
Valencia © Turespaņa
Valencia was founded by the ancient Romans in 137 BC and has
been pillaged, burned, and besieged numerous times by various
conquerors since, but vivacious Valencia has nevertheless sailed
into the second millennium as a sophisticated, modern holiday city,
a favoured location for the America's Cup yacht race. Situated on
the Mediterranean coast about four hours south of Barcelona,
Valencia is spread out around its busy port and backed by hills
which give way to the plains of Aragon.
Valencia oozes traditional character, particularly in its old
town (El Carmen), and has retained its cultural heritage not only
in the form of medieval architecture but also in its quirky,
exuberant festivals (like the Battle of the Flowers, the fireworks
of Fallas and even one dedicated to tomato-hurling). The Valencians
even have their own language. Interspersed with the old and
historic, however, there is much that is new in Valencia, including
its major attraction, the seemingly futuristic City of Arts and
Sciences, which draws around four million appreciative visitors
each year.
Outdoors, it is hard to beat the golden beaches which fan out
from the port along the coast, and the sprawling city offers plenty
of green parks for strolling, cycling or simply lolling on a bench
to get your breath back after indulging in the vibrant life of the
city. Football is a local passion, and fans should not miss the
atmosphere at one of the carnival-like Valencia FC home
matches.
When night falls, dine on paella, which originated here, and
then hit the town, because Valencia is renowned for its lively
collection of bars and clubs.