3 ANCIENT CITY 10 VALENCIA AND THE SEA 16 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 24 URBAN NATURAL SPACE 28 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY

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1 Press Dossier

2 2 IN DEX 3 ANCIENT CITY Roman, Arabic and Christian Valencia, city of the Grail The Valencian Golden Age Modernism From the avant-guard to the 21st century More than art in Valencia New spaces and future projects 10 VALENCIA AND THE SEA Royal Marina and beaches Cruisers: Valencia boarding gate 16 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE Mediterranean flavours Valencia essences Valencia Cuina Oberta Restaurant Week Valencia by moonlight Valencia Excellence 24 URBAN NATURAL SPACE Valencia a nature space Bioparc, nature in the open air Valencia with children 28 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY Valencia film studio The city of music Shopping Festivals and traditions Valencia on the track Don t miss MEETING POINT AND UNIQUE SPACES 40 VALENCIA 2.0 Social networks and new technologies 42 USEFUL INFORMATION

3 ANCIENT CITY 3 Valencia, its history ROMAN, ARABIC AND CHRISTIAN The Water Court. World Heritage Site. Valencia was founded in 138 B.C. by the Romans, who established a Forum on the site currently occupied by La Plaza de la Almoina. After the Romans came the Visigoths, with the city then being dominated by Muslims from 714 until 1238, when King James I conquered Valencia and converted it to Christianity. The period under Arabic rule left a deep impression, visible in the form of many recipes, influences in the arts or methods of irrigation. A remnant from that period can still be found in the form of the Water Court, the oldest legal institution in Europe, which is dedicated to monitoring the proper use of water for irrigation and which has been declared a World Heritage Site. The period covering the 14th to the 16th centuries saw Valencia live through its golden age. A highly representative era in terms of economics, politics and culture, the city became the commercial centre of Europe, as well as the birthplace of the silk trade, the city s most important industry from the 14th- to the 17th-century. Up until then, the city was limited to what we now know as the historic centre, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and it was not until the late 19th-century that Valencia began to grow urbanistically, finally extending to include the 19 districts that it is composed of today. FURTHER INFORMATION The Water Court: Plaza Redonda PLACES OF INTEREST Almoina Museum Pza. Décimo Junio Bruto Almudín Plaza San Luis Beltrán, s/n. Serranos Towers Plaza de los Fueros s/n. Quart Towers C/ Guillem de Castro, 89 The Cathedral Plaza de la Reina s/n. Silk Exchange Market (Lonja de la Seda) Plaza del Mercado s/n. Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken Plaza de la Virgen s/n Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas Rinconada García Sanchis, s/n. Plaza Redonda C/ Pescadería Vallanca Further information... San Vicente Martir Jail Plaza del Arzobispo, 1 Almirante Palace and Baths C/ Almirante, 3

4 4 VALENCIA, CIty of the grail At times, great treasures are kept in modest and unassuming places: the Chapel of the Santo Cáliz (Holy Grail) in the Cathedral of Valencia is one such place. Since 1916, this small Chapel has carefully safeguarded one of the most revered and prized relics within the Catholic Church: the Holy Grail. Before being brought to the Cathedral of Valencia in 1424 by Alfonso the Magnanimous, this venerated artefact had travelled a long route, over the course of several centuries, marking out what has become an interesting pilgrimage route. Upon entering the Chapel of the Santo Cáliz, a serene silence, the aroma of incense and the dim light entering through a stained-glass window pervade the room, affording an even greater sense of mystery to the celebrated relic. Practically embedded behind the altar, its majesty can be viewed through that glass case in which it is housed. Archaeological and historical data relating to the relic s past, before reaching the Cathedral of Valencia, suggest that it was the chalice used by Jesus during the Last Supper. Two Popes have corroborated its authenticity and have made use of it in two masses: Pope John Paul II, in 1982, and, subsequently, Pope Benedict XVI, during the 5th World Meeting of Families, in Valencia has been honoured by the Vatican and will hold the jubilee every five years: the last Thursday in October 2015 has been assigned for the celebration of the first commemoration. A series of festive acts are set to take place on and around that date, wherein the Cathedral and the surrounding area will provide the focal point. To whet our appetites, an exhibition entitled Los Caminos del Grial (Paths of the Grail), will run from March to June in the Almudín, outlining the routes and historical events that led the Holy Grail to Valencia. MORE INFORMATION

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6 6 Valencia: A city with architecture from all ages THE VALENCIAN GOLDEN AGE The 16th-century saw the construction of the Silk Exchange Market (Lonja de la Seda), considered the jewel of Gothic architecture both for its architectural beauty and for its commercial relevance at the time. The building was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Its name comes from the trade that was carried out in its interior, as Valencia was the industrial reference in the silk weaving and maritime trade. Other examples of architecture from this period include the Cathedral, a cross-shaped construction with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque doors and whose interior houses the Holy Grail, and the Serranos and Quart Towers, the two remaining gates that once formed part of the ancient city wall. Cathedral Serranos Towers The Silk Exchange

