The first Formula 1 race in Valencia is over and since we couldn’t afford tickets (and didn’t get press passes … yeah right - Holavalencia is still too small!), we went down to the track afterward. Being a photographer, wandering around the deserted track was more exciting than watching the race on TV.
As you’ll see, they’re far from being done erasing the traces of Formula 1 left around the Harbor.
They even had a helicopter airport:
I finally managed to get my finger on a white iPhone 16GB (I’ll cover the benefits and flaws of the iPhone in a separate post) which enables me us to blog live from Valencia, with the help of the iPhone’s Tumble application.
Valencia Live is a new feature which has its own section and RSS Feed and, as you may have already noticed, we’ve placed a little widget on the right hand sidebar to highlight the latest live bits. If there’s any interest, we might enable other readers to post images and text from their phones, as well.
Hope you like our latest feature!
This Wednesday, the 27th of August, the small town of Buñol will once again play host to one of the world’s most famously bizarre festivals: The Tomatina.
You’ve probably seen the images — hundreds of people throwing millions of tomatoes at each other, turning the city’s streets into a mushy, red mess. The celebration has been going on for 63 years, and serves as a way to get stress out before the beginning of fall. It’s always on the last Wednesday of August.
Buñol is just 45 minutes by train from Valencia, and Renfe has special service there on Wednesday. Below is a copy of their information flier. There are a lot of trains both there and back but please note — I have no idea how crowded or full the trains will be. Also note that the trains leave from Sant Isidre not the main train station.
There are numerous operators offering bus rides for about €30 — which is far more than what Renfe charges. There’s information on buses here.
It’s unbelievable, and goes against everything I’ve ever stood for as an educated member of civilized society: I am excited for a car race.
I can’t wait, despite being completely ignorant about Formula 1. In fact, here is the entire compendium of my knowledge of the sport:
| 1 | Approximately half of the drivers are named Rikkïï Hikkööniken. |
| 2 | The cars a bit more cool-looking than those of NASCAR. |
| 3 | One of the best drivers is black, and he has to put up with a lot of racism. |
| 4 | Red Bull has a team. They don’t have wings. |
| 5 | Car go fast VROOM |
That’s it! The extent of my knowledge.
The most likely reason for my giddy state is that excitement is contagious, and all Valencia is excited about the European Grand Prix. It’s the only topic of conversation in the cafés, there are F1 paraphernalia and information stands in all the main city shops & squares, hordes of fans have invaded, and everyone just seems geared up. By most accounts, the unique race track at the harbor is a great one, which should offer the opportunity for a lot of drama. And it’s great to see the city, still unaccountably over-looked as a tourist destination, in the limelight.
So who am I rooting for? Honestly, it makes absolutely no difference to me, so I’ll pull for the best looking. Now… which of you will it be?
Timo Glock, congratulations. I’m your biggest fan.
More information at ValenciaStreetCircuit.com
In 138 BC, Junius Brutus established a small colony of Roman soldiers on an island in the river Turia, known as Valentia. Although the area had been previously inhabited by unorganized Iberian tribes, this is considered to be the founding of Valencia.
Valentia wasn’t an important city, paling in comparison to the wealthy northern port of Sagunto. But though it constantly battled the twin threats of flooding from the Turia and invasions from the ever-present Iberian natives, Valentia slowly gained traction and prominence… until 75 AD when Pompey razed it to the ground in retribution for having supported Quintus Sertorius in a civil war. Valentia was completely destroyed, its ruins existing uninhabited for half a century afterwards. Though general history respects him as a wise and noble leader, you’d probably have a hard time finding any monuments to Pompey in Valencia.
Over the next few hundred years, people began to return and Valentia was rebuilt as a more important part of the Roman empire. This is the period which saw the torture and death of San Vicente Mártir, an event credited with bringing Christianity to the city, and the establishment of administrative works and efficient Roman infrastructure, including a “Circo Romano” — a chariot track. Able to enjoy a couple centuries of relative peace & prosperity, Valencia became a major Mediterranean port.
Good times, of course, didn’t last. Once the Roman Empire began to crumble, Valencia and the rest of the peninsula fell into the hands of the Visigoths…
If you’re interested in Roman ruins, the best place to see them is actually in nearby Sagunto. The small city, about an hour north of Valencia, boasts a magnificent Roman forum (still in use) and many other ruins. But if you don’t have the means for a day trip, the archaeological site at the Plaza de la Almoina also has ruins from Roman times. It’s right in the middle of the city (location) and is a must see.
And for history buffs, a visit to the History Museum of Valencia is an absolute must (location). A fascinating journey through 2000 years of they city’s history, from 138 BC to the present day. There are English guides, and all of the audio-visual exhibits are in English as well.
For most of humanity, public holidays are a breathlessly awaited godsend. But when you work independently, and are living in a new country, they can be an unexpected nuisance.
Like today, for instance. I woke up early, intending to get a paper and sit at my favorite café for breakfast. Oh, the plans I had for the day! A haircut, shopping, registering for social security… yes, I’ll need a hearty breakfast for power!
On stepping out, it took me awhile to notice how silent the city was. No cars, no businessmen, even the ever-present hippie drug dealer at the corner was absent. And of course, everything was closed. Assumption Day!
