the World Cup, keep dreaming because realistically, that is not going to happen.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

England head into this World Cup with much lower expectations for a long time

Italy

Cesare Prandelli has just extended his contract to remain boss of Italy until after Euro 2016. He might be quite pleased to do this. While the Azzuri qualified easily, a sloppy 2-2 home draw with Armenia cost them a top seeding and that must be regretted now. Since then, only one win in seven suggests rocky form and even the manager seems to not know his best formation to proceed with. It is always dangerous to write off the Italians, especially when they can call on Buffon, Pirlo and Balotelli but I think they will be the former winners who won’t escape Group D.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group E

Switzerland

This will be Ottmar Hitzfeld’s last tournament as a manager. Having won multiple Bundesliga titles in his successful career and the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, Hitzfeld has achieved a lot and guiding Switzerland into the world’s top 10 according to the FIFA World Rankings must rank highly among his achievements. I thought they were lucky to be seeded though and will be found out for that this summer in South America.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ecuador

Ecuador showed flashes of brilliant skill against England in a recent international friendly, even if their discipline was called into question. Coach Reinaldo Reuda will be aiming to match the Ecuadorians last World Cup effort, which was a run to the last 16 in 2006. Ecuador will also want to honour their late striker Christian Benitez this summer. ‘Chucho’ scored four times in qualifying before passing away last July at the tender age of 29 from a cardiac arrest. Progression out of the group would be a fitting tribute to the no.11.  

PREDICTION: Round of 16

France

The French national team are like marmite. You either love them or hate them. In the last four World Cups, they have either shamed themselves in first round elimination or gone on to reach the final, winning the prize on home soil in 1998. Key man Franck Ribery has been ruled out thanks to injury, whilst in-form Samir Nasri was excluded from the squad altogether by Didier Deschamps. The group looks routine and with a few promising youngsters, a satisfactory run to the last eight beckons for Les Bleus in 2014.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Honduras

On the evidence of last Saturday’s friendly with England, Honduras might turn all of their football matches into boxing contests! Their tackles were cheap and appalling and had no place in the game. They have done well to reach their second successive finals but made no impact on the competition in South Africa four years ago. It will be a similar story this time around, although don’t be surprised if their campaign is littered with injuring other players and red cards.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group F

Argentina

There is nothing else Argentina would love than to win the World Cup on the backyard of their biggest footballing enemy, Brazil. In Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, they have perhaps the best forward combination and if Angel Di Maria can repeat his stunning performance in the Champions League final, their attack promises loads of goals. There is still some concern about the defence and goalkeeper though and I think it could be their downfall. A shock quarter-final loss to the USA is my surprising prediction.

PREDICTION: Quarter-Finals

Bosnia-Herzegovina

The only debutants at this football festival will be Bosnia-Herzegovina. Two decades ago, the country was destroyed by genocide and civil war that turned Sarajevo into a war zone. Now, they are about to embark on a maiden appearance in the World Cup finals. It is a remarkable turnaround. Edin Dzeko promises goals, and should be supported by Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic. After a tough opening in the Maracana against Argentina, I think the Bosnia team will reach the last 16 and get a hero’s welcome on their return.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Iran

Managed by Carlos Queiroz, this group of Iran players is probably the best they have going to a World Cup. However, they have only one win to their name in the finals and that was against the USA in 1998. No household stars they might have, but there is plenty of team spirit and if they can match their impressive qualifying form that saw only Japan qualify from Asia with a better record, they might match Queiroz’s objective of a place in the last 16. I think that is a bridge too far but don’t discount Iran. They could be a real success story.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Nigeria

Nigeria has undergone a radical football transformation following World Cup failure in 2010. The underachieving stars were replaced by a younger breed and Stephen Keshi was rewarded for that youth gamble by becoming African champions last February. Goalscoring hero from that final Sunday Mba has been left at home though and they might be relying on more goalkeeping heroics from Vincent Enyeama – one of the most consistent in that position. I think it will be a disappointing campaign for the Super Eagles.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Group G

Germany

The German team is ready to take on the world and they have been the bridesmaids for so long. Manager Joachim Low has had a wealth of talent to choose from and looking at their attacking options is scary, despite losing Marco Reus on the eve of the competition to a heartbreaking injury. Thomas Muller and the experienced Miroslav Klose will lead the line and there is barely a weak link in the starting XI. If they can escape a tough group and cope with the conditions, I think another star will be added to Germany’s three on their shirts after this tournament.