7 ANCIENT CITY 7 MODERNISM Central Market Colck Building Colon Market Train Station Correos Valencia is one of the Spanish cities with the greatest collection of modernist works. Various architectural gems have survived from this period, including the Central Market, with its metal structure and glass panels. It is the largest indoor market in Europe, covering some 8,000 square meters and containing more than 1,200 stalls selling products ranging from seafood to meats and fruit. The Colon Market is another attractive building: renovated in 2003, it has now become a leisure and cultural space. And very close by we find the Train Station, the buffet of which has a ceramic roof that is a true masterpiece. Further information and other places of interest: Central Market: Colon Market: Exhibition Palace La Alameda Spa Clock Building Port Storage Sheds Blasco Ibañez Museum

8 8 From the AVANT-GUARD to the 21st CENTURY Valencia entered the 3rd millennium with a wide offer of spaces and content at the forefront of the arts, architecture, science and business. The internationally-renowned Palau de la Música, the work of José María Paredes, has been the city s musical bastion since it was inaugurated in In 2005, it was joined by another coliseum, the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, which is located in the spectacular City of Arts and Sciences, designed by the Valencian architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, whose architecture stands out for its majesty and beauty. The Prince Felipe Science Museum, L Hemisfèric, the Agora, L Umbracle and L Oceanogràfic, designed by Felix Candela, complete this unique complex. The Valencia Institute of Modern Art, IVAM, designed by Emilio Giménez and Carlos Salvadores, opened its doors in 1989, becoming the second most important contemporary art museum in the country, behind the Reina Sofia in Madrid, while the Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity, MUVIM, the work of Seville architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, was opened in Other buildings that stand out for their impressive architecture are the Valencia Conference Centre, designed by British architect Norman Foster, the Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre designed by José María Tomás Llavador and the Veles e Vents building, created by Britain s David Chipperfield and Spain s Fermín Vázquez and located in the Royal Juan Carlos I Marina. FURTHER INFORMATION Y OTROS LUGARES DE INTERÉS City of Arts and Sciences Palau de la Música: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: City of Arts and Sciences: IVAM: Marina Real Juan Carlos I: MUVIM: Palacio de Congresos de Valencia: Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre: www. feriavalencia.com Puente de la Exposición Puente de las Flores Puente L Assut d Or Metro Alameda

9 ANCIENT CITY 9 More than ART IN VALENCIA Valencia and its wide culture form a tandem that has led to the creation of more than 35 museums in which to enjoy both art itself and other characteristics. The Museum of Fine Arts, the largest art gallery in Spain after the Prado, houses an important collection of Gothic altarpieces as well as a hall dedicated to the master Sorolla. The IVAM, on the other hand, exhibits permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, while the National Ceramics Museum houses an extensive representation of Spanish and international ceramics. In the Valencia History Museum, which is housed in a former water storage facility, the city s past and present can be observed in a time machine. In order to obtain an initial contact with Las Fallas (see pg. 28), Valencia s most important festivities, we recommend a visit to the Fallas Museum, where we are able to discover the festival s origin, as well as representations of the papier-mâché monuments that figure so prominently throughout the celebrations. Other highlights include the L Iber Museum, which brings together the largest collection of toy soldiers, MUVIM, the Rice Museum, the Centro del Carmen, and L Almoina, chosen as Europe s 2nd best museum in FURTHER INFORMATION Y OTROS LUGARES DE INTERÉS Museum of Fine Arts: museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es IVAM: Valencia History Museum: Fallas Museum: Museo L Iber: MUVIM: Rice Museum: www. museoarrozvalencia.es González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuary Arts: La Beneficencia: José Benlliure Museum - House Military History Museum Municipal History Museum Bancaja Cultural Centre: Centro de Artesanía de la C.V.

10 10 Plaza Redonda Casino Cirsa Nuevo Muelle de Cruceristas

11 ANCIENT CITY 11 NEW SPACES AND FUTURE PROJECTS Over the last few years, Valencia has not only set up new spaces but also refurbished and extended others, such as the Casino Cirsa Valencia, the Plaza Redonda, a new wharf for cruisers and the extension of the airport. Over the course of 2015, the Juan Carlos I Royal Marina is going to boast two projects that will attract a great deal of attention. On the one hand, a technological cluster featuring innovative companies, and on the other, a beach club, catering to all members of the public, which will link up Malvarrosa beach and the Royal Marina. Over the coming years, Valencia will begin to enjoy its major new landmarks, such as the new Valencia CF Stadium. The new Mestalla, desgined by Mark Fenwick and located near the Congress Centre, will seat 61,500 fans and is to be classified as a UEFA and FIFA five star stadium, capable of holding major sporting events. Another of the projects that will be taking shape over the coming years is the Central Park, a new green lung to be built in phases above the railway lines, which will unify various neighbourhoods in the city. Designed by Kathryn Gustafson, the prestigious North American landscaper, the park will have an array of services and leisure areas for both locals and visitors alike. FURTHER INFORMATION Marina Real: Casino Cirsa Valencia: New Mestalla: Parque Central: Parque Central