Assumption Day is a national holiday?! My plans were destroyed, my life sent into utter turmoil, all because Mary had to ascend into heaven.
January 1st - New Year’s Day
January 22nd - San Vicente Martir
March 19th - San José - Also: End of Fallas
March 20th - Holy Thursday
March 21st - Good Friday
March 24th - Easter Monday
March 31st - San Vicente Ferrer - Falls on the Monday after Easter
May 1st - Labor Day
August 15th - Assumption Day - Lame!
October 9th - Day of the Valencian Community
November 1st - All Saints Day
December 6th - Day of the Constitution
December 8th - Immaculate Conception
December 25th - Christmas
Just an observation, and probably something most Christians wonder about at some point in their upbringing: if the Immaculate Conception was December 8th, doesn’t that make Jesus the ultimate preemie?
If you need a bottle of wine and would like an overwhelming selection that would take hours to browse, then by all means head down to Las Añadas de España, close to la Estación del Norte on Calle Xátiva (location).
Añadas means something like “seasons”, or “years”, and it’s not hard to imagine that every year of the last century is represented in their enormous collection. You’ll find bottles from all over Spain, with a special emphasis on wines of the Valencian Community.
There are wines for any budget, whether you’re splurging for a special occasion or just spending a quiet night at home. We just had a great bottle of unfiltered Cabernet, straight from the bargain barrel (literally!)
And besides wines, there’s a large selection of liquors and gourmet food, as well as a small deli and meats counter. The staff is ready to help with any questions — in fact on my last visit, every customer had an employee walking around with them.
This is the biggest wine store we’ve found in central Valencia… and if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you’re being too picky.
Las Añadas de España: Website
Location on our Valencia Map
View over Valencia from Ferris Wheel from Valencia Blog on Vimeo.
Part of the Feria de Julio was a fair in the Turia riverbed, which had this gigantic Ferris Wheel. You can’t have missed it if you’ve been Valencia during the last month. But perhaps you didn’t get a chance to take a spin… Well, in that case enjoy the video and a few pictures below.
The song in the video is called Twilight Phenomena by Paper Tyger.
The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the largest and probably most important plaza in Valencia. Home to the city hall (ayuntamiento) and the magnificent central post office (edificio de correos), the Plaza del Ayuntamiento also serves as ground zero for Fallas.
The triangular shape of the plaza is interesting. At its southern end, where it’s widest, there’s a large cement lot which is the site of mascletàs during Fallas. All other times of the year, it serves no obvious purpose and is conspicuously empty for a huge central city plaza. Ringed around the cement lot are flower vendors, who never seem to be lacking for business.
One thing the empty lot is good for is photographs. From every direction, you can get wonderful shots: the Central Post Office to the east, the Ayuntamiento to the west and a huge fountain to the north.
Besides Fallas, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento generally serves as Valencia’s go-to meeting spot. It was here people gathered for the impromptu celebrations following Spain’s Euro 2008 victory, and it makes an excellent meeting spot for ventures in the city.
But while the plaza is impressive and useful, it is not a nice place to while away the afternoon, as is the Plaza de la Virgen, for example. Too much traffic and concrete. But you won’t be able to avoid it on a trip to the city… in Valencia, all roads lead to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
According to a study done by a research group for the Cervecerias of Spain, the most popular aperitif of Valencians is a glass of cold beer and patatas bravas. Excellent — that just happens to be Hola Valencia’s choice, too.
Beer (70%) was followed by cola (50%), vermouth (24%), wine (19%) and sangria (17%). I’m surprised to see wine so far down the list — Valencians drink it all the time. Just last week I was at a restaurant, where a burly crew of construction workers were sharing a bottle … at 8am!
Patatas bravas (49%) beat out olives (46%), nuts & dried fruits (34%), cheese (29%) and calamari (27%) as the perfect accompaniment for a drink.
Valencians commonly congregate after work for a drink or two around 7 or 8pm. The bars in the city center can get full, especially on the outside terraces. So, where should you go for your beer & bravas? Here are a couple recommendations:
El Gau del Rall - for ambiance (location)
Close to the city center, El Gau del Rall is tucked away in a small courtyard on Calle del Mar and serves up both great bravas and the perfect combination of tourists and locals. The terrace seating merges with that of another bar, Sol i Lluna, which doesn’t serve warm tapas — so make sure to sit at the right table!
El Café del Mar - for taste (location)
This small bar is a little on the grimy side, but it’s got the best bravas we’ve eaten thus far in the city. It’s located right on the back side of Santa Catalina. Make sure to bring an ambivalent tolerance for loud, drunk regulars.
Valencia Plaza - for convenience (location)
Despite its location at Tourist Ground Zero, Plaza de la Reina, this bar is worth a stop for its tasty, cheap bravas and beer. The staff is super friendly, and multi-lingual.
Cafe Almar - when at the beach (location)
After a long day of swimming and sunning, what tastes better than a huge, cold beer and spicy bravas? Nothing. At the end of the Malvarrosa beach, restaurante Almar serves cheap bocadillos and the spiciest bravas we’ve had. It’s good value, given the beach-side location.
Can you suggest other great places in the city to have beer and bravas? Please leave a comment or post in our forums!
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