Photo: Ivana Kovačević

This is a travelogue for those who love the Spanish culture, museums, art, laid back lifestyle, sun, sea … This is a travelogue for those who have not yet visited Valencia to fall in love with her, go and explore it, because they will not be disappointed.

Spain is my second home, I have to at least once a year to see her brought to the balance in your life, so it was this May, the decision was made again at Valencia.

The third largest city in Spain, was built on the banks of the River Turia, which will be later due to severe flooding to divert the outskirts of the city a former dry riverbed and its entire length to make playgrounds, parks and sports fields in it. It is the largest urban park in Europe.

In the old part of the city is the Plaza de la Virgen, where all meetings and gatherings begin and end. It is the lifeblood of the city. The city is named after the Latin word Valentia which means power. And this city is a strong, defended from a large number of enemies who had occupied for centuries as he was on good geographical position.

The old part of the city is full of narrow streets where you can drink coffee, eat a traditional Spanish dish paella, which here “born” or enjoy a cocktail Aqua de Valencia, which is only in Valencia preparing and drinking. For its preparation you need squeezed orange, Spanish Cava champagne, vodka, brown sugar and ice. It is served in one-liter jars. It’s sweet, refreshing mint or if you overdo it a bit getting up from the table will be a big problem.

In Valencia and in all major European cities, there are free guided tours when the end of the tour depending on how satisfied the same, ply. Tours last about 2 hours and are a great way to hear the things that you can not find on the net.

So we learn the story of the narrowest house that has existed since the 107 meters, where there was a family that had his daughter who was getting ready for Fajas, fire festival that dresses up and prepares the square in front of the house as large, broad and flamboyant clothes she could not wear in the House.

The narrowest house Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Otherwise, Fajas festival is dedicated to the arrival of spring, lasts five days and culminated on March 19, the Catholic feast of St. Joseph. On that day, around midnight, started burning many faja, beautiful sculptures of cardboard and styrofoam, a great flame and light.

Women in Valencia on this day held to traditions and holidays put on clothes that are intended for this purpose. We were lucky and we met them and asked me to take their picture.

Dress for party Photo: Ivana Kovačević

If you happen to be the last Wednesday in August in Valencia awaits you Tomatina festival de Bunjol. Festival where tomatoes still starving. A large number of trucks ripe tomatoes start to parade the streets but whoever happened to be on site participating in the festival not everyday shooting tomatoes. Already after two hours ‘hail’ stops and street čiastači returning the city to normal.

When we speaking of tomatoes, I have to mention that we eat I do not know how to call it but it is very tasty. Toasts bread, fresh tomato is squashed on another board and serve in small containers, this entails olive oil and spices. Toast pouring olive oil, salt and spices and put at this place a couple of tsp freshly grated tomatoes course can be added and some sweeter ham and beer, the taste is fantastic.

Photo: Ivana Kovačević

We found in the old part of the city’s Museum of Ceramics, we could not go inside because these days due to holidays not worked, but it is enough to walk to his building, which is the whole of marble and looks very interesting.

Ceramics museum Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Mercado Central or Central market is considered one of the oldest in Europe, which is still in operation. Beautiful stained glass ceiling market can compete with the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals and the very edge of the market will not leave you indifferent. Hams hanging on all sides, cheeses, olives, sweet in jars, dried fruit .. Workers at the stalls you will effortlessly cut the ham sandwich do exactly as you wish and from there you can leisurely pace to head to the beach which is from the city center arrives on foot in 30 minutes. To the beach you will come across beautiful parks and a university village that in his campus has 18 schools and colleges. If walking is not what you prefer, then tram arrive in less than five minutes to the beach.

Market Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Three huge sandy beach Las Arenas and La Malvarosa La Patacona, along a coastline that is 20 kilometers long. Next to the beach there is a race track for Formula 1. And for those who love football Valencia is a small paradise. Stadium FC Valenecia, Mestalla is a temple of football.

Beach Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Do not miss the corridors, fighting bulls are on a regular schedule here and still regularly take place, also in the building of the museum. You will see how to develop a bullfight, fight various pictures, trophies, uniforms matador and hear interesting stories from museum curators.

Across bullfight the West Railway Station, the interior of the station is decorated with well-preserved beautiful mosaics . It is worth to enter and see.

Train stations Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Modern Valencia attractions that are located on all postcards and you will all mentioned in the story is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias). The complex is composed of several parts: the Science Museum, the palace in whose halls are held painting exhibitions and music events (Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía), the aquarium’s second largest in Europe (Oceanografic), 3d hall (Hemisferic) that every hour has a different video which plays in the theater in the form of spheres, the museum (Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe) that has a great setting and the palace of music (Palau de Música) has several halls where concerts, film screenings and exhibitions. It is best to get information over the net and buy tickets online it’s cheaper, and you can choose what you want.

City of art and the teachings Photo: Ivana Kovačević

Valencia has long been an industrial city, has invested a lot of money, in the middle of the city and made it an interesting tourist destination with a special charm and still a lot cheaper than Madrid and Barcelona.

By: Ivana Kovačević