ABOUT VALENCIA

Valencia is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast. Once the capital of its own kingdom, it is now a regional capital and Spain's third largest city with about 800,000 inhabitants.

The city was founded by the Romans, taken by the Visigoths, and prospered under the Moors. Each civilisation has left its mark and the historic centre includes a 13th century cathedral (La Seo) with paintings by Goya, and a splendid gothic 15^th century silk exchange (La Lonja). However, the city is looking to the future and is now home to one of Europe's most exciting urban development projects. Some $200m has been invested in building an immense and futuristic Arts and Science Centre (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies) near the port area.

Valencia's mild climate is another reason to come for a stay. Its warm atmosphere is always inviting and hospitable. Ready to be enjoyed. Valencia means commerce and culture, cinema, theatre, museums, music and business. It is a centre for industrial design and avant-garde movements. Valencia is a city that never sleeps, with an extensive cultural line-up.

During your stay in Valencia, you will also be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of several exceptional natural sites. Between the sea and the rice paddies, closed in by two river mouths, the Albufera Natural Park is a paradise for migratory birds and a recreation area for the city. Along the coast next to the Albufera are broad sandy beaches. There are pleasant recreation areas where people come to enjoy the sun and the sea.

You can visit also Bioparc Valencia, a new generation zoo conceived with the zoo-immersion philosophy. Bioparc is located in the Turia Gardens of the old river channel. When entering the more than 100,000 m² park, the visitor feels totally submerged in the wild habitats that have been recreated here: the Savannah, Madagascar, and Equatorial Africa. Visitors can enjoy, practically without barriers, spectacular landscapes in which different species co-exist as they would in nature.

No visit to Valencia would be complete without a taste of its ample mediterranean cuisine based on a fertile 'huerta' or market garden, and fresh fish and shellfish. The queen of local products is rice, served in an infinity of manners as the internationally acclaimed Valencian paella. Traditional Valencian cooking is a five star pleasure!. You can get some recommendations in the top-ten restaurant list of Lanetro.

For further details about the city, the Comunidad Valenciana and Spain you can visit the following sites (version in different languages accessible): Tourism site of the land of Valencia, Leisure and business Tourism in Valencia, or Valencia City Guide and Travel.