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Val d'Orcia

Val d’Orcia is a region in Tuscany, Italy.

Towns

 * – medieval town with castle.
 * – medieval town with fortress and cathedral. It is known for its wine.
 * – gothic town listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * – medieval town with fortress.
 * – medieval town with many churches.

Other destinations

 * – hot springs with calcium deposits and waterfalls.
 * – village known for its hot springs.

Understand
The Val d’Orcia is characterised by gentle, carefully-cultivated hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an “ideal town” in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II), Radicofani (home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines, rated 2007 #1 world wine by Wine Spectator).

It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph. In 2004 the Val d’Orcia was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Get in
Best option is to use car. The journey from Siena takes around 1 hr, from Florence around 1 hr 50 min and from Rome around 2 hr 10 min.

Another option is to take a regional bus, but most towns in Val d’Orcia have very few bus connections per day.

There is no railway with regular service; there is the Asciano - Monte Antico heritage railway, but it has very limited service.

title: Val d'Orcia


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Valdez

Valdez is found in Southcentral Alaska on Prince William Sound. It is pronounced locally as "val-DEEZ", not like the Spanish surname.

Understand
Valdez is known as the town in Alaska with the highest annual snowfall. For example, as of late January 2012, Valdez had received more than 10 meters of snowfall, and was using extraordinary measures (such as the National Guard) to deal with it).

Get in
To reach Valdez from Anchorage, there are some options. Quickest is to fly to. Flights are offered by Ravn Alaska (formerly Era Aviation) from Anchorage. If the weather is clear on your 45-min flight, you'll get great views of the Chugach mountains. Or in a full day you could drive the Richardson Highway. Or, you could drive or go by rail to Whittier and try and get a boat across Prince William Sound. The boat trip would take at least four hours. However, most boats from Whittier only offer day trips - glacier sight seeing and fishing - there isn't a scheduled ferry between Whittier and Valdez.

Get around
No public transport. Car and bike rental are available. The new airport is a couple of miles out of town, so if arriving by air, you'll need to get a taxi into town to avoid a tedious trudge. Once in town, walking is a good way to get around, as the town itself is small.

See

Do
Popular activities are mainly outdoor pursuits and include whitewater Rafting on the Lowe River through Keystone Canyon. Sea kayaking in Prince William Sound is offered by a couple of operators will ferry you and a canoe to places such as Shoup Bay, where you can spend the day kayaking in protected waters surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and seabird colonies. Heli skiing and snowboarding are possible in Thompson Pass while, hiking and cross country skiing is available on groomed Mineral Creek trails. Other activities include ice climbing, glacier tours in Prince William Sound, and elderhostel at Prince William Sound Community College.

Media

 * KCHU Radio 770am

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Valdez


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Val di Chiana

Val di Chiana is a valley in the south of Arezzo.

Cities

 * — a town that has beautiful medieval walls, beautiful churches, art treasures and numerous Renaissance structures
 * — one of the 12 members of the Etruscan League, it has an important museum of Etruscan artifacts
 * — one of the best-preserved of the network of Lombard fortresses of the 6th and the 7th century in central Italy
 * — another one of the 12 cities of the Etruscan League, from its high elevation, it has magnificent panoramas around the region
 * — a well-preserved medieval hill town characterised by an oval or elliptical shape
 * and — a small agricultural town well known for its annual carnival
 * — has a well-preserved medieval castle and tower
 * — known for its porchetta festival

Understand
The Val di Chiana looks like a valley furrow about 104 km long and covering about 2300 km². The valley extends from north to south between Arezzo and Orvieto, and includes the Arno basin in which the Canale Maestro della Chiana flows, and the Tiber basin in which the river Chiani flows.

The Val di Chiana is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in Italy. The local population is largely dedicated to the primary sector (agriculture, livestock and related activities).

Climate
The winters are not excessively cold (the average temperature of January, the coldest month, is 5.4 °C). The valley has moderately humid and summers with high temperatures, but not hot. Spring and autumn are usually mild. Autumn is the rainiest season of the year. Snowfalls are rare: snow usually falls in the months of December-January, but it only covers the valley for a few days.

Get in
The Val di Chiana has good connections with the rest of Italy.

By car
It is crossed lengthwise by the Autostrada del Sole (A1).

By train
The Val di Chiana is crossed by the Direttissima Naples—Milan. Parallel to it runs the local railway which from Arezzo leads to Chiusi, passing through the stations of Castiglion Fiorentino, Terontola-Cortona and Castiglione del Lago; this electrified railway continues north and south, well beyond Arezzo and Chiusi. South of Chiusi is the Chianina station of Fabro-Ficulle, in the province of Terni. An (electrified) railway also departs from the Terontola station which leads to Umbria, skirting the northern side of Lake Trasimeno. Another railway axis connects Arezzo with Sinalunga, to join up with the Chiusi-Siena railway line.

In Arezzo and Chiusi there are interconnections between the direct line Naples—Milan and the old railway line; therefore the state stations of Chiusi-Chianciano Terme and Arezzo are also stations of the Direttissima line

Get around
The various Chianina towns are connected by an efficient road system.

See
The 6th-century San Secondiano Cathedral in Chiusi is the oldest in all of Tuscany. Chiusi's National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important repositories of Etruscan remains in Italy.

Cortona is a walled town packed with palaces, churches and museums.

Do
Hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities.

Castiglion Fiorentino has many festivals throughout the year including the famous "Palio dei Rioni", a horse race among the three ancient Rioni (boroughs) of the town on the 3rd Sunday of June. It includes a colourful and energetic display of the ancient custom of flag-waving dating back to the 13th century (on the weekend preceding the horse race, a spectacular contest between the three groups of flag-wavers is also held).

Staying in an agriturismo can be an excellent way of experiencing Tuscan food, wine, and hospitality.

In 2010, Monte San Savino's porchetta festival, held in September, won the Guinness World Record for the longest porchetta in the world.

Eat
The healthy climate, the nutritional richness of the land and the typically hilly landscape have made the Val di Chiana home to excellent olive oils. The production takes place mostly through the production of direct growers, who at the end of the harvest bring their yield to mills. The main Chianina oil is Colline di Arezzo, an oil with an intense green colour with shades tending towards greenish yellow, an intense fruity aroma and a spicy and slightly bitter flavor which fades over time, as well as a persistent aftertaste.

Drink
Val di Chiana has been a land of fine wines (white and red) since Etruscan times. Parts of the northern Val di Chiana are included in the Chianti streets, while in the rest of the valley the production of Bianco Vergine della Valdichiana is widespread, one of the most appreciated white wines in Italy and in the world. The production mostly takes place by means of the local winegrowers, who, after the harvest, transport their grapes to social cellars or consortia.

title: Val di Chiana


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Val di Elsa

The Val di Elsa is in Tuscany.

Other destinations

 * - very nice landscape
 * - very nice landscape

title: Val di Elsa


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Valdivia

Valdivia has been called the “Pearl of the South” and the “Beer Capital of Chile". Thanks to its public spaces, order and cleanliness — in addition to nature, gastronomy and culture — it has positioned itself in the 21st century as one of the best cities to live in and visit in Chile.

Understand
Valdivia is capital of the Los Ríos Region and the province of Valdivia. It is 850 km south of Santiago at the confluence of the Calle Calle, Cau-cau and Cruces rivers, and 15 km from Corral Bay. In 2017, Valdivia had a population of 150,000 people.

It was founded in 1552 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, under the name of "Santa María la Blanca de Valdivia". It was one of the first cities to be founded in Chile. During the colonial era, it was considered "the key to the southern sea", a strategic enclave for access to the Pacific Ocean. Fortifications were built to protect it from enemy attacks or attacks by indigenous people in the area.

In 1960, the city, along with the rest of southern Chile, was affected by the most powerful earthquake recorded in human history, which reached 9.5 on the Richter scale. The event is known in Chile as "Valdivia earthquake".

Climate
During the summer months (December, January and February) the average temperature is about 17 °C (63 °F), while in winter the temperature descends to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F).

By bus

 * A 3-hr ride from Puerto Montt for approx 7000 pesos.
 * 10-12 hr from Santiago, 15,000-25,000 pesos.

By car

 * If coming from Southern Chile (Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas or Osorno, for example), take Ruta 5 highway till you reach the town of Paillaco, then turn right on the cloverleaf exit that links the main road with Ruta T-206. You'll reach Valdivia after 1 hr of driving. If coming from Northern Chile, your best option is taking the exit to the right on the cloverleaf intersection that connects Ruta 5 to Ruta 202. All entry and exit points are signposted. Toll booths abound, so plan ahead.

Get around

 * Most of the city is fairly walkable, though if you need to go somewhere like Teja Island, it is recommended to take a cab. Fares start at around 50 pesos for most taxis. Uber, InDrive and Didi also operate in town.
 * Buses have a regular schedule up until 20:00 for most destinations. Fare is 500 pesos (as of April 2024).
 * "Colectivos" (or shared taxis with fixed routes) are also helpful for navigating the city. Always best to ask the driver for directions. Fare is 600 pesos during weekdays, and 650 pesos during weekends.
 * The bus to Niebla is CLP$650 and goes hourly. The subsequent ferry for a passenger to Corral is CLP$800 with the car ferry and CLP$2,000 with the passenger ferry, which start at different places. Inquire with the bus driver.

See

 * The town has a cool little fish market by the river side where you can feed sea lions and pelicans with titbits or snacks that you can buy from the fish mongers.
 * Take a stroll through General Lagos St. There's a nice selection of German-styled houses that have been preserved in the past years and most if not all of them, have a plaque indicating the erection date and the current usage of the house.

