Informationen around Valencia
interesting, touristy relevant or curious

18^th August 2010 Monolo del Bombo has been a guest at Casa-Carlos
In celebration of the La Llomayna sommer party the residents welcome the world wide known football fan Manolo - el del bombo.Manolos home is Valencia and all the year round tourists from all over the word are visiting his own bar in front of the Stadium Mestalla. Everyone who takes a picture with Manolo and submits it directly to him will be shown on his homepage. www.manoloeldelbombo.com

15^th July 2010 Ferry to Valencia
Grimaldi Lines establish a new route between Livorno in Italy and Valencia. The route could be very interesting for those German tourists who want to save a bit of the car drive to south Spain. More information on the shipping-company website.

1^st July 2010 Gourmet weeks in Valencia
From the 5th till 11th July a Valencian Invention and story of success continues. About 60 of the best Valencian restaurants offer exclusive gourmet menus for attractive prices to everyone. The top chefs of the city treat their guests to some fine food with multi-course menus already from 20 Euro.

25^th June 2010 Again: Reaching Valencia with Ryanair
Ryanair announced the reopening of its base in Valencia, Airport Manises. From November on the low cost airline will take up 10 new routes with two plains – including Memmingen. More information about airlines and flights to Valencia you will find on this link to travelservices - flights.

19^th June 2010 Valencia is the first address for semesters abroad
Stylish hostels and a lively party scene, green and well kept parks, great cycle routes, amazing city beaches and a Mediterranean international way of life attract not only lots of Spanish students but also young people from whole Europe.

10^th June 2010 Traditional festival in July (Feria del Julio)
Every year in July the City Valencia celebrates the whole month the festival of July. Also in 2010 locals and tourists are welcome to celebrate a varied program with dance, theater, folklore, classic, rock, pop as well as jazz. The best artists of the country and international top stars are giving their very best on the open air stages in parks, streets and squares of the city.

15^th May 2010 Wine battle on the 29th June in Haro (Batalla de Vino)
Whilst Valencian people are throwing tomatoes, one of the most famous European wine regions named Rioja celebrates a fizzy wine battle. Already in the early morning, within the small town Haro, many inhabitants are coming together on a nearby hill to turn their white t-shirts with the help of water pistols into wine red. At the end nobody is going home with a white t-shirt.

26^th March 2010 Exhibition of Books in Valencia
It is one of the most important book exhibitions in Europe and achieved already an increase of exhibitors in 2010. Till 2nd May it is possible to visit all those interesting exhibition stands of the book and publisher branch.

10^th February 2010 DTM tests in March in Valencia
On 24th till 27th March Mercedes and Audi will meet each other for the first time in 2010 within the official DTM – Training days at the „Circuit de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo“.

1^st February 2010 Giant Paella en Valencia
Within the opening ceremony for the 33rd Americas Cup on the 7th February a huge Paella for 5.000 people will be prepared at the port of Valencia. For 5 Euros visitors get a portion of tasty Paella, a drink as well as a Valencian orange and ice cream. It is also scheduled to do a big Mascletá (fireworks). The raised money goes to the charity project Haití. More information about events in Valencia you will find on Valencia up-to-date – dates.

25^th January 2010 33. America's Cup in Valencia
The development of the giant crafts of the two teams, "Alinghi 5" and "BMW Oracle Racing 90" cost about a half a billion dollars. The results are two gigantic high-tech catamarans. Visitors can see them fighting for the prestigious Americas Cup trophy from Monday 08.02.10 on.

1^st September 2009 Cuina Oberta - Open Cuisine in Valencia
Second time in this year Valencians and visitors are coming together at different restaurants to enjoy the days of "Cuina Oberta" where culinary masterpieces can be ordered for affordable prices. World famous cooks like Javier Salvador (La Sucursal), Alejandro del Toro (Restaurante Alejandro) or Bernd Knöller (Riff) own a Michelin-Star and give their best for special prices. Already in June this very special campaign was successful. It should present the Valencian cuisine and help to make it world famous. Valencia was the first city doing such a campaign. In the meantime this campaign was imitated by cities like New York and London. Once more it shows the creativity and the ambitions of Valencia to be one of the biggest European cultural strongholds. Please find more information about Valencian gastronomy, restaurants and good cuisine on Valencia Active – Shopping and Enjoying.

27^th September 2009 World’s best chess player as guests in Valencia
The chess world watched excitedly onto Valencia and the anniversary contest between the former competitors and world’s most famous chess players Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. Once more Valencia was in the scene of a special event and the billion Euro project "City of Arts and Scienes” got into spotlight and gets more and more into the European focus.

15^th July 2009 Longest and newest bridge of Spain – Assud del Or
In the middle of Valencia and through the ultra modern billion Euro project “City of Arts and sciences” you will find the bridge of Spain. It is 180 Meters long and 125 meters high. Assud del Or (golden roadway) was designed by the Spanish star architect Santiago Calatrava and goes over the former riverbed, the beautiful arranged park Turia which is in total 350.000 sq. m. big. Very impressive are the 72 ribs which are connected with the central bridge pillar. Each rib weighs 21 tones. To get more information about other sights of Valencia, photos and descriptions please click on Valencia Active – Sights.

