By Silvia Keller
Spain’s third largest city, Valencia, is celebrated for Paella (A rice dish with seafood or chicken and rabbit), and the beauty of its white sandy beaches. But Valencia is much more; it is tradition and modernism all in one place. Because of its privileged location on the Costa Blanca (White Coast) Valencia will be the host city for the 2007 sailing regatta, America’s cup. For information on dates and events go to www.americascup.com/en/
This is a fabulous city to Explore and Expand your mind. There is no place in the world like the City of Arts and Sciences, the largest cultural-educational complex in Europe. It is composed of L’Oceanographic, 20 acres devoted to lagoons and leisure pavilions arranged into an underwater city with marine habitats from every ocean; L’Hemispheric, built by award winning Architect Santiago Calatrava, offering documentaries and explorations of the universe; a laser show that runs on a 900 sq. ft. concave IMAX screen with the soundtrack in four languages; Museum of Sciences Prince Phillip- a breathtaking building in the form of a human eye, and an innovative center for the performing arts which presents the finest in dance, opera and theater. For information on hours and events go to www.cac.es . For concerts and other cultural events go to www.comunitatvalenciana.com
Go back into the 13th Century to Cathedral Seu, which claims to possess the Holy Grail, (the chalice Jesus used at the Last Supper). It is on display in a side chapel. Afterwards, continue to Explore up 155 ft to the Miguelete, a Gothic tower. You will have the best views of the city and it is a great place to Exhale while yelling out “I am woman, I am strong, hear me roar” . You will come out renewed. The Cathedral is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Telephone number 34 96-391-8127.
Continue your walk to the Lonja de Seda (former Silk exchange), a remarkable building; an elegant gothic structure built towards the end of the 15th Century, declared a World Heritage Site, and currently used for concerts and parties for the Royal Family.
A place for you to Express yourself is the Valencia Institute of Modern Art. It consists of one ultramodern building and a 13th Century former convent. It’s opening gained Valencia prime status among the world’s art capitals. The institute is located at the western edge of the old quarter, near 15th Century towers that guard the entrance to the city. For exhibits and hours of operation go to www.Ivam.es/ In Spain call 34 96 386 30 00.
