Valencia City is a vibrant centre with a pretty old quarter – but is perhaps best known for its paella and the spring festival of Las Fallas, one of Spain’s livliest fiestas. Enourmous papier-mache sculptures of historical figures and celebrities form the centrepiece to a week of parties, fireworks, concerts and bullfights. Valencia’s cathedral is also worth a visit. Climb to the top of its tower for a great view of the sprawling city. Away from the often sprawling resorts of the coastal area and into the heart of Valencia you will find a different world: one of palm groves, castles and rugged mountains. Those that venture away from the lure of the Costas are welcomed by a quieter, and far more Spanish series of ancient hilltop towns and villages which owe their origins to the region’s Arab and Muslim settlers. Morella and Mirambel, in the north east corner of Valencia, are amongst the finest examplse of medieval towns. Indeed fortified towns, castles and medieval hamlets are everywhere in Valencia making this the ideal destination for exploration – by car, on foot or by bicycle.
巴伦西亚城是西班牙第三大城市，因其极优越的地理位置被誉为“地中海的明珠”，历史上曾作为地中海帝国财政首都而极度辉煌，并拥有自己独特的传统和语言，巴伦西亚人则以他们的个人主义、感性主义和创造力闻名天下。今天的巴伦西亚人虽然没有巴斯克和加泰罗尼亚人那么强烈的分裂意识，但在当地还是可以见到不同于西班牙内陆的许多标记，甚至在通往马德里的高速公路上还写着英文“SPA IN”的方向指示牌。