30^th March 2009: Ultra modern Metro trains for Valencia
Vossloh gets the order about Metro Trains for Valencia in the amount of 128 Mio. Euros. Already in 2010 the first new Metro Trains should be brought into service. The trains are 60 meters long and provide comfortable travel on 116 seats.

10^th March 2009: Fallas in Valencia - spectacular and a class of its own
Every year Valencia celebrates the world famous Fallas. The Fallas are a pompous, colorful and religious festival for the blessed Virgin Mary. It is a festival where young and older people celebrate together and it’s springtime, the start of a year full of festivities and amazing events. The Fallas are a composition of about 800 sculptures as high as houses made by papier-maché, daily concerts of rhythmic exploding and deafening bangers, huge and colorful fireworks and glorious processions trough the whole city. Despite the worldwide economic crises, Valencia celebrates extravagant. As every year during the Fallas tones of black powder will be squandered. This amazing event goes in total over 20 days with the highlights on the last 5 days. The louder and longer the banger concert is, the bigger is the fame of the festivity committee.
In the whole city you will find hundreds of sculptures which caricature famous people and current issues in publicity and society. Some of them are over 30 meters high cost over 800.000 Euros. In the night between the 19th and 20th March all sculptures will be burned within an emotional fire spectacle. This amazing festivity and Valencia City which is full of stunning superlatives brings its visitors into another world and offers unforgettable holidays. More information and pictures about the Fallas and other festivities like the Semana Santa, tomato and flower fights you will find on – Festivities.

25^th February 2009: The Valencian animal park "Bioparc" celebrates its annual anniversary
For the first time the Bioparc celebrates its opening on the 28th February. The Bioparc in Valencia is one of the few animal parks which was designed and built according to the concept of Geozoos. With this concept the animals are living within their natural environment. The animals obviously like their new home. Already after the first year the Bioparc got about 100 new animal babies all born in the Valencian Bioparc. Already finished are three typical African environments Savanna, tropical Africa and Madagaskar as well as the in Europe unique and reproduced tropical woods. Within the first month the Valencian Bioparc had over 500.000 visitors. It is really worth to come to Valencia and visit this unique Bioparc with its 4000 animals and 250 different animal species. Inform yourself about other sights and highlights for family holidays on – Valencia Active – Adults and Kids.

19^th February 2009: The most idyllic Paella of the world in Valencia
Valencia About 15 kilometers southern of Valencia and once a year paella cooks come together to challenge each other and create the best Paella. Here in Valencia, this tasty rice dish is at home and the most idyllic place to enjoy the Spanish cuisine is for sure the Albufera-Lake. The Albufera-Lake is situated within a nature preserve and surrounded by beautiful landscape. It’s only a few hundred meters away from the Valencian beach Albufera. Albufera is known as origin of the Spanish rice cultivation brought over the ocean by the Arabians. Valencia always maintains its history and culture. In Albufera you will be a part of it whilst you’re enjoying the Spanish cuisine and the beautiful surroundings.
Guests also get a trip with the fishing canoe through the reed and onto the Lake and its islands. This day is a must do for all paella fans which love romantic sceneries and the Spanish way of life.

10^th February 2009: MTV Mega Pop Concert in Valencia
Valencia is scene of the MTV Winter Festivals 2009. On the 24th February you will see top bands like Franz Ferdinand, Starsailor and Mando Diao. This event is for free and in the middle of the “City of arts and sciences”. Worldwide they expect 130 Mio. TV viewers. After the big success of the first MTV Winter Festivals, Valencia was once more chosen as vanue for a musical top event. More information about events in Valencia you will find on Valencia up-to-date – dates.

2^nd February 2009: Eventhall in a class of its own in Valencia
A fascinating preview of the future event building in Valencia presents this internet site www.valenciaopen500.com. The virtual scenes show you the next architectural master performance which will be among other, the next venue of the Tennis ATP-Open in Valencia. 

29^th January 2009: The sales of Formula 1 Tickets start on February
The Tickets for the Valencian Formula 1 Grand Prix in August will be avilable from 24^th February. From 10:00 AM you can get the tickets from 30,- Euro up to 480,- per day. More information and tickets sales at www.valenciastreetcircuit.com , in Spain at the tel. number 902115577 oder at every ticket office of the Corte Inglés.

15^th January 2009: BMW presents new F1-Racing-Car in Valencia
While the other teams are still testing on the Valencian racing circuit, BMW presents its newcomer as the last F1 Top-Team on 20^th January with the aspiration to be the first at the end. Innovations are among other, the energy recovery system. After braking, the car is able to provide the total input power at the touch of a buttom. So the power will raise for 6 seconds up to over 80 PS. Herewith the overtaking manoeuvre could be much easier.

