Press Dossier

Transcription

Press Dossier

Press
Dossier
2
IN
DEX
3 ANCIENT CITY
Roman, Arabic and Christian
Valencia, city of the Grail
The Valencian Golden Age
Modernism
From the avant-guard to the 21st century
More than art in Valencia
New spaces and future projects
10 VALENCIA AND THE SEA
Royal Marina and beaches
Cruisers: Valencia boarding gate
16 MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE
Mediterranean flavours
Valencia essences
Valencia Cuina Oberta Restaurant Week
Valencia by moonlight
Valencia Excellence
24 URBAN NATURAL SPACE
Valencia a nature space
Bioparc, nature in the open air
Valencia with children
28 FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY
Valencia film studio
The city of music
Shopping
Festivals and traditions
Valencia on the track
Don’t miss....
38 MEETING POINT AND UNIQUE SPACES
40 VALENCIA 2.0
Social networks and new technologies
42 USEFUL INFORMATION
ANCIENT CITY
3
Valencia, its history
ROMAN, ARABIC AND CHRISTIAN
Valencia was founded in 138 B.C. by the Romans, who
established a Forum on the site currently occupied by
La Plaza de la Almoina. After the Romans came the
Visigoths, with the city then being dominated by Muslims
from 714 until 1238, when King James I conquered Valencia
and converted it to Christianity. The period under Arabic
rule left a deep impression, visible in the form of many
recipes, influences in the arts or methods of irrigation. A
remnant from that period can still be found in the form of the
Water Court, the oldest legal institution in Europe, which is
dedicated to monitoring the proper use of water for irrigation
and which has been declared a World Heritage Site.
The period covering the 14th to the 16th centuries saw
Valencia live through its golden age. A highly representative
era in terms of economics, politics and culture, the city
became the commercial centre of Europe, as well as
the birthplace of the silk trade, the city’s most important
industry from the 14th- to the 17th-century. Up until then,
the city was limited to what we now know as the historic
centre, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and it was
not until the late 19th-century that Valencia began to grow
urbanistically, finally extending to include the 19 districts
that it is composed of today.
The Water Court. World Heritage Site.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Water Court: www.tribunaldelasaguas.com
PLACES OF INTEREST
Almoina Museum
Pza. Décimo Junio Bruto
Almudín
Plaza San Luis Beltrán, s/n.
Plaza Redonda
Basilica of Our Lady
of the Forsaken
Plaza de la Virgen s/n.
+ 34 963 918 611
www.basilicadesamparados.org
Serranos Towers
Plaza de los Fueros s/n.
Palacio del Marqués de Dos
Aguas
Rinconada García Sanchis, s/n.
Quart Towers
C/ Guillem de Castro, 89
Plaza Redonda
C/ Pescadería – Vallanca
The Cathedral
Plaza de la Reina s/n.
www.catedraldevalencia.es
Further information....
Silk Exchange Market
(Lonja de la Seda)
Plaza del Mercado s/n.
San Vicente Martir Jail
Plaza del Arzobispo, 1
Almirante Palace and Baths
C/ Almirante, 3
www.visitvalencia.com
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VALENCIA,
CIty
of the
grail
At times, great treasures are kept in modest and
unassuming places: the Chapel of the Santo Cáliz (Holy
Grail) in the Cathedral of Valencia is one such place.
Since 1916, this small Chapel has carefully safeguarded
one of the most revered and prized relics within the
Catholic Church: the Holy Grail. Before being brought to the
Cathedral of Valencia in 1424 by Alfonso the Magnanimous,
this venerated artefact had travelled a long route, over the
course of several centuries, marking out what has become
an interesting pilgrimage route.
Upon entering the Chapel of the Santo Cáliz, a serene
silence, the aroma of incense and the dim light entering
through a stained-glass window pervade the room,
affording an even greater sense of mystery to the
celebrated relic. Practically embedded behind the altar, its
majesty can be viewed through that glass case in which it is
housed.
Archaeological and historical data relating to the relic’s
past, before reaching the Cathedral of Valencia, suggest
that it was the chalice used by Jesus during the Last
Supper. Two Popes have corroborated its authenticity and
have made use of it in two masses: Pope John Paul II, in
1982, and, subsequently, Pope Benedict XVI, during the 5th
World Meeting of Families, in 2006.
Valencia has been honoured by the Vatican and will hold
the jubilee every five years: the last Thursday in October
2015 has been assigned for the celebration of the first
commemoration. A series of festive acts are set to take
place on and around that date, wherein the Cathedral and
the surrounding area will provide the focal point.
To whet our appetites, an exhibition entitled “Los Caminos
del Grial” (Paths of the Grail), will run from March to June in
the Almudín, outlining the routes and historical events that
led the Holy Grail to Valencia.
MORE INFORMATION
www.catedraldevalencia.es
www.archivalencia.org
www.elscaminsdelgrial.es
ANCIENT CITY
5
6
Valencia: A city with
architecture from all ages
THE VALENCIAN GOLDEN AGE
The 16th-century saw the construction of
the Silk Exchange Market (Lonja de
la Seda), considered the jewel of Gothic
architecture both for its architectural
beauty and for its commercial relevance
at the time. The building was declared a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
Its name comes from the trade that was
carried out in its interior, as Valencia was
the industrial reference in the silk weaving
and maritime trade. Other examples of
architecture from this period include the
Cathedral, a cross-shaped construction
with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque
doors and whose interior houses the Holy
Grail, and the Serranos and Quart
Towers, the two remaining gates that
once formed part of the ancient city wall.
Cathedral
Serranos Towers
The Silk Exchange
ANCIENT CITY
7
MODERNISM
Central Market
Colck Building
Colon Market
Train Station
Valencia is one of the Spanish cities with the greatest
collection of modernist works. Various architectural gems
have survived from this period, including the Central
Market, with its metal structure and glass panels. It is the
largest indoor market in Europe, covering some 8,000 square
meters and containing more than 1,200 stalls selling products
ranging from seafood to meats and fruit. The Colon Market
is another attractive building: renovated in 2003, it has now
become a leisure and cultural space. And very close by we
find the Train Station, the buffet of which has a ceramic roof
that is a true masterpiece.
Correos
Further information and other places of interest:
Central Market: www.mercadocentral.es
Colon Market: www.mercadocolon.es
Exhibition Palace
La Alameda Spa
Clock Building
Port Storage Sheds
Blasco Ibañez Museum
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From the AVANT-GUARD
to the 21st CENTURY
Valencia entered the 3rd millennium with a wide
offer of spaces and content at the forefront of
the arts, architecture, science and business. The
internationally-renowned Palau de la Música, the work
of José María Paredes, has been the city’s musical
bastion since it was inaugurated in 1987. In 2005, it
was joined by another coliseum, the Palau de les
Arts Reina Sofia, which is located in the spectacular
City of Arts and Sciences, designed by the Valencian
architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, whose
architecture stands out for its majesty and beauty. The
Prince Felipe Science Museum, L’Hemisfèric, the
Agora, L’Umbracle and L’Oceanogràfic, designed
by Felix Candela, complete this unique complex. The
Valencia Institute of Modern Art, IVAM, designed by
Emilio Giménez and Carlos Salvadores, opened its
doors in 1989, becoming the second most important
contemporary art museum in the country, behind the
Reina Sofia in Madrid, while the Valencian Museum
of Illustration and Modernity, MUVIM, the work of
Seville architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, was
opened in 2001. Other buildings that stand out for their
impressive architecture are the Valencia Conference
Centre, designed by British architect Norman Foster, the
Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre designed
by José María Tomás Llavador and the Veles e Vents
building, created by Britain’s David Chipperfield and
Spain’s Fermín Vázquez and located in the Royal Juan
Carlos I Marina.