PREDICTION: WINNERS

Portugal

Dragged to the finals almost single-handedly by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal have plenty to thank their skipper for. The greatest player on the planet at the moment has missed the build-up with a knee injury and they look limp without him. They might have Champions League winners in Pepe and Fabio Coentrao and the talented Joao Moutinho in midfield but if Ronaldo is injured or doesn’t perform to his maximum, Portugal struggle. Add in the hardest group of the first round and I think this tournament will be a step too far for them.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Ghana

The Black Stars from Africa came within a crossbar of making the semi-finals four years ago. Ghana won the hearts of many neutrals and are still considered as Africa’s best side, even if they continue to choke in the games when it matters in the African Cup of Nations. The Ghanaians have appeared in the last 16 on both of their previous World Cup final attempts. This time around, the power of the opposition will be just too much to repeat this feat.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

USA

I like the look of Team USA. Jurgen Klinsmann has put a lot of time and effort into this team and he has a core of strong and promising players to choose from. Omitting Landon Donovan from the final 23 was an incredibly tough decision and a massive surprise but Klinsmann is a winner and he believes he has enough goal power in Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and MLS ace Chris Wondolowski. Previously seen as a ‘joke’ outfit, they are serious dark horses and I reckon they will cause big surprises en route to a shock semi-final berth.

PREDICTION: Semi-Finals (4^th place)

Group H

Belgium

There is a lot of attention around Belgium, who have a very familiar squad to many who ply their trade in the Barclays Premier League. The likes of Kompany, Hazard, Lukaku and Fellaini are ready for the challenge of a World Cup but can they deliver on the main stage. Sometimes, teams can flatter to deceive after such a big build-up. I hope I’m wrong because I really want Belgium to succeed but I have a feeling that this pressure means expectations are far too high. A last 16 place is the minimum and probably realistic achievement.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

Algeria

Away goals were what was required for Algeria to get to Brazil, denying Burkina Faso a World Cup debut bow. They played a very old fashioned style of football four years ago, which did earn them a great point against England in Cape Town but offered little going forwards. Not much has changed since. I think they will score a goal, which they didn’t manage in 2010 but a similar early exit awaits the Algerians.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Russia

A familiar foe is in charge of Russia and he has a point to prove. Fabio Capello’s reputation took a battering when in charge of England’s dismal challenge in South Africa four years ago. He didn’t help himself either and his abrupt departure over the John Terry racism row in February 2012 meant he wasn’t missed. To his credit, Capello has rebuilt his international career in charge of Russia and will guide them to the 2018 World Cup. Losing skipper Roman Shirokov to injury is a big blow but they topped Portugal in a challenging qualifying group and have the potential to at least reach the last 16 – possibly as group winners.

PREDICTION: Round of 16

South Korea

South Korea reached the last 16 in 2010, eliminated on a rain-sodden evening in Port Elizabeth by Luis Suarez and Uruguay. Although they made heavy weather of qualifying, beaten by Iran to top spot, the Koreans have every chance of repeating the 2010 result. A run to the semi-finals like they managed in 2002 is highly unlikely though. Heung-Min Son of Bayer Leverkusen is their star man and in what is likely to be a three-way shootout with Belgium and Russia for progression, I believe South Korea will be the unlucky side to miss out.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

So the action is about to begin. You can follow all of the World Cup on BBC and ITV this summer and it all begins on Thursday night (12 June) with the opening ceremony from 7pm on ITV, followed by the opening match which is Brazil v Croatia. England’s first match is in the Amazon rainforest against Italy on Saturday, 14 June, kicking off at 11pm.

Let the games begin!

Categories: 2014, Brazil, England, Europe, Football, Rio de Janeiro, South America, Spain, Summer, World Cup

Horsemeat scandal - What lessons have been learned one year on?