Do

 * Loads of tour operators offering boat tours to various ruined 17th-century Spanish forts. The cruises stop and allow you to explore the ruins or walk in the forests. Most tours go to the Pacific Ocean at Corral and stop for a 30-minute visit here. Tour lasts about 5 hours. Ticket price includes a good quality meal and indoor seating. Tour guide narration in Spanish only. Beverages not included in the price. The boats depart from the same area as the fish market.
 * Museum lovers have an impressive selection of places to visit while in town. Traditional museums for history and culture focused-folks would be the Museo Historico y Antropologico Maurice Van de Maele, located on Teja Island. Built in the site of the former Andwanter family house, its a good starting point to understand the history and culture of the region and the city as well. . If your interests lie on the subject of telecomunications and technology, a stop at the Museo de las Telecomuncaciones, might be of your fancy. Its a private museum run by the local telephone company, detailing the history of communication in the world, and the history of the company as well. . And if you feel like learning about the flora and fauna of the region, don't skip a visit of the Museo de la Exploracion R.A. Philippi, with its selection of information on those subjects, you're bound to find something new.
 * Museum lovers have an impressive selection of places to visit while in town. Traditional museums for history and culture focused-folks would be the Museo Historico y Antropologico Maurice Van de Maele, located on Teja Island. Built in the site of the former Andwanter family house, its a good starting point to understand the history and culture of the region and the city as well. . If your interests lie on the subject of telecomunications and technology, a stop at the Museo de las Telecomuncaciones, might be of your fancy. Its a private museum run by the local telephone company, detailing the history of communication in the world, and the history of the company as well. . And if you feel like learning about the flora and fauna of the region, don't skip a visit of the Museo de la Exploracion R.A. Philippi, with its selection of information on those subjects, you're bound to find something new.

Hiking
To see the trails of the region, consult OpenStreetMap, which many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz use.

 * A good opportunity for a day or 2-day hike is the nearby.

Buy

 * Marzipan and German desserts at Chocolateria Entrelagos (downtown-at one block from the central square). Another good option is Chocolateria Peumayen, located almost next-door to Entrelagos
 * Charming trinkets with illustrations of the cities Sea Lions. You can find those at the Mercado Artesanal, right across from the Feria Fluvial in Arturo Prat Av, nearby the river and Schuster Pier.
 * Beer lovers have a nice option at BeerStore Valdivia (302 Los Robles Av, at Isla Teja) for some local beer souvenirs and brews.

Eat
During January and February there's a feria at Niebla on the coast. Seafood stalls and folk music and dancing until 23:00. Delicious empanadas de mariscos and other asado and seafood. 40 or 50 food stalls and free entry provide a great evening of entertainment. Buses run to and from Valdivia and at closing there are several buses available.

A typical dish is Curanto. This is a large serving of steamed shellfish served with a boiled sausage, boiled chicken leg, and potatoes. It is not always on the menu but try looking for restaurants with a large sign on the sidewalk or in the window that states "HOY CURANTO".

Drink
Valdivia is popular in the region and throughout Chile for its draught beer, cerveza artesanal. Some of these beers are famous beyond the borders of the city. So, the city is a good place to go to a pub. A pint costs 3000 pesos as of Mar 2018.

 * Ultima Frontera is an alternative/student bar, always packed, great decoration in a building under very big trees and wide food menu. Located on the corner of Pérez Rosales and Yerbas Buenas 787.
 * Cervecería Kunstmann for those who love beer you can visit the restaurant in the factory, 10 minutes from the centre.
 * There are. dozen places for dancing or drinking in "Calle Esmeralda", a short central street.

Sleep
Accommodation in Valdivia is generally more expensive than other destinations around, like Pucon or Puerto Varas.

 * Airesbuenos, García Reyes 550, in the centre of the city. It’s affordable and clean. It is run by new management now and feels more like a business rather than a hostel to relax.
 * Hostel Prat, 595 Prat, with a great view of the Calle Calle river (it's across the street) is convenient to the bus terminal and to downtown. The rooms are a bit dark and the beds have seen better days and the bathrooms are small. Friendly staff and a good breakfast. 20,000 pesos.
 * Hotel Dreams, Carampangue st. is also recommended but a bit on the expensive side.

Go next

 * Pucón and Villarrica – Just northeast, on the eastern shore of Villarrica Lake. Popular for hiking to the nearby Villarrica vulcano and Huerquehue National Park.
 * Frutillar and Puerto Varas – 100-150 km south, popular tourist destination due to its German history and nearby Osorno vulcano.

title: Valdivia


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Valdosta

Valdosta is the 10th largest city in the state of Georgia. It is located in Lowndes County, in the state's Plantation Midlands region. The population is about 50,000 people. Valdosta is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia, where new buildings are always being built somewhere.

By car
Valdosta is located just off I-75, about 15-20 minutes from the Georgia-Florida border, roughly halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. Valdosta can also be reached traveling on US 84, US 41, and US 221.

By bus

 * Greyhound. Stop is located at 200 N Oak St.

Get around
Valdosta has a network of roads that is more or less structured. The major roads are I-75, US 41 (N Valdosta Rd./Inner Perimeter Rd.), US 41 Bus. (Ashley St.), US 84 (Hill Ave.), and Patterson St. Inner Perimeter Road is a bypass around Valdosta. Bemiss Rd. is the main route if you need to go to Moody Air Force Base. Although Valdosta is a medium-sized city, tourism is important, with thousands of visitors visiting the city every year.

Climate
Valdosta has a subtropical humid climate with mild winters, hot summers, and abundant rainfall. Please be aware that Valdosta often suffers from oppressive heat and humidity in the summer, due to the fact that rainfall is most abundant in the summer. In the summer, temperatures easily reach the mid-90s F. When the temperature is accompanied by high humidity, the heat index can reach well over. If you're not accustomed to the heat, the best times to visit Valdosta is from late September to early May. Otherwise, wear sunscreen, and a hat. Bug spray is also necessary, as gnats can be a problem in the summer. Temperatures can reach as early as May, and as late as September.

See

 * Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May.
 * Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May.
 * Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May.
 * Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May.
 * Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May.

Do

 * Splash Island, Water park connected to Wild Adventures. A good place to go to cool off during the intensely hot summers.
 * Morven Music Hall, +1 229 775-2181. Sa 5PM-11PM. Live music, dancing. No smoking, no alcohol.
 * Watkins Music Hall, Mt Zion Road near Rocky Ford Road, +1 229 242-2169. Sa 6PM-11PM. Live music.
 * Go to church.
 * West End Presbyterian Church
 * Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
 * Go to church.
 * West End Presbyterian Church
 * Mount Zion A.M.E. Church
 * West End Presbyterian Church
 * Mount Zion A.M.E. Church

Connect

 * The local area code is 229 and is not required for local calls.

Stay safe
Travel in Valdosta is relatively safe, as it is a medium-sized city, but like all cities regardless of their sizes, there will be crime in certain areas so use common sense no matter what.

Radio stations

 * WQPW 95.7 the Mix - Pop music
 * WAFT Radio 101.1 - Christian music
 * WXHT Hot 102.7 - Pop music
 * WGLF 104.1 - Classic rock

Go next

 * Hahira, Georgia. (About 20 minutes North)
 * Homerville, Georgia. (About 45 minutes Northeast)
 * Lake Park, Georgia. (About 20 minutes South)
 * Statenville, Georgia. (About 20 minutes Southeast)
 * Monticello, Florida. (About 1 hours Southwest)
 * Quitman, Georgia. (About 20 minutes West)

title: Valdosta


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Valdres

Valdres is a romantic and wild highland region in western Oppland County, Norway. This region reaches the edge of the wild Jotunheimen and also includes more gentle and wide tundra-like highlands, while down below there are lovely lakes, great valleys and little villages all along. Valdres is also known for its food traditions as well as the picturesque churches dotting the landscape.

Understand
The municipalities which make up Valdres are Etnedal, Nord-Aurdal, Sør-Aurdal, Øystre Slidre, Vestre Slidre, and Vang. Geographically speaking, Valdres lies between Gudbrandsdalen to the north and east, Ringerike south east, Hallingdal to the south west and finally Sogn westwards. Valdres sits just beneath Jotunheimen and the Valdres valleys forms a basin at one level above the eastern lowlands and one level beneath Jotunheimen.

The local food traditions together with hundreds of mountain farms still run by the locals make the valley complex quite interesting for the tourist off the beaten track. Also, don't be surprised if you run into hotel owners from the Netherlands or Belgium. Quite a few non Norwegian families have settled in this area far away from the densely populated Central Europe.

Regions
Most of Valdres is a valley-river system that ends at Hønefoss town and Tyrifjorden lake. The lower part is Ådalen around Sperillen lake and regarded as part of Ringerike district. Begnadalen valley stretches from Sperillen lake to Bagn village and is recognised by steep rugged cliffs around the flat valley floor. Between Bagn and Bjørgo there is a valley step between the low and the high valley where the river flows through a gorge. A long tunnel on E16 (opened 2019) bypass this difficult point. The secluded Hedalen valley is an adjacent valley that joins the main valley at Nes. The road through a small mountain pass between Hedalen church and Begnadalen church offers fine panorama of the big valley.

North of Bjørgo the valley floor is frequently covered by long lakes (usually called fjords). At Fagernes village two valley branches join, Eastern and Western Slidre. The eastern branch connects to Valdresflya and the eastern edge of Jotunheimen. The western branch connects to Vang area and Filefjell mountain pass at the southern edge of Jotunheimen.

Etnedal valley is regarded as part of Valdres, but belongs the Randsfjorden river system. The road between Bjørgo and Etnedal offers fine panorama.

In the south east, lower Valdres stretches from Dokka and Ådal to Bagn. Through the Begnadalen valley the Begna river runs with lots of fishing possibilities for pike and trout. Eastwards, Etnedalen valley runs all the way up to the mountains and meets the Aurdal valley which stretches up from Bagn. Further on, from the region centre Fagernes, the valley divides into Øystre (eastern) Slidre and Vestre (western) Slidre. From Øystre Slidre the next plateau level is Jotunheimen. Vang is the westernmost district and ends abruptly in the Filefjell mountains.

