Valencia

About a month ago, prior to Fiona's parents coming over, we spent a fantastic weekend in Valencia. It was a real revelation for both of us, as neither of us had any idea of what we were in for. We arrived in Spain before lunch on the Saturday, after an early flight from Stansted. In order to get the most out of our short time there, we caught the taxi into our hotel, which was reasonably central, and immediately got out into the city. We spent most of our time on this day wandering through the old town in beautiful sunny weather. The old town is full of interesting, colourful architecture, a little like Rome, and is a bustling place, full of contrasts.

Saturday highlights:

-Visiting the Central Mercato, with its walls of meat, rich fruit and veg, and delicious seafood.

- Sampling the wares of the market in the Jardine del Turia - prawns, Spanish 'jambon' hams, and crusty bread.

- Well earned Cerveza and Sangrias in the Piaza del la Virgen after a big climb up the church tower.

- Our discovery and subesquent dinner at our favourite Spanish restaurant, El Asador de Aranda, where they serve up milk-fed baby lamb, roasted in a wood-fired oven. (And awesome snot blocks - Mille feuilles for aficiandos out there!) Unmissable for anyone visiting Valencia or Barcelona.

Sunday saw us head down to the Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciencies, the ultra-modern arts and sciences area of the city, designed predominantly by Santiago Calatrava. It is absolutely stunning, and a complete contrast to the grittier textures of the old town. We spent most of our day here, taking heaps of photos (Fiona was very patient!) We visited the big Aquarium there, and finally got down to the beach via the America's cup wharf, hot and very hungry, desparate for a paella from on of the seaside restaurants. Much to our dismay, we were being turned away for arriving too late in the day - we couldn't believe it, we were so close! Luckily, as per usual, one nice Spanish restaurantuer pitied us and let us in, and gave us the most life-saving paella of our lives. With full bellys, we hung out on the beach until it was time to go back to the airport.