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Earlier this week was the first anniversary since one of the biggest crises developed in the history of the food industry. It is fair to say that the horsemeat scandal across the United Kingdom and Europe was bad news for many senior figures in the food process – from those working on the production line to the senior heads of supermarkets and food chains.

However as it is now a year on, what lessons have been learnt? Do you care about what is contained in your meal? Were supermarkets right to be blamed?

The short background

News of horsemeat started to emerge on the 16 January 2013 and it was an issue first highlighted in Ireland. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said beefburgers with traces of equine DNA, including one product classed as an astonishing 29 per cent horse were being supplied to subsidiaries of the ABP Food Group. This included a food production line in Yorkshire. Whilst this was a concern, few could have predicted the revelations that emerged in the days and weeks ahead.

A day later, the ABP Food Group decided to investigate things further and closed their plant in Ireland while the matter was looked into. Not taking chances, 10 million burgers were pulled off the shelves by retailers including Iceland, Aldi, ASDA and Tesco, whilst fast food chain Burger King switched suppliers to ensure they weren’t dragged into the emerging mess.

Worse came in early February when tests showed traces of horsemeat were now being found in frozen lasagne and spaghetti meals. The Findus food group was now coming under scrutiny with their beef lasagne product believed to be one of the meals that had these disturbing traces. Again, the supermarkets reacted quickly and took away these products from our shelves. A day later, the FSA revealed a second case of “gross contamination” after some Findus UK beef lasagnes (pictured below), made by Comigel, a French food supplier contained upto 100 per cent horsemeat. Allegations of ‘criminal activity’ were made and more products from Comigel were being removed across the UK. The likes of Aldi and Tesco moved quicker than their counterparts, reacting almost as soon as they heard of possible trouble.

Turns out there wasn't much beef in Findus' Lasagne range

While David Cameron labelled the scandal as “completely unacceptable,” there was little he could do. After vigorous DNA testing, most cases had horsemeat down as just a filler ingredient but when some products were mismanaged and called ‘beef’ when they didn’t have any ‘beef’ in them, it damaged the creditability of many leading companies in the food sector. Nearly every meat seller in Europe has been affected, although it didn’t spread to a worldwide issue.

In May last year, Willy Selten, a Dutch meat wholesaler was arrested after it was reported he was selling 300 tonnes of horsemeat as beef. However only he and the interim director of his company Willy Selten BV were arrested and prosecuted. 21 further people were arrested in the south of France as recently as last month after consignments of horsemeat were seized but at the time of writing, no prosecutions have been publicly made.

Should you care?

First and foremost, it has been highlighted by several senior supermarket managers that the ingredient of horsemeat is not harmful to health and many countries across the globe actually eat it. However it is considered as a ‘taboo food’ in both Ireland and the UK.

In the aftermath of the scandal developing, some people were interviewed and were panicking that they were going to be seriously ill. To date, there has been no proven case of anyone dying after eating traces of horsemeat and as a consequence, the whole story was blown totally out of proportion.

One thing that the British public seems to do a lot is panic. It happens all the time if there is a strike looming such as the petrol strike of 2000 or the devastating foot and mouth crisis a year later which almost brought the farming and agricultural sectors to its knees. A small amount of snow also leaves a high proportion in a tailspin. There was a huge influence of media consumed news and too many inaccurate opinions given in the days afterwards.

The horsemeat scandal was not good for us to hear about and it was frankly appalling but it wasn’t going to turn everyday lives upside down. All it meant was perhaps taking more caution in what we digest as human beings. I know for a fact that I don’t normally check ingredients contained in meals and that hasn’t changed (although I have very limited cooking skills). Those who of course have supplements to stick to or are perhaps restricted to what they eat due to gluten-free diets or lactose-free diets should have been more concerned. It was this kind of thing that might mean you don’t totally trust a packet that says ‘this has no traces of wheat’ but it might actually have ‘wheat powder’ contained. This could make an individual very ill and that is gross misconduct, no matter what way you look at it.

What it did show was the levels in trust between consumer and supermarket and consumer to food chain were severely hit and possibly beyond repair. It was okay if you weren’t directly affected like me but what if your favourite meal was Findus Beef Lasagne when actually you were eating Findus Horse Lasagne. Poor packaging, a lack of truth and appalling misinformation turned what could have been something relatively minor into the biggest crisis in this country’s food production since British beef exports were banned by many EU partners in 1996.

