If ever thorns looked beautiful, they are near Benidorm. The place is spanking rich with safari parks and other exhibitions of flora and fauna. But the cut above the rest is a rare exotic collection of cacti plants. The sanatorium is called Cactuslandia.

In the midst of Spain, as we travel from Calpe to Altea, it meets us. Cactuslandia is at a height of 162.5 feet and spread over an area of about 3 square kilometers. There are about 1000 different specie of cacti in all hues. They provide fodder for both the botanists and the newcomers. It is hard to find a summation of such varied cacti plants anywhere. Needless to say, it attracts many tourists. The locals take pride in possessing the cactarium.

Exotic birds adorn the place as they are in numbers. There is a settlement colony framed for them. Cactuslandia hosts a Museum of Natural Science which displays numerous fossils and corals to the visitors. The place reeks of greenery and is a sight to sore eyes.

It may also teach a thing or two about gardening. Cactuslandia is grooved in concentric circles. Every descending one has a thriving growth of cacti plants. The topmost ring boasts of subtropical fruits and the whole terrain seems fresh and lively at all times.

Cactus is a plant which can live in extreme heat. That makes it a darling of the desert. So there is not much concern about how it will fare. Still the team takes whole care of the rare plants. This place is after all a good tourist currency earner.

Maintenance of Cactuslandia is done with whatever the place earns through visitors. Since the place is evergreen, there are visitors round the year. Entry ticket and the other expenses fend for Cactuslandia’s sustenance. Since it does not guarantee a lot of money involved, it results in poor service in a few departments.

Nomenclature is the main sector to fall victim of cash crunch. There are many cacti plants which are not labeled and live unnamed. That is an apparent trouble for the curious botanists that visit here. Otherwise, plants and birds are very well cared after.

People commonly do not encounter the cacti plants and know little of them. This is an earnest attempt near Benidorm to provide a haunt for these thorny plants. Particular varieties to watch out are pachycereus and trichocereus Peruvians.

Cactulandia had it humble beginnings about three and a half decade ago.

Denia and San Vicente del Raspeig are not alone in bringing a free-system of bicycles to the fore. Benidorm is following their way and doing it in a big way. Valencian energy agency is promoting the free-system for improvising on the use of alternative modes of transport. The idea is to minimize the usage of petrol. VEE, in combination with the council of Benidorm, will put in €240,000 for buying and putting on roads some 300 bikes. They believe that it would save 1,65,000 liters of petrol each year.
During the tentative period, there will be 10 bike parks scattered along the town of Benidorm. These will be free, no-holds-barred, hop-off, hop-on system. Those who use the bikes will have the services of electronic cards. This will assess where a bike is being pulled and where it is put back. Such meticulous techniques will keep track of the exact use of bikes in a scientific way. Centralized control offices will take care of this database. Each town hall would have one centralized control office for this purpose. Using a bike instead of car will put in far less pressure of pollution on Benidorm; in fact, some 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide to be precise.
Bike parks will be there at The town hall, Plaza del Torrechó, calle Mercado, Polideportivo de Foietes and el Palau dels Esports L’Illa de Benidorm, Avenida Europa, Avenida Ametlla de Mar, bus station, tram station, Parque de Elche,