Valencia has its own microclimate and hosts some of Spain’s best weather, with mild winters and hot yet comfortable summers with a light breeze to cool you down.  It has a long and interesting history that has created a huge variety of architectural styles throughout the city.

The River 
The river Turia used to flood regularly, and after a particularly bad flood in 1957 approval was given for the river to be diverted away from the city centre. Since then, the 7km long river bed has been transformed into a mixture of playing fields, cycling & walking paths, and gardens. Well worth seeing are the three old bridges, Puente del Real, Puente de la Trinidad and Puente de Serranos, the latter with the Torres de Serranos, 15th century towers that were part of the old city wall.

When it turns dark you will see bats flying between the trees in the Jardines del Turia.  The bat is the symbol for Valencia and you will see it on buildings, on every manhole cover and on the local football team.

The Jardines del Turia are a relaxing place for a walk if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Nearest metro: Turia or Alameda

Valencia Cathedral 
In 1262 the cornerstone was laid on top of the foundations of an ancient mosque. It had three naves, which reached only to the choir of the present building. Bishop Vidal de Blanes built the chapter hall, and Jaime de Aragón added the tower ("Miguelete") in 1418. You can climb the 207 steps (and 166 feet) of this octagonal tower for spectacular views over the cathedral and the city.

In the 15th century the dome was added and the naves extended to the back of the choir, uniting the building to the tower and forming a main entrance. Archbishop Luis Alfonso de los Cameros began the building of the main chapel in 1674, decorating it with marbles and bronzes in the ornate style of the period.

On the north transept Puerta de los Apóstoles, is richly decorated with sculptures and topped with a 14th century rose window. The main entrance is lavishly Baroque but leads to a mainly Gothic interior.

Inside the cathedral are numerous treasures. Among the notable sights are two Goya paintings in the San Francesco chapel and a gold and agate chalice known as the Santo Caliz, said to be the Holy Grail itself.

Modern Architecture
The ´Cuidad de las artes y las ciencias´ was built by the architect Santiago Calatrava. The white space-age style constructions host an aquarium, a Imax  cinema, a science museum and various other temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Fiestas
Las Fallas is a spectacular and extreme example of a Spanish fiesta. With over 350 satirical effigies built up to 6 stories high and impressive firework displays the whole town is quite literally set ablaze!   On March 19th, the crowds start to chant, the streetlights are turned off and at the stroke of midnight all the ninots are set on fire. Each year, the favourite is spared from destruction by popular vote and exhibited in the Museu Fallero  on Plaza de Monteolivete (closed Mondays) along with the other ones from years gone by together with posters, photographs and other objects connected with the fallas.

What Else?
With all this it is easy to forget that Valencia is also a beach resort and has beautiful mountains to the West making Valencia a great base for a short break. Whether it´s adventure, relaxation, culture or shopping you´re after, it is the true hub of the Communitat Valenciana.

The Ricard Tormo Circuit

Design
This 4km circuit is based on an American design enabling full visibility of all parts of the track allowing the spectators to follow the race at all times albeit with the assistance of a pair of binoculars.

Who is Ricardo Tormo? (September 7, 1952 - December 28, 1998)
Tormo won the 1978 FIM 50cc world championship as a member of the Bultaco factory racing team. He won the title again in 1981 on a privately backed Bultaco. He was also a three-time 50cc Spanish national champion and a four-time 125cc national champion.

During the 1984 season, Tormo suffered severe leg injuries in a crash while he was test riding a motorcycle in an industrial park near the Derbi motorcycle factory in Barcelona. His serious injuries ended his racing career.

Tormo died from leukemia in 1998. The racetrack in Valencia was re-named the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo in his honour.

Where is it?
The circuit is located in Cheste which is just 20km out of Valencia, 5km from the Valencia Airport, on the Madrid (A-3) motorway.