FURTHER INFORMATION Y OTROS LUGARES DE INTERÉS
Palau de la Música:
www.palaudevalencia.com
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía:
www.lesarts.com
City of Arts and Sciences:
www.cac.es
IVAM: www.ivam.es
Marina Real Juan Carlos I:
www.marinarealjuancarlosi.com
MUVIM: www.muvim.es
City of Arts and Sciences
Palacio de Congresos de
Valencia:
www.palcongres-vlc.com
Valencia Exhibition Centre
Events Centre: www.
feriavalencia.com
Puente de la Exposición
Puente de las Flores
Puente L’Assut d’Or
Metro Alameda
ANCIENT CITY
9
More than
ART IN VALENCIA
Valencia and its wide culture form a tandem that has
led to the creation of more than 35 museums in which
to enjoy both art itself and other characteristics. The
Museum of Fine Arts, the largest art gallery in Spain
after the Prado, houses an important collection of
Gothic altarpieces as well as a hall dedicated to the
master Sorolla. The IVAM, on the other hand, exhibits
permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of
contemporary art, while the National Ceramics
Museum houses an extensive representation of Spanish
and international ceramics. In the Valencia History
Museum, which is housed in a former water storage
facility, the city’s past and present can be observed
in a time machine. In order to obtain an initial contact
with Las Fallas (see pg. 28), Valencia’s most important
festivities, we recommend a visit to the Fallas Museum,
where we are able to discover the festival’s origin, as well
as representations of the papier-mâché monuments that
figure so prominently throughout the celebrations. Other
highlights include the L’ Iber Museum, which brings
together the largest collection of toy soldiers, MUVIM,
the Rice Museum, the Centro del Carmen, and
L’ Almoina, chosen as Europe’s 2nd best museum in
2009.
FURTHER INFORMATION Y OTROS LUGARES DE INTERÉS
www.museosymonumentosvalencia.com
Museum of Fine Arts:
museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es
IVAM: www.ivam.es
Valencia History Museum:
www.mhv.com.es
“Fallas” Museum:
www.fallas.com
Museo L’Iber: www.museoliber.org
González Martí National
Museum of Ceramics and
Sumptuary Arts:
www.mecd.gob.es/mnceramica
La Beneficencia:
www.labeneficencia.es
José Benlliure Museum - House
Military History Museum
Municipal History Museum
MUVIM: www.muvim.es
Bancaja Cultural Centre:
www.obrasocial.bancaja.es
Rice Museum: www.
museoarrozvalencia.es
Centro de Artesanía de la C.V.
www.centroartesaniacv.com
10
Plaza Redonda
Nuevo Muelle de Cruceristas
Casino Cirsa
ANCIENT CITY
11
NEW SPACES AND
FUTURE PROJECTS
Over the last few years, Valencia has not only set up new spaces but also refurbished and
extended others, such as the Casino Cirsa Valencia, the Plaza Redonda, a new wharf
for cruisers and the extension of the airport.
Over the course of 2015, the Juan Carlos I Royal Marina is going to boast two projects
that will attract a great deal of attention. On the one hand, a technological cluster featuring
innovative companies, and on the other, a beach club, catering to all members of the public,
which will link up Malvarrosa beach and the Royal Marina.
Over the coming years, Valencia will begin to enjoy its major new landmarks, such as the
new Valencia CF Stadium. The new Mestalla, desgined by Mark Fenwick and located near
the Congress Centre, will seat 61,500 fans and is to be classified as a UEFA and FIFA five star
stadium, capable of holding major sporting events.
Another of the projects that will be taking shape over the coming years is the Central
Park, a new green lung to be built in phases above the railway lines, which will unify various
neighbourhoods in the city. Designed by Kathryn Gustafson, the prestigious North American
landscaper, the park will have an array of services and leisure areas for both locals and
visitors alike.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Marina Real:
Casino Cirsa Valencia:
www.casinocirsavalencia.com
New Mestalla:
www.valenciacf.com
Parque Central:
www.valenciaparquecentral.es
Parque Central
12
VALENCIA AND THE SEA 13
ROYAL MARINA
AND BEACHES
With the holding of the America’s Cup in 2007 and 2010, Valencia recovered one of the
city’s most important tourist assets, the Marina Real Juan Carlos I, one of Europe’s most
spectacular marinas, awarded the Blue Star Marina certificate by the International Marine
Certification Institute. It has an inner harbour with capacity for over 800 boats between 10 and
150 metres in length and is located next to the Las Arenas and Malvarrosa beaches, which
have a promenade with numerous restaurants and bars, just 15 minutes from the city.
Valencia has 19 km of beaches that are perfected reachable by the public bus and tram
network, as well as the cycle lanes. They can also be visited by car, as they all have plenty
of parking spaces. To the south of Valencia, the remoter beaches can be found, next to
the Dehesa Natural Park, whilst the urban beaches are next to the marina. The beach
promenade (paseo maritimo) connects the Las Arenas, Malvarrosa and Patacona
beaches, where you can take part in outdoor sports, or simply enjoy Valencian cuisine with
views out to sea. It is also possible to view the city from another perspective by going for a
pleasant sail along the Mediterranean on the various pleasure boats that are moored up next
to the Veles y Vents building.
The Marina can be reached by metro, the Bus Turistic, the regular city bus, as well as by
Valenbisi, the municipal bike hire scheme, that has a station in the port compound. There
is also the Aquabus an in summer, a bus service links the Marina with the City of Arts and
Science.
This space next to the sea is ideal for enjoying spectacular surroundings with various activities
to choose from over the course of the year, and which over the coming years will be turned
into a space for new technology companies, shopping, restaurants, new hotels and a club
for mega yachts. The Marina is also chosen by numerous yacht skippers as a harbour for the
winter months.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Royal Juan Carlos I Marina: www.marinarealjuancarlosi.com
Mundo Marino: www.mundomarino.es
Autobuses municipales: www.emtvalencia.es
Metro: www.metrovalencia.es
Valenbisi: www.valenbisi.es
Valencia Bus Turistic: www.valenciabusturistic.com
Bus Turístico: valencia.busturistico.com
14
Cruisers:
VALENCIA BOARDING GATE
Valencia Port has become a Mediterranean reference at a global level, where cruisers such as the Queen Elizabeth II
and The World stop over in Valencia. There are now various cruiser companies that have decided to stop over at this
Mediterranean city and which have Valencia as their base, with departures all year round, with vessels from MSC,
Pullmantur and Costa Cruceros.
For cruiser passengers, visiting Valencia in a few hours is very easy and convenient with the VLC CRUISE CARD,
a card adapted and designed for the needs of cruiser tourists. It provides discounts on taxi tours, tourist services,
shops, museums and restaurants, and also includes the 15-minute shuttle bus journey between the port and the city
centre. The bus has three stops: one outside Europe’s largest aquarium, the Oceanogràfic, another at the spectacular
architectural complex designed by Santiago Calatrava, the City of Arts and Sciences, and the third in the city centre.