I think you should care about what happened because it was quite disturbing, whether affected or not. Even if you don’t want the full details, the majority of people should have the basic ingredients knowledge of what they are eating on a regular basis. Put it this way, you’d be extremely unhappy if the chicken burger or spaghetti ready meal you were eating was actually a horse burger or a Cow Bolognese!

Did supermarkets react quickly enough?

Supermarkets were caught right in the middle by what was happening. In some cases, they were being directly blamed but unless the product was actually from their own various ranges, it is difficult to accuse them of causing the horsemeat scandal. The food is processed in the various food plants across Europe and is probably packaged too before it arrives in the supermarkets up and down the British Isles. The only thing you could blame them for is whether they reacted quickly enough to the horsemeat scandal.

As soon as food, especially the beef products mentioned was being tested and there was confirmation of traces of DNA of horsemeat, the likes of Aldi and Tesco were extremely quick in pulling the affected meals out of supermarkets. It could be seen as a precautionary measure but then again, it won’t have been good if they didn’t do anything. Other supermarkets and I won’t mention any names here were much slower in reacting and by the time they had, it was too late in comparison to their rivals.

The majority of our big supermarket chains were affected in some form as products disappeared. What it did suggest was that the lack of trust and knowledge should be aimed more in an argument between food production versus consumer rather than food seller versus consumer.

The top hierarchy at these stores should have had better knowledge but it isn’t their fault. Some areas of the media went for these guys and that was slightly unfair. The supermarkets did what they could in a very tricky and difficult situation for everyone. 

Still in these particular crisis stories, this is when social media can be at its best or even its worse and Twitter was the best place to find out what people were thinking. Below are three examples. Take your pick to decide what you thought was humorous or below the belt;

Its_Death Steve Death

Findus lasagne contains horse meat. I'd check the spaghetti bologneighs as well.  

StephenMorley Stephen Morley

Food scandal for vegetarians: radish found to be up to 100% horseradish  

GraemeGarden1 Graeme Garden

What's the fuss? For years we've been told that Ready Meals contain too much Salt and Shergar. #findus  

What lessons have been learned?

A year on, have lessons been learned from the fallout? That is open to debate. I feel that the supermarkets have moved on and it sounds like their Christmas sales showed marked improvements apart from Morrisons. The food production chains at those affected such as Findus might not ever recover from these setbacks. It will be a scar that will be with them at least in psychological form for a very long time.

For the consumer, it probably means we take a bit more time in supermarkets buying our products in the weekly shop or via online if the hustle bustle of the crowds is too much. Trust was broken, damage done but not something that can’t ever been fixed.

The horsemeat scandal of 2013 was a horrible story to hear about and a distasteful episode for the food industry. With the lack of prosecutions and the way the story disappeared from the newspapers, websites and bulletins after the end of February last year, it is difficult to say much if lessons have been learned. Hopefully, it will lead to more care and dedication taken to ensure that things like this do not and will not happen again. The people accused of the ‘criminal activity’ have to take the responsibility for their actions. It was bad but thankfully, didn't cause any deaths.

Categories: Aldi, ASDA, David Cameron, DNA, Dutch, Europe, Findus, Horsemeat, Lasagne, Tesco, UK

Costa Blanca - A guide of what is on offer in 2013

By Simon Wright

This guide was written by myself as part of freelance work with Holiday Weather.  The first three months are below in full.  April - December links are at the bottom of this article, taking you to the HW website.

Beautiful beaches and wonderful weather are part of the Costa Blanca package

The Costa Blanca is still one of Europe’s most popular destinations for holidaymakers across the world.  There is a major influx of British tourists, from friendship groups and romantic couples, to business acquaintances and happy families who will pick their destination to be the Costa Blanca.  It is hard not to see why.

Also called ‘The White Coast,’ the area is full of sun, sea, sand and sangria.  There are some appetising restaurants to try, the buzzing nightlife needs to be sampled, and plenty of multicultural events that occur throughout the year.  There are many aspects that will make any visit to the Costa Blanca fun, but also relaxing and stress-free.

