Archive for the ‘Discover Valencia’ Category

Albufera Natural Park: a must see in Valencia

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

The park is home to the largest lake in Spain and one of the most important wetland areas in the Iberian Peninsula.

The best idea to visit the area is rent a car in Valencia airport or Valencia city center.

Albufera Natural Park in Valencia

Albufera Natural Park in Valencia

 

It is a place of great ecological interest with rare species of wading birds and a rich variety of wildlife. Its waters have been traditionally worked by fishermen and rice growers, supplying ingredients and inspiration for many of the regions most succulent dishes. To sample the best of the local gastronomy, go to the village of El Palmar, a setting for many of the works of Blasco Ibáñez. It is an excellent place to try classic dishes such as Paella, Arroz a Banda, or All i Pebre made with eels freshly caught from the lake. After the meal, there is nothing more relaxing than a boat trip on the Albufera lake contemplating the red and amber tones of the setting sun dancing across the water.

El Saler.

Pine woodlands and rolling san dunes cover this strip of land that separates Albufera from the Mediterranean. The crystal-clear waters and golden sands have deservedly been given a European blue flag award in recognition of their quality. A stone’s throw from the city, the visitor can be lounging on the beautiful beach in a question of minutes. Right next to the sea is a top-class golf course that has been ranked among the best 50 golf courses in the world

The worlds pray tribute to Paella in Valencia

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Valencia, the birthplace of one of the most internationally renowned dishes, paella, is hosting the 1st Rice Congress – a Tribute to Paella. The Woods pays tribute to paella in Valencia then.The congress will be held from 29 September to 2 October in the City of Arts and Sciences, with the participation of more than 50 prestigious chefs from around the world, including notable personalities such as the Spaniards Quique Dacosta and Martín Berasategui; Gualteiro Marchesi and Davide Scabin from Italy; and Jiro Ono and Alvin Leung, from Japan and China, respectively. The chefs will be discussing and demonstrating the most varied ways of preparing rice. What’s more, over the four days there will be 70 stands offering typical wine and other products from Spain’s different regions at reasonable prices.

Is wothwile to hire a car at Valencia airport or Valencia city center to discover the region.

Valencia rice meeting

Valencia rice meeting

Don´t miss the “Gran Fiesta de la Morcilla de Arroz” and the “Túnel del Arroz” (Tunnel of Rice) will be situated next to the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, where visitors will be able to try slices of morcilla de arroz (a type of black pudding filled with rice) for just €2 and a wide range of rice dishes for €4. The city will also be involved in the festival through “Rice Gastronomy Week” from 26 September to 2 October, when 21 restaurants in Valencia city and 13 in the province will be delighting diners with delicious rice dishes. The climax will take place on Sunday 2 October, when hundreds of Valencians will gather next to the l’Assut d’Or bridge to cook as many paellas as possible.

A mouth-watering event that’s too good to miss!

Valencia by night

Sunday, August 21st, 2011

Valencia has lots of plans by night: restauranes, clubs, pubs.. and a pleasant climate invites people to go out to dinner or participate in one of the many leisure activities on offer in the city: cinema, theatre, dance and music, bars, cafes, restaurants, night clubs, etc., make up a wide choice of things to do to suit all tastes and pockets. All under the charm of the unmistakable Valencian moon.

Is worthwile to rent a car in Valencia airport or city center to discover the city.

 Areas of Valencian nightlight

 El Carmen
El Barrio de El Carmen, in the city’s old quarter, has established itself as the most-renowned nightlife area. Although initially considered an alternative to other areas in the city, today you can find all types of people in the oldest streets of Valencia.

Discoteca-Valencia

Disco Valencia

 Ruzafa
The city’s new leisure area. The streets of Ruzafa offer a combination of innovative restaurants and bars. A new meeting place for the most alternative spirits. Each day sees a constant fusion of tradition, inter-racial culture, tapas, jazz, rock … and everything you can imagine in the most fashionable district.