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13 VALENCIA AND THE SEA 13 ROYAL MARINA AND BEACHES With the holding of the America s Cup in 2007 and 2010, Valencia recovered one of the city s most important tourist assets, the Marina Real Juan Carlos I, one of Europe s most spectacular marinas, awarded the Blue Star Marina certificate by the International Marine Certification Institute. It has an inner harbour with capacity for over 800 boats between 10 and 150 metres in length and is located next to the Las Arenas and Malvarrosa beaches, which have a promenade with numerous restaurants and bars, just 15 minutes from the city. Valencia has 19 km of beaches that are perfected reachable by the public bus and tram network, as well as the cycle lanes. They can also be visited by car, as they all have plenty of parking spaces. To the south of Valencia, the remoter beaches can be found, next to the Dehesa Natural Park, whilst the urban beaches are next to the marina. The beach promenade (paseo maritimo) connects the Las Arenas, Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches, where you can take part in outdoor sports, or simply enjoy Valencian cuisine with views out to sea. It is also possible to view the city from another perspective by going for a pleasant sail along the Mediterranean on the various pleasure boats that are moored up next to the Veles y Vents building. The Marina can be reached by metro, the Bus Turistic, the regular city bus, as well as by Valenbisi, the municipal bike hire scheme, that has a station in the port compound. There is also the Aquabus an in summer, a bus service links the Marina with the City of Arts and Science. This space next to the sea is ideal for enjoying spectacular surroundings with various activities to choose from over the course of the year, and which over the coming years will be turned into a space for new technology companies, shopping, restaurants, new hotels and a club for mega yachts. The Marina is also chosen by numerous yacht skippers as a harbour for the winter months. FURTHER INFORMATION Royal Juan Carlos I Marina: Mundo Marino: Autobuses municipales: Metro: Valenbisi: Valencia Bus Turistic: Bus Turístico: valencia.busturistico.com

14 14 Cruisers: VALENCIA BOARDING GATE Valencia Port has become a Mediterranean reference at a global level, where cruisers such as the Queen Elizabeth II and The World stop over in Valencia. There are now various cruiser companies that have decided to stop over at this Mediterranean city and which have Valencia as their base, with departures all year round, with vessels from MSC, Pullmantur and Costa Cruceros. For cruiser passengers, visiting Valencia in a few hours is very easy and convenient with the VLC CRUISE CARD, a card adapted and designed for the needs of cruiser tourists. It provides discounts on taxi tours, tourist services, shops, museums and restaurants, and also includes the 15-minute shuttle bus journey between the port and the city centre. The bus has three stops: one outside Europe s largest aquarium, the Oceanogràfic, another at the spectacular architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava, the City of Arts and Sciences, and the third in the city centre. The shuttle service is available whenever buses are not provided by the cruise liner itself. Through the Turismo Valencia website you can make reservations for a cruise on the Mediterranean, as well as make a stop over in the city that you can fully take advantage of.

15 VALENCIA AND THE SEA 15 Valencia Cruise Card FURTHER INFORMATION here FURTHER INFORMATION Valencia Port: MSC Cruceros: Pullmantur: Costa Cruceros: Valencia Cruise Card: Escalas de cruceros cruceros/paginas/escalas.aspx

16 16 MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURS Tastes from valencia at the best prices Menu VLC. More information here

17 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 17 The city has more than 2,000 bars, cafes and restaurants offering a variety of cuisine that seamlessly fuses traditional food and modern cuisine. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and its restaurants are the best places to try it. Valencia has five restaurants that have been awarded Michelin Stars, such as Riff, La Sucursal, Ricard Camarena, Vertical y El Poblet. In addition there are other interesting culinary options, such as Quintana, Duna, La Salita, Saiti, Macel lum, Panorama, Samsha, Q de Barella, Askua and Kaymus, without forgetting the traditional El Canyar, El Timonel, La Marcelina, Les Graelles and Bodega Casa Montaña, amongst others. Also worthy of highlight is the Barraca de Toni Montoliu, right in the Valencian huerta (green belt) just 15 minutes from Valencia, where you can enjoy a unique experience tasting the local gastronomy from the Huerta to your table. Paella RECIPE Ingredients (For 4 people): 1 cup of olive oil 1 chicken (diced) 1 rabbit (diced) 300 grams of fresh beans artichokes (peeled, cleaned and diced) 1 medium tomato 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika saffron 6 cups of water 200 grams of garrofón beans salt to taste 12 to 16 snails properly cleaned 3 cups of white short-grain rice sprigs of rosemary and lemon slices Play the Paella game here! Additionally, Valencia has changed with the times and now offers the MENUS VLC, which allow visitors to savour Valencian cuisine at affordable prices. At 15 for adults and 12 for children up to the age of 12, these menus include a starter, a main course of typical Valencian cooking, and a dessert. Drinks are not included. Additionally, if you have a Valencia Tourist Card, a Family Card or a Valencia Cruise Card, then the restaurant will give you a complimentary coffee, infusion or liqueur. At, you can make reservations and find out information on restaurants that offer the delicious and Valencian Menus VLC; other restaurant suggestions are also listed. Restaurant vouchers can also be obtained from the Tourist Information Offices around the city. FURTHER INFORMATION shop.turisvalencia.es/es/gastronomia Preparation: Heat the olive oil in the paella dish or a wide, shallow frying pan. Sauté the chicken and rabbit for about 5 minutes. Add the beans, artichokes and tomato. Fry lightly for a few minutes. Add the paprika and let the mixture fry for one minute on very low heat. Dissolve the saffron in water and add this water to the paella dish/frying pan immediately. Add the garrafón beans and salt. Increase the heat and let everything boil for about 15 minutes. Add the snails and boil for another 3-4 minutes. Add the rice and spread it through the mixture in the frying pan. Let it boil for about 15 minutes and taste the broth. Add salt to taste if required. Add the rosemary during the last 7-8 minutes and let it cook in the paella for about 5 minutes before removing it. The paella is ready when the water has evaporated but the paella is not completely dry. To make socarrat (when the base of the paella is slightly burned), allow the paella to cook longer.

