Watercolor and ink 9×12 inches -$45 (purchase info at end)
My little travel companion (remember this guy? ) dropped me in Valencia, Spain this time. Pat on the back little guy! Wow! Valencia is absolutely on my must visit (for real) list! Click on the google street view link and you’ll get a 360 degree view of my sketch source. My reference to the holy grail in the heading could be the actual holy grail that is supposedly housed in Valencia Cathedral (Indy did you know about this? more info later) or maybe the paella that originated in Valencia which look like the holy grail of Spanish food! I mean this is some serious food that is now on my “must eat before I die” list.
Yeah, I’ve got one! Don’t you? I chose the Cathedral to sketch but as I researched there were hundreds of pictures I wanted to do. As the third largest city in Spain, I am surprised I haven’t really heard of Valencia. At least not as a travel destination. Perhaps it’s because of that rock I occasionally reside under.
However with a population of about 800,000 inhabitants in just the administrative center it’s definitely note worthy as a travel destination with plenty to offer with Mediterranean weather and beaches lined by azure waters (um see picture, yes please! I’ll meet you there!). But to make it an even more perfect travel destination it has gobs of history and something for everyone. Gobs of history is a travel requirement of mine! Valencia began as a Roman colony in 138 BC, and now boasts the largest historic center in Spain. And did I mention musuems, architecture, OH and festivals! Yes, the festivals…..How long should I stay 🙂 !?!
Valencia really does seem to have something for every type of traveler. Want to lay on the beach? Check. Museums and culture? Check. Meandering along historical streets ( I mean REALLY, isn’t meandering one of the most deliciously inviting words?)? Oh check. Like to party? Nightlife? Double check, check, check.
I’m not generally a beach goer when traveling (only because I cram so much doing into each trip), but I found an article on the best unpoiled beaches in Valencia. Seems to me that’s a good place to start while I shake of my cyber jet lag!
The Five Best Unspoilt Beaches Around Valencia City
He gives great tips on finding them, when to head there, etc. Can you believe this beach is in the city!?
What I really get excited about is all those ancient monuments anytime I travel, so of course that has to be my next stop! Valencia offers PLENTY in that department. Like I mentioned earlier, the city has the largest historic center in Spain, and there is more than enough to keep you strolling for a while. And apparently Indiana Jones missed out on visiting here because Valencia Cathedral claims to have The Holy Grail! Here’s the entire history from the Valencia Cathedral website The Holy Grail It’s pretty extensive so I will just send you to the source. Just strolling the streets you’ll see plenty of historic buildings, and apparently in the “tube” at certain places you can actually see the Roman remains of road and walls. If you want a day excursion, the city of Xativa (I’ll need some help on that pronunciation) is 43 miles from Valencia but an easy trip by commuter train. Oh and it has a castle. Ohhh, those castles! I know, I know….The history behind castles is far from glamorous; wars and deaths, cold and damp living conditions, no toilets, etc. What the heck? Why do I lust after them? But somehow I get that crazy little pitter patter every time I see a new one. The castle in nearby Xativa looks well worth the climb, and the views are spectacular!
Xativa, Spain
Those festivals I mentioned earlier? Holy cow these people know how to party. One of their biggest festivals (just ONE of) is a traditional celebration in honor of St. Joseph, the Falles, a wonderful opportunity to see all of Valencian culture at it’s boisterous best! These 5-day festivals seem a bit, ahem, colorful! In more ways than the fireworks display! You won’t need to set your alarm, as you’ll be awakened by the special Falles La Desperta or “wake-up call” every morning at 8 am when brass bands march down every street playing music, followed close behind by fallers throwing firecrackers. Now that’s some way to get the party started!
And the locals dress the part! Casal faller are regional and historical costumes that are often worn by fair goers, representing different times in Valencia’s history. Combined with the near constant fireworks, the many processions that make up the fair days (and nights), music, and crowds spilling into the streets, this is quite an experience! It puts Mardi Gras to shame and that’s saying something!
As exciting as all this sounds, I tend to get a little panicky around that much activity/noise/crowds and pyrotechnics. I could enjoy about a day, and then I’d be ready for a break, so I looked into the quieter things to do in Valencia.
One of the things that really surprised me when researching Valencia considering the ancient buildings that make up much of the city, was the amazing modern architecture that was created to house their cultural complex . I really wish I had seen this before I began my sketch because this would have been fun to sketch!
The City of Arts and Sciences is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex that was created in a former riverbed that was drained due to a catastrophic flood. The Valencians definitely know how to turn a disaster into something absolutely amazing!
While some of the things available here do have a fee (3D movie presentations, etc), there are many things that can be visited totally free of charge. Hey, just strolling here is an experience! Especially at night.
Places to see
A Valencian cat door
Torres de Quart
San Miguel de los Reyes Monastery
Torres de Serrans
With so many things to see, I begin to run out of steam. So here’s a few more cool stops pictured above (seriously one of those is a cat door!!!) before I move on to FOOD (blessed food) and some fairly awesome and inexpensive lodgings where I think I will rest.
Food
Paella….Oh boy, look at that Paella! I kept finding pictures of these MASSIVE paella cooking events but most of the sites were in Spanish and I could get little information on when and where they occur. If a 10 foot dish of paella isn’t your thing, you can order this anywhere in Valencia. Here’s the scoop on this native dish.
Paella originated in Valencia where rice was first brought to Eastern Spain in the 8th century. Ok so get this, the first incarnation of this meal was cooked as a midday meal by workers in the field who use marsh-rat (yes, rat), eels, and snails. That version is NOT on my “must eat before I will die list”. Later vegetables, beans, and cod were added. Traditionally cooked outside in a large pan over an open fire the newer versions use seafood, sausage, rice and saffron for color and flavor. Although there are many region specific recipes throughout spain. The key to the toasty crispy rice at the bottom of the dish is the open flame so try to nab some cooked the traditional way!
Lodging
The apartments in Valencia really blew me away, because of their super reasonable prices and their serious cool factor. I already have dibs on the one with the roof top deck! There were so many it was really hard to narrow it down, but here are a few from Airbnb.com that I found.
This one overlooking the city center, $76 a night, and 260 5 star reviews? Get in line, I’ll be sipping something spanish from throof top deck after my long day of sightseeing!
This one right next to the cathedral @ $123 a night!
This one if you like a funkier club like vibe, still only $76 and with some fab views!
But I am pretty wiped after all this, so I’ll go curl up in my chair on the deck and dream of where my google guy and I are off to next!
More things to do…
And lots more info….
And a few foodie tips from T&L
To purchase the sketch
My posts are based on random picks on google maps. I have not physically traveled to most of the places I post on here (just dream), and can not endorse or recommend any of the places and services I might mention. Please use your own discretion when planning, and do research! I love renting apartments, but I always use my judgement and if something doesn’t seem right when communicating with the owner go with your gut. I have walked away from renting a couple of places when something seemed off.
Been to Valencia? Let me know!