The shuttle service is available whenever buses are not provided by the cruise liner itself.
Through the Turismo Valencia website you can make reservations for a cruise on the Mediterranean, as well as make a
stop over in the city that you can fully take advantage of.
VALENCIA AND THE SEA
15
Valencia Cruise Card
FURTHER INFORMATION here
FURTHER INFORMATION
Valencia Port:
www.valenciaport.com
MSC Cruceros:
www.msccruceros.es
Pullmantur:
www.pullmantur.es
Costa Cruceros:
www.costacruceros.es
Valencia Cruise Card:
Escalas de cruceros
www.valenciaport.com/es/pasajeros/
cruceros/paginas/escalas.aspx
16
MEDITERRANEAN
FLAVOURS
Tastes from valencia
at the best prices
Menu VLC. More information here
MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE
The city has more than 2,000 bars, cafes and
restaurants offering a variety of cuisine that
seamlessly fuses traditional food and modern
cuisine. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and its
restaurants are the best places to try it.
Valencia has five restaurants that have been awarded
Michelin Stars, such as Riff, La Sucursal,
Ricard Camarena, Vertical y El Poblet. In addition
there are other interesting culinary options, such as
Quintana, Duna, La Salita, Saiti, Macel·lum,
Panorama, Samsha, Q de Barella, Askua
and Kaymus, without forgetting the traditional El
Canyar, El Timonel, La Marcelina, Les Graelles
and Bodega Casa Montaña, amongst others.
Also worthy of highlight is the Barraca de Toni
Montoliu, right in the Valencian huerta (green belt)
just 15 minutes from Valencia, where you can enjoy a
unique experience tasting the local gastronomy from
the Huerta to your table.
17
Additionally, Valencia has changed with the times
and now offers the MENUS VLC, which allow
visitors to savour Valencian cuisine at affordable
prices. At 15€ for adults and 12€ for children up
to the age of 12, these menus include a starter, a
main course of typical Valencian cooking, and a
dessert. Drinks are not included. Additionally, if you
have a Valencia Tourist Card, a Family Card
or a Valencia Cruise Card, then the restaurant
will give you a complimentary coffee, infusion or
liqueur. At www.visitvalencia.com, you can make
reservations and find out information on restaurants
that offer the delicious and Valencian Menus
VLC; other restaurant suggestions are also listed.
Restaurant vouchers can also be obtained from the
Tourist Information Offices around the city.
FURTHER INFORMATION
shop.turisvalencia.es/es/gastronomia
Paella
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Play the Paella
game here!
Preparation:
Heat the olive oil in the paella dish or a wide, shallow frying
pan. Sauté the chicken and rabbit for about 5 minutes.
Add the beans, artichokes and tomato. Fry lightly for a few
minutes. Add the paprika and let the mixture fry for one
minute on very low heat. Dissolve the saffron in water and
add this water to the paella dish/frying pan immediately.
Add the garrafón beans and salt. Increase the heat and let
everything boil for about 15 minutes. Add the snails and boil
for another 3-4 minutes. Add the rice and spread it through
the mixture in the frying pan. Let it boil for about 15 minutes
and taste the broth. Add salt to taste if required. Add the
rosemary during the last 7-8 minutes and let it cook in the
paella for about 5 minutes before removing it. The paella is
ready when the water has evaporated but the paella is not
completely dry. To make “socarrat” (when the base of the
paella is slightly burned), allow the paella to cook longer.
18
FURTHER INFORMATION
Sección Gastronomía Turismo Valencia:
Parque Natural de la Albufera:
www.albuferadevalencia.com
Valencia Rice Protected Designation of Origin:
www.arrozvalencia.org
Rice Museum:
www.museoarrozvalencia.com
Valencia Tiger Nut Protected Designation of Origin
Regulatory Council www.chufavalencia.org
Mon Orxata:
www.monorxata.com
Heladería Bertal:
www.heladosbertal.es
La Casa de l’Orxata:
www.casadelaorxata.com
Valencia Wine Protected Designation of Origin:
www.vinovalencia.org
El Machistre:
www.elmachistre.es
MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 19
VALENCIA
ESSENCES
Rice Trail
Wine Trail
Horchata Trail
Rice was introduced to Valencia by the
Arabs in the 12th century with great
success due to profitability made from
rice sales. 30% of the rice produced
in Spain comes from the province of
Valencia. The Albufera Nature Reserve
and the town of Sueca are areas with
over 9,000 hectares of land dedicated to rice cultivation. Furthermore,
L’Albufera is very well-known for its
restaurants specialising in many kinds
of rice dishes. The Valencia Rice
Protected Designation of Origin
endorses the quality of the product.
The different rice varieties are Bahía,
Senia and Bomba, selected because
they guarantee both satisfaction and a
healthy option for consumers. Visitors
can find Valencian rice in delicatessens
as well as in any of the city’s markets
or supermarkets. A very curious activity
is to visit the Museo del Arroz (Rice
Museum), located in an old rice mill dating from the start of the 20th century.
The Valencia Wine Protected
Designation of Origin covers 17,800
hectares of vineyards spread over four
smaller subzones: Alto Turia, Valentino,
Moscatel and Clariano. The 650,000
hectolitres of annual average production of different grape varieties results
in red, rosé, white and liqueur wines
from 80 different firms. Mistela, a wine
extracted from the Moscatel grape, is
very typical of Valencia. It has a clean
and shiny appearance and a sweet
taste. The Valencia Wine Protected
Designation of Origin Regulatory
Council, located in the heart of the city,
boasts a spectacular winery, exhibition
rooms and offers guided visits and wine
tastings (prior booking required).
Horchata is one of the most popular
drinks in Valencia, made from the
chufa, (tiger nut), originally from Egypt
and brought to this Mediterranean
city by the Arabs. This tasty drink also
contains many healthy properties. Tiger
nuts are grown in sixteen towns in the
Valencia region of L’Horta Nord, which
combines specific meteorological and
soil requirements to make this the only
region in Spain where this truly unique
tuber is grown. However, the most
famous town with the most horchaterías (establishments) for enjoying this
drink is Alboraya. Finding out about the
cultivation system and manufacturing
process is as interesting as trying
the drink. The Valencia Tiger Nut
Protected Denomination of Origin
Regulatory Council can provide
visitors with more information. To get to
know in situ how this refreshing drink
is made, from its planting to serving,
visit the only museum of its kind, the
Alqueria El Machistre. You can also go
on Horchata routes with Horta Viva, a
tour company. You can also follow the
Horchata routes with Horta Viva, a tour
company, visit the Mon Orxata factory
and sample this refreshing drink in such
traditional places as the Horchatería
Santa Catalina, Bertal and Casa de
l’Orxata horchata bars
20
VALENCIA
CUINA OBERTA
Restaurant Week
This gastronomic event began cooking in 2009 and
continues to be held annually. The event includes the
participation of over 60 restaurants, all offering their best
culinary proposals at set prices for lunch and dinner.
Thus, for a few days gourmets have the opportunity
to taste the gastronomic creations of some of today’s
FURTHER INFORMATION
Cuina Oberta-Restaurant Week Official Website:
www.valenciacuinaoberta.com
Club Cuina Oberta: www.valenciacuinaoberta.com/club
Cuina Oberta in Facebook:
www.facebook.com/valenciacuinaoberta
best chefs at popular prices. The official website of this
event contains listings and menus of the restaurants
participating in each edition. Furthermore, the Club Cuina
Oberta sends a weekly bulletin of tasty news stories
about culinary-related events taking place in the city.
MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE
21
VALENCIA
© Javier Yaya Tur / CACSA
Ático Ateneo Lounge
by
moonlight
Valencia continues to be a city with a thousand personalities
once night falls. Many nightlife areas awaken at midnight,
with many pubs remaining open until 3.30 a.m. In turn, the
city’s nightclubs are often open until dawn. Throughout the
year, the most popular areas are to be found in Barrio del
Carmen, undoubtedly the most diverse and international
neighbourhood in the city. Calle Caballeros becomes its
centre point, populated by multiple bars, restaurants and
pubs, and here you can find Café de las Horas, a unique
space where you can try a glass of Agua de Valencia.
The top floor terrace of the Ático Ateneo Lounge at the
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, La Plaza de Cánovas and its
surrounding streets, where Las Animas is located, as well
as the area around Avenida de Aragon, are other classic
points draw large crowds, whilst the Ruzafa neighbourhood
has become the most fashionable district in recent times.
Other nightlife spots are to be found in the extension of
Paseo de la Alameda, as well as on La Alameda itself. Most
of the bars in these areas offer outside seating to enjoy the
good weather. In summer, the most interesting places are
to be found in the City of Arts and Sciences, which have
open-air nightclubs offering spectacular views, such as the
L’Umbracle Terrace.
22
Hotel Las Arenas
Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar
Valencia has a wide choice for the most demanding tourist. For
relaxation, the city has several spas, including the Balneario
la Alameda, the first urban spa in Spain and located in the
former Maternity Hospital, a modernist palace dating from
the beginning of the 20th century. Other restored historic
buildings include the Westin Valencia hotel, which offers a
very healthy experience in the Caroli Health Club, while Las
Arenas hotel, which was renewed in 2006, recalls the old spa
resort founded in
1898 in the same
building. O ther
hotels in which to
enjoy a few hours
of relaxation are the
Hospes Palau de
la Mar, Barceló.
and the 5 star hotels SH Valencia
Palace and the
Hotel Caro Hotel
Caro, chosen
by the publisher
Taschen in 2014 as one of the most beautiful restaurants in
the world. But the Mozaira, the Parador El Saler and the
Mas de Canicatí will also surprise you with their charm.
city has several shopping areas: Calle Colón and its surrounding streets are the most popular, but the Golden Mile is
the area around Poeta Querol and Plaza del Patriarca, where
numerous international companies such as Bulgari, Hermes,
Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Salvatore Ferragamo or Carolina Herrera
can be found. We can also find Lladró, an internationallyrenowned Valencia company that creates the finest porcelain
figurines. To go on an exclusive route taking in some of these
shops, the company Maximice
offers visits with a
personal shopper
for shopping lovers.
There are also tour
companies that go
to the most exclusive stores.
Valencia has made its contribution to fashion through such established designers such as Francis Montesinos and Alex Vidal
and couturiers such as Tonuca, Noelia Navarro and Dolores
Cortés. In the field of jewellery we find Vicente Gracia, chosen
by Vogue as one of the top 20 jewellers in the world and who
has seen his works auctioned at Christie’s and Barneys. The
As far as gastronomy is concerned, in addition to the award
winning Michelin star restaurants such as La Sucursal, Riff,
Vertical, Ricard Camarena and El Poblet, the city also
boasts 25 Respol Suns in 2015, as well as a wide range of
establishments that cater to all tastes and budgets.
Valencia
EXCELLENCE
To get around
the city in a more
se le cti ve ma nne r, E l e g a n c e
Valencia Taxi and Taxis Vip provide very professional services in high-end vehicles, as does Autogolden, which also
has a large fleet of cars.
MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE 23
FURTHER INFORMATION
Balneario La Alameda: www.balneariolaalameda.com
The Westin Valencia: www.westinvalencia.com
Hospes Palau de la Mar: www.hospes.com/palaudelamar
Hotel Barceló: www.barcelo.com
Hotel Caro: www.carohotel.com
Hotel Las Arenas: www.hotelvalencialasarenas.com
La Mozaira: www.lamozaira.com
Mas de Canicattí: www.masdecanicatti.com
Parador El Saler: www.paradores.es/parador-de-el-saler
SH Valencia Palace: www.hotel-valencia-palace.com
Lladró: www.lladro.com
La Sucursal: www.restaurantelasucursal.com
Loewe: www.loewe.es
Bulgari: www.bulgari.com
Ricard Camarena: www.ricardcamarena.com
Riff: www.restaurante-riff.com
Vertical: www.restaurantevertical.com
Autogolden: www.autogolden.com
Elegance Valencia Taxi: www.elegancevalenciataxi.com
Taxis Vip: www.taxisvip.com
Rafael Torres: www.rafaeltorresjoyero.com
Argimiro Aguilar: www.argimirojoyero.com
Maximice: www.maximice-events-group.com
El Poblet: www.elpobletrestaurante.com
Museo Lladró
24
Valencia
A NATURAL
SPACE
Valencia has a green carpet covering more than two million
square metres. The Cabecera Park, the largest in Europe,
crowns the old Turia riverbed to the west of the city. It is
here that we find the start of the Turia Gardens, a large,
traffic-free green space measuring some 10 km in length
that enables visitors to cross the city on foot or bike almost
to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. To the east, the
Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe housing
more than 500 different species that make up a huge family
of more than 45,000 examples, including dolphins, beluga
whales, sharks and sea lions.
Just 10km to the south of Valencia lies the Albufera Natural
Park, a beautiful landscape of rice fields that surround one of
the largest lakes in Europe. Migrating birds can be observed
in winter from one of the albuferencs, small boats used by
the inhabitants of the small fishing village El Palmar to fish the
different species found in the lake. The Dehesa de El Saler
forms part of the Albufera Natural Park, consisting of a
Mediterranean forest and the El Saler beach, whose dunes
are protected by a European directive. This entire area is
easily accessible both by bike and the number 25 bus.
The city has a network composed of 130 km of bicycle
routes that enable visitors to discover Valencia on two
wheels. The most recommended area is to be found in the
Turia Gardens, an ample, traffic-free green space measuring
10 km in length, a natural reserve that allows visitors to cross
the city from east to west. This area, which follows the former
River Turia riverbed, is full of life and culture, containing
everything from football and rugby pitches to athletics tracks
and museums. Furthermore, more than 15 bridges from
different periods and styles cross from one side of the city
to the other. The recently launched bicycle rental system,
Valenbisi, provides more than 2,500 bikes distributed
among 250 docking stations and makes for a comfortable,
healthy form of transport. There are also companies that rent
out Segways, bicycles, electric bicycles and offer guided
tours on two wheels throughout the year.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Turia Gardens: www.culturia.org
L’Oceanogràfic: www.cac.es
L’Albufera Nature Park: www.albuferadevalencia.com
Valenbisi: www.valenbisi.es
Segway Valencia: www.segwayvalencia.com
Valencia Bikes: www.valenciabikes.com
Doyoubike: www.doyoubike.com
Solution Bike: www.solutionbike.com
Passion Bike: www.passionbike.net
Horta Viva: www.hortaviva.net
Senati Bikes: www.senatibikes.com
EMT Valencia: www.emtvalencia.es
URBAN NATURAL SPACE
25
BIOPARC,
Nature in the
open air
Bioparc Valencia is more than a zoo, it is a place full of life where more than 4,000
animals from over 250 different species live togehter. Bioparc allows you to visit the heart
of Africa, from the savannah to Madagascar, going through tropical forests, all of which are
perfectly recreated.