Other destinations

 * Fagernes, the regional centre of Valdres. This small town has several bus connections to and from Lillehammer, Oslo, Beitostølen/Jotunheimen and Sogn.
 * Jotunheimen, Norway's largest mountain area. In Jotunheimen, you can find a large national park and the area is great for hiking. The mountain Besseggen is famous from the story of Peer Gynt, written by Henrik Ibsen.

Local traditions
It is virtually impossible for people travelling through the area not to notice the local food traditions. A plate of rakfisk, salted and fermented fresh water fish like trout or char, is served uncooked together with fruits from the farm - potatoes, onion, lefse and sour cream. The locals tend to eat this delicacy from November through January, peaking at Christmas time - but the local stores sell rakfisk from September on.

Stave churches
In this region, you can easily find several stave churches. Most of them were built in the Middle Age period spanning from 1150 to 1350. In Valdres there are 6 stave churches left today - Øye, Høre, Hegge, Lomen, Reinli and Hedalen. One of the Norwegian stave churches, Urnes, is represented on the World Heritage List from UNESCO.

Talk
As for every major region in Norway, some of the dialect words may pose a barrier for tourists not used to other dialects than the one spoken in Oslo. Several words have completely other meanings here than in other parts of Norway, and there are other words which you cannot find anywhere else. There is also a dictionary available if you already know some Norwegian. In the '90s, the Valdres dialect scored as "the most beautiful dialect in Norway" in a national radio programme.

Examples of local words

 * Squirrel - Norwegian: ekorn, Valdres: ikødn
 * All right (as in an all right person) - Norwegian: grei, Valdres: snodig (which in Norwegian normally means strange/funny)
 * Lonely - Norwegian: ensom, Valdres: aule

By car

 * From the north:
 * Road 51 Valdresflya
 * From the west (Bergen and Sognefjord)
 * Road E16 from Lærdal
 * Road 53 from Årdal
 * From Oslo and Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
 * Road E16
 * Road 33 from Dokka
 * From Gjøvik, Lillehamer and Hedmark
 * Road 33 through Dokka
 * From Hallingdal and Hardangervidda
 * Road 51 from Gol

By plane

 * Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is about 3 hours by car from Fagernes.
 * Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is about 3 hours by car from Fagernes.

By bus

 * . Most express buses running through the region are operated by this company. Connections to Oslo, Lillehammer, Sogn, Jotunheimen and Hallingdal
 * . Route (Up to six daily departures): Oslo-Hønefoss-Valdres-Sogn and Oslo-Hønefoss-Valdres-Jotunheimen.
 * . Route (One departue per day): Bergen-Voss-Lærdal-Valdres-Land-Lillehammer.
 * . Connections to Gjøvik, Gol, Lærdal and Gjende.

By car

 * Tabliczka E16.svg The central route E16 from Ringerike through Bagn,[Aurdal, Fagernes, Vang and Filefjell mountain pass to Lærdal in Sognefjord area. E16 ends in the major city of Bergen on the west coast.
 * Route 51 (county road) runs from Gol through Fagernes, Beitostølen ski resort and Valdresflya mountain pass to road 15 at Vågå in Otta valley.

By boat

 * . Summer season, route: Eidsbugarden-Torfinnsbu-Bygdin.

By snowmobile

 * . Winter season, route: Tyin-Tyinholmen-Eidsbugarden.

Do
Valdres hosts several festivals:
 * Norsk Rakfiskfestival, early November each year - Thursday to Sunday. This festival praises the local food rakfisk.
 * Jørn Hilme-stemnet, a festival devoted to local music, named after one of the most famous fiddle musicians in Norway.
 * Valdres Sommersymfoni, a European chamber music festival for talented young musicians
 * Vinjerock, definitely a kind of its own. Alpine rock festival in Eidsbugarden, Jotunheimen

Stay safe
Generally, the rural areas of Norway are among the safest places in the world. Except from an occasional pub fight, police are not often exposed to major crime. Expect the police and local authorities to be very helpful to tourists as long as they don't drink and drive.

Go next

 * Gudbrandsdalen - Valdres' big brother in the east
 * Sognefjord - the great fjord just west of Valdres
 * Geiranger or Stryn - nice drive across Valdresflya to Ottadalen valley
 * Hallingdal - the parallel valley to west/south
 * Ringerike and Hønefoss at Tyrifjorden lake
 * Gjøvik and Mjøsa lake to the east

title: Valdres


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Vale do Capão

Vale do Capão is a valley and a village in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, in the inland region in the state of Bahia in Brazil. It is very easy to start excursions in the park from this point, with or without a guide.

There is no ATM in Vale do Capão. You can arrange with the markets to withdraw money with them but they charge a lot. Best solution is going to Palmeiras.

Get in
The easiest way to get in (and out of) Vale do Capão is from Palmeiras. There are 4x4s and vans (R$15, Feb 2021) leaving from the rodoviaria at least three times a day (synchronized with the arrival of the bus from Salvador). If you come from Salvador, go with Real Expresso till Palmeiras and then take the 4x4 or van waiting next to the bus.

If the departure times from Salvador or the arrival times in Palmeiras do not fit for you, you can take a bus to Seabra and change the bus there to Palmeiras.

From Brasilia there are buses, too. You can depart in the afternoon and arrive in the late morning in Seabra. It costs around R$170 (Feb 2021). There you may have to walk six minutes to another intercity bus station. Just ask where you arrive. The bus to Palmeiras is R$7 (Feb 2021). The app from Buscaonibus shows all operating bus companies on this route with their departure times. In the app you can also find the arrival time in Palmeiras for the bus coming from Salvador

See

 * The Chapada Diamantina National Park is all around. There are a lot of excursions to do. A guide will get you there more easily and you will be able to see more places but some excursions are very easy and can be done walking or hitchhiking (pegar carona).

Do
On apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz there are attractions and trails of the area shown.

It is easy to find a guide asking people in the street. You can also go to the Tatu Feliz in the main street, which has a great variety of treckings.

At Wikiloc you will find GPS traces of several trails around the area.

Buy
There are several supermarkets, even along the street going south from the center of the village. At the checkout they don't scan the items. They use a pocket calculator. So in question of the final price let it be calculated slowly for you again. Also let you give a receipt of the contactless payment.

Drink
A lot of (natural) fruit juices in the main street.

Try the PML (Pinga Mel Limão), the local cachaça based drink. There are bars selling it in the center place. You can also buy the ingredients separately (buy the cachaça in a bar) and make it at home.

Sleep
The village is full of dormitories, pousadas, camping sites, bungalows.

For dormitories just look on booking.com and sort by price. Some places with a campground may have beds on the same booking.com listing.

 * Dorm for R$50 (March 2021)
 * Dorm for R$50 (March 2021)

Connect
Your cell phone will probably not work there.

There are at least two internet cafes (that have also wifi).

Stay safe
It seems a very quiet place.

Go next

 * Lençóis
 * Salvador. The van from the Vale do Capao to Palmeiras departs for example at 11am to get the intercity bus to Salavador at 13:40 (March 2021). Ask the place where you stay for current departure times.
 * Brasilia with an overnight bus from Seabra, which can be reached by bus from Palmeiras.

title: Vale do Capão


text:
Vale dos Dinossauros

Vale dos Dinossauros is in Paraíba, Brazil. It is a cluster of dinosaur sites, only one of which has some infrastructure for visitors. The main archaeological finds are located in the municipality of Sousa, in the hinterland, about 400 km from the state capital.

Understand
The valley holds over 50 types of ancient animal tracks, including those of stegosaurids, allosauroids, and iguanodonts. The valley covers an area of about 700 km² (270 sq mi) that includes the city of Sousa, Paraíba, and ten other municipalities. Tracks have been found in about 30 locations in the valley, with fossilized footprints of over 80 species at about 20 different stratographic levels. Most of the tracks are of carnivorous dinosaurs.

The tracks the dinosaurs made in the damp earth beside ponds and rivers in rainy periods hardened over long periods of drought, gained new layers of sand and clay from floods, and fossilized. Footprints are as small as 5 centimetres (2.0 in), perhaps from dinosaurs the size of modern chickens, up to 40 centimetres (16 in) long, such as that of a four-ton iguanodon.

Fees and permits
Entry is free, but if you accept a guide, he will appreciate a R$ 5-10 tip.

Get around
No public transport.

Eat
No food can be bought on the sites. There are shady benches near the visitors' centre that are good for a picnic.

Drink
A few soft drinks are sold at the visitors' centre.

Sleep
The best facilities are in Sousa.

title: Vale dos Dinossauros


text:
Valença

There's more than one place called Valença:

Brazil

 * Valença (Bahia)
 * Valença (Rio de Janeiro)

Portugal

 * Valença (Portugal)

title: Valença


text:
Valença (Bahia)

Valença is a town in Bahia, northeastern Brazil. It is mostly visited by tourists who take the boat to go to Morro de São Paulo. If you happen to hit the town on a Saturday night, you might as well stay for some genuine Brazilian partying, as the days are mostly all the same out on the island.

Get in

 * By bus from Salvador, via Ilha de Itaparica. Also southbound buses along the coast all the way to Rio de Janeiro.
 * There are slow (cheap) and fast boats leaving several times daily for Morro de São Paulo
 * BA-542 connects about 20 kilometers west with BR-101 between Santo Antônio de Jesus to the north and Gandu to the south

title: Valença (Bahia)


text:
Valencia

Valencia (València in Catalan/Valencian) is a charming old city and the capital of the Valencian Community. With just over 830,000 inhabitants in 2023, it is Spain’s third-largest city and, after Barcelona, the most significant cultural centre along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It is the capital of the autonomous Valencian Community, and is known for tourism and cuisine. In March visitors flock to the city for the annual UNESCO-listed Falles celebration, but the city is worth visiting at other times of year for its paella, ultramodern architecture, and good beaches.

Understand
The Spanish name Valencia is pronounced [baˈlenθja] (bahl-EHN-thyah), while the Valencian pronunciation of València is [vaˈlensia] (vahl-EHN-see-ah).