18 18 FURTHER INFORMATION Sección Gastronomía Turismo Valencia: Parque Natural de la Albufera: Valencia Rice Protected Designation of Origin: Rice Museum: Valencia Tiger Nut Protected Designation of Origin Regulatory Council Mon Orxata: Heladería Bertal: La Casa de l Orxata: Valencia Wine Protected Designation of Origin: El Machistre:

19 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 19 VALENCIA ESSENCES Rice Trail Wine Trail Horchata Trail Rice was introduced to Valencia by the Arabs in the 12th century with great success due to profitability made from rice sales. 30% of the rice produced in Spain comes from the province of Valencia. The Albufera Nature Reserve and the town of Sueca are areas with over 9,000 hectares of land dedicated to rice cultivation. Furthermore, L Albufera is very well-known for its restaurants specialising in many kinds of rice dishes. The Valencia Rice Protected Designation of Origin endorses the quality of the product. The different rice varieties are Bahía, Senia and Bomba, selected because they guarantee both satisfaction and a healthy option for consumers. Visitors can find Valencian rice in delicatessens as well as in any of the city s markets or supermarkets. A very curious activity is to visit the Museo del Arroz (Rice Museum), located in an old rice mill dating from the start of the 20th century. The Valencia Wine Protected Designation of Origin covers 17,800 hectares of vineyards spread over four smaller subzones: Alto Turia, Valentino, Moscatel and Clariano. The 650,000 hectolitres of annual average production of different grape varieties results in red, rosé, white and liqueur wines from 80 different firms. Mistela, a wine extracted from the Moscatel grape, is very typical of Valencia. It has a clean and shiny appearance and a sweet taste. The Valencia Wine Protected Designation of Origin Regulatory Council, located in the heart of the city, boasts a spectacular winery, exhibition rooms and offers guided visits and wine tastings (prior booking required). Horchata is one of the most popular drinks in Valencia, made from the chufa, (tiger nut), originally from Egypt and brought to this Mediterranean city by the Arabs. This tasty drink also contains many healthy properties. Tiger nuts are grown in sixteen towns in the Valencia region of L Horta Nord, which combines specific meteorological and soil requirements to make this the only region in Spain where this truly unique tuber is grown. However, the most famous town with the most horchaterías (establishments) for enjoying this drink is Alboraya. Finding out about the cultivation system and manufacturing process is as interesting as trying the drink. The Valencia Tiger Nut Protected Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council can provide visitors with more information. To get to know in situ how this refreshing drink is made, from its planting to serving, visit the only museum of its kind, the Alqueria El Machistre. You can also go on Horchata routes with Horta Viva, a tour company. You can also follow the Horchata routes with Horta Viva, a tour company, visit the Mon Orxata factory and sample this refreshing drink in such traditional places as the Horchatería Santa Catalina, Bertal and Casa de l Orxata horchata bars

20 20 VALENCIA CUINA OBERTA Restaurant Week This gastronomic event began cooking in 2009 and continues to be held annually. The event includes the participation of over 60 restaurants, all offering their best culinary proposals at set prices for lunch and dinner. Thus, for a few days gourmets have the opportunity to taste the gastronomic creations of some of today s best chefs at popular prices. The official website of this event contains listings and menus of the restaurants participating in each edition. Furthermore, the Club Cuina Oberta sends a weekly bulletin of tasty news stories about culinary-related events taking place in the city. FURTHER INFORMATION Cuina Oberta-Restaurant Week Official Website: Club Cuina Oberta: Cuina Oberta in Facebook:

21 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 21 Javier Yaya Tur / CACSA VALENCIA by moonlight Ático Ateneo Lounge Valencia continues to be a city with a thousand personalities once night falls. Many nightlife areas awaken at midnight, with many pubs remaining open until 3.30 a.m. In turn, the city s nightclubs are often open until dawn. Throughout the year, the most popular areas are to be found in Barrio del Carmen, undoubtedly the most diverse and international neighbourhood in the city. Calle Caballeros becomes its centre point, populated by multiple bars, restaurants and pubs, and here you can find Café de las Horas, a unique space where you can try a glass of Agua de Valencia. The top floor terrace of the Ático Ateneo Lounge at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, La Plaza de Cánovas and its surrounding streets, where Las Animas is located, as well as the area around Avenida de Aragon, are other classic points draw large crowds, whilst the Ruzafa neighbourhood has become the most fashionable district in recent times. Other nightlife spots are to be found in the extension of Paseo de la Alameda, as well as on La Alameda itself. Most of the bars in these areas offer outside seating to enjoy the good weather. In summer, the most interesting places are to be found in the City of Arts and Sciences, which have open-air nightclubs offering spectacular views, such as the L Umbracle Terrace.

