2010 June
Jun 28

From the 30th of June until the 3rd of July, Valencia will be all about music for the International Contest of Bands. It exists since the 19th century and happens to run parallel to the Feria de Julio. Initially organized as part of the Feria it gradually grew into its own big event.

international-band-competition-valencia-2010

In 1886 the mayor of Valencia at the time, Manuel Sapiña Rico and José Soriano Plassent, a town counsellor who was infatuated with music, decided to organize a contest for bands in Valencia. First starting out with only bands from Valencia offering them cash prizes, and later on other categories emerged: There was a division for civil and military bands and a couple of years later, international bands and music associations were accepted.

I don’t think the two townsmen could have imagined that their idea blossomed into one of the most important band contests in the world. One of the keys to the success of the competition is the healthy rivalry between the competing bands. Thousands of musicians come to Valencia for this contest in the hopes of winning in one or more of the categories. The quality and talent of the musicians continues to hold a very high standard.

Every year the program is different and features marching bands, outdoor concerts and other events. The main venues for the event however are the Plaza de Toros and the Palacio de la Música. The neighboring towns and villages are involved as well and host various events.

To get the latest news on this year’s competition and take a peek at the programme you should visit their website at www.cibm-valencia.com. Spice up your summer with some great tunes in this beautiful city in Spain. To relax from the Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Música and the July fair, rent Apartments in Valencia for the perfect summer vacation!

Jun 21
Condoms that save the planet
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Safe sex can become a problem if we want it to also be environmentally friendly. Hormonal methods of contraception have been criticized because the estrogens in them end up in our oceans and rivers, and have caused documented mutations in fish. What about Polyurethane condoms? Yes, some kinds of plastic are recyclable, but do you really put them in the recycling bin! We hope not! Sheepskin could be an option, since there is nothing more natural than a corpse, but obviously they are not vegetarian, nor do they protect us from all STIs.

ecological-condoms

But what about normal condoms, aren’t they made of latex, which comes from trees in Brazil … aren’t they green? Well, so far, no. The latex commonly used to manufacture condoms is synthetic, and treated with pollutant chemicals to make them more resistant. Given that we use some 10.4 billion condoms a year, it is important to develop alternatives which are less harmful to the environment.

For example, through new initiatives in Brazil, the state company Natex has launched a line of condoms made from natural latex, derived from trees of the forest where condoms are manufactured. In 2009 they produced about 100 million condoms, and there are plans to produce 270 million a year to meet the domestic demand. Unfortunately, currently they are only available in Brazil. The British company French Letter Condom Company, offer Fair Trade latex condoms, which means they are made of latex from organic trees in India and Sri Lanka, where they have produced organic latex for years.

Not only are they manufactured under fair trade regulations (which involves taking care of employees and the environment) they are also manufactured without animal products. You can also find the new line of condoms “Glyde” that promise to be vegan and come in a variety of colours. Whatever condom you decide to use, do not throw it out in the toilet! If you rent apartments in Valencia, you can enjoy its beautiful natural beaches and the Albufera, and at night, a fantastically festive spirit that is sure to have you reaching for that condom in your wallet.

Jun 15
Naturism in Valencia
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Since Eve bit into the forbidden fruit, humans became aware of, or rather embarrassed by, their nakedness. If only she had not yielded to the temptation, we might still be living in innocent bliss… maybe. Today in Europe, some two million people have managed to escape from the flashback and snake venom: naturism is expanding and with it, the taboos surrounding nudity have become more moderate. In Spain, it is estimated that each year about 300,000 citizens come for the beautiful nude beaches or specialized nudist centres. And you?

naturism in valencia

Take it off

Nudists defend the practice of naturism, saying the practice allows individuals to develop healthier attitudes towards their bodies, get closer to nature, feel more confident as individuals, encourages respect and ensures integral tanning … These benefits have enticed more and more people, since the creation of the FNI ( International Naturist Federation) in 1974 to take up the practice. Today, this entity brings together people from over some 32 countries, and Germany was the site of the original association, and the country where “Nudity” (Die Nackheit) was published in 1906 by Mr. Richard Ungewitter, beginning the nude revolution… And in Spain, after the fall of the Franco dictatorship in 1975, bodies and minds began to breathe without limits.

Naked Coast

The Spanish resorts offering intimate corners of paradise to display without being filmed or watched with annoyingly curious onlookers are as varied as skin tones. In Valencia, you’ll find a bunch of beaches with wide bands of fine sand, a sea of tranquillity and secret coves. Check out details for these beaches to start: Sant Llorenç Beach in Cullera, San Lorenzo beach, Playa del Saler, l’Ahuir beach in Gandia, Playa de la Torre de la Sal, Capiborb, Ribamar, Three Beaches, Arsiaga Cala, Cala El Volante, El Dorado, El Dosser, La Devesa, Corinth …

We wish you a beautiful summer under the Spanish sun. For an unforgettable stay, rent cheap and convenient Apartments in Valencia.

Jun 2

It’s official! The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated released a report in 2009 confirming that Tanning beds which offer exposure to UVA rays represent a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer. The industry annually rakes in millions doing business with tanning salons, basing their profits on shady misinformation and people’s ignorance. Now it seems their business model is not so innocent.

tips-on-sun-exposure

Learn to value your life!
According to statistics, people under thirty years had a 75 percent greater chance of developing skin cancer if they were habitual tanning salon goers.

In the case of people with fair skin complexions a family history of melanoma, going to a tanning salon is on par with a suicide attempt, researchers found that baking in the UVA rays in such centres could increase the risk of developing skin cancer 500 times.

Yet it seems that for many, physical appearance is more important than health, and many people choose to keep baking their way to an early death, despite the advice given by specialists, and in many cases, despite knowing that over 15 percent of tanning centres do not comply with regulations imposed by the industry’s governing boards in their respective countries.

Pure Lies
Phrases like “a 5 minute session of UVA is healthier than the sun” only serve to sell the product at all costs. The truth lies in the advice of the experts who recommend the rays only for conditions such as dermatitis or psoriasis, and only under medical supervision.

If tanorexia has begun to scramble your brains, hopefully you will come to your senses before it’s too late. And at the very least you should familiarize yourself with the rules tanning centres must meet before choosing a tanning salon, and make yourself aware of the possible risks.

1. Entry of persons under the age of 18 is prohibited, and all centres must post a sign in a visible location informing customers of the skin cancer risks involved with using their equipment.
2. Employees must define your skin type, make you a card and provided you with safety glasses.

If you value your health, and enjoy having fun (instead of being stuck in a creepy cancer coffin!), we recommend you rent apartments in Valencia and enjoy the sunrays of its beautiful natural beaches. Don’t forget the Sunblock!