My impression of Valencia? This is a really easy place to have a good life. Glad we got a taste of it.
It feels like the San Diego of Spain in a lot of good ways. Its location right on the coast. A strong zoo/museum/aquarium game just around the corner from a sprawling city park. Plus, its status as the “third city” shields it from the crowds, frenzy, and urban chaos of Madrid or Barcelona, but its still large enough to have its own pull.
We stayed in a condo a very easy walk from the beach, so times we ventured into the city were more limited, but I could tell from the notices posted all around town that there’s no shortage of activity. Meetups, groups, community. Loved it there.
If I had to pick a long-term hub to base myself in Europe, and especially if I was really interested in Spain, Valencia would be on my short list.
VALENCIA’S BEACHES – I don’t know if we just struck gold with the time we came here or if they’re always like this but Valencia’s beaches are incredible! So uncrowded, and so much space. Long stretches of open sand and perfect water temperatures. Not to mention, a play structure every 200 meters as Valencia likes to do.
PAELLA JOY
Not only have I enjoyed feasting on the paella during my Valencia stay but I’ve also enjoyed my little concoction of “poser paella.”
Grab those little paella mixes at the grocery store.
Grab some mixed shellfish & seafood. It’s terribly inauthentic to any Valencian who knows the proper stuff has rabbit and escargot… but hey, it is poser paella.
Make rice and mix in the rest of the goods.
Race training doesn’t stop, so here are some views from my morning run around Valencia.