valencia
Valencia, a place for eating great paellas and much more
It’s best known both as the birthplace of paella and as the
coastal region where you’ll find some of the best (and busiest)
beaches in Spain. But Valencia is also the home of magnificent mountains
and vast tracts of virgin territory largely overlooked by the millions
of foreign visitors who choose this eastern region of Spain as their
top holiday spot.
There are actually three Valencias. There’s the city of Valencia
which is Spain’s third biggest city and the capital of the autonomous
region of the same name. The Valencian region consists of three provinces – Castellon in the north, Valencia province in the centre and Alicante in the south.
What "modern Valencia" has to offer
As you pass the city of Valencia on the A7 motorway which links it
with Alicante all you see is an ugly urban sprawl which conceals the
many treasures of the city centre and its immediate environs. This may
explain why, in the past, many beach-bound tourists never gave the city
a second glance – until the development of the fabulous new City
of Arts and Science which has put Valencia firmly on the world map.
Now the word is out that Valencia is one of Spain’s most exciting
cities – home to an unorthodox but effective marriage of ancient
history and awesome futuristic architecture. The city’s triumph
in securing the bid to host the Americas Cup in 2007 has secured its
place as one of Europe’s most dynamic regional capitals.
Beaches in Valencia
The gorgeous golden sand beaches of the Costa Blanca, to the south
of Valencia city, are a magnet for hordes of foreign holidaymakers whilst
the Spanish tend to stick together in the lesser known seaside resorts
of the Costa Azahar (the stretch of coastline between the Costa Blanca
and Valencia city).
The beaches of Castellon, north of the regional capital, also attract
mainly Spanish visitors and of the three provinces of Valencia this is
the one least affected by foreign influences. The city of Castellon is
highly industrialised but the mountainous hinterland is a completely
different world of delightful traditional pueblos which seem
frozen in time. Every summer the village of Benicassim, just north of
Castellon city, attracts tens of thousands of young music fans to an
international festival of A-list stars (it’s the Spanish equivalent
of Galstonbury only with better weather!) 
Further south along the Valencian coastline there’s the mega tourist resort of Benidorm – one of the Mediterranean’s biggest party playgrounds which boasts a huge range of tourist attractions including the Terra Mitica theme park, Terra Natura wildlife park and Aqualandia water world.
Off the beaten track in Valencia
The unspoilt mountain villages inland from Valencia are a joy to explore
for those “Lonely Planet” type tourists keen to savour more
of this region than its bustling beach resorts. Even at the height of
summer, these mountains offer cooling breezes, rivers, waterfalls and
ice-cold pools to the delight of visitors prepared to stray off the beaten
track.
The plains around the city of Valencia are awash with paddy fields,
which produce the famous short grain paella rice, and orange groves.
Immediately to the south of the city lies L’Albufera Lake, one
of Spain’s most important nature reserves which is home to more
than 250 bird species including herons and flamingoes. You can take a
trip round the lake in a barquita (traditional wooden boat) and
stop for lunch in one of the lakeside restaurants.
Alicante is the second largest city in the Valencian community and
its international airport opens the door to the Costa Blanca for millions
of foreign visitors each
year. It’s a thriving, cosmopolitan city
with a wealth of good shops, restaurants, historic sites and cultural
attractions. Its stunning seafront promenade and seven kilometres of
sandy beaches make it a magnet for both Spanish and foreign holidaymakers.
Elche , just south of Alicante, is home to Europe’s largest palm
gardens and the popular tourist resort of Torrevieja, at the southern
end of the region is where you’ll find the largest salt flats in
Europe.
Places Of Interest
Valencia - The capital, with outstanding monuments in particular
of Gothic period, as La Lonja and the bell-tower Miguelete.
Alicante - The second largest city of Valencian Community, dominated
by the Moorish castle Castillo de Santa Barabara.
Costa Blanca - One of the most famous Spanish coasts. Its magnificent
sand beaches and ideal installations made it a first rate touristic center.
Among the most important cities are Denia, Calpe, and Benidorm with its
outstanding hotel infrastructure and boiling nightlife.
Costa Azahar - The "Orange-Blossom-Coast", in the north
of Valencia, not only offers great beaches but as well beautiful towns
as Peniscola with its great medieval castle or Oropesa, which conserves
the 16th century Tower of the King, erected as a defense against pirates.
A true pearl is the enchanting Morella with its narrow lanes, enclosed
by 14th century walls.
Castellon - The most remarkable monuments are the cathedral
Santa Maria and the town-hall.
Useful Resources
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