Valencia
On visiting Valencia, you are sure to discover a city brimming with pleasant surprises…breathtaking monuments presenting past civilizations, elaborate architecture, delicious cuisine, lots of festive and cultural attractions and long sandy beaches with cafes.
Valencia has a population of around 800,000 and the historic town center is one of the largest in Europe offering over 2000 years of history.  In contrast, Valencia City of the Arts and Sciences offers magnificent modern architecture taking Valencia into the 21st century. With a science museum, planetarium, aquarium and opera house it has an impressive array of water features and grassy lawns to relax and take in the views. With The Americas Cup coming to Valencia in 2007 it is a very desirable area to live.

About the many fiestas that Valencia holds, the Fallas is one that should not be missed. Held between 15th and 19th March the streets of Valencia and its provinces are alive with marching bands and countless parades with everyone in traditional costume. The noise from the multitude of fireworks and the smell of gunpowder follow you through the city. You will come across the Fallas or figurines as they stand high and proud, daringly criticizing current customs, traditions and fashions. An amazing array of vivid colours and fine detail have gone into making these Fallas, which have taken all year to prepare and only minutes to burn on the night of March 19th.







You will find Valencia located almost half way down the Mediterranean coast and it enjoys the almost perfect climate. In mid-winter, the Valencia region of Spain seldom sees temperatures drop below freezing, except in the mountains. The province benefits from a range of popular sandy and rocky beaches and a mountainous green interior. Their farmlands consist of a patchwork of orange groves, almond trees and vegetable fields. The almond blossom in February provides a lovely show of white or pink flowers and a rich scent, which is a pleasure to experience as you pass by.

Excellent links provide easy access to and around the Land of Valencia. There are two international airports, Valencia and Alicante. The AP-7 Mediterranean motorway runs from the north to south providing easy connections to Catalonia and France and there are good road connections to the rest of Spain. the A-3 motorway to Madrid, the A-23 Valencia-Zaragoza and the A-31 dual carriageway from Alicante to Madrid. Rail connections from Valencia are also extensive and generally, the service in Spain is very good.