Beautiful Valencia

One of the most important destinations for a beach holiday in Spain and the Mediterranean coast is the region of Valencia, the kingdom of citrus fruit, characterized by a rugged coastline on a background of hills and fields. The impulse was given to agriculture by Muslim invaders centuries ago; the citrus groves along the coast are still the main vegetable growing areas of Spain.

Traveling in Valencia you can admire the picturesque terraced orchards and rice fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. The rice, the basic unit of paella, is omnipresent in the local cuisine, sometimes in similar versions like in Italian risotto.

Even more surprising is the extensive palm groves of Elche (Elx), a green oasis in the territory of the increasingly arid region, and also the place of origin of the palm branches used during the famous Holy Week procession.

For lovers of the sea, the beaches of the Costa Blanca, Costa del Azahar and Costa Calida are much sought after holiday destinations year after year. The primary location in Valencia is the Baroque and Renaissance buildings which reflect the long history of the region.

The city has totally changed in recent decades, with innovative architecture and regeneration of the coast. The coast of Valencia has become a very popular resort area, ideal for water sports of different kinds. The main towns on the coast are Benidorm, Benicassim, La Manga del Mar Menor and Oropesa. Most of the population lives in large cities such as Valencia, Alicante and Cartagena.

The Valencian language is similar to Catalan, but very different is the character of the people, rediscovered each time during the imaginative festivals of the province, including the famous battle of the tomatoes, the feast at which thousands of tomatoes are hurled against anyone, transforming streets of the city into a huge red river.

For those interested, the date of the Feast of the tomato is the last Wednesday of August, and is held at a distance of 40 km from Valencia, in the city of Buitol. At parties they do not pull back like they do in the other cities.

In the capital, the festival of Las Fallas is held every March; it is a festival during which we burn puppets amid fireworks, and performances so that people should not forget the spirit of the battles between the Moors and Christians of Alcoa which were fought hundreds of years ago.