22 22 Hotel Las Arenas Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar Valencia has a wide choice for the most demanding tourist. For relaxation, the city has several spas, including the Balneario la Alameda, the first urban spa in Spain and located in the former Maternity Hospital, a modernist palace dating from the beginning of the 20th century. Other restored historic buildings include the Westin Valencia hotel, which offers a very healthy experience in the Caroli Health Club, while Las Arenas hotel, which was renewed in 2006, recalls the old spa resort founded in 1898 in the same building. Other hotels in which to enjoy a few hours of relaxation are the Hospes Palau de la Mar, Barceló. and the 5 star hotels SH Valencia Palace and the Hotel Caro Hotel Caro, chosen Valencia EXCELLENCE by the publisher Taschen in 2014 as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. But the Mozaira, the Parador El Saler and the Mas de Canicatí will also surprise you with their charm. city has several shopping areas: Calle Colón and its surrounding streets are the most popular, but the Golden Mile is the area around Poeta Querol and Plaza del Patriarca, where numerous international companies such as Bulgari, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Salvatore Ferragamo or Carolina Herrera can be found. We can also find Lladró, an internationallyrenowned Valencia company that creates the finest porcelain figurines. To go on an exclusive route taking in some of these shops, the company Maximice offers visits with a personal shopper for shopping lovers. There are also tour companies that go to the most exclusive stores. To get around the city in a more selective manner, Elegance Valencia Taxi and Taxis Vip provide very professional services in high-end vehicles, as does Autogolden, which also has a large fleet of cars. Valencia has made its contribution to fashion through such established designers such as Francis Montesinos and Alex Vidal and couturiers such as Tonuca, Noelia Navarro and Dolores Cortés. In the field of jewellery we find Vicente Gracia, chosen by Vogue as one of the top 20 jewellers in the world and who has seen his works auctioned at Christie s and Barneys. The As far as gastronomy is concerned, in addition to the award winning Michelin star restaurants such as La Sucursal, Riff, Vertical, Ricard Camarena and El Poblet, the city also boasts 25 Respol Suns in 2015, as well as a wide range of establishments that cater to all tastes and budgets.

23 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE23 FURTHER INFORMATION Museo Lladró Balneario La Alameda: The Westin Valencia: Hospes Palau de la Mar: Hotel Barceló: Hotel Caro: Hotel Las Arenas: La Mozaira: Mas de Canicattí: Parador El Saler: SH Valencia Palace: Lladró: La Sucursal: Loewe: Bulgari: Ricard Camarena: Riff: Vertical: Autogolden: Elegance Valencia Taxi: Taxis Vip: Rafael Torres: Argimiro Aguilar: Maximice: El Poblet:

24 24 Valencia A NATURAL SPACE Valencia has a green carpet covering more than two million square metres. The Cabecera Park, the largest in Europe, crowns the old Turia riverbed to the west of the city. It is here that we find the start of the Turia Gardens, a large, traffic-free green space measuring some 10 km in length that enables visitors to cross the city on foot or bike almost to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe housing more than 500 different species that make up a huge family of more than 45,000 examples, including dolphins, beluga whales, sharks and sea lions. Just 10km to the south of Valencia lies the Albufera Natural Park, a beautiful landscape of rice fields that surround one of the largest lakes in Europe. Migrating birds can be observed in winter from one of the albuferencs, small boats used by the inhabitants of the small fishing village El Palmar to fish the different species found in the lake. The Dehesa de El Saler forms part of the Albufera Natural Park, consisting of a Mediterranean forest and the El Saler beach, whose dunes are protected by a European directive. This entire area is easily accessible both by bike and the number 25 bus. FURTHER INFORMATION Turia Gardens: L Oceanogràfic: L Albufera Nature Park: Valenbisi: Segway Valencia: Valencia Bikes: Doyoubike: Solution Bike: Passion Bike: Horta Viva: Senati Bikes: EMT Valencia: The city has a network composed of 130 km of bicycle routes that enable visitors to discover Valencia on two wheels. The most recommended area is to be found in the Turia Gardens, an ample, traffic-free green space measuring 10 km in length, a natural reserve that allows visitors to cross the city from east to west. This area, which follows the former River Turia riverbed, is full of life and culture, containing everything from football and rugby pitches to athletics tracks and museums. Furthermore, more than 15 bridges from different periods and styles cross from one side of the city to the other. The recently launched bicycle rental system, Valenbisi, provides more than 2,500 bikes distributed among 250 docking stations and makes for a comfortable, healthy form of transport. There are also companies that rent out Segways, bicycles, electric bicycles and offer guided tours on two wheels throughout the year.

25 URBAN NATURAL SPACE 25 BIOPARC, Nature in the open air Bioparc Valencia is more than a zoo, it is a place full of life where more than 4,000 animals from over 250 different species live togehter. Bioparc allows you to visit the heart of Africa, from the savannah to Madagascar, going through tropical forests, all of which are perfectly recreated. In the African savannah, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions and charming mongooses can all be seen. There are also hyenas, mole rats and even huge baobabs that show the typical landscape of equatorial Africa. A herd of elephant also lives here, who shamelessly take a bath and delight the visitors though the amusing scene. Alongside these pachyderms is the Kitum Cave, and hippos and crocodiles. Further on, a clearing in the forest opens, a meeting point of gorillas, chimpanzees, red buffalo, leopards and antelopes. The third recreated habitat in Bioparc is Madagascar, where the different species of lemurs are the main attraction. Besides being able to discover how these animals live, Bioparc Valencia has an open air auditorium where bird exhibits are held. It also has restaurants with stunning views of the African savannah, as well as workshops and children s activities, to raise awareness in the young about the importance of protecting the environment. Bioparc is always alive and amongst the interesting initiatives that have been launched and can be accessed on their webpage and social networks, the park has developed an application, qlikbar, that offers interesting facts on animals as well as information on the exhibits and activities. A very useful tool for getting the most out of your visit. FURTHER INFORMATION Bioparc Valencia:

