Escola Pia, Valencia
After our fabulous time in Barcelona, we hoped on a train and headed to Valencia. I was really looking forward to Valencia as our main priority for coming here was to experience the La Tomatina festival (which happens the last Wednesday every August). After 4 hours and 30 minutes we arrived in Valencia train station. I was not ready for the heat of Valencia at 22:00 at night and it was still 37 degrees! Tip if you are staying in a hotel or an apartment make sure you have Air conditioning!After finding our apartment we headed out to experience the night life of Valencia. If you are into your architecture you will really love Valencia! Again there is little cobbled streets with plenty of restaurants, we sat down in a restaurant in the main street and got a quick bite to eat.
The following morning we headed off to explore the city. Valencia is not as big as Barcelona and the bus service is great to take you around the city. We headed for the famous bull ring which was right beside our hotel. The bullring is spectacular building which has been the centre of Valencia bull fighting for over 150 years! It is a large impressive building in the style of a Roman Coliseum. The bull fighting Museum is a must, you get to see the many costumes that were worn and there is also a 10 minute DVD viewing which is very interesting!
After a lovely morning we hopped on the local bus at hit the “Playa de Levante” beach. This is the most easily reached beach from Valencia City and takes about 10 minutes on the local bus. Be warned it sometimes can reach 40 degrees down at the beach!
La Tomatina, Bunyol – by Graham McLellan (London, UK)
The morning came to travel to Bunyol to the La Tomatina festival. The highlight of the event which is the tomato flight takes place between 11am to 1 pm, and after turns into a major street party! On the morning of the festival the best tip I can give is to get the 08:00 morning train as it will take roughly an hour by train to get to Bunyol! Make sure you bring a change of clothes and arrive early to make sure you get into the thick of the flight and watch out for lorries carrying the tomatoes. Great day out with plenty of people around. Not for the faint hearted!!!
After an exhausting day at La Tomatina we returned to Valencia to take it easy and get ready for out next part of your journey! I liked Valencia but would not return in a hurry and only to take part in the La Tomatina festival. Next stop Malaga!