Valentia Edetanorum was established as a Roman colony in the second century BCE. In the early 8th century CE the Moors invaded, and Balansiyya became the capital of the Muslim Taifa of Valencia, thriving as a trading centre for paper, silk, ceramics, glass, and silver. With a brief interlude of Christian control in the 11th century under El Cid, the city remained in Muslim hands until the Christian Reconquista led by King Jaime I of Aragon in 1238, and was incorporated as a kingdom under the Crown of Aragon.

Valencia experienced its golden age in the 15th century, with a growing population and flowering of Valencian culture and the arts. Significant monuments from this period include the cathedral’s Micalet, the UNESCO-listed Llotja de la Seda, and the Torres de Serrano (Serrano Tower). During this period it became one of the most influential cities of the Mediterranean, and helped to fund Christopher Columbus's first voyages to the Americas.

In 1609 the Spanish government ordered the expulsion of all Jews and Moriscos from the kingdom to north Africa. Muslim descendants made up about a third of the population of Valencia and the surrounding region, and their forced removal brought about a major economic downturn, and in some nearby communities, economic collapse. It was more than a century before the city began to recover.

In the 20th century, Valencia was the capital of Republican Spain from 1936 to 1939, and during the Spanish Civil War sustained heavy bombardment by Franco’s forces, both by air and sea. Franco retaliated for Valencia’s Republican past with cultural and ideological repression, and forbade the use of the Valencian language. In 1957 the Túria River overflowed its banks leading to catastrophic flooding of the old city centre with more than 80 dead. The river was consequently diverted to the south of the city, but it was not until the return of democracy that the original abandoned riverbed was finally converted into a park – now one of the city’s most outstanding features.

In the 21st century Valencia has continued to evolve. In 2007 and 2010 the city hosted the America’s Cup, and from 2008 to 2012 hosted the Formula One European Grand Prix. Architecturally, too, the city has changed, most notably with the construction of the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) by internationally-renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava. The 2015 election of a new leftist coalition city council, after decades of control by the conservative Partido Popular (PP), brought renewed focus on expanding and improving existing infrastructure, including adding three new metro lines and expanding the city’s already extensive bicycle path network. This ongoing transformation has turned a once little-considered medium city into a meatier and more interesting destination.

Climate

 * Summer — Like most European countries, August is a slow month as many of the residents are on vacation. At this time of year Valencia is hot and humid with temperatures averaging between 30-35°C (86-95°F) by day and 20-25°C (68-77°F) by night.
 * Fall — September and October are more active months and the weather can permit beach outings as late as late-September. Important events take place during this season. November can be quite gloomy and does not receive a lot of sunshine.
 * Winter — Average temperatures revolve around 10 °C and the weather is mostly cool and damp. Some sidewalk cafés remain open.
 * Spring — The annual Falles festival unofficially marks the beginning of spring. Cafés and restaurants open their terraces and life spills out onto the street once again.

Talk
Valencia's official languages are Valencian, which is considered a dialect of Catalan by many linguists, and Spanish. Even though it is similar to the Catalan spoken in Catalonia, Valencians are very particular about their language being referred to as "Valencian", and often find it offensive when people refer to it as "Catalan". In the capital of Valencia, which is the third largest city in Spain, not many people speak Valencian, nor are they offended if addressed in Spanish. However, outside the capital, Valencian is often preferred. As in Barcelona with Catalan, it helps to be sensitive to this language dynamic. However, the linguistic issue is not as controversial as in Barcelona and most people in Valencia speak Spanish as their first and often their only language. Road directional signs are generally bilingual in Spanish and Valencian.

The English-speaking skills of the locals can be hit or miss. Most people under 50 speak some English and some quite a bit, but most would prefer being addressed at first in Spanish or Valencian. French is also spoken or understood by some.

By plane

Metro Valencia lines and  go directly to the town centre and link the airport to the main train station, Estación del Norte (beside the Xàtiva metro stop), running every 8 minutes and taking about 21 minutes. A one-way ticket to the city centre costs €3.90, plus an additional €1 for the cardboard ticket with rechargeable chip; tickets can be purchased at a manned service counter (English spoken) and at vending machines which do accept credit cards - don't get confused, the paper tickets with magnetic strips are recharchable. There are no trains between the hours of midnight and 05:30.

Fernanbus operates bus line 150, with buses departing every 15 minutes and terminating at, with a full schedule and route map online. Tickets cost €1.50 and the journey takes about 30-40 minutes.

A taxi stand is just outside the arrivals hall. A ride from the airport to Carrer de la Pau, in the heart of the historic city centre approximately 11 km away, costs around €20-23 with an additional 'airport supplement' of around €5 (Jan 2015). The tariffs are on display in the taxi in Valencian, Spanish and English but are difficult to see. The same journey back from Carrer de la Pau to the airport is half the price!

Book a taxi by calling a radio taxi company or book online at BookTaxiValencia.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.
 * Andy offers transfers to Valencia city and other major cities around. Reservations and payment can be made online.

By train
The main train station is (Valencia - Estación del Norte / Valencia - North Station), which is in the city centre, next to Plaza de Toros and near the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento). The main building is a well-preserved modernist structure dating from 1917, and had been declared a National Historical Building. This station is only used by suburban, commuter, regional and mid-distance trains. Facilities include a tourist information office, storage lockers, several cafés and a car rental office. The access to underground station Xàtiva, served by Metro València lines, and , is just in front of the main entrance of the train station. Being an important hub for the public transport network of the city, the location is served by several bus lines which allow connection to any district or neighbourhood of Valencia.

Long-distance and high-speed (TGV, Euromed) trains arrive at (Valencia - Joaquín Sorolla) train station, 800 m from the main station. Facilities at this station include storage lockers, a café and car rental office. A free shuttle bus connects the station to València - Estació del Nord with a departure every 10 minutes. This station is served by Metro València lines, and , using the underground station Jesús.

The national train company is Renfe. Tickets can be booked online on their website, where significant discounts ('Web' and 'Estrella' fares) are available for early bookings. Valencia is connected with Madrid by AVE high-speed trains, that run over the Madrid–Levante high-speed rail line. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 35 minutes. Other major cities, such as Barcelona, are connected with Valencia by Euromed, Alaris, or Talgo trains. The journey to Barcelona takes approximately 3 hours.

Get around
Streets in Valencia have two names, Valencian and Spanish, but most street signs are in Valencian only. Maps may list street names in Valencian or Spanish and rarely both, while addresses may be given in either language, which could create some confusion. Addresses in this guide are generally listed in Valencian.

The city has begun changing some Franco-era street names to those commemorating other figures, especially women. By late 2017, about 50 streets had been renamed, with more planned; online mapping services are largely up-to-date but printed maps will likely not be.

On foot
Aside from going to the beach and the City of Arts and Sciences, exploring the hub of the city requires no public transportation. Much of this city can be done walking, stopping for a coffee or a beer, and then walking more, all very leisurely. It's not necessary to have the mindset of mastering a complex public transportation system. However, for longer trips, see below for some pointers.

By public transportation
Travellers visiting for a short period may want to consider purchasing a Valencia Tourist Card, a one-, two- or three-day pass which allows for unlimited travel on all metro and bus lines, including to/from the airport, over a period of 24 hours (€15), 48 hours (€20), or 72 hours (€25). The card also includes free admission to public museums and monuments, discounted admission for other tourist attractions, and additional discounts at some shops and restaurants. The card can be purchased at any tourist office, including at the airport, or purchased online for a discount and picked up on arrival at a tourist office.

For travellers not interested in the package, or staying longer than three days, the rechargeable SUMA 10 card provides a flexible means of getting around. It is valid for both metro and bus travel. This card allows for ten journeys, including transfers begun within 90 minutes of commencing your journey. The included transfers comprise unlimited transfers between metro (or tram) lines, and a single transfer to or from bus lines (i.e. between buses or to/from the metro). Cards are not personalized, and a single card can be used by multiple people (deducting multiple journeys, of course).

The SUMA 10 cards are sold in ticket offices in metro stations, and as of 2022 cost €8 for a single zone. There is an additional fee of €1 for a cardboard cart and €2 for a plastic card. The cards can be recharged at any metro ticket machine. Since 2022, this ticket replaces the previous Bono transbordo and Bonometro cards, so guides still referencing these are outdated.

The public transport network is divided into zones A, B, and C (see map, remodeled in 2022). There is a significant overlap between zones A and B. Most tourist destinations, including the beach, are located in zone A. Zone C consists solely of the airport.

The EMT (bus) website has a very helpful route-planner, useful for planning journeys not only by bus but also by metro, bicycle, and Valenbisi (see the bicycle section below).

By metro
The Metro Valencia consists of nine lines (three of which are tramlines) and connects the suburbs with the city. This metro system is not extensive, but can get you to major points within the city. Maps and timetables can be downloaded here. As of 2018, the one-way fare for a single zone is €1.50. The ticket costs an additional €1 and contains a rechargeable chip.

Make sure to always keep your ticket, as you must present it when getting off as well. If you want to enter the tram, you must buy a ticket from the machine (at each tram stop), and then validate it before you get on.

If you use the metro a lot, you should consider getting a 10-fare SUMA 10 card (see above).

Standard bicycles are permitted during the workweek only on portions of the network which operate above ground. On Saturday, Sunday and holidays they are permitted throughout, while folding bicycles may be transported at any time. No bicycles are permitted at all during Fallas and the night of San Juan. Pets in carriers and guide or personal assistance dogs are also permitted.

By bus
EMT runs buses to virtually every part of the city, both day and night. A single ticket costs €1.50 (no transfers), payable to the bus driver on entry.

For frequent travellers, a the rechargeable Bonobús card is available in kiosks and tobacco shops. It will allow you ten rides for €8.50 (as of early 2018). However, the SUMA 10, which is also valid and metro and tram lines, usually is the cheaper and more convenient option (see above). Bonobús cards can be recharged at kiosks or online.