The Costa Blanca consists of 200 kilometres of coastline, and has some major hotspots for travellers to choose where to stay from.  Benidorm is the number one preferred destination, especially for families who want to see plenty of sunshine, and for the youngsters who are only interested in going to sample the party atmosphere when the sun sets.

There’s also Alicante, where the best beaches and wider location choice seems to be.  Alicante offers the blend of Spanish tradition, combined with 21^st century modernity.  Other smaller towns include Elche, Murcia, Torrevieja, Denia and Calpe.  The Costa Blanca isn’t far away either from the city of Valencia – Spain’s biggest after the heavyweights of Madrid and Barcelona.

The weather throughout the year is very consistent, with a warm and humid subtropical Mediterranean climate.  Average temperatures reach an excess of 20 degrees Celsius, with approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.  In the past, there have been extreme weather conditions – ranging from flooding to tornadoes at sea, but these are rare occurrences.  Generally, the climate here is hot, warm and sunny.

January

Weather: The traditional weather for the Costa Blanca in January is settled, but distinctively cold in comparison to the hot and humid summer months.  With a temperature average of 11 degrees Celsius, and a potential low of five degrees Celsius during the day, January is the coldest month of the calendar year.  Sunshine hours peak at an average of six hours per day, with sea temperatures at 14 degrees Celsius. 

Attractions: The weather is not ideal for beach travellers, so January is a month for history enthusiasts to really come and see new parts of information which will be revealing.  A trip to Denia will take you to the Archaeological Museum which is located in two rooms known as ‘The Palace of the Governor.’  Built back in the 17^th century, the museum, established in 1957 offers not only great views of the port of Denia and the town itself, but also presents a range of materials in the field of archaeology.  This trip will take you through Denia’s development from its early origins right through to the 18^th century.

If visitors are not up for this trip, then head down to Elche for a journey into the small, but well exhibited Paleontological Museum.  The exhibits here are very informative, and have been kept in almost pristine condition.  Tourists can also take home some natural fossils and stones as part of their visit around this brilliant archaeological museum. 

Events: Traditionally, festivals and events are on the quiet side in January around the Costa Blanca.  The main festival is the Porrat de San Anton, which is an animal show and a local market that is held in one of the local’s favourite locations – the bullring.  This festival is named after the region’s Patron Saint of Alicante, San Anton.  It often takes place in mid-January.

Hotels: The choices of accommodation are endless around the Costa Blanca.  Tourists can take their choice from sky scraping hotels and luxury villas to urban bungalows.  Then, there is the decision of whether to go to a busy area where the majority of the action is, or somewhere more peaceful where noise won’t be an issue.

The Hotel Javea in Javea is a small hotel, but a cosy place to stay and has a proper family atmosphere to it.  Situated near the port of Javea, the hotel gets fairly busy in the height of summertime, but is much quieter in times like January.  The location of Hotel Javea is decent, with a marina facility nearby, although the nearest sand beach is at least 20 minutes walking distance away.  However, this is a chilled place to stay on your holiday to start the calendar year.

Hotel Fetiche in Benidorm is located in the older part of the town, and is a fine Bed and Breakfast location.  There are only 17 rooms, so it is a closely well-run place, with a continental breakfast as part of the package.  Rooms can be catered for with people who have disabilities, and the attention to detail of the customer’s stay makes this accommodation well worth to be considered by visitors.

The Casa La Differencia in Calpe does cater for all types of individual.  In the winter season, it welcomes everyone to its speciality inn, but between May and October, it becomes a place for gay people to come and stay at whilst on holiday.  No pets and children are allowed to stay here, and the price for staying in this residence includes free Wi-Fi, a daily newspaper and free drinks 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Altea might be a tiny village in the Costa Blanca, but the Melia Villa Gadea Beach Hotel is another luxurious choice.  It has to be when there are tennis courts available on site, along with five restaurants and three swimming pools.  This is one of the best stays at anytime of the year in the Costa Blanca.

