Mittens Benidorm 2006 - WED 16 AUG to WED 23 AUG

[Nacho]

Shit, here we have two weeks of holidays (at least the schools have).

[Chrille]

It seems like a nice place for next Mittens, but are there not any other perhaps slightly more secluded options to look into? Seems like a fairly large city after all.

I'm afraid it's way to early to tell if or when I can go.

[Becky]

The Easter holidays are the time of year where I'm sweating over coursework, so any time in July-August is far, far better

[Andail]

If we must plan this early in advance, I think we might have to look over our alternatives. As much as I want to see Nacho's home town, I can't set dates in stone this early, and I'm sure many other members feel the same.

I think one or two months in advance is all you can demand of people, really.

[Dowland]

Everybody is invited, considering that you'll need to be 18. No matter if you've discussed with me or do you hate me, or do you think that you're going to. My experience says that Mittens cures that.

Mittens cures animosity? Wow. I should've gone there a long time ago.

On the subject of dates, perhaps something more formal could be done? Perhaps if everybody gave the ranges of vacation, school, and exam periods, and if we super-impose those periods to touristing seasons ... you might be able to see which periods are the lesser evil, no?

I volunteer to write a program to view all the ranges!

[passer-by]

If we must plan this early in advance, I think we might have to look over our alternatives. As much as I want to see Nacho's home town, I can't set dates in stone this early, and I'm sure many other members feel the same.

I think one or two months in advance is all you can demand of people, really.

I think it is much more sensible, but I would allow 3-4 months (flights).

[magintz]

In the UK a standard Easter break is two weeks, while for us University students it can differ between 2-4 weeks.

According to about.com; lent begins March 1, 2006. Easter is Sunday, April 16, 2006. Which means that most people who have two weeks off will break up a week before and return the week after.

Cons - Religious time of year for many people, you could be in a foreign country for Easter instead of with the family etc... August is a general time when most people are on summer vacation, while Easter is a little trickier when organising dates.

Pros - Cheaper, more likely able to book time off work in Easter especially with Good Friday and Easter Sunday being day's off for almost everyone. Less Tourists.

I still vote for Easter, that way when I get a Summer Job, I won't have to take time off work, or even quit. Easter is right before exam period, but a week off out of a general two - three shouldn't be devestating, everyone can do with a rest. Coursework as Shen said will also be a big issue with me but I still feel confident I can get it done and out the way before/after the trip.

I agree that at least 4 month's is needed to book this as many of us have to get flights, and especially if it is going to be in August.

As for August dates, someone should look into flight prices now, check out when in August is cheapest.

EDIT:- Well I've been proven wrong, flights from London to Alicante from April 15th for a week where £150, while August 15th was only £120. This is probably due to there being more flights available. The April one was from Heathrow, while the August one was from Gatwick (cheapest options for each choice)

Perhaps it is better to stick with August, we just better book everything early enough.

[Nacho]

I've been browsing, but, obviously not better than Magginz, for flights to Alicante. I haven't seen flight in further dates than March 2006. 120 â,¬ is amazing, I spent almost 500 for going to Greece.

And Chrille... It's a big town, but I have a lot in confidence into its appeal. Our "People coming back" ratio is 88%, quite impressive, IMO. Also, we would be almost in the limits in the town. My town is like a big sausage along the beach, and we would be at the north extreme of that sausage, at the skirts of the local mountain, very close to the water park.

Nature is close, an urban mittens would be a change, but I've been in two mittens and I know (I think) how too keep the charm and the original feeling. A change, but not too radikal.

[Layabout]

you can get a flight to barcelona for £8.99 right now with ryan air... one way, but there is a bit on top of it for booking fee and crap. but that is still bloody cheap... that was on ryanair's website...

[AGA]

Barcelona isn't Alicante.

[magintz]

Still, that is pretty cheap. Perhaps RyanAir fly to one of the airports near Benidorm, but that can wait. First we really need to choose dates.

What we really need is to have a big vote, Summer or Easter and then plan the dates around that.

The dates I chose for Easter flights was flying out Goof Friday, I imagine it would be much cheaper to fly another week during Easter.

[Becky]

I vote Summer, and so does DarkStalkey.  We both will have too much coursework and he won't have enough money.

[SSH]

Easyjet fly to Alicante from Basel, Belfast, Bristol, Dortmund, Geneva, Liverpool, Gatwick, Luton, Stanstead, Newcastle and East Midlands. STN-ALC is a 50 quid all included in the March 2006 date I tried, which is the latest date which they are selling tickets for now.

Ryanair fly to Murcia instead which viamichelin thinks is an hour and a half by car. They fly there from Luton, Stanstead, Dublin, Prestwick, Liverpool and East Midlads

BMIbaby do from East Midlands, Hethrow, Notingham, Manchester Birmingham and Cardiff to Alicante

[Nacho]

Flights wouldn't be a problem... I am almost decided for the last week of August 2006... Now it is August, the last week as well, and I am realising that it's not so hot, and it's less crowded, people is leaving. I know I can't demmand people to know if they'll be able to come, but I think I can guarantee 15-20 mitteners, so, as soon the majority says that the dates are ok for you,  I'll make a phone call to the camping to know how it goes. I will ask for a reasonable date for booking in advance too, and I'll tell you. It might be 3 months, I think.

[Chicky]

My darling lover amy has agreed to go with me next year. We're both 18 next year, about half way thru. Would we still be allowed to go if say the date was march?

[Nacho]

It'll probably be the last week of August. Minimum age is 18, and if we accept people with months less, people with years less will start to ask for coming, and it'll be a mess. But I think we can make exceptions in some cases. Maybe you two, a couple very close to 18. We will see.

[Chicky]

August is a great date! me and farl have sorted things. Seeing as i will be 18 in august things are good to go!

Mittens '06 here we come! 

[m0ds]

Benidorm! Sun, sand, sex, silly AGSers... Woot! That'd be awesome. And, if it is as Farlander said at this years Mittens, in a college - we will have NO excuse but to bring a laptop or three and make & finish a game within Mittens week!!1 Anytime of year is fine with me.

[magintz]

Dates sound good, i've missed two years (I know I can't believe you've had 2 whole mittens without your loveable magintz with you).

I shall be there come rain or shine...*


*note: i may not actually be there....**

**note: I'll really really really try with all my leprechaun charm

[m0ds]

Perhaps we can persuade people to attend Mittens & Mittens only next year. I doubt I'll be organising a Brittens but there was talk of a Wittens. ANYWAY, this is all MILES away in time!