In the African savannah, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions and charming mongooses can all
be seen. There are also hyenas, mole rats and even huge baobabs that show the typical
landscape of equatorial Africa. A herd of elephant also lives here, who shamelessly take a
bath and delight the visitors though the amusing scene. Alongside these pachyderms is the
Kitum Cave, and hippos and crocodiles. Further on, a clearing in the forest opens, a meeting
point of gorillas, chimpanzees, red buffalo, leopards and antelopes. The third recreated habitat
in Bioparc is Madagascar, where the different species of lemurs are the main attraction.
Besides being able to discover how these animals live, Bioparc Valencia has an open air
auditorium where bird exhibits are held. It also has restaurants with stunning views of the
African savannah, as well as workshops and children’s activities, to raise awareness in the
young about the importance of protecting the environment.
Bioparc is always alive and amongst the interesting initiatives that have been launched
and can be accessed on their webpage and social networks, the park has developed an
application, qlikbar, that offers interesting facts on animals as well as information on the
exhibits and activities. A very useful tool for getting the most out of your visit.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Bioparc Valencia:
www.bioparcvalencia.es
26
Valencia
WITH CHILDREN
If they told you that in the same city, you might travel
across the African Savannah, contemplate more than
500 species within the main marine ecosystems, climb,
like an inhabitant of Lilliput, over a 70-metre Gulliver, or
become a knight, or a princess and discover palaces
and fortresses, you would think that I was speaking of
a children’s game, wouldn’t you? Indeed, that is exactly
what we are talking about. A family visit to Valencia is a
highly recommendable experience, that holds surprises
for both adults and children.
Crocodiles, leopards, gorillas... even a distant relative
of King Julien, can be seen in Bioparc, at close range,
with no bars, amidst a veritable African adventure. In
Europe’s largest aquarium, L’Oceanogràfic, children
can enjoy the experience of becoming a trainer of marine
mammals, sleeping with sharks or feeding penguins.
Very nearby, in the Science Museum, the latest
scientific advances will delight the youngest members
of society, who can also travel into space and view our
planet as it is seen from the International Space Station.
In l’Hemisfèric, children can live out adventures through
3D images.
Indeed, there are many ways of travelling around
Valencia whilst ensuring that children don’t become
bored: cycling, in a horse-drawn carriage, on a Segway,
on a Tourist Bus, or on foot, guided by a prince or
princess.
Moreover, football fans can spend an evening in the
Mestalla stadium, visiting the changing rooms, the
pitch, the benches or the press office where the players
are interviewed... experiencing the emotion of football at
the highest level with Valencia C.F.
The old course of the River Turia is a paradise of
gardens that provides the perfect setting for a pleasant
family outing: a bicycle trip, a picnic, races... and a huge
children’s park with slides inspired by the giant Gulliver
in the story by Swift.
Furthermore, a short distance from Valencia, La
Albufera Natural Park offers the magnificent
biodiversity of this protected space. A trip along its
central lake aboard one of the typical boats found in this
area can become a true adventure!
Turismo Valencia has created VLC Natural Xpress,
a pass that grants entry to the most popular tourist
attractions, such as Bioparc and the City of Arts and
Sciences, as well as unlimited use of the touristic buses.
This product can be adapted to the duration of each
tourist’s stay, thus offering maximum value for money,
and can be combined with the most suitable package in
each case. The pass is available in the Airport, Joaquin
Sorolla Station, Plaza de la Reina and the City Hall
Tourist Info offices, as well as being available online from
www.visitvalencia.com. From this webportal, the
Family Card is also available, offered so that families,
depending on the family size, can take advantage of the
Valencia Tourist Card, which permits unlimited use of
the public transport, as well as discounts in museums,
restaurants and tourism services.
GUIDE FOR SMALL TOURIST:
turisvalencia.es/datos/EN/PDF/guia-vlc-ninos-en.pdf
URBAN NATURAL SPACE
27
FURTHER INFORMATION
Palau de les Arts Reina
Sofía: www.lesarts.com
L’Oceanogràfic: www.cac.es
Príncipe Felipe Science
Museum: www.cac.es
IVAM: www.ivam.es
Family Card:
www.valenciatouristcard.com
MUVIM: www.muvim.es
Museum of Fine Arts:
museobellasartesvalencia.
gva.es
Albufera Parc:
www.albuferaparc.com
Príncipe Felice Science Museum. City of Arts and Sciences.
Expojove:
www.expojove.com
VLC Natural Xpress:
shop.turisvalencia.es/es/entradasturisticas/entradas-conjuntas
Bioparc:
www.bioparcvalencia.es
Gulliver
28
VALENCIA
FILM STUDIO
Cinema is another window that projects Valencia to the world. A city bathed in the
Mediterranean and which enjoys a mild climate almost all the year, offers an attractive setting
for any type of shoot.
The city has a diverse range of locations, from the possibility of panorama shoots of
spectacular 1st century ruins, to filming in futuristic architectural complexes, which for
example attracted Walt Disney Studios to film one of its movies in the city, “Tomorrowland”,
staring George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, and directed by Oscar winner Brad Bird, which will
be shown in cinemas worldwide in 2015.
Valencia also offers beautiful shoots in natural areas, marine areas, avant-garde buildings that
can easily simulate an airport, and even perfect shoots for a Mediterranean lifestyle.
All this and much more, in addition to the light of a city reflected like no other by the Valencian
painter Joaquín Sorolla, all favour the filming of both movies and numerous commercials, as
well as fashion shoots.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Film Office at
Un suave olor a Canela, producción de Tarannà Films y
TV ON Producciones. Foto: Sagrario Perpiñán.
FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY 29
THE CITY OF
MUSIC
FURTHER INFORMATION
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: www.lesarts.com
Berklee College of Music:
www.berklee.edu/valencia y http://berkleevalencia.org/es
Valencia has a long musical tradition, the proof of which can be
seen in the hundreds of music bands that exist both in the city
and in the surrounding villages. There are two main references
in this field: El Palau de la Música, which was built in 1989 and
has hosted performances by the conductor Daniel Barenboim
and the tenor Placido Domingo, who described the quality of
its rooms as being like that of a Stradivarius. El Palau de les
Arts, designed by Valencian architect and engineer Santiago
Calatrava, was inaugurated in 2005 by the maestros Lorin
Maazel and Zubin Mehta. Since 2011, the young talent Omer
Wellber has taken over the baton as musical director. El Palau’s
extensive programme has led to Valencia’s incorporation into the
world’s leading opera circuits and has included performances
of Madame Butterfly, Turandot, Fidelio and Richard Wagner’s
complete Ring cycle, among others. These are not the only
spaces offering music in the city, however, with performances
also held in the Colón Market, the Santa Catalina Church, The
Silk Exchange and the University of Valencia’s Nau building.
Similarly, the Church of the Patriarch offers mass accompanied
by Gregorian chants from Tuesday to Sunday at 9.30 am and
Thursdays at 18.40 p.m., a tradition that dates back to 1604.