26 26 Valencia WITH CHILDREN If they told you that in the same city, you might travel across the African Savannah, contemplate more than 500 species within the main marine ecosystems, climb, like an inhabitant of Lilliput, over a 70-metre Gulliver, or become a knight, or a princess and discover palaces and fortresses, you would think that I was speaking of a children s game, wouldn t you? Indeed, that is exactly what we are talking about. A family visit to Valencia is a highly recommendable experience, that holds surprises for both adults and children. Crocodiles, leopards, gorillas... even a distant relative of King Julien, can be seen in Bioparc, at close range, with no bars, amidst a veritable African adventure. In Europe s largest aquarium, L Oceanogràfic, children can enjoy the experience of becoming a trainer of marine mammals, sleeping with sharks or feeding penguins. Very nearby, in the Science Museum, the latest scientific advances will delight the youngest members of society, who can also travel into space and view our planet as it is seen from the International Space Station. In l Hemisfèric, children can live out adventures through 3D images. Indeed, there are many ways of travelling around Valencia whilst ensuring that children don t become bored: cycling, in a horse-drawn carriage, on a Segway, on a Tourist Bus, or on foot, guided by a prince or princess. Furthermore, a short distance from Valencia, La Albufera Natural Park offers the magnificent biodiversity of this protected space. A trip along its central lake aboard one of the typical boats found in this area can become a true adventure! Turismo Valencia has created VLC Natural Xpress, a pass that grants entry to the most popular tourist attractions, such as Bioparc and the City of Arts and Sciences, as well as unlimited use of the touristic buses. This product can be adapted to the duration of each tourist s stay, thus offering maximum value for money, and can be combined with the most suitable package in each case. The pass is available in the Airport, Joaquin Sorolla Station, Plaza de la Reina and the City Hall Tourist Info offices, as well as being available online from. From this webportal, the Family Card is also available, offered so that families, depending on the family size, can take advantage of the Valencia Tourist Card, which permits unlimited use of the public transport, as well as discounts in museums, restaurants and tourism services. GUIDE FOR SMALL TOURIST: turisvalencia.es/datos/en/pdf/guia-vlc-ninos-en.pdf Moreover, football fans can spend an evening in the Mestalla stadium, visiting the changing rooms, the pitch, the benches or the press office where the players are interviewed... experiencing the emotion of football at the highest level with Valencia C.F. The old course of the River Turia is a paradise of gardens that provides the perfect setting for a pleasant family outing: a bicycle trip, a picnic, races... and a huge children s park with slides inspired by the giant Gulliver in the story by Swift.

27 URBAN NATURAL SPACE 27 FURTHER INFORMATION Palau de la Música: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: L Oceanogràfic: Príncipe Felipe Science Museum: IVAM: Family Card: MUVIM: Museum of Fine Arts: museobellasartesvalencia. gva.es Albufera Parc: Príncipe Felice Science Museum. City of Arts and Sciences. Expojove: VLC Natural Xpress: shop.turisvalencia.es/es/entradasturisticas/entradas-conjuntas Bioparc: Gulliver

28 28 VALENCIA FILM STUDIO Cinema is another window that projects Valencia to the world. A city bathed in the Mediterranean and which enjoys a mild climate almost all the year, offers an attractive setting for any type of shoot. The city has a diverse range of locations, from the possibility of panorama shoots of spectacular 1st century ruins, to filming in futuristic architectural complexes, which for example attracted Walt Disney Studios to film one of its movies in the city, Tomorrowland, staring George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, and directed by Oscar winner Brad Bird, which will be shown in cinemas worldwide in Valencia also offers beautiful shoots in natural areas, marine areas, avant-garde buildings that can easily simulate an airport, and even perfect shoots for a Mediterranean lifestyle. All this and much more, in addition to the light of a city reflected like no other by the Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla, all favour the filming of both movies and numerous commercials, as well as fashion shoots. FURTHER INFORMATION Film Office at Un suave olor a Canela, producción de Tarannà Films y TV ON Producciones. Foto: Sagrario Perpiñán.

29 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 29 THE CITY OF MUSIC FURTHER INFORMATION Palau de la Música: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: Berklee College of Music: y Valencia has a long musical tradition, the proof of which can be seen in the hundreds of music bands that exist both in the city and in the surrounding villages. There are two main references in this field: El Palau de la Música, which was built in 1989 and has hosted performances by the conductor Daniel Barenboim and the tenor Placido Domingo, who described the quality of its rooms as being like that of a Stradivarius. El Palau de les Arts, designed by Valencian architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, was inaugurated in 2005 by the maestros Lorin Maazel and Zubin Mehta. Since 2011, the young talent Omer Wellber has taken over the baton as musical director. El Palau s extensive programme has led to Valencia s incorporation into the world s leading opera circuits and has included performances of Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Fidelio and Richard Wagner s complete Ring cycle, among others. These are not the only spaces offering music in the city, however, with performances also held in the Colón Market, the Santa Catalina Church, The Silk Exchange and the University of Valencia s Nau building. Similarly, the Church of the Patriarch offers mass accompanied by Gregorian chants from Tuesday to Sunday at 9.30 am and Thursdays at p.m., a tradition that dates back to Since 2011, Valencia has hosted the permanent campus of the Berklee College of Music, located in El Palau de les Arts.