For travellers with smartphones, there is a very helpful official EMT app (iPhone and Android), which has a route planner and a QRT reader.

Most bus stops now have digital displays listing the arrival times for the next bus. At those stops lacking the digital display it is still easy to find out the next arrival times, by using either a QRT reader (like the one built into the EMT app), or by sending a SMS with the unique number of the bus stop to a number displayed next to the posted route plan.

By bicycle
Valencia is essentially flat, and cycling has become a popular way for visitors to get around. The city has established a comprehensive network of dedicated bicycle paths and lanes, and the Turia river park very conveniently cuts across the city, making it possible to get from one end to the other with minimal time in traffic. Drivers are now accustomed to interacting with cyclists in traffic, although pedestrians still occasionally wander into bike paths. Riding on sidewalks without demarcated bicycle paths is not permitted, but this is generally not enforced. At night lights are required, and a helmet and reflective vest are recommended. A bicycle route map can be downloaded here.

The city operates Valenbisi, a popular bicycle sharing program, with 275 stations distributed throughout the city. No reservation is necessary – once you have a Valenbisi card, go to the interactive station terminal, follow the instructions in Valencian, Spanish or English, and choose a bicycle. You can return the bicycle to the same or any other station with available docks.

A short-term subscription costs €13.04 and gives you access to unlimited use of the bikes for 7 days; the first half-hour of any journey is free, then €1.04 is charged for the first two additional half-hours, with €3.12 charged for every additional hour. However, if you park the bicycle in an available dock before the first half-hour is up, you can take out a new bicycle and reset the clock for no additional fees.

Weekly cards can be purchased at any station terminal with a credit card. For periods longer than one week, an annual subscription is necessary and costs €27.12, with reduced tariffs for each additional half-hour. These cards must be purchased online and are sent by mail; however it is possible to bypass this hassle and attach your Valenbisi subscription to a valid Bonometro, Bonobús, or Bono transbordo card – see the website for details.

There are also many bicycle rental shops in town, with most charging around €10-15 a day, depending on season.

By car
In the city, especially the centre, having a car is more of an impediment than an advantage, and visitors may well find it easier to just park it and walk.

Monuments and architecture

Falles

One of Spain’s most spectacular fire festivals, Falles (Spanish: Fallas) can be best characterised as a fire-fireworks-gunpowder street party extravaganza. The festival draws up to two million visitors annually, and is listed as a UNESCO ‘intangible cultural heritage’.

Its origins date to the Middle Ages when the city’s carpenters burned piles of scraps in the streets and plazas near their workshops on 19 March, the eve of the day of San Josep (Spanish: San José, or St. Joseph). In the 18th century, it became customary to fashion these piles of junk with papier mache into human figures and sculptures, called ninots (Valencian for 'dolls'), which were assembled to form larger fallas. Eventually these fallas began to take on a satirical nature.

Around 1870, Falles and Carnival were banned. In response to this, a popular movement arose to revive and preserve these traditions, resulting in a competition in 1885 for the best and most artistic falla. This prompted the development of casal fallers, neighbourhood associations which work year-round raising money and designing their fallas. Today there are about 400 casal fallers which each design an adult falla (falla mayor), and a smaller children’s falla (falla infantil); more than 400 of these fallas are burned on public streets every year. Many fallas reach 25-30 m in height – the best of these are in a special category Secció Especial (Spanish: Sección Especiál) and compete for the top prize, awarded annually by the City Council.

A secondary feature of Falles are daily fireworks events, including gunpowder demonstrations (mascletàs) and large nightly fireworks displays (castillos del fuego). Along with these displays, people set off fireworks all day in the streets, beginning early in the morning and continuing throughout the day, making the city seem like a war zone and making it very difficult to catch any sleep.

Falles museums
If you can't be in Valencia at the time of the festival, you can at least get an idea of what it's all about by visiting one or both the following museums.

Other festivals

Beaches
There are two city beaches, and several major beaches outside of Valencia.

(Platja del Cabanyal / Playa de las Arenas), just north of the port, has a pleasant promenade with a number of traditional (and expensive) restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops. The more northern begins where the promenade ends, and is the setting for volleyball tournaments, kite festivals, and windsurfing. In the summer both beaches have lifeguards and first aid stations, toilets, and snack vendors, and are very crowded especially in the afternoons. To get there, take the metro or tram to Eugenia Vines or Arenas station, or take the metro to Maritim Serreria and continue with the tram to Neptu (all on one ticket).

To the north of and immediately adjoining Malvarossa is (Playa de la Patacona), which, although part of the municipality of Alboraya, is easily accessible from Valencia by public transport or foot. This beach is somewhat less crowded, and is also a good place to sample horchata, as Alboraya is a major producer of chufa, a key ingredient of the drink.

The beaches south of Valencia port are all part of Albufera Natural Park. They are generally well-maintained and far less crowded than the urban beaches, and easily reachable by public transport.

Spectator sports

 * Football: the city has two pro soccer teams:
 * Valencia CF play in La Liga, Spain's top tier. (capacity 48,600) is 1 km northeast of the city centre. They are long overdue for moving to Nou Mestalla stadium to the northwest, but ran out of money and construction work has halted. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at Paterna training ground 5 km northwest of the centre.
 * Levante UD were relegated in 2022 and now play in Segunda División, the second tier. (capacity 26,300) is 2 km north of the centre, near the Machado metro stop. Their women's team is in Liga F, playing at Buñol 40 km west of the city.
 * Football: the city has two pro soccer teams:
 * Valencia CF play in La Liga, Spain's top tier. (capacity 48,600) is 1 km northeast of the city centre. They are long overdue for moving to Nou Mestalla stadium to the northwest, but ran out of money and construction work has halted. Their women's team plays in Liga F (their top tier) at Paterna training ground 5 km northwest of the centre.
 * Levante UD were relegated in 2022 and now play in Segunda División, the second tier. (capacity 26,300) is 2 km north of the centre, near the Machado metro stop. Their women's team is in Liga F, playing at Buñol 40 km west of the city.

Buy

 * The area around (Plaza del Patriarca) is a good place to look for the major national brands like Loewe, LLadró, Louis Vuitton, Dolores, and Farrutx.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Bars and bodegas
There are many bodegas and tapas bars where you can get typical Spanish dinner for quite good prices. If you arrive early (the Spanish early) at about 20:00 they usually have special offers like tercio y tapa for about €1. To find them orient more to the parallel streets to Carrer de Doctor Manuel Candela. Later to drink something occupying the time between dinner and going out there are many bars with different kind of music present.

Turia, a toasted lager, is the best-known local beer. It was first made in 1935 but didn't go into full production until 1947, due to the Spanish Civil War.

Nightclubs
Barrio del Carmen is a major nightlife destination in Valencia. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and dance joints, which tend to cater to a youngish crowd, in particular along Carrer dels Cavallers (Calle Caballeros). (Plaza del Cedro) is a nice area where all possibilities are given to spend a night partly o complete in less touristic ambiance than in the centre. Additionally there is typical Spanish night-life feeling on the plaza. Different kind of people enjoying the mild Mediterranean clime to sit outside talking, drinking and playing guitar often until the sunrise. Other centres of are night-life are (more upscale), along Carrer de Joan Llorenç (young also, less "alternative"), around the main campus of the University of Valencia (for students), and increasingly in the area near the beach and port.

If you feel like dancing there are four famous pubs where especially at the weekends a lot young people can be found. The entrance is normally for free and they are almost neighbors in Carrer de Campoamor. The music is more alternative (Rock, Indie, Pop) than general in Spain but it changes depending on the DJ. So just have a look to all of them to find the one you like most. They close at half past three in the morning and if you don't want to be alone maybe the best time to arrive is between half past one and half past two.

Sleep
Staying in or near Old Town means you will hardly need transport, unless you go to the beach.

Connect
As of June 2022, Valencia has 4G from MasMovil/Yoigo, and 5G from Movistar, Orange and Vodafone. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Stay safe
Valencia is quite possibly among the safest cities in Spain and Europe. As with Madrid and Barcelona, streets are filled with people at all times, even deep into the night. Valencia also has a decent police presence.

The only neighborhoods that may warrant extra precaution are Ciutat Jardí, El Cabanyal, and Aiora, in the east of the city. They are mostly deserted at night, but muggings are not unheard of.

The city's railway stations and certain metro stations might attract beggars and drunkards, but simply saying no will be enough.

The Falles celebrations attract thousands of people every year. Watch out for pickpockets.

Cope

 * 🇺🇸 United States

Outskirts

 * Albufera Natural Park — A fresh water lake which is part of the protected natural space, composed of the lake and surrounding marshy areas, as well as the pinewood and sandy dunes and beaches of El Saler. Rice is cultivated in the surrounding area of the lake. The Albufera also hosts many interesting varieties of migratory birds. The village of El Palmar is also a good place, if not the best, to try some paella or other local dishes.
 * Manises – 15 km northwest of Valencia, it is not only the site of Valencia's airport, but is also an important centre for pottery. The city can be easily reached by Valencia's metro lines 3 and 5.
 * Paterna – This bedroom community 5 km to the northwest is known for its cave dwellings, Moorish tower, and Moors and Christians Festival.
 * El Puig – 15 km north of Valencia, this village is best known for its impressive Gothic monastery, and is easily visited as a half-day trip from the city.
 * Torrent – 9 km southwest of Valencia, the second largest city in Valencia province has a couple of interesting sights.