Lastly, a quieter resort is the three-star Albir Garden Resort property in Albir.  This accommodation might be close to the nearest Albir beach, shops and bars, but it is a calmer town when pitted up against the likes of Benidorm, Alicante and Torrevieja.  That doesn’t mean to say nothing happens here.  Facilities including a top class gym, a volleyball court, entertainment all day and a heated indoor swimming pool throughout the winter season.

Beaches: January is not the traditional time of year to come and get a decent tan, despite the warmish temperatures in the Costa Blanca.  As a consequence, the beaches will be less busy than they would be in summer, but Javea’s La Grava beach is a good shingle beach to come and take a scenic walk at this time of year.  There is a superb restaurant to stop for food, and La Grava is close to the port of Javea.

Restaurants: The various restaurants do very well throughout the entire year in the Costa Blanca.  Two fine selections have a real local and European feel to them.

The La Sort restaurant in Alicante is a classy professional restaurant.  If the choice is to come here, the staff will make the experience of eating first-class very important.  They take customers seriously, but they would if toothbrushes are offered in the bathrooms.  The prices are expensive though, so only come if there is something to celebrate because then it can be done in style.

At a more modest price range is the Taberna Restaurante Carbon, based in La Nucia.  The views are glorious and the food isn’t bad either.  The restaurant is based on two floors, and the menu offers a fine choice of modern international food.  The speciality is Italian cuisine though, so giving a try to their pristine pasta or the popular pizzas wouldn’t go amiss.  This restaurant only opened two years ago, but has already become a favourite with many locals and travellers. 

Nightlife: It might be smaller than many of the heavyweight places around the Costa Blanca, but the northern part of the region is not dull at all.  Altea is part of the northern part of Costa Blanca and one of its top nightspots is the La Plaza.  La Plaza is a cocktail bar that will serve up all of the traditional favourites and the music buzz is a flavour between jazz and soul music.

Elsewhere, Lennon’s in Benidorm is often crowded at weekends and is a regular on the tour of exploring the Benidorm nightlife for regulars and newcomers.  Dance music is frequently played and this place is a huge favourite for the under-25s in the area.

February

Weather: As the year develops, the weather gets warmer in the Costa Blanca, but February’s averages are still only marginally better than January.  Those who want to see the sun will be more likely to see it for just an extra hour per day on standard terms.  At least rainfall levels remain low, with only four days of rain forecasted per month.  Sea temperatures stay at the same level as they did in January, with temperatures in the air reaching an annual high of 17 degrees Celsius.

Attractions: Another of the main museums to visit in the Costa Blanca is the MARQ Provincial Archaeological Museum in Alicante.  This museum provides a great mix of archaeological artefacts and historical creation.  Having won international stardom as the European Museum of the Year nine years ago for the originality of the exhibits on display, the MARQ is in great company alongside other classical worldwide museums such as the Salzburg Museum in Austria and the National Railway Museum in the UK in York.

This is an intriguing trip, but so too is an excursion to the hugely popular fish market and auction over in Denia.  The locals enjoy their food in the Costa Blanca, and freshly prepared fish is amongst their favourite dishes.  Head to the port of Denia around mid-afternoon, and you will see the fisherman determined to complete their catches for the day.  When their business is complete, the fish captured are taken to La Lonja, so interested customers can see what is available before the start of the auction.  Ultimately, part of the fish captured will go to the lowest bidder in the auction (different to traditional English auctions), and the rest makes general sale for the public.  Even if fish is not a natural part of an everyday diet, this is something to indulge in as a spectator watching on.  

Events: In mid-February, there are major carnival festivities throughout the Alicante area of the Costa Blanca.  There are a number of parties which include colourful processions of decorated floats and the traditional burying of a sardine on Ash Wednesday.

Hotels: Situated in Elche, the Hotel Areca opened in 2006 and offers its guests with a serene and carefree environment.  Facilities include a free spa, private parking and a well-maintained terrace garden.  This is a modern place that is another choice that should be carefully thought about by business travellers.

From the modernisms of Areca to Hotel Buena Vista in Denia, this is of the classic brand.  This 19^th century mansion might have had a makeover since those days, but the majority of the rooms do offer a tremendous sea view and facilities for swimming, sauna and gym equipment.  It might look slightly outdated from the outside, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the inside aspects of this stay.