Since 2011, Valencia has hosted the permanent campus of the
Berklee College of Music, located in El Palau de les Arts.
30
SHOPPING
IN VALENCIA
Travelling isn’t just about visiting museums and monuments, it’s also about discovering the city
by wandering its streets, tasting its food, taking a drink in one of the squares. And if there is one
thing that you shouldn’t miss on a trip, then it’s the shopping. Souvenirs, food products, high
fashion, porcelain …. At Vive Valencia de Compras you’ll find a large amount of information
so you can enjoy your shopping in Valencia.
Arranged by neighbourhoods and routes, every type of product and treat can be found: century
old shops, interior design studios, high fashion, Las Fallas attire, basketmakers, luxury shops,
art galleries, book shops, charity stores, food stores and herbalists.
Many of the shops in the main tourist areas of the city open every day of the week,
including Sundays, to offer better service to the tourists who visit Valencia.
Visitors with their residence outside the European Union now have a new VAT refund
counter for any shopping they bought in shops with a TAX FREE service. Turismo Valencia’s
Tourist Information Centre, located at Plaza de la Reina 19, has a VAT cash refund service for all
purchases above €90.16 if you ask for a PREMIER TAX FREE or GLOBAL BLUE receipt in the
shop where you bought your goods.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
www.valenciadecompras.com
www.vlcshopping.com
Premier Tax Free: www.premiertaxfree.com
Global Blue: www.globalblue.com
Argimiro Aguilar: www.argimirojoyero.com
Atypical Valencia: www.atypicalvalencia.com
Bulgari: www.bulgari.com
City Time – Pandora: www.pandora.net
Disney Store: www.disneystore.es
DodoWear Outlet
El Corte Inglés: www.elcorteingles.es
Envinarte: www.envinarte.es
Lester: www.corbataslester.com
Lladró: www.lladro.com
Loewe: www.loewe.com
Max Mara: www.maxmara.com
MCarthy: www.mcarthy.es
Mercado de Tapinería: www.mercadodetapineria.com
Miralindo: www.miralindo.com
Món Orxata: www.monorxata.com
Montblanc Boutique: www.montblanc.com.es
Ubik Café: ubikcafe.blogspot.com
Rafael Torres: www.rafaeltorresjoyero.com
Suc de Lluna: www.sucdelluna.com
Superdry Store: www.superdry.es
Toro Store: www.tiendastoro.com
Megastore Valencia Club de Fútbol:
www.valenciacf.com
Vegamar Selección: www.bodegasvergamar.com
Zapaterías Bata: www.batashoes.be
FUN, DYNAMIC AND AVANT-GUARDE CITY
31
32
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
Popular celebrations take place in Valencia throughout the
year. Whether religious or secular in nature, several elements
are common to them all: wit, fireworks, music and fire, whose
most audible, visual and olfactory expression are fireworks,
with Valencia having with an excellent and renowned pyrotechnics sector. The most international of the Valencia’s
festivities are Las Fallas, which take place from 15 to 19
March and during which local, national and international
current affairs are satirized in the form of the more than 700
monuments that take over the city’s streets. For five intense
days, the city lives through a sensory explosion.
Mascletà at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The most emotional event of the festival is the offering of
flowers to Our Lady of the Forsaken, the patron saint
of the city, whose mantle is formed with the bouquets of
red, white and pink carnations that the more than 100,000
“Falleros” and “Falleros” deliver to the Virgin, dressed in their
rich costumes made of pure silk.
Offering of flowers to to Our Lady of the Forsaken.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Fallas: www.fallas.com
www.fallasfromvalencia.com
www.tvfallas.com
Maritime Holy Week: www.semanasantamarinera.org
July Fair: www.feriadejulio.com
Semana Santa Marinera
Other festivals include the procession in honour of Saint
Vincent of Saragossa, which is held in January, the spectacular Maritime Holy Week and Corpus Cristi processions,
and the carrying of the Virgin of the Forsaken, the city’s
female patron saint, from the Basilica to the Cathedral. July
sees the celebration of the July Fair, which is made up of
an extensive programme of concerts and cultural events that
ends with a unique battle of the flowers, while October 9 sees
the commemoration of the Valencia Regional Day. On the
last Thursday of October the fiesta of the Santo Cáliz is also
celebrated.
Traslado de la Virgen de los Desamparados
El Tribunal
de las Aguas,
Unesco World Heritage Site
For over a millennium, each Thursday a jury made up of
irrigators from the eight irrigation channels has met up
at the Door of the Apostles at the Cathedral, to resolve
conflicts resulting from the water from the River Turia that
occur in the arable lands around Valencia (the Huerta).
These sessions are the oldest justice institution in Europe
and have been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible
world heritage asset, a distinction that adds to the one
awarded by the same organisation to the La Lonja (Silk
Exchange) in 1996. Both these recognitions add to the
city’s international projection and further strengthen its
attractiveness for tourists
34
valencia
ON THE TRACK
Valencia is a dynamic city where various events take place for all interests, from
traditional festivals such as the Fallas, the Maritime Holy Week and Corpus Christi, to
gastronomic events as the Cuina Oberta - Restaurant Week.
The city also hosts sporting events such as football, with two teams in the first division
of the Spanish League (Valencia CF and Levante UD), basketball with Valencia Basket, the
Valencia Open 500 tennis tournament, the motorbikes at the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the
numerous events for lovers of athletics, such as the triathlon and fun runs.
Valencia Ciudad del Running is a project that encompasses the
three most important races of the year held in the city, including the
42km Marathon. Over the year, Valencia also hosts many other athletic
events that attract ever more fans, due to the fact that the climate and
topographical conditions in Valencia are very attractive for runners. In
addition, there are several companies who are focussed on this type of
tourist, such as The Westin hotel, who have special packages for athletes.
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.fallas.com
www.semanasantamarinera.org
www.valenciacf.com
www.levanteud.com
www.valenciabasket.com
www.valenciaopen500.com
www.circuitvalencia.com
www.valenciatriatlon.es
ww.maratonvalencia.com
www.deportevalencia.com
36
DON’T MISS....
EVERY THURSDAY OF THE YEAR:
Valencia Water Court,
UNESCO intangible Heritage event
Maritime Holy Week
2 march -5 April
www.semanasantamarinera.org
April
January
VLC Boat Show
16-19 April
50 Book Fair
www.firallibre.com
Three Kings Parade
January 5
San Vicente Ferrer (local holiday)
April 28
May
Virgin of the Forsaken (local holiday)
May 10. Second Sunday of May
St Vicente Mártir, Patron Saint of Valencia
January 22
February
March
Crida de las Fallas (Opening Ceremony) at the
Torres de Serranos
Last Sunday of February
Mascletà
1 - 19 March at 14.00.
