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Spain > Valencia
By Jessica Lloyd
Who’s There?
With a population of around 750,000 Valencia is Spain’s second
largest city. Valencia is popular with Spanish and international
tourists in summer (June – September), when temperatures in Spain
soar and everyone heads to the beach. The people are friendly, which
is normal in Spain - they don’t share the sometimes-prickly
reputation of some of their close European neighbours.
What’s There?
It is right on the Mediterranean Sea, so has some great beaches. The
public transport system is good, with lots of buses and the metro
system quite adequate for everyone. There are ample taxis, and they
are very reasonably priced. There is a big long park in the middle
where a river used to run through, but they re-routed it. The
bridges are still all in place for cars and people, but instead of
water there is lush grass and trees. Paths run down either side for
bikes and pedestrians, and there are benches in the middle for sun
and book reading. It’s a very pleasant area of a very pleasant city.
Las Fallas Festival
This big festival is held for a week in March. Parades are held, and
huge 15-metre paper mache sculptures are made and put up on street
corners throughout the city. They are made to look like local
celebrities or politicians and are called fallas (pronounced Fay-yas).
They are quite grotesque, and at the end of the festival they are
set on fire. It is one of the biggest celebrations in Spain.
Tomato Fight Anyone?
Valencia is the near the home of La Tomatina – the world’s only
tomato throwing festival. Tons and tons of tomatoes are brought in
on big trucks and everyone throws them at each other. Sound like
fun? It is! Held annually on the last Friday in August or beginning
of September, people from all over come to get splattered with
tomatoes, and to improve their aim at all else who dare to turn up.
The location is Plaza Del Pueblo 30km from Valencia in a place
called Buñol, running from 11am – 1pm. It is free for everyone. Get
ready to go red! It usually ends up boys against girls, and there is
normally a fair amount of booze fuelling the fighting. It can
quickly turn into a wet t-shirt competition so watch out girls!
Tomatoes have to be squashed before you can throw them, for safety
reasons.
Not recommended to wear white, or take cameras. The first tomato
fight started in 1945, but no-one seems to know why. Who cares
anyway! Heaps of fun, definitely worth a stop if you’re in Spain at
this time.
Night Life
There are lots of great bars, restaurants and fun to be had out at
night in Valencia. There are international restaurants and since the
Spanish love drinking, plenty of bars. An interesting bar to visit
is called La Indieana, and is a nightclub with a huge aquarium
inside, which splits it in two. There are a few small sharks and
lots of interesting fish to look at – something different whilst
drinking and dancing the night away. Watch out in the loo though,
because there is only fish and water separating you from the people
on the other side of the glass!
The Beach
There are quite a few different beaches, long and sandy, with warm
water and waves. Some say that Valencia’s beaches are the best in
Spain. The metro goes almost straight there, taking you past lots of
great little cafes and bars where you can find traditional Spanish
Tapas (gourmet snack food) and local beer. There is a big long
market full of stalls along Levante / Maloarrosa Beaches selling all
kinds of trinkets, bags and clothes, which are open until late.
Language and Money
Spanish is spoken here, though it is part of the province of
Catalonia, the official languages are both Catalan and Spanish.
Catalan is also known as Valencian. Catalan is a cross between
Spanish and French, and even though almost all the locals will speak
Catalan, they all also know Spanish. Most Spanish people learn
English at school, but don’t count on it! Learn some basic Spanish
before you go to avoid difficulties when out. Spain uses euros, but
used to use their own currency known as pesetas.
 Siesta and Meal Times
Don’t forget to plan for siesta time! Spain has siesta from 2 or 3pm
until 5 or 6pm, and most places close during this time. It is the
hottest part of the day, and the shops close at around 8 or 9pm.
Meal times are late too, with lunch being served around 2 or 3,
(just in time for siesta) and the evening meal at 9 or 10 – after
everyone finishes work.
Overall
Valencia is a pleasant city, with a relaxed and friendly ambience.
It has a good feel to it, and would be a nice place to live if you
were looking at Spain as more than just a visit. It doesn’t have the
bustle of Barcelona, but is big enough to have everything you might
need, and it has the bonus of great beaches.
Accommodation
We recommend
The High Tech Petit Palace Germanias Hotel situated in the heart of
Valencia city and a unique city hotel. It is close to business areas,
night attractions, historical downtown and shopping centres. Also it
is within easy reach of the main railway station, other public
transport and all major attractions. Click here for reservations.
Links
Valencia Accommodation
Valencia Province
Accommodation in Spain
Valencia Escorts
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