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- Destinations
- Europe
- Spain
- Valencia
Valencia
Valencia was founded by the ancient Romans in 137 BC and has
been pillaged, burned and besieged numerous times by various
conquerors over the centuries since, but the vivacious Spanish city
has sailed into the second millennium as Europe's quintessential
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 the 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 one dedicated to tomato-hurling). The Valencians even
have their own language. Amid the old, Valencia has very much that
is new, including its major attraction, the ultra-modern 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 vibrancy of the
city. Football is also a local passion, Valencia's team being at
the top of the game, and fans should not miss the atmosphere at one
of the carnival-like matches.
When night falls, dine on paella, which originated here, and
then hit the high spots, because Valencia is renowned for its
lively collection of bars and clubs. It may sound clichéd, but
Valencia does indeed fit the bill as the holiday city, which 'has
it all'.
Information & Facts
Climate
Valencia has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild
winters. The average annual temperature is 62°F (17°C). Most of the
rainy days occur during autumn and early spring. Summers can be
baking hot, and humidity tends to be high.
Getting Around
With a comprehensive bus and metro system, it is easy to get
around Valencia. Kiosks and tobacco shops sell cheap 'Bonos'
tickets, which can be used on both buses and trains. The metro
system is not extensive, consisting of four lines, but covers the
major points in the city, including a tramway to the beach. Tickets
for the tram must be bought separately from a vending machine,
which is validated before boarding. Buses will get you to just
about anywhere. More active visitors can opt to hire a bicycle for
around EUR7 a day, and with Valencia's great network of cycle paths
it is an excellent way to get around the city. Much of the city can
be explored on foot, the central area being very compact.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely
understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and
Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.
Money
Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided
into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and
major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards
and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels,
restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the
cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March
and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). The Canary
Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).