www.tvfallas.com
Fallas
15-19 March
www.fallas.com
JUNE
XXIX Festival Internacional de Cinema Jove
www.cinemajove.com
Corpus Christi
Noche de San Juan (Midsummer’s Eve)
June 23
Concerts performed by the Banda Municipal de
Valencia in the Jardines de Viveros park
Every Thursday
www.palauvalencia.com
XVII Jazz Festival de Jazz in the Palau de la
Música
Valencia Cuina Oberta – Restaurant Week
Los Caminos del Grial Exhibition
Almudín
March-June
JULY
XVI Trofeo de Su Majestad Reina (Queen’s
Trophy) (Sailing Competition)
www.trofeoreina.com
OCTOBER
St Dionis. Day of the Valencian Community
October 9
www.valencia.es
Jazz Festival in the Palau de la Música
Bull Fights
www.torosvalencia.com
Feria de Julio (July Fair)
www.feriadejulio.com
Holy Grail Festivity
Last Thursday of October
www.catedralvalencia.com
Season at the Palau de les Arts
December 9: Manon Lescaut, de Giacomo Puccini
www.lesarts.com
Open 500 de Tenis
www.valenciaopen500.com
Bull Fights
www.torosvalencia.com
L’ Oceanogràfic Nights
July-August
www.cac.es
AUGUST
Virgin de la Asunción (Our Lady of the
Assumption)
August 15
NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER
MotoGP Comunidad Valenciana
www.circuitvalencia.com
Valencia Cuina Oberta – Restaurant Week
Vii La Cabina Medium Length Film Festival
www.lacabina.es
Valencia Triathlon
September 5 & 6
www.valenciatriatlon.es
Trinidad Alfonso Marathon
November 15
www.maratonvalencia.com
Tapas Fair
September 10-14
VII Incubarte Art Festival
www.incubarte.com
VI Valencia Design Week
www.valenciadissenyweek.com
XIII Jazz Festival
Every Thursday
www.ivam.es
Jaime I Awards for the promotion of research and
scientific development, featuring several recipients of
the Nobel Prize as a jury.
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS IN VALENCIA
Fair grounds, Christmas markets, circus
Expojove
26 December – 4 January
www.expojove.com
38
Palacio de Congresos de Valencia
VALENCIA
MEETING POINT AND
UNIQUE SPACES
Valencia is the third biggest non capital European city, and tenth world city, in the organisation
of international congresses. The city has a wide range of spaces in which to hold events,
conferences, meetings and forums, all of which offer added value to such meetings. Unique
spaces with historical and architectural values, ranging from avant-garde works such as the
Valencia Conference Centre, designed by British architect Norman Foster and recognized as the best conference centre in the world in 2010 by the International Association of
Conference Centres. The Valencia Exhibition Centre Events Centre and the chameleonic
City of Arts and Sciences, which includes the Hemisfèric, Oceanogràfic, the Prince Felipe
Science Museum, the Agora and the Palau de les Arts, are all spaces that are highly in
demand, as well as the Veles e Vents building, designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín
Vázquez, is another of the city’s spectacular architectural spaces. As for smaller capacity
spaces with historical and artistic value, the city offers a range of old farmhouses dedicated
to organizing events, such as Campo Anibal, Xamandreu and Molino Real, a historic
former mill that has been restored and catalogued as national cultural heritage. Visitors to
Turisvalencia can download the VLC Meetings & Events Guide, which offers both practical
information and a list of places in which to hold meetings.
THE MEETING POINT
39
Veles e Vents. Marina Real Juan Carlos I
Guía VLC Meetings & Events:
www.visitvalencia.com/
vlcmeetings-events
Alquería del Pi:
www.alqueriadelpi.com
Campo Aníbal:
www.campoanibal.com
Valencia Exhibition Centre
Events Centre:
www.feriavalencia.com
Ciudad de las Artes y las
Ciencias: www.cac.es
Kinepolis Paterna:
kinepolis.es/cines/kinepolisvalencia
Masía Xamandreu:
www.masiaxamandreu.com
Valencia Conference Centre:
www.palcongres-vlc.com
Feria Valencia
40
VALENCIA 2.0:
Social networks and New technologies
Turismo Valencia: www.visitvalencia.com
Valencia already has two of its own APPs, VLC
VALENCIA, and VALENCIA TOURIST CARD, to
discover the city. It also is present in the most popular
social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and
Youtube, Pinterest, Instagram and Google +. With
profiles in Spain, Italy, UK, Germany and France and
Holland, the city has boarded the new technology train
with a web 2.0 strategy, and Turismo Valencia has set up
blogs across these countries.
Tourists with an iPhone or Android can discover
Valencia through the Valencia Tourist Card, as the
city is a member of European Cities Marketing, the
organization responsible for the launch of this application
and which offers information about the benefits of the
Valencia Tourist Card. This tool lets you know where to
use and how to acquire the card.
Using a map of the city in www.turisvalencia.es, created
using Google Maps, you can check for walking and
cycling routes set up so you can discover the city, and
you can also get to know Valencia in augmented reality
by using QR codes, that are available on tourist guides,
or using your iPhone or Android Augmented Reality
apps.
The mobile version of the website can be accessed at
www.turisvalencia.mobi. To facilitate Internet access for
tourists, two products are available in Tourist Information
Offices: a SIM Holidays card and a mobile WiFi router
(MiFi), each entailing a top-up system enabling you to stay
well connected whilst in Valencia.
APP Valencia (spanish):
www.visitvalencia.com/appdwn-web-es
APP Valencia Tourist Card (spanish):
www.valenciatouristcard.com/appdwn-web-es
APP Valencia (english):
www.visitvalencia.com/appdwn-web-en
APP Valencia Tourist Card (english):
www.valenciatouristcard.com/appdwn-web-en
Facebook:
Spain: www.facebook.com/turismovalencia
Spain: www.facebook.com/valenciatouristcard
Spain: www.facebook.com/valenciacuinaoberta
Germany: www.facebook.com/VivaValencia
Italy: www.facebook.com/VisitaValencia
United Kingdom: www.facebook.com/visitvalencia
France: www.facebook.com/Valencia.Espagne
Holland: www.facebook.com/pages/VALENCIA-IS-HETHELEMAAL/201887003190555
Twitter:
Spain: @Valenciaturismo
Germany: @_Vivavalencia
Italy: @VisitaValencia
United Kingdom: @Valenciacity
France: @ValenciaEspagne
Holland: @ValenciaSpanje
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/valenciacity
Google+
Germany: plus.google.com/115948092060670553018/
posts
Italy: plus.google.com/105180512476803269595/posts
Blog Spain: www.visitvalencia.com/blog/
Blog Germany: www.visitvalencia.com/de/blog
Blog Italy: www.visitvalencia.com/it/blog
Blog United Kingdom: www.visitvalencia.com/en/blog/
Blog France: www.visitvalencia.com/fr/blog/
Blog Holland: www.visitvalencia.com/nl/blog/
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/visit_valencia
Youtube:
www.youtube.com/user/Turisvalencia
European Cities Marketing:
www.europeancitycards.com
Realidad Aumentada: www.visitvalencia.com/ra/movil
Valencia Tourist Card: www.valenciatouristcard.com
Rutas Google Maps: map.turisvalencia.es
Valencia videos: www.vimeo.com/visitvalencia
Código QR
41
Www.visitvalencia.com
ONE STOP SHOP TO PLAN
YOUR VISIT TO VALENCIA
The Valencia Tourism website, which is available in 12
languages, presents a wide range of possibilities. Via the
Press tab (pressroom.visitvalencia.com), professionals will
find everything, from photographic and video resources, to
ideas for inspiration or the means of requesting support for a
press trip, amongst other services. For tourists, the website
represents a very useful tool, enabling the planning of the trip
to Valencia from home.
www.turisvalencia.es allows you to book a flight, train, or
even go on a cruise that leaves from Valencia and sails
around the Mediterranean. You can even rent a car or find the
best accommodation to suit your needs.