Further afield

 * Rent a car and do a day trip to any number of picturesque villages or small cities in the region, including Chulilla, Sot de Chera, Xàtiva, and Sagunto, among others.
 * La Tomatina, hosted by nearby Buñol on the last Wednesday of August. A festival that involves thousands of participants throwing ripe tomatoes at each other. Make sure you wear clothes that you can throw out after wards, as it gets very messy.
 * Cullera, is the nearest beach resort from the city, apart from the more aimed at locals Pobla de Farnals, and worth a day visit from Valencia if you have time. It is settled down an isolated mountain (with a big white sign saying "Cullera" on it) beside a beautiful bay. It has crowded and quiet beaches. The most quiet ones are along the lighthouse road. There is also a naturist beach right North of Cullera, in Playa del Dossel, with a tricky road to access it. There is a castle on top of the mountain from which to enjoy stunning views.
 * Gandia, 65 km south of Valencia and easily accessible by regional train, is the historical capital of the ancient Dukedom of Gandia, origin of the infamous Borgia (Borja) family, whose Ducal Palace is worth the visit, and birthplace of fideuà.
 * Montanejos, with its scenic mountains, gorges, and hot springs.

title: Valencia


text:
Valencia (California)

Valencia is a district area of the city of Santa Clarita in the Santa Clarita Valley. It's famed locally for its oranges, but better known as the home of the Magic Mountain amusement park. Although this city is also known for the death of Paul Walker on November 30th 2013.

By car
The city is along Interstate 5, which runs north-south through Valencia. If you are trying to reach Magic Mountain, take the Magic Mountain/McBean Parkway exit in either direction and follow the signs to the park.

By taxi

 * United Taxi of Los Angeles  +1 661 267-9850
 * Yellow Cab of Santa Clarita +1 661 260-2227

Go next
Castaic- 5 North. About 5 minutes away

Santa Clarita- Go east to Santa Clarita from anywhere on 5.

Fillmore- 126 West. About 30 minutes away.

Lancaster- 5 South to 14 North. About 1 hour away with no traffic.

Bakersfield- 5 North to 99 North. About 1 hour 15 minutes away with no traffic. Called the "Country Music Capital Of The West Coast."

Ventura- 126 West. About 55 minutes away without traffic.

title: Valencia (California)


text:
Valencia (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Valencia:

Spain

 * Valencia (region) - A region in Spain.
 * Valencia (province) - A province in Valencia (region) in Spain.
 * Valencia - A city in the Valencia (province) in Spain.

Venezuela

 * Valencia (Venezuela) - A city in Venezuela.

United States of America

 * Valencia (California) - A city in the Santa Clarita Valley of the state of California.

Philippines

 * Valencia (Bukidnon) - A city in Northern Mindanao.
 * Valencia (Negros Oriental) - A suburb of Dumaguete

title: Valencia (disambiguation)


text:
Valencia (province)

Valencia (province) is the most populous of the three provinces in the Valencian Community. It is bordered on the east by the Mediterranean, in the north by the provinces of Castellón and Teruel, in the west by the provinces of Cuenca and Albacete, and in the south by the province of Alicante.

Cities

 * – the capital city of the community and of the province.
 * (Sagunt) – has an ancient castle which was the scene of Hannibal's 'Siege of Saguntum'.
 * – best known for its Gothic monastery.
 * – an agricultural village also known for its porcelain.
 * – a suburb of Valencia with cave dwellings and an annual pyrotechnics festival.
 * – home to Valencia's airport, and one of Spain's most important centres for ceramics.
 * – the second largest city in Valencia.
 * – has excellent food and beaches.
 * – has a well-preserved old town and good beaches.
 * – best known for its annual Tomatina Festival.
 * – an ancient town best known for its vineyards.
 * (Játiva) – has a well-preserved centre and photogenic Moorish castle.

Other destinations

 * – known as the birthplace of paella and for its excellent beaches.

Get in

 * Valencia Airport

Drink
Valencia is noted for its wines, and has been designated a Spanish Denominación de Origen. Both reds and whites are produced in two separate zones, in the northwest and in the southwest of the province. The most noteworthy is Bobal, which is grown only in the Utiel-Requena region in the northwest.

Many wineries have tasting rooms and some also offer guided tours of their facilities. Near Ontinyent these include and.

title: Valencia (province)


text:
Valencian Community

The Valencian Community (Valencian: Comunitat Valenciana, Spanish: Comunidad Valenciana), sometimes also known as the Valencian Country, is an autonomous community or region of Spain in the central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula.

For many people, the region conjures up images of endless fine beaches, unspoiled water and beautiful weather. Alongside this, the wonderful eating, spectacular festivals, traditional Spanish cities and surprising cultural scene offer a true taste of Spain with a Valencian twist. Further inland, the incredibly varied geography of the region means that there are plenty of natural wonders to surprise any visitor.

The region is made up of three provinces, with a shared history as part of the historic Crown of Aragon. As such, they have a common culture which also shares much with Catalonia and Aragon. This culture and the beautiful, varied landscape makes it an attractive destination for tourists, with millions visiting from Spain and the rest of Europe each year.

Regions
The Valencian region is divided into three provinces.

Valencia

 * (València) — the eponymous capital of the region and the third largest city in Spain, with a thriving cultural scene.
 * — an agricultural towns with a few museums
 * — a small, attractive town which has been inhabited for millennia and hosts the annual La Tomatina festival and tomato fight.
 * — a coastal city known for its gastronomy and its burgeoning tourism sector, that is a popular getaway for domestic and foreign visitors.
 * — a hotspot of domestic tourism for years, Gandia is a city split between a historic old town and modern beach resort.
 * (Sagunt) — a historically important coastal city, Sagunto is brimming full of ancient attractions.
 * (Játiva) — a fascinating town with centuries of history, a dramatic hilltop fortress and atmospheric town centre.

Alicante

 * (Alacant) — a dynamic tourist hotspot on the Costa Blanca with an attractive waterfront promenade to complement its buzzing nightlife.
 * — a famous summer destination for international tourists, it is a major resort town with high rise hotels by the beach and nearby theme parks.
 * (Calpe) — a popular tourist town at the foot of the imposing Natural Park of Penyal d'Ifac, which sticks out into the Mediterranean.
 * (Dénia) — a buzzing port town with top food choices and good beaches.
 * (Jàvia) — a coastal market town with a long waterfront in a wide bay and an old town full of winding streets.
 * — a lovely town with several Catholic festivals and the poet Miguel Hernandez's place of birth.

Castellón

 * (Castelló) — the small but attractive provincial capital is off the tourist radar and is a hub for travel in the Costa del Azahar.
 * — an inland town in mountainous Castellón Province with beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational activities.
 * (Peníscola) — an ancient fortified seaport established in 1000 BCE; its 5 km of beaches make it one of the most heavily visited tourist destinations in Spain.

Other destinations

 * — a park that encompasses a lake, villages, wetlands and agricultural area. It draws visitors from Valencia for its beaches, bird watching, and food.

Understand
The Valencian Community is one of Spain's most popular domestic and international tourist destinations. As a result of excellent air, road and rail links and a hot Mediterranean climate in the summer, 9 million international tourists visited the region in 2017. With over 400 km of coastline, the community is perhaps best known for its beautiful beaches, with stretches such as Alicante province's Costa Blanca particularly popular. It has large resort towns which double in population each summer, and smaller coastal villages which offer a more sedate experience.

It would be wrong to assume that the Valencian Community is all about the coast however - it is an exceptionally varied region, with beautiful forests in Castellón province and great mountainous areas further inland. The unique culture of the Valencian people and history of the region also sees tourists visit to experience some of the stunning architecture, culture and cuisine of cities such as Xàtiva and the regional capital Valencia. Pictures from Buñol are beamed around the world each year in August, during La Tomatina - the festival in which 40,000 people join in a giant tomato fight in the town centre. Those who aren't keen on the idea of throwing their food will, however, still be attracted to the region's famous gastronomical offerings - including the paella, bunyols (a sweet fried pastry) and the orxata drink.

History
The area now known as the Valencian Community has been inhabitated since pre-history, with evidence that hunter-gatherers were active in the region 30,000 years ago. The region was later inhabited by the Iberians, who populated the eastern and southern coasts of Iberia. After several centuries of settlement by the Greeks and the Carthaginians, the region became territory of the Roman Republic after the Second Punic War. In 138 BC, the Romans founded the city of Valentia which became an important settlement. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was ruled by various groups until the arrival of the Moors from Northern Africa in 711 AD, and Moorish influence on the region's culture and architecture is still evident. Moorish rule led to significant advances in the area, with centres of learning established and major irrigation systems transforming large arid tracts into fertile agriculture land.

In the Spanish Reconquista, James I of Aragon led the Christian invasion and conquest of the area in the 13th century, resulting in the establishment of the Kingdom of Valencia in 1238, as an independent country within the Crown of Aragon. Over the following two centuries, Valencia came to become politically powerful as it ended up achieving the greatest population and economic power within the Crown. It was during this period that saw the Golden Age of Valencian Culture and the growth of Valencia's power due to the growing silk trade. Following the union of the Crowns of Aragon and Castile, the Kingdom of Valencia entered a slow decline which culminated in the loss of a third of its population when King Philip III expelled the Christian descendants of the historic Muslim population in the 16th century.

In 1707, King Philip V of Spain abolished the Kingdom of Valencia and subsumed it into the Kingdom of Castile. This resulted in the abolition of Valencian institutions and use of the Valencian language was forbidden for official purposes and in education. It was not until the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic in 1936 that Valencian self-government seemed a realistic prospect again, but this hope was extinguished by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. The Valencian language was again repressed during Franco's dictatorship in favour of Spanish, but the end of his rule in 1977 saw the creation of the partially-autonomous Council of the Valencian Country before the region became an autonomous community in 1982.

Agriculture has been an important industry in the region for centuries, due to the fertile soil available along the coastal plain. Citrus cultivation is particularly prominent and the export of fruit led to an economic boom in the late 19th century. Today however, tourism has been the largest industry in the region since the introduction of regular charter flights and package holidays in the 1960s. Almost 9 million international tourists visited the region in 2017 alongside a significant number of domestic tourists.

Name
Name after the homonymous regional capital, the name Valencia dates back to the Roman settlement of the region around 138 BC. One of the oldest cities in Spain, Valentia Edetanorum translates as 'Valiance of the Land of the Lamb'. During Moorish rule during the medieval period, this developed into Balansiyah, which later evolved into Valencia after the Spanish Reconquista.