Campsites are few and far between in Costa Blanca, but the main one is the Campsite Internacional La Marina.  Open all year to families, it will have regular deals that will offer mega savings for travellers.  The campground has 36 bungalows, all in different categories to cater for the types of individual and prices.  Entertainment includes a dedicated animation team who always is there to put a smile on the faces of holidaymakers, bicycle rental and an outdoor themed swimming lake.

One of the leading hostels in the Costa Blanca is Mont Royal, situated on the San Juan beach in Alicante.  The main amenities at this accommodation include a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi, with optional deals for those preferring a breakfast and lunch package.

The Coral Beach Apartments in Calpe are the place to be if the plan is to go on a family holiday on a self-catering basis.  This apartment is close to the shops, the beach and the restaurants, so there is plenty for everyone to remain content and occupied.

Beaches: Playa del Cura is the beach resort of Torrevieja, and while it is perhaps best to avoid it in summertime, due to the high population, it is great to go before June.  The beach is nice to sit down on, and offers the chance to reflect on a fantastic Costa Blanca stay, but water users should be warned – the sea here does have some stones on the seabed.

So, if it is exploring the sea that would win the holidaymaker over at this time of year, the Les Bassetes beach in Calpe is great company.  Conditions are almost faultless to learn how to sail to Olympic standard, and an underwater sea bed makes it perfect to practice some diving skills of your own.

Restaurants: The Aitona restaurant in Benidorm does some of the best paella around in the Costa Blanca.  Paella is the most common dish in Spain, and is enjoyed regularly by both foreign tourists and Spanish locals.  Grilled meat is served as an alternative.

Or head to the El Toro Steak House over in Benijofar.  This restaurant adopts a modern European style eating and drinking venue and takes a different feel to the regular steak house approach expected back at home.  Dutch steaks lead the way, and they have been especially imported from Holland to reach their new destination, and diners can even cook their own meat by deciding to choose the house speciality.

Nightlife: Benidorm Palace is a very professional show, even if the venue is looking like it could do with an extra coat of paint.  There are options to dine here, as well as enjoy an entertaining show full of cabaret acts and dancers.  The night is quite costly in terms of money, but goers shouldn’t be disappointed by the quality on offer.

Another relaxed setting is Clan Cabaret in Alicante.  Regular live music performances and live drama plays take place during the course of the year, and in the summer, it turns into disco fever, so the youngsters will still be attracted to this venue.

March

Weather: March is traditionally the first sign that springtime is on its way across Europe.  It is no exception in the Costa Blanca, with a temperature high peaking at 19 degrees Celsius.  This is only the warm-up though to the summer months, which is when the majority of British tourists and holidaymakers will be more likely to visit, due to the weather.  Sunset is past 7pm every evening, so it is surprising to see an average of seven sunshine hours per day, despite it being far lighter than darker at this time of year.  The average temperature this month is 15 degrees Celsius, that’s 58 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Attractions: Costa Blanca might have a host of attractions to tempt visitors, but if a day break is required, then the city of Valencia is not far away to visit.  Situated right at the heart of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline, Valencia offers a lot to do in just a day.  Those looking to sightsee could visit the many famous art galleries and museums on show, or take a long stroll along the beach.  Spain’s most common dish is of course paella, and this was first cooked up by chefs in Valencia.  It would be unwise to not try some paella in the tons of restaurants.  Sport fans might want to head near the atmospheric Mestalla Stadium, home to La Liga giants Valencia, or to the port of Valencia which was the home of sailing’s prestigious Americas Cup event and more recently, the European Formula One Grand Prix from 2008 to 2012.

The race in Valencia was won by Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso last season, and youngsters or the family can attempt to follow in the footsteps of one of Spain’s prodigal sons by competing at the Karting Alacant venue.  On offer are different types of go-karts for the kids and the adults, and there is often plenty of action on the circuit.  This would be a fun one-off opportunity to put all that computer games practice to practical use.

Events: Craft culture is the theme of the Alicante Cool Craft Market in early March.  These markets are located near the Alicante bullring in the Cultural Garden Las Cigarreras.  This event is regularly held over one weekend and allows locals to sell and exhibit their homemade goods.  This can include scrapbooks, stationery resources, illustrations and jewellery, made from a whole variety of different fabrics and materials.

