Traveling: Unlocking Valencia, Spain

I’ve been quiet for the last 2 months mostly because I wasn’t sure what I could tell and write while we are going through such an awful time in Europe. Yet, even in the darkest times, it’s important to remember that we are still alive and we need to continue to live. 

Last month I stumbled upon a very good deal on plane tickets to one of the destinations that I was thinking about calling it home someday, Valencia.

Located on Spain’s south-eastern coast, the city is a rare pearl with enormous parks and old buildings. It might not have the shocking beauty of Barcelona, Rome, or Paris, but it has something that for me it’s far more important, safety and relaxed vibes. It’s a city worth exploring by foot and taking in one cup of Aqua de Valencia at a time. 

I’ve always known that I want to retire in Spain, Malaga was one of my favorite destinations and it’s still on the shortlist, yet its beauty fades in the light of Valencia. If you were to ask me what I liked the most, I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was a feeling of belonging. Of looking at the people around us, at the green park or Turia, bike lanes, the smell of the sea, or just the beauty of the Valencian Sistine Chapel.

There are also tourist attractions, such as the BioPark, Oceanographic, and the Museum of Arts and Science, but I didn’t find them as beautiful as the city itself. If you are there for multiple days, I do recommend you see them, but they are not a “must” by any means.

If you do find yourself wandering in the city, I do recommend the churros with hot chocolate and, of course, Aqua de Valencia (an alcoholic beverage made from orange juice, vodka, gin, sugar, and fruit). In the morning, having fresh bread with tomato & olive oil is another must. 

For the foodies out there, they also have Valencian paella, yet being with rabbit meat, I didn’t try it. I stick to the seafood paella and I was not wrong. I am not sure what it is about Spain, Italy, and Greece but I never regretted any food I’ve ordered, perhaps all food is amazing here. 

As I stare at this article and I try to describe why I loved this place so much, I realized that it was not about a place or a building, but it was the energy of it that made me fall in love. 

I am thinking more and more about returning and even getting some sort of property there. I do believe that someday I will get to call this place home, even for a little bit of time. 

In the meantime, I will let the photos speak louder than any words I would be able to write.