 Aragón
The area between Avenida de Aragon and Plaza del Cedro is considered the meeting place for the city’s students, which include the numerous Erasmus that each year choose Valencia as a location for their studies abroad. And naturally, Valencia continues to remain a favourite Spanish city for European students.

The Marina
Next to the sea as the good weather begins, the chicest nightlife experience is to be found in the Juan Carlos I Marina. When the evening descends on the Marina, the base for the America’s Cup and the European Grand Prix of Formula One, the seafront bars open their doors to the night. An exclusive area for the first drinks of the evening, accompanied by the sound of breaking waves.

New friends in Bioparc Valencia Zoo

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Three delightful gorillas and five amusing chimpanzees await your visit to Equatorial Africa, only a few metres’ distance from the heart of the city

 The best idea to visit Valencia city and zoo is to rent a car in Valencia´s airport or city center. Bioparc has new residents: the playful flirtation of female gorillas Dorley and Fossey, in contrast with the coyness of Mambie the male gorilla, delight visitors in this small piece of Africa. The gorillas play and share their food with an Old World De Brazza monkey, characterised by his white beard, and with five charming chimpanzees, four of whom have come from the former Viveros zoo. The recently opened 3,000 square metres space will be inhabited by more gorillas and new species such as the Talapoin, the white-naped Mangabey and other Old World (Cercopithecidae) monkeys. Throughout July and August Bioparc will stay open until 9pm to make the most of the pleasant and friendly company of these new inhabitants.

bioparc-valencia

bioparc-valencia

Enjoy Valencia, 2011 European Capital of Sport

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Valencia has lots of things to do and see: museums, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the biggest old town in Europe, markets.. and this year hosted and continues to host major sporting occasion like the European Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Global Champions Tour and the Tennis Open 500, as well as mass events such as marathons and triathlons.

 Is worthwile to rent a car in Valencia airport or city  center to enjoy the city.

Capital del atletismo y deporte valencia 2011

Capital del atletismo y deporte valencia 2011

 For these reasons, and in order to encourage participation in sports and promote Olympic values, the European Capital of Sport Association has made Valencia its 2011 Capital. Different sporting events will take place throughout the year, such as the 12th International Bowling Trophy, footvolley championships and the Spanish Athletics Championships, as well as athletics meetings and the 1st European Congress of Sports Facilities. Receiving the title of European Capital of Sport means recognition for a city that is dedicated to promoting these healthiest of activities

Valencia Festival in March.

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

At the Mediterranean coast, Valencia city, celebrates each year the final days of the winter and the arrival of spring with spectacular fires and pyrotechnics. Is worthwhile hiring a car at Valencia airport  from March 15 to 19 Rent spain help you to discover the feast of Saint Joseph. Valencia is given over to a carnival of fireworks, bonfires, fiesta  and a healthy dose of satire known as Las Fallas, the fires.

Displayed on every corner all over the city are colourful ninots, giant papier-mâché figures often 20 feet tall or even more that have been paraded through the streets and then placed in fantasy groups to tower over excited spectators. They use to satirises a political figure,  TV or  sports idols.

La Mascletá takes place every day at 2pm firecrackers rip through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. This concert of gunpowder is very  popular .

The Ofrenda de Flores a la Virgen de los Desamparados, is another important event as a beautiful ceremony. Every March 17 and 18, that honours Valencia’s patron Virgin. Losts of Falleras and Falleros arrive to the city from every town, wearing traditional costumes and dancing to their neighbourhood or village bands as they wend their way to the Plaza de la Virgen to offer bouquets to the giant image of the Virgin.

Nowadays, celebrations draw to an end with a fabulous firework display in the Paseo de la Alameda, called the Nit del Foc (literally “The Night of Fire”), on March 18. All Fallas burn all over the city the following night (including the winner of the competition) in a tremendous spectacle of fire and joy. Valencia is at that moment like Nero´s Rome, a city in flames. That’s why Valencians call this the best firework fiesta in the world! Don´t miss it!