Around the thriving city of Valencia you find some of the best beaches in Spain and much more quiet than the ones in Catalonia or Andalucia. This area is orange country - orange trees everywhere - although around Elche you find many date palms as well.

VALENCIA

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, but one of the least visited by tourists. This is mainly due to it being more of a working city. However,during the summer, Valencia is known for its beach during the day and the clubs and bars at night. One key thing to remember though if you want to partake in the night life is that it doesn't start until really late. If you get there too early (before about 1am) you will think that Valencia has the worst night life ever, as you will be the only one there.

As for the dining experience in Valencia, a visitor must be sure to try the most famous Spanish dish, Paella. The Valencia regions is the home of Paella and makes the dish like no other place. Paella is a rice dish that does not compare to anything else, but if one must describe it in comparison to something it would be a stir fry similar to fried rice with a wide variety of seafood, chicken, rabbit and vegetables. Es deliciosa!

Another absolutely amazing culturally rich experience of the Valenica Region is Las Fallas. This is an absolutely fascinating and overwhelming experience. You have constant firecrackers, flowers, parties, crowded street and much much more! There are paper mache statues that are as tall as buildings. At the end of the festival, these statues are burned down and everyone is heart broken. However the ones chosen as the very best in both the open and children's sections are reprieved and kept in the excellent Fallas museum.

The creation of La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias with its magical 21st century architecture is intended to help the city attract tourists outside of fallas time in March.