From the website visitors can purchase tickets for museums,
monuments and the most popular tourist services, with
attractive discounts if the purchase is made on the internet.
Additionally, brochures published by Tourism Valencia can be
downloaded from the website.
Also available at a discount at www.turisvalencia.es are the
Valencia Tourist Card , the Family Card and the Discount
Card, and there is also extensive background information on
the city, suggestions on what to do, what to see, where to
shop and find out about the restaurants offering the Menu
VLC for 15 €, among many other options.
All these services are available in a secure browser through
Pay Pal, MasterCard, VISA and VISA Electron. Once you have
completed your purchase, you just have to print all reservations out at home and ...discover Valencia!
42
USEFUL
INFORMATION
Conexiones Aéreas Internacionales desde Valencia*
Conexiones Aéreas Nacionales desde Valencia*
*Map based on the 2015 Spring-Summer Season.
Further information: www.visitvalencia.com
43
COME TO
VALENCIA...
ON AIR
Manises Airport is located just 8 km from the city centre and has a direct
metro line link. The city has flights to 14 Spanish cities and 40 European cities,
Moscow and Istanbul included.
BY LAND
An extensive motorway network links Valencia with all major destinations
throughout Spain and Europe.
In terms of railways, the new AVE highspeed train link covers the 391 km
between Valencia and Madrid in 1 hour and 35 minutes, and links Valencia
with Seville and Malaga in 4 hours, and Cordoba in 3 hours. The new Joaquin
Sorolla long-distance train terminal handles some 15 high-speed trains per
day, The new station is well connected to both Estación del Norte, the local
network terminal, and with the port and airport. The Euromed service, which
connects with Barcelona, and the Alvia also stop at the new station.
BY SEA
The Mediterranean is another gateway for tourists visiting the city on the many
cruise ships that dock and depart from the Royal Juan Carlos I Marina. The
Valencia Cruise Card offers you the best way to get to the centre, and allowing
you to benefit from multiple commodities and, advantages.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Turisvalencia: www.visitvalencia.com
Billetes de avión:
www.visitvalencia.com/ofertas/Vuelos.aspx
Alquiler de vehículos:
www.visitvalencia.com/ofertas/Vehiculos.
aspx
Manises Airport: www.aena.com
Joaquín Sorolla Station and Estación del
Norte: www.renfe.com
Royal Juan Carlos I Marina:
Valencia Port: www.valenciaport.com
Valencia Tourist Card y Family Card:
Facebook Valencia Tourist Card:
www.facebook.com/valenciatouristcard
Valencia Cruise Card:
www.turisvalencia-guias.info
Valencia Bus Turistic:
www.valenciabusturistic.com
Tour por Valencia: www.busturistico.com
Metro Valencia: www.metrovalencia.com
Municipal buses: www.emtvalencia.com
44
VALENCIA TOURIST CARD,
THE TOURIST’S BEST
FRIEND
The Valencia Tourist Card is a card that gives the tourist
numerous advantages. It is available as a 24 hours (15€),
48 hours (20€) and 72 hours (25€) card. Also available
are the 7 days VTC (10€) and the Family Card, with great
discounts for families.
With any of these cards, the tourist gets a tapas snack
and drink for free, as well as free entrance to the most
visited monuments and museums, such as the Lonja Silk
Exchange, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the IVAM, the
Fallas Museum, the Almoina and Torres de Serranos or the
Torres de Quart, amongst others, as well as discounted
entry to the City of Arts and Sciences, the Bioparc, the
Bus Turistic guided tour, the Toros Valencia Tour, Mestalla
Forever Tour and also discounts in shops, restaurants and
tourist services.
With the exception of the Discount Card, the other cards
offer unlimited urban transport (metro, tram, bus), including the trip from the airport to the city centre.
The cards can be obtained n different ways: over the
internet with a 10% discount, at the Tourist Information
Offices, and in hotels signed up with Turismo Valencia.
At the end of your stay, if you return your 24, 48 and 72
hr card to Turismo Valencia, you will be refunded €0.50
for each one.
www.valenciatouristcard.com/appdwn
45
TOURIST INFORMATION
OFFICES
Tourist Info - Airport
Arrivals Hall
infoturistica-aeropuerto@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 153 02 29
Tourist Info – Joaquín Sorolla
Joaquín Sorolla Station (AVE High-Speed and
Long Distance)
infoturistica-js@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 380 36 23
Tourist Info – Reina
Plaza de la Reina, 19
infoturistica@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 315 39 31
Tourist Info – Ayuntamiento
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
inforturistica-ayuntamiento@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 352 49 08
Tourist Info – Beach
Open during the summer season.
Paseo Neptuno, 2
infoturistica-playa@turisvalencia.es
+34 355 58 99
Tourist Info – Port
Open when there are stopovers.
Estación Acciona. Muelle de Poniente
infoturistica-puerto@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 367 46 06
Vending Machine - Airport
Arrivals Hall
atencionalvisitante@turisvalencia.es
+34 96 153 02 29
Oficina de Turismo Virtual
Virtual Tourist Office
46
Valencia’s
Situation
in recent years
Over the last ten years, between 2005 and 2014, the city
of Valencia has seen an 66% increase in overnight stays
and a 50% increase in the number of visitors, following a
positive trend year after year, largely thanks to international
tourism, which makes up 60% of the demand. This
has contributed to European Cities Marketing (ECM)
concluding that Valencia is one the European cities to
have experienced the greatest growth in the number of
overnight stays in recent years.
This growth can also been seen from other variables.
In the sphere of cruise tourism, in the last ten years up
to 2014 the city received 79% more ships, which has
meant that passenger arrivals have multiplied threefold.
There has also been growth in hotel stays, which stood
at 65%, with the average stay exceeding two nights. In
business tourism, according to the ICCA (International
Congress and Convention Association) ranking, Valencia
is the tenth European city and number 24 at world
level for non-capitals in the organisation of international
conferences.
These positive figures have been obtained through a
significant investment in infrastructure, improved air
connections, an increase and improvement in the quality of
the city’s hotels, as well as its culinary and tourist services,
and both solid and constant planning for the projection
and promotion of the city.
Valencia
IN FIGURES
800.000 inhabitants
2.000 years of history
Average annual temperature: 19.5 °C / 67,7ºF
13 metres above sea level
Over 300 days of sun annually
Third most visited tourist destination in Spain
Two World Heritage Sites: La Lonja Silk Exchange and
the Water Court
Over 30 monuments, historic buildings and enclaves
19 kilometres of beach
Over 40 museums
Over 10 theatres
30 parks and gardens
10 golf courses nearby
Over 2000 bars and restaurants
2,000 moorings in the marina
4.100.000 overnight says a year
Average stay: 2.1 days
Over 200 stop-overs and close to 400,000 cruise liner
visitors.
10th non capital European city and the 24th world city
in the organisation of international congresses
More than 1.500 millions euros economic impact from
tourism.
Number of hotels: over 130 hotels with more than
23.000 parking spaces.
More information:
Tourism Statistics 2014
* Document updated annually. Turismo Valencia is not responsible for any
changes in the content included herein regarding third parties that may
occur over the course of the year.
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT TURISMO VALENCIA
media@turisvalencia.es
+34 963 390 390

Press Dossier

Transcription

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