30 30 SHOPPING IN VALENCIA Travelling isn t just about visiting museums and monuments, it s also about discovering the city by wandering its streets, tasting its food, taking a drink in one of the squares. And if there is one thing that you shouldn t miss on a trip, then it s the shopping. Souvenirs, food products, high fashion, porcelain. At Vive Valencia de Compras you ll find a large amount of information so you can enjoy your shopping in Valencia. Arranged by neighbourhoods and routes, every type of product and treat can be found: century old shops, interior design studios, high fashion, Las Fallas attire, basketmakers, luxury shops, art galleries, book shops, charity stores, food stores and herbalists. Many of the shops in the main tourist areas of the city open every day of the week, including Sundays, to offer better service to the tourists who visit Valencia. Visitors with their residence outside the European Union now have a new VAT refund counter for any shopping they bought in shops with a TAX FREE service. Turismo Valencia s Tourist Information Centre, located at Plaza de la Reina 19, has a VAT cash refund service for all purchases above if you ask for a PREMIER TAX FREE or GLOBAL BLUE receipt in the shop where you bought your goods. FURTHER INFORMATION: Premier Tax Free: Global Blue: Argimiro Aguilar: Atypical Valencia: Bulgari: City Time Pandora: Disney Store: DodoWear Outlet El Corte Inglés: Envinarte: Lester: Lladró: Loewe: Max Mara: MCarthy: Mercado de Tapinería: Miralindo: Món Orxata: Montblanc Boutique: Ubik Café: ubikcafe.blogspot.com Rafael Torres: Suc de Lluna: Superdry Store: Toro Store: Megastore Valencia Club de Fútbol: Vegamar Selección: Zapaterías Bata:

31 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 31

32 32 FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS Popular celebrations take place in Valencia throughout the year. Whether religious or secular in nature, several elements are common to them all: wit, fireworks, music and fire, whose most audible, visual and olfactory expression are fireworks, with Valencia having with an excellent and renowned pyrotechnics sector. The most international of the Valencia s festivities are Las Fallas, which take place from 15 to 19 March and during which local, national and international current affairs are satirized in the form of the more than 700 monuments that take over the city s streets. For five intense days, the city lives through a sensory explosion. Mascletà at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento The most emotional event of the festival is the offering of flowers to Our Lady of the Forsaken, the patron saint of the city, whose mantle is formed with the bouquets of red, white and pink carnations that the more than 100,000 Falleros and Falleros deliver to the Virgin, dressed in their rich costumes made of pure silk. Offering of flowers to to Our Lady of the Forsaken. FURTHER INFORMATION Fallas: Maritime Holy Week: July Fair:

33 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 33 Semana Santa Marinera Other festivals include the procession in honour of Saint Vincent of Saragossa, which is held in January, the spectacular Maritime Holy Week and Corpus Cristi processions, and the carrying of the Virgin of the Forsaken, the city s female patron saint, from the Basilica to the Cathedral. July sees the celebration of the July Fair, which is made up of an extensive programme of concerts and cultural events that ends with a unique battle of the flowers, while October 9 sees the commemoration of the Valencia Regional Day. On the last Thursday of October the fiesta of the Santo Cáliz is also celebrated. Traslado de la Virgen de los Desamparados El Tribunal de las Aguas, Unesco World Heritage Site For over a millennium, each Thursday a jury made up of irrigators from the eight irrigation channels has met up at the Door of the Apostles at the Cathedral, to resolve conflicts resulting from the water from the River Turia that occur in the arable lands around Valencia (the Huerta). These sessions are the oldest justice institution in Europe and have been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible world heritage asset, a distinction that adds to the one awarded by the same organisation to the La Lonja (Silk Exchange) in Both these recognitions add to the city s international projection and further strengthen its attractiveness for tourists

34 34 valencia ON THE TRACK Valencia is a dynamic city where various events take place for all interests, from traditional festivals such as the Fallas, the Maritime Holy Week and Corpus Christi, to gastronomic events as the Cuina Oberta - Restaurant Week. The city also hosts sporting events such as football, with two teams in the first division of the Spanish League (Valencia CF and Levante UD), basketball with Valencia Basket, the Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament, the motorbikes at the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the numerous events for lovers of athletics, such as the triathlon and fun runs.