The name 'Valencian Community' is relatively new, having been adopted in 1982 when the region became an autonomous community. This was a compromise between the two competing names 'Valencian Country' and 'Former Kingdom of Valencia'. The former was supported by those who wanted to highlight the nationality status of the Valencian people while the latter was proposed by those who wanted to avoid the perception that the region was simply one of the 'Catalan Countries'. Despite the compromise, there are still some who continue to use the name Valencian Country when referring to the region.

Talk
The first official language is Valencian (valencià), which aside from a few minor differences is essentially the same language as the Catalan spoken in neighbouring Catalonia. Valencians prefer to refer to their own language as Valencian (Spanish: Valenciano), not Catalan, and some even go far as insisting they are separate languages. While nationalist sentiments in Valencia are not as strong as in Catalonia, locals are proud of their language and appreciate any attempts by outsiders to speak it. Valencian is not spoken universally throughout the region, however. Roughly 10% of the population speaks only Spanish, primarily in the western mountainous regions of Castellón and Valencia provinces.

As with other parts of Spain, Spanish is co-official with the local language. English is spoken by staff at major hotels and the main tourist attractions, but otherwise, it is not widely spoken.

By air
The region is primarily served by two main airports:

 * Alicante-Elche Airport: The fifth busiest airport in Spain, south-west of Alicante. It serves destinations across Europe with hundreds of flights per day and a marked increase in activity in the summer tourist season. The flight is well served with budget airlines meaning that international flights to the airport can often be cheap. The terminal provides a modern travelling experience with shops and restaurants airside. Many car rental companies operate from the airport and bus route C6 provides a connection to Alicante city centre.

 * Valencia Airport: 8 km to the west of Valencia, the airport has flight connections from approximately 20 countries. The airport is connected to Metrovalencia, providing direct metro access to the city centre.

A third international airport - Castellón–Costa Azahar Airport - opened in 2011 but has been plagued by controversy and consequently few flights operate out of the airport.

By train
The major cities of the Valencian Community are served by rail services from Madrid and Barcelona.

Madrid From Madrid, RENFE provides the following direct AVE (high speed) services:
 * Frequent trains from Valencia, taking approximately 1 hr 45 min.
 * A handful of services from Castellón each day, taking between 2 hr 30 min and 3 hr 30 min.
 * Services from Alicante, taking approximately 2 hr 30 min.

Barcelona To/from Barcelona, RENFE run the frequent Euromed service which connects all the major cities of the region, stopping at:
 * Barcelona Sants
 * Tarragona, Catalonia (55 min)
 * Castellón (2 hr 20 min)
 * Valencia Joaquin (3 hr 15 min)
 * Alicante (4 hr 55 min)

Other destinations
 * A number of services run between Barcelona and the city of Murcia, calling at Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. While this provides a connection to the region from Murcia, these trains are slower than the Euromed service for travellers going from Barcelona and are therefore less useful for intra-region travel.

 * To the north, train services from Zaragoza, Aragon run from Valencia (5 hr) and Alicante (7 hr).

By boat
The region can be accessed by international and domestic passenger ferry services from the ports of Valencia, Gandia or Denia to Algeria and the Balearic Islands.

Services from Valencia:
 * Mostaganem, Algeria: Operated by Balearia, up to 3-4 crossings sail each week with a duration of around 16 hours.
 * Formentera: Daily service operated by Transmediterranea.
 * Ibiza: Daily services operated by Balearia and by Transmediterranea, with a duration of 5-6 hours.
 * Palma, Mallorca: Daily services operated by Baleria and by Transmediterranea, with a duration of 8-10 hours.

Services from Gandia:
 * Formentera: Daily service operated by Transmediterranea.
 * Ibiza: Daily service operated by Transmediterranea, with a duration of 4 hours.
 * Palma, Mallorca: Operated by Transmediterranea. Duration of 8 hours but does not sail every day.

Services to/from Denia:
 * Formentera: Operated by Balearia, duration 2 hours. 5 crossings per week, increasing to daily during the summer.
 * Ibiza: Twice-daily service operated by Balearia, with a duration of 3 hours.
 * Mallorca: Daily service operated by Balearia, with a duration of 7 hours.

By coach
Inter-city coaches are prevalent in the region and the extensive network means that, while it won't be the quickest option, the coach might often be an easier and cheaper choice than the train - especially in those places not served by the railway network. The destinations served from the major cities include many towns, so you might be surprised about how easy it is to get the coach to a destination that's off the beaten track.

Alsa operate the most services by far and tickets can be pre-booked online. It is possible to turn up and buy a ticket at the coach station, as many Spanish locals do, but it is advisable to arrive earlier in order to secure a ticket. Many coaches provide free wi-fi on board.

Mainline services
The main cities of the Valencian Community are connected by train, making it relatively easy to travel between the three provinces. Castellon, Valencia and Alicante are all connected via RENFE's Euromed service. The duration between Castellon and Valencia is approximately one hour while Alicante is a further 90 minutes from Valencia.

A number of smaller towns in the region are served on the mainline rail network on spurs heading towards Barcelona, Madrid, Murcia and Zaragoza. Additionally, a spur from Xativa serves a number of towns and villages (El Genoves, Beniganim, La Pobla del Duc, Montaverner, Bufali, Albaida, Aguellent, Ontinyent, Agres and Cocentaina) before terminating in Alcoy.

Commuter and metropolitan rail
The major cities of the region are also served by extensive commuter rail and metro services around their metropolitan areas. The Cercanias Valencia (Valencian: Rodalia de Valencia) operates 66 stations across 6 lines in Valencia and Castellon provinces. All six lines terminate in Valencia (at either Valencia-Nord or Valencia-Sant-Isidre stations) and run to Gandia (line C1), Moxient (line C2), Utiel (line C3), Xirivella-L'Alter (line C4), Caudiel (line C5) and Castellon (line C6).

Similarly, the south of Alicante province benefits from the Cercanias Murcia/Alicante commuter rail service. Line C1 runs between Murcia Del Carmen and Alicante, stopping at Orihuela, Callosa de Segura, Albatera, Crevillente, Elche, Torellano and San Gabriel. Line C3 runs from Alicante north to the University of Alicante and San Vincente.

The Alicante metropolitan area and the Costa Blanca are connected by the Alicante Metropolitan TRAM. The services stretch from Alicante to Denia in the north, 90 km up the coast, with 71 stations on 5 lines. Major towns served include Benidorm, Altea, Calp and Denia.

By car
The region is well served by Spain's extensive highway network for travel within between the major cities of the province. The AP-7 toll highway runs north-south through the region, following the coast, and passing Elche, Alicante, Benidorm, Denia, Gandia, Valencia Sagunt and Castellon. The A-7 highway offers a toll-free alternative, connecting Alicante, Valencia and Castellon but travels inland and avoids towns of the Costa Blanca.

See
The variety of attractions in the Valencian Community provide ample material to either fill an entire trip dedicated to sightseeing, or for taking an afternoon away from the beach. Below is a taste of what the region has to offer, with more detailed listings in the province and city pages.

Historical attractions
The region's rich history means that it has countless historical sites dating back to prehistory. A large number of historic attractions have been preserved, allowing visitors to follow the history of Valencia and the wider Iberian peninsula. Travelers can find sites dating back to periods as varied as the Spanish Reconquista to the wealthy Spanish Empire or fortresses from the Napoleonic wars.

It offers three UNESCO World Heritage sites:

 * In the region's capital, the llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) is an architecturally stunning Gothic building, in the city's old town, which has been a centre of trade and commerce in Valencia since the 15th century. It illustrates the power and wealth that once flowed through this part of Europe.

 * The Palmeral of Elche in Alicante province was recognised by UNESCO in 2000. The site has seen the cultivation of date palms since the 5th century BC. The use of elaborate irrigation systems by the Muslim settlers in the 10th century AD made this an oasis in the arid desert and it is now a unique example of Arab agricultural practices in Europe.

 * At 301 sites, the Valencian Community contains the largest number of the 727 UNESCO World Heritage protected locations of prehistoric rock art in Spain. Dating from 8,000 BC to 3,500 BC, the art is some of the most advanced and widespread in the world from this period. While most sites are inaccessible, there are a number of places where it can be viewed - notably at the Museu de la Valltorta in Castellón province.

The region is home to a large number of castles and palaces which have been preserved and extended since the Roman era. The Castell de Morella is a stunning site, perched on a hilltop and crowning the medieval walled fortress town. Similarly, the Castell de Xàtiva has sensational views and impressive architecture which match the fascinating history - dating back millenia. The 14th-century Ducal Palace of Gandía was home to the Royal Dukes of Gandia and became home to the famous Borja family from 1485, making the palace a place of significant cultural interest.

Unsurprisingly, the region also contains a number of stunning churches and cathedrals. The site of Valencia's Cathedral de Santa Maria de Valencia has had a fascinating history as a Roman Temple, a Visigothic cathedral and a Moorish grand mosque before the construction of the current gothic Catholic structure in the 1262. The Santuario de Santa María Magdalena in Novelda, near Alicante was completed in 1946 and is an outstanding example of Valencian modernism which took inspiration from Gaudi and resembles Barcelona's Sagrada Familia.

Museums and galleries
The Valencian Community hosts one of the most famous museum complexes in Spain, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia - which is one of the so-called 12 Treasures of Spain. This massive complex deserves a visit simply to take in the stunning contemporary architecture which have made it one of Valencia's most famous landmarks. The site is home to numerous attractions, including: El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Filipe - a giant interactive science museum, great for children. El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia - an opera house and performing arts centre. L'Hemisferic - a giant complex containing an IMAX cinema, planetarium and laserium. L'Oceanografic - Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium.

