As 2018 approaches, many travellers seek a new destination to explore. For those who want the best experience, Spain’s Valencia Region should top your must-visit list. Bursting with natural beauty, culture, adventure and festive spirit, the region provides much more than sun and fun on the Med Coast.
A Spot of Winter Sun
For those hoping to escape the cold bite of winter, the Valencia Region offers pleasant weather year-round. Here, the water stays warm, and you can do almost anything on the shore. In fact, almost every town offers some sort of watersport.
If you prefer privacy, the Valencia Region also has spectacular beaches surrounded by lush vegetation — great for soaking up the sun and letting your worries slip away.
A Natural Paradise
For amazing outdoor adventures, start with Castellón. The province hosts many nature parks that offer exciting activities such as hiking, kayaking, horse riding and cycling. And while you can discover nature’s beauty at your own pace, guided tours ensure a fun and educational day out.
Active adventurers will also be satisfied with more than 5,000 km of certified trails that wind their way from well-known spots to remote vistas. You can spend an afternoon pedalling around Turia park, hiking through Penyagolosa’s mountainous terrain or strolling along the Vía Augusta, an Ancient Roman road.
A Culture Connection
For culture enthusiasts, the Valencia Region packs plenty of heritage. In Valencia city alone, you can tour 35 different themed museums, from history to fine art.
Families with young children shouldn’t miss Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences. Visitors can watch presentations, attend workshops, learn how the human body works, discover how robots are made or go on a simulated spacewalk. Within the museum, the Oceanogràfic houses more than 500 species of marine life.
A Festive Destination
In Alicante, families can visit the Santa Claus House from 6–25 December. Children will be able to watch fun animations and tell Santa their wishes. Located in the Parque de la Ereta, on the slopes of Mount Benactil, the Santa Claus House offers spectacular views of the fortress, old town and seafront.
Alicante also hosts mouthwatering gastronomic events at Christmas. Enjoy a walk to the Christmas market, where you can buy local toys, shoes, leather goods, Alicante nougat and wines with protected denomination of origin, Vinos de Alicante.
You can visit special Christmas markets in Valencia too, or follow a route to the best nativity scenes decorating public buildings and spaces in the city. On New Year’s Eve, the crowds gather at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to eat their twelve lucky grapes as the City Hall bell clock strikes midnight, as is the tradition all over Spain for good luck in the new year. Revellers can expect spectacular fireworks and a massive party to follow, with DJs taking over the City Hall’s balcony and playing music until dawn.
Whether you want to relax on the beach, enjoy nature, learn about a new culture or spread holiday cheer, the Valencia Region reigns supreme as 2018’s top destination.
Visit comunitatvalenciana.com for more information.