35 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 35 Valencia Ciudad del Running is a project that encompasses the three most important races of the year held in the city, including the 42km Marathon. Over the year, Valencia also hosts many other athletic events that attract ever more fans, due to the fact that the climate and topographical conditions in Valencia are very attractive for runners. In addition, there are several companies who are focussed on this type of tourist, such as The Westin hotel, who have special packages for athletes. FURTHER INFORMATION ww.maratonvalencia.com

36 36 DON T MISS... EVERY THURSDAY OF THE YEAR: Valencia Water Court, UNESCO intangible Heritage event Maritime Holy Week 2 march -5 April April VLC Boat Show April January Three Kings Parade January 5 50 Book Fair San Vicente Ferrer (local holiday) April 28 May Virgin of the Forsaken (local holiday) May 10. Second Sunday of May St Vicente Mártir, Patron Saint of Valencia January 22 February Crida de las Fallas (Opening Ceremony) at the Torres de Serranos Last Sunday of February JUNE XXIX Festival Internacional de Cinema Jove March Mascletà 1-19 March at Fallas March Corpus Christi Noche de San Juan (Midsummer s Eve) June 23 Concerts performed by the Banda Municipal de Valencia in the Jardines de Viveros park Every Thursday XVII Jazz Festival de Jazz in the Palau de la Música Valencia Cuina Oberta Restaurant Week Los Caminos del Grial Exhibition Almudín March-June

37 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 37 JULY XVI Trofeo de Su Majestad Reina (Queen s Trophy) (Sailing Competition) OCTOBER St Dionis. Day of the Valencian Community October 9 Jazz Festival in the Palau de la Música Bull Fights Feria de Julio (July Fair) Holy Grail Festivity Last Thursday of October Season at the Palau de les Arts December 9: Manon Lescaut, de Giacomo Puccini Open 500 de Tenis Bull Fights L Oceanogràfic Nights July-August AUGUST SEPTEMBER Virgin de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption) August 15 NOVEMBER MotoGP Comunidad Valenciana Valencia Cuina Oberta Restaurant Week Valencia Triathlon September 5 & 6 Tapas Fair September Vii La Cabina Medium Length Film Festival Trinidad Alfonso Marathon November 15 VII Incubarte Art Festival VI Valencia Design Week XIII Jazz Festival Every Thursday DECEMBER Jaime I Awards for the promotion of research and scientific development, featuring several recipients of the Nobel Prize as a jury. CHRISTMAS IN VALENCIA Fair grounds, Christmas markets, circus Expojove 26 December 4 January

38 38 Palacio de Congresos de Valencia VALENCIA MEETING POINT AND UNIQUE SPACES Valencia is the third biggest non capital European city, and tenth world city, in the organisation of international congresses. The city has a wide range of spaces in which to hold events, conferences, meetings and forums, all of which offer added value to such meetings. Unique spaces with historical and architectural values, ranging from avant-garde works such as the Valencia Conference Centre, designed by British architect Norman Foster and recognized as the best conference centre in the world in 2010 by the International Association of Conference Centres. The Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre and the chameleonic City of Arts and Sciences, which includes the Hemisfèric, Oceanogràfic, the Prince Felipe Science Museum, the Agora and the Palau de les Arts, are all spaces that are highly in demand, as well as the Veles e Vents building, designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez, is another of the city s spectacular architectural spaces. As for smaller capacity spaces with historical and artistic value, the city offers a range of old farmhouses dedicated to organizing events, such as Campo Anibal, Xamandreu and Molino Real, a historic former mill that has been restored and catalogued as national cultural heritage. Visitors to Turisvalencia can download the VLC Meetings & Events Guide, which offers both practical information and a list of places in which to hold meetings.

39 THE MEETING POINT 39 Veles e Vents. Marina Real Juan Carlos I FURTHER INFORMATION: Guía VLC Meetings & Events: / vlcmeetings-events Alquería del Pi: Campo Aníbal: Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias: Kinepolis Paterna: kinepolis.es/cines/kinepolisvalencia Masía Xamandreu: Valencia Conference Centre: Feria Valencia

40 40 VALENCIA 2.0: Social networks and New technologies Turismo Valencia: Valencia already has two of its own APPs, VLC VALENCIA, and VALENCIA TOURIST CARD, to discover the city. It also is present in the most popular social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, Pinterest, Instagram and Google +. With profiles in Spain, Italy, UK, Germany and France and Holland, the city has boarded the new technology train with a web 2.0 strategy, and Turismo Valencia has set up blogs across these countries. Tourists with an iphone or Android can discover Valencia through the Valencia Tourist Card, as the city is a member of European Cities Marketing, the organization responsible for the launch of this application and which offers information about the benefits of the Valencia Tourist Card. This tool lets you know where to use and how to acquire the card. Using a map of the city in created using Google Maps, you can check for walking and cycling routes set up so you can discover the city, and you can also get to know Valencia in augmented reality by using QR codes, that are available on tourist guides, or using your iphone or Android Augmented Reality apps. The mobile version of the website can be accessed at To facilitate Internet access for tourists, two products are available in Tourist Information Offices: a SIM Holidays card and a mobile WiFi router (MiFi), each entailing a top-up system enabling you to stay well connected whilst in Valencia. APP Valencia (spanish): /appdwn-web-es APP Valencia Tourist Card (spanish): APP Valencia (english): /appdwn-web-en APP Valencia Tourist Card (english): Facebook: Spain: Spain: Spain: Germany: Italy: United Kingdom: France: Holland: HELEMAAL/ Twitter: United Pinterest: Google+ Germany: plus.google.com/ / posts Italy: plus.google.com/ /posts Blog Spain: /blog/ Blog Germany: /de/blog Blog Italy: /it/blog Blog United Kingdom: /en/blog/ Blog France: /fr/blog/ Blog Holland: /nl/blog/ Instagram: Youtube: European Cities Marketing: Realidad Aumentada: /ra/movil Valencia Tourist Card: Rutas Google Maps: map.turisvalencia.es Valencia videos: Código QR