In late March, the second Sea World exhibition will take place, and a massive range of activities is planned on the Esplanada of Lo Pagan.  This includes mud therapy demonstrations, permanent exhibitions by the Spanish Red Cross amongst others, guided tours of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, and several competitive fish auctions.

 

Easter weekend falls at the end of March in 2013, so this is when Semana Santa takes place.  This is Holy Week across the whole of the Costa Blanca, in an event that will begin a week before Easter Sunday every year.  All towns and villages have processions throughout the week to mark Easter, with events in Murcia, Alicante and Orihuela leading the way when it comes to creating unforgettable scenes.

Hotels: The Oasis Albir Playa hotel in Albir is located in an area of tranquillity, despite the numerous shops that can be found in the vicinity.  All rooms have double beds, and some are lucky enough to have king-size beds.  A family friendly environment, this hotel caters for half-board, bed and breakfast and all inclusive visitors.

Meanwhile, with a beach close by, modern gym for guests to enjoy and a conference room, the Albahia Tennis and Business Hotel in Alicante is perfect for couples and business travellers to spend holiday time in the Costa Blanca.  With nine tennis courts to practice championship skills on, it isn’t bad for the recreational active types either.

The Huerto del Cura in Elche is a large hotel which is almost hidden away by some of the famous palm groves that attracts hundreds of visitors every year.  The gardens are luxurious, and the rooms set in neat and polished looking bungalows.

A poolside apartment up for rental use is based in El Pinet, close to the La Marina village.  El Pinet is a recent new development and this self-catering apartment is situated in a peaceful area, with all the standard equipment expected.  Available for the whole of spring and summer, and fantastic low prices for staying, El Pinet is an example of cheap and classy rental property. 

Located three kilometres away from the centre of El Campello, Hostal San Juan in Alicante is located opposite the popular San Juan beach.  With good transport links into the Alicante town, and a superb backdrop of a view, this is another fine choice of accommodation that differs from a standard hotel.

Beaches: The Moraira beach in Moraira has everything a traveller would need, and there is even a choice of relaxing on fine sand, or strolling slowly along the rocky, pebbly length of beach.  Not as overpopulated as many beaches, this is actually a hidden gem when it comes to thinking about staying in Moraira.

The Punta Prima Beach in Torrevieja is another golden beach that is often ignored by the regulars.  It might not be massive in size, but the local beach bar provides a high-quality selection of drinks, and offers great views of the area in general.

Restaurants: With an inviting atmosphere, the Cap Blanca restaurant in Moraira is a welcoming British restaurant in the Costa Blanca.  Every Sunday, there is a traditional roast dinner, with a choice of lamb, pork, beef or gammon for diners, and all food is homemade and freshly cooked.  This venue is perfect for a romantic meal or for somewhere to relax with family or friends.  Booking in advance is highly recommended to guarantee a table at Cap Blanca.

Over in Santa Pola, the tiny eating establishment of Casa Joaquin is dedicated to seafood and serves fresh food every single day.  For those with a real craving for fish, you will be in heaven by coming to Casa Joaquin.

Nightlife: Churchill’s pub in Benidorm is a true British favourite to visit.  A fun night out is a sure-fire definite by a wide raft of programme in terms of entertainment.  Sometimes, theme nights will be put on by the owners, and others will involve karaoke nights that won’t be judged properly on this occasion. It is almost like a place home from home.

For a more international feel, the Pacha nightclub is the best for a great night out in Torrevieja.  The place is always buzzing with youngsters and the music is provided by an excellent line-up regularly of international and Spanish DJs.

April - December

For those who want to read on about the top accommodation, nightlife, beaches and attractions throughout the year in the Costa Blanca, click on the following links for the highlights from April - December.

Costa Blanca April

Costa Blanca May

Costa Blanca June

Costa Blanca July

Costa Blanca August

Costa Blanca September

Costa Blanca October

Costa Blanca November

Costa Blanca December

Categories: Alicante, Britain, Costa Blanca, Elche, Europe, Murcia, Spain, Temperature, Tourists, Weather