Valencia is beautiful historic city in Spain that is certainly well worth a visit. To fly there by private jet charter it only takes a few hours. In size and importance this is actually the third city of the country. For everyone coming to the city to enjoy the Formula 1 Grand Prix or to just take a long weekend Valencia has loads to offer. Valencia is situated on the coast of the Mediterranean four hours south of Barcelona and three hours east of Madrid.
Valencia is a part of Spain as well as being a province of Spain. In Muslim hands for five centuries, its Christian European history has been shaped as much by Catalonia, its neighbour towards the north, as by Castilla. The region’s flag bears the red and yellow stripes of Catalonia, additionally the native language for many is Valenciano, a dialect of Catalan.
Festivals of Valencia
Valencia is known for its Fallas Festival in March, being the birthplace of paella, for hosting the “America’s Cup”, and for the massive architectural project by Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia’s festivals attract a great deal of tourists. The carnivals in February have that unique touch that only a city like Valencia with its cosmopolitan outlook can offer. The Holy Week and Easter celebrations are well attended by both locals and tourists. The festival of Corpus Christi is another religious celebration that’s a keynote in the tourist itinerary. One festival that every tourist can take part in is the ‘Tomato Warfare’ or ‘Guerra de los Tomatoes’ that occurs in summer in Bunol. All you need to participate is a white T-shirt along with a sense of fun while you dodge the tomatoes which are thrown at you and throw by you.
Valencia’s Places of Interest
Massive construction and transformation over the last ten years have turned a once little considered medium city into a larger town and even more interesting destination. There had been a river running through the centre of the city, however the river was redirected quite some time back and replaced by a beautiful park. It is a very nice place to spend any free time you might have in the city on a sunny day. Every tourist going to Valencia should go to the City of Arts and Science, a complex that houses a planetarium, a marine world or oceanographic park and the Queen Sophia Palace of Arts. Other attractions really worth a try include the Palace of Justice along with the Palace of Music.
Valencia’s Museums
Valencia has many interesting museums and the best are the ones focused upon history and archaeology. You can visit the Natural Sciences Museum, the Museum of Archaeology, the City Museum and the favourite Museum of Bullfighting. A trip to anyone of these museums is definitely an experience that you’re going to remember for years.
Historic Valencia
Some interesting sites that should not be missed are the old University of Valencia, the historic Port of Valencia, the Sea Bridge that was constructed over 400 years ago and still stands and also the historic City Hall of Valencia which has witnessed the upheavals of centuries. Sagunto, a town which was built by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago, retains some interesting examples of Roman architecture.
Valencia’s Old Quarter
It’s possible to take time off to stroll through the city’s old quarter and its historic plaza. The famous 19th century Valencia bull-ring is nearby and you can look at the place that features prominently inside novels of one of Spain’s major writers, Jose Blasco Ibañez.
Local Resorts
Despite standing on the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia has always lived with its back to the sea, meaning that the heart and soul of the people are not deeply integrated with the sea. The city centre and the most visited tourist areas aren’t near the sea.
In 2005 around five million overseas visitors chose the Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia region) as their holiday destination. Most descend upon the resorts on the thin coastal strip, where they stay put – except, perhaps, for a day trip to Valencia City. The more enterprising rent a bike or car, leave behind the coastal hedonism and explore the region’s rich interior.
The Valencia coastline is nearby and you can take a short trip to nearby resorts like Benidorm, Alicante or Ibiza and enjoy the white sand beaches, the water sports and the many world-class restaurants that serve the needs of an endless number of tourists each year.