The region also boasts a number of prestigious modern art galleries, including the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern in Valencia, which was the first centre of contemporary art in Spain when it opened in 1989. In Alicante, the MACA Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art reopened in 2011 after a major renovation, the museum hosts a collection of 20th-century and contemporary art with works from artists including Eusebio Sempere, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

Visitors can also find museums dedicated to the region's long tradition of art. The Gravina Museum of Fine Arts is devoted to painting and sculpture of Alicante from the sixteenth century to the early decades of the twentieth century. Alternatively, the collections at the González Martí National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts in Valencia are extensive.

Museums dedicated to the history and culture of the region include MARQ Archaeological Museum of Alicante which was the 2004 European Museum of the Year. Valencia's Museu Valencià d'Etnologia is an important museum which has sought to highlight the cultural distinctiveness of Valencia and the other Spanish regions, which has reemerged since the end of the Franco era.

Natural wonders and gardens
The Iberian peninsula is blessed with stunning natural wonders and the Valencian Community has many stunning natural attractions as well as examples of humans creating green spaces.

The region's coastline is varied and has many stunning features. In Calp, the Penyal d'Ifac is a massive limestone outcrop emerging from the sea, which is comparable to the Rock of Gibraltar and is now protected as Spain's smallest Natural Park. It is possible to walk up the rock for fantastic views as far as Ibiza on a clear day.

Further inland, the region's terrain is varied. The Palms Desert Nature Park in Castellón province is a protected area with peaks up to 729 m providing amazing views and a series of ruins in the area that are also of interest. In the mountainous regions, waterfalls and natural springs such as Les Fonts d'Algar in Alicante province or the springs of Montanejos are popular attractions.

Valencia is also home to the Jardin de Turia, a green oasis in the centre of the city which contains kilometers of parks, playgrounds and sports fields. Following severe flooding in the 1960s, the Turia River - which had run through Valencia for millenia - was diverted to protect the city. The old riverbed was then converted into what is now the Turia Gardens.

Visit the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in Valencian Community: Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve

Do

Sports

 * Association football is the most popular sport in the region, with teams in almost every town and village. Four teams play in the top division, La Liga: Valencia CF, Villareal CF, Elche CF and Levante CF. La Liga tickets typically go on sale a week before the confirmed date and it is advisable to buy tickets directly from the clubs or Ticket Master to avoid being scammed.
 * Cycling sees the Vuelta a Espana race pass through the region each year in August. Like similar events, it is possible to stand along the route to see world-class distance cyclists compete.
 * Valencian pilota: this traditional sport is a type of handball can be trace its roots back to the 15th century in the region and has been revived in modern times. Spectators can sit very close to the action to get a real feel of this unique Valencian sport.

Festivals

 * Moors and Christians festival: A set of festivals celebrated annually across the region, with each location commemorating at different times of the year. They festivals commemorate the battles between Muslims and Christians during the Spanish Reconquista and typically involve battle reenactments and parades. The biggest celebrations are typically in the south of the region with one of the most famous taking place at the end of April in Alcoy.
 * Misteri d'Elx: The Mystery Play of Elche is performed annually on 14 and 15 August in the Basilica de Santa Maria in Elche. It dates back to the Middle Ages, reenacting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was declared a Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001.
 * La Tomatina: A world famous tomato fight which takes place on the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, near Valencia. The fight typically lasts one hour and 145,000 kg of tomatoes were used in 2015. Since 2013, participants are required to purchase tickets in order to limit the number of people flocking to the town for the festival.

Eat
Visitors to the Valencian Community will have likely already eaten some of the region's signature dishes, due to the worldwide fame of its rice dishes and the export of local citrus fruits. The geography of the region means that seafood plays a large part in its cuisine, alongside meat and vegetables, while there have been many influences from the surrounding regions.

When dining in the region, it is common to be offered pan y aioli (Valencian: pan y allioli) with the meal - bread, accompanied by the garlic aioli sauce and a chopped tomato sauce. Typically, establishments make their own aioli and often compete with neighbouring restaurants for the best sauce in the area.

Rice dishes are particularly famous in the region, with Valencian paella (pronounced pie-ey-ya) being the most widely known. The traditional Valencian version of the dish contains chicken and rabbit but there are now numerous versions available, most notably seafood and vegetable options. It is cooked in a large dish and many restaurants will only prepare it for a minimum of two people. In many cities, there are takeaway paella shops which provide portions to eat on the go.

Other rice dishes include arròs negre, a dish with squid and squid ink cooked in a paella dish. Arròs al forn usually contains sausages, chickpeas and potatoes and is cooked in an oven. Iberian sausages and other meat products are popular, such as embotits and sobrassada.

Drink
In common with much of Spain, the Valencian Community has experienced a boom in craft brewing over the past few years. This has led to a number of local beers becoming popular, including Zeta, Turia Marzen and Er Boqueron (the first beer in the world made from seawater) from around Valencia and La Socarrada from Xàtiva. Naturally, bars and restaurants also stock the usual range of other beers and most restaurants will have house beers which will be served by default if you ask for a cerveza grande (large) or cerveza pequena (small).

Valencian wines are typically well regarded and there are three Protected Designations of Origin in the region: Alicante, Valencia and Utiel-Requena. Sparkling wine produced as cava is made in Utiel-Requena. The Marina Alta area in the north of Alicante province makes a muscat called mistela.

Many restaurants and bars will also serve Agua de Valencia, the water of Valencia, containing Champagne, vodka and orange juice. Cocktails are common at many bars, especially in tourist resorts.

Respect
In contrast to neighbouring Catalonia, separatist sentiments are almost non-existent in the Valencian Community. That said, locals are proud of their language and culture, and have a strong regional identity. Hence, they prefer to be referred to as Valencian rather than Catalan. Although the Valencian language is similar to Catalan and often considered to be a dialect of it, many Valencians are very particular about their language being referred to as the former, and consider it to be a distinct language in its own right.

Stay safe
Crime in the Valencian Community is low and millions of tourists have safe visits each year. As a tourist destination the usual precautions should be taken again low level crime, such as pick-pocketing.

In some of the larger resorts, such as Benidorm, excess alcohol drinking by holidaymakers (especially Brits and Germans) can often get out of hand and has led to anti-social behaviour. The police are now taking a zero-tolerance approach and are drafting in more police officers during the high season to combat the problem. While it is unlikely that visitors passing through these areas at night would be in danger, it is worth being aware that this type of behaviour might be taking place around you.

Tourists are warned about unlicensed hawkers selling drinks on the beaches of major resorts. Investigations have found that the drinks are often made in unhygienic conditions with sub-standard alcohol and rotting fruit. It is best to avoid purchasing drinks from sellers touting them on the beach and instead use licensed bars and restaurants.

Go next

 * Take the high speed train to the distinct and unique region of Catalonia and its world-famous capital Barcelona.
 * Catch a ferry to Ibiza, Mallorca or Menorca in the Balearic Islands.
 * The Spanish capital Madrid is only a few hours away from the region by train.
 * Head south to the laid back and historic region of Murcia.

title: Valencian Community


text:
Valencia (Venezuela)

Valencia is the third largest city in Central Venezuela and capital of Carabobo state.

Get in
Valencia International Airport Arturo Michelena (VLN). Take taxi to any hotel. The airport has Hertz and National car rentals counters.

Maiquetia International Airport the biggest airport in Venezuela is just outside of Caracas, then drive 2 or more hours west in Autopista Regional del Centro (approximately 220 km). This is the main highway connecting the two cities. Some portion tolls.

Valencia is connected to other main cities through a series of well-kept highways.

There are bus connections from Caracas, Barquisimeto, Mérida and Maracaibo.

The main bus terminal is located in the Big Low Centre, a popular shopping center to the Northeast of Valencia and close to the San Diego region. Travelers need to take another bus or taxi to go from there to the city of Valencia.

Get around
Buses, taxis. Bus routes can be confusing, and stops are not announced. Taxis can be taken anywhere. Underground Metro is under construction and there are some stations already opened.

In the city centre

 * Plaza Bolívar and cathedral as well as some historical buildings like
 * Casa Paez: former residence of one of the first presidents of Venezuela and Independence military, Páez.
 * Casa Celis: colonial house from the 18th century, also a museum
 * Old Faculty of Law: 18th-century building
 * Municipal Theatre: the region's main theatre, built at the end of the 19th century.

In the north of the city

 * Malls like Sambil
 * The Forum
 * A soccer game at Polideportivo Misael Delgado
 * Art Museum
 * Negra Hipólita Park

Do

 * Indian petroglyphs in Vigirima (40 minutes towards the northeast), no public transportation.
 * Monastery in Güigüe (40 minutes to the south)
 * Acuario de Valencia
 * The parque Casupo is an excellent area for hiking. It is west of the city and it offers a good view of Valencia.
 * The parque Casupo is an excellent area for hiking. It is west of the city and it offers a good view of Valencia.

Buy
Sambil Mall is an upscale mall. However, it is not cheap. Cheaper options with more variety include Metropolis and Multicentro.

Eat
Most restaurants are located in the renowned calle de los Cafes in la Viña neighborhood. There are differing opinions about how safe it is to walk around especially at night. Several options available.

Auyama Cafe Kaffas Bambu Lounge

Drink
Polarcita, Solera. This are the most popular beers. Frescolita is a unique soda to this country.

Sleep
Intercontinental Hotel, Hotel Guaparo, Hotel Stauffer. Many other smaller hotels are found throughout the city.

Stay safe
There are reports of travelers being robbed by the police at the bus station.

title: Valencia (Venezuela)


text:
Valentine

Valentine, a city of 2,737 people in North Central Nebraska, is the county seat of Cherry County, Nebraska.

Understand
Valentine, founded in 1883 during construction of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad, was named for Nebraska representative Edward K. Valentine. Immediately north of the Niobrara River, on the northern edge of the Sandhills physiographic region, Valentine was included by National Geographic Adventure magazine in its 2007 list of the best ten wilderness towns and cities. In the Lakota language, Valentine is known as Oínažiŋ or Mnináȟaȟa Otȟúŋwahe, meaning "station stopping place" or "water and waterfall city".

Get in
U.S. Highways 20 and 83.

title: Valentine