2009 May
May 27
The San Juan night in Valencia
icon1 valenciablogger | icon2 Valencia | icon4 05 27th, 2009| icon36 Comments »

San Juan is a brilliant night with many famous ancient rites. it coincides with the shortest night of the year (21st June) and all cities of Spain celebrate it, but in a different way. During this night rituals are mainly based on three of the five natural elements: sun, fire and water.

night of san juan valencia

On 21st June (summer solstice) the streets of Valencia are filled with colours and decorations hanging from the balconies of the homes of young women in love, while men have a habit of singing serenades to their wives although the actual night of San Juan celebrations take place on the night of 23rd-24th June. Also pine trees and poplars are planted and there are the famous processions. Thyme is blessed and straw burned, all accompanied with the sound of melodious Sanjuaneras who sing traditional folk songs of love or who simply enjoy the festival of Sant Juan.

Valencia is filled with people from around the world who want to experience this wonderful night and special moments with friends or as couples. In general, people find themselves on the beaches, where they light a bonfire and dance to the irresistible music.

The firework displays on the beaches are the main protagonists of the night. At midnight, the ritual that everyone expects takes place: they get to the beach and they have a quick dip or jump on the waves making a wish, which can be fulfilled only in summer.

This magical and charming celebration offers a warm welcome to the summer, opening the door to a new future. At the San Juan celebrations you can live great stories, fantastic legends while the mind and thoughts blow away. Young people with their guitars wild with love and drink get involved in this strange and moving event. There are parades of giant floats and masks; it’s like a second carnival for the city.

You should not miss this typical event of the Spanish tradition. The night of San Juan will take you to the captivating world of fashion, music and love, everything will be incredibly exceptional. Rent your apartment in Valencia to enjoy a comfortable stay and to relax after a night of bustle in the streets of the city.

May 18
The Oceanographic Park in Valencia
icon1 valenciablogger | icon2 Valencia | icon4 05 18th, 2009| icon3No Comments »

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is one of the most beautiful water parks in Europe. This is a big Oceanographic Park with over 45,000 different species in an area of approximately 100,000m². The Oceanographic Park allows the visitors to explore the different marine environments of our planet. Inside there are incredible aquariums, dolphin shows, lakes, green lagoons and islands that show the marine life on our planet. It even has a rotating submarine restaurant, where you can enjoy good food surrounded by spectacular marine life.

valencia-oceanography

This attractive theme park aims to put on show the widest variety of ecosystems that represent marine life on the planet along with the creation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems that have lived in coastal areas of different climatic areas of the earth. There are ten subjects spread over a total of twenty-nine tanks that recreate different ecosystems. All the ecosystems reproduce faithfully the flora and the fauna of the sea beds and the corresponding seashores.

First we visit the reproduction of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly the fauna of the Iberian Peninsula. There are seven aquariums where you can see different marine organisms that vary in depth. The huge glass dome that is completely surrounded by water and where thousands of colourful fishes swim around you is truly amazing.

There is also an area that represents the tropical waters, imitating the coast of California and the Izu Peninsula in Japan. You can walk through a 70 metre long tunnel under the water, surrounded by many rare species of fishes: it is a journey that begins in Europe’s coasts and reaches the tropical seas. There is a section dedicated to the curious jellyfish and the curious seahorses. There are many tropical fish here too.

The islands area is a mandatory stop: there you’ll see the sea lions. In the Artic area, with the giant igloo, you will see the behaviour of the white whale. In the adjacent area, which is immersed in the Antarctic, there are funny penguins that swim and play amongst the rocks.

If you are frightened by the idea of seeing a shark, you shouldn’t go to the Ocean area. In the two towers under the water, there is a 30 metre long tunnel, where there are main species of these huge, awesome predators along with huge rays, etc. You can also visit the beautiful reproduction of the Red Sea, an incredible area of our planet, and the incredible Dolfinarium (the largest in Europe). It consists of 5 swimming pools where you can admire the spectacle of these magnificent mammals.

Do you like nature? Do you want to see unknown marine species? If so, rent your Apartments in Valencia. Here you will find fun, sea, sun and amazing underwater walkways.

May 6

Valencia is an amazing city, though not as big as its “cousins” Barcelona or Madrid. It has many things to offer: the America’s Cup, the City of Arts and Sciences, incredible beaches and one of the most important festivals in Spain, Las Fallas. The most attractive area to have a walk is, without a doubt, the labyrinthine barrio del Carmen neighbourhood with its artistic and bohemian atmosphere. It extends from the north of the Central Market to the River Turia and it is full of historic buildings and modern cafés located next to run down houses.

el barrio del Carmen neighbourhood

This is a thousand-year-old neighbourhood that forms part of the historical centre of Valencia. It has grown wrapped between two walls, a Muslim one (Eleventh century), and a Christian one (Fourteenth century). This way, it is limited by the east and by the west, respectively. Later a third wall was built to cover the suburbs. Therefore, a system of portals was created to solve the problems of communication that having so many walls presented.

You can not say that you know the essence of Valencia until you have visit this neighbourhood, the purest and most original of the city. The Central Square is the heart of the area and it is full of bars, restaurants and shops.

The neighbourhood takes its name from the Carmen de Calzado Church/Convent, as the population settled around it started to expand. The pedestrianized Plaza del Carmen was the first place with the same name as the church, and after some years, the whole neighbourhood took its name.

The Round Square (an interior circular square), the Valldigna Portal, the Beneficencia Cultural Centre, the Serrano’s Towers, the Quart’s Towers and the famous Carmen’s Church are mandatory stops on your visit here.

El barrio del Carmen neighbourhood is one of the best choices to go out at night. You can start the night having dinner at one of the fine restaurants in the district. Then you can have a drink at one of its bohemian bars. Calle Alta Street and the Virgin Square are both much appreciated areas in the quarter.

But Valencia is much more than the el barrio del Carmen neighbourhood. Discover it! Rent the best apartments in Valencia and enjoy your stay in the city.