¡Viva Valencia!

This past weekend I packed up my stuff, boarded a bus, and left for Valencia. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain behind Madrid and Barcelona, a historic town on the Mediterranean Coast with modern twists throughout. We left for the trip bummed about the 40 degree rainy weather we were going to get all weekend, but decided to make the best of it. Luckily, the travel gods realized that this was not good weather for a birthday weekend and by the time we arrived on the coast after a four and a half hour bus ride we were given sunny and 70 for the weekend. After a brief panic of realizing we packed nothing for this weather, we made the best of it.

We checked into our hostel which was located in the heart of the city center, our balcony looked out onto Llotja de la Seda, a gothic style civil building, that I simply refer to as the castle because that is what it looks like. Just behind the castle was the central market, a large Turkish style building which house hundreds of stands selling all sorts of fresh foods. After a breif walk through we stopped for lunch out on the plaza, we received free cava (champagne) with our meal and and took in the scenery and warm weather. After lunch we explored the city on foot, stopping to see the Plaza de la Reina, Plaza de la Virgen which houses the Cathedral and Basilica, an Orange Tree Garden, Torres de Serranos, and the botanical gardens. My personal favorite was the Cathedral Bell Tower, we climbed all 207 steps to the top and in return we received the most amazing view of the city you could find. With the blue skies we could see all the way out to the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the mountains on the other. We stopped at a local bakery for a pick me up, I got fresh squeezed orange juice that was absolutely amazing. We grabbed dinner outside at a local cafe in Plaza de la Reina, and then hit up a local wine bar to taste a local white wine that was very good.

Central Market

Cathedral

Orange Tree Garden

Cava and Gerber Daisy

Panoramic from top of bell tower

The next morning we woke up early and grabbed breakfast at the central market before hopping on the bus towards the coast. We spent the morning at the City of Arts and Sciences, which a super modern museum dedicated to science. I embraced my inner seven year old and we went to Oceanografic, the aquarium aspect of the City of Arts and Sciences. But aquarium is a major understatement, it is more comparable to a small SeaWorld. We spent all morning running from exhibit to exhibit, many connected via aquarium tunnels and then settled in for the dolphin show. It was awesome. It is by far one of the coolest places I have ever been.
Side note: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, and Tim McGraw are filming their next movie at the City of Arts and Sciences, they weren't there that day but we did find the trucks on set.

City of Arts and Sciences

Set Truck for George, Hugh, and Tim

Oceanografic

Oceanografic

Oceanografic

After Oceanografic, we walked to Puerto Real, also known as Port America's Cup. It was absolutely beautiful and the boats docked there were quiet impressive. We continued walking along the water until we reached the beach. We grabbed lunch outside along the beach, and sampled what they refer to as Agua de Valencia (it's simply white wine and oranges). We walked the beach and dipped our toes in the water, while the weather was gorgeous the water was freezing. Also along the beach, several sculptures craft impressive sand castles and sculptures that are massive (there was even a life size last supper).

We returned to the city center after the beach, where we grabbed some ice cream for an energy boost. I tried the Ferrerro Roche Gelato which was absolutely phenomenal. We walked by the Bull fighting stadium, but there are no shows until Spring. After we walked throughout the shopping district, poking our heads into local shops and looking in the windows of some impressive designers.

Puerto Real

Mediterranean Coast

Mediterranean Coast

That night we tried Paella for dinner. Paella is a famous Spanish dish that has it's origins in Valencia, we researched around and went to a place that was well known for it's Paella tradition. The name of the dish comes from the large skillet/pan that it is cooked in; it is a rice dish with mussels, prawns, craw fish, calamari, lobster, and other fresh local seafood.Needless to say, it was delicous. We also met a dog at dinner, a cute older lab named Rum wandered in during our meal.

Paella Before

Paella After

Our last morning in Valencia we walked toward the central market for breakfast again, only to find that it was closed on Sundays. Outside the market though, makeshift vendors sell all assortments of items surrounding all of the streets and alleyways around the market. We grabbed breakfast a a local bakery and walked this market for a bit before heading towards the bus station. We walked through Jardines del Turia, a massive park that stretches along a large portion of the city center's perimeter. It was filled with locals running, biking, rollerblading, and dancing, there is even outdoor gyms, fountains, and sculptures throughout. Before boarding the bus we grabbed lunch at a place right outside the park where I had fried eggs in olive oil with Iberian Ham and Spanish fries, it was really really good.

Jardines del Turia

Jardines del Turia

Dancing in Jardines del Turia

Overall, Valencia was an absolutely gorgeous town. I love the mix of old town and modern, the coastal feel, the winding cobblestone streets, and the phenomenal food. It has a very carefree vibe about it and everyone always seemed to have a smile on their face, including me.