8^th January 2009: Valencia comes top position in the gourmet gastronomy
By this time there are already 6 restaurants which have been ennobled with the Michelin stars. Within this extraordinary concentration of gourmet addresses Valencia is expanding its top position. Besides the present 4 restaurants with Michelin stars “Alejandro”, “CaSento”, “La Surcusal” and “Torrijos” the restaurant “Riff” and “Vertical” are moving up as well. www.restaurante-riff.com ; www.restaurantevertical.com
More information about  gastronomic highlights in Valencia hier.  

7^th January 2009: The most eventless village in Spain - Miravete
Miravete is situated about 200km in the north of Valencia. With its 12 habitants it is considered as the sleepiest village in Spain. Because of its lack of events an advertising agency chose this village for a particular advertising campaign: “El pueblo en el que nunca pasa nada”- the village in which never happens anything. Since then, the village has been animated and revitalized. Formerly, baker’s van or new haircuts are considered as a highlight. Also their website has been visited over 50.000 times in 3 days. It’s worth visiting it. www.elpuebloenelquenuncapasanada.com 

6^th January 2009: Schalke 04 in Valencia
The Bundesliga kickers of the FC Schalke 04 are going to train on the club ground of the FC Valencia from the 10^th of January to the 16^th of January 2008. They'll also complete test games against the UD Levante and CD Castellon.

5^th January 2009: New Year party lasted 4 days
Along the lines of “Dance until one drops” round 5.000 teenagers participated in a dance party near Bunol next to Valencia. The unofficially party attempt on the record failed as the last guests capitulated on Sunday the 4^th 2009. So they missed the record about one day.

3^rd January 2009: Pre-Regattas 09 in Valencia for the 33. Amerika’s Cup
In the time plan there are two regattas rescheduled in Juny and October of 2009. Furthermore there are the yearly regattas of the club Náutico Español de Vela in November 09 and of course the America’s Cup in 2010.

1^st January 2009: First Spanish Baby was born in Valencia
The first Spanish Baby of the year 2009 was born in Valencia a few seconds after midnight at the ‘hospital de Valencia’. It is called Luis and had a weight of 4200 grams.

25^th December 2008: Plácido Domingo sings Gluck in Valencia
In the Pre-Christmas time, the Oldstar sang at the futuristic Opera of Valencia in 'Iphigenie auf Tauris' from Christoph Willibald Gluck.

22^nd December 2008: Sparkling vine with gold and silver from Valencia
The Rosé which is added with silver particle, is made by the Valencian Bodega 'Artesanos del Vino' and costs 130 €. In comparison with the bubbly pleasure and gold particle for 230 € it is nearly a bargain price. Pop Queen Madonna ordered recently 25 of the limited bottles, which are just made for Casinos and luxurious events over the whole world. 

19^th December 2008: BMW-Sauber Team will present its F1-Car on 20th January
From January to March all racing teams will present their Racing Cars of the season 2009. BMW wants to do this on 20. January in Valencia.

15^th November 2008: Circuses at Christmas time - a tradition in Valencia
This year 5 famous circuses are visiting Valencia whilst its Christmas time. These are the Circo Mundial, the circus El Gran Fele, the Circo Americano as well as the Gran Circo Wonderland and the Circo del Sol with its spectacular Show Delirium. The circus tents are positioned at famous places of the city. For instance the show of the Gran Circo Wonderland takes place in the bullring in Valencia.

12^th November 2008: Quality of living study- Valencia becomes third place
Within an inquiry including 9.000 citizens the Merco institute declared the popularity of Spanish cities. Even though the valencians are convinced that their city is the best and most beautiful one, Valencia receives the bronze medal behind Madrid and Barcelona. Alicante and Castellon are out, so the study revealed.

6^th November 2008: Christmas fair in Valencia
The traditional Christmas fair has a quite long tradition. The original Christmas animal market changed into a big funfair for kids and adults. It takes place from the 23^rd November to the 22^nd of January as an integral part of all Christmas jollifications. Further attractions within the Christmas time are among other things big toys and leisure exhibition, great Christmas markets with art handicraft and typical Christmas products.

23^nd October 2008: Motorcycle grand prix in Valencia
The world champion titles are indeed forgiven, but a spectacle is ensured when the racing circus takes place in Valencia. Valentino Rossi maintained the 8^th world champion title. Certainly he’s got an outstanding score especially after his drop last year. From the 24^th October motorcycle friends are able to look forward to a racing weekend in a class of its own.

10^th October 2008: Valencia becomes a trend at city trips
By now Valencia is considered as a new trend destination at city trips. The current calendar of events offers extraordinary experiences for quick trips. Highlights are for example sensational opera enactments, scientific exhibitions or movie performances in the IMAX-cinema. In the oceanarium which shows a variety of marine life offers an exhibition related to the ecological system of the deep sea beginning on the 10^th November 2008. On Thursdays international experts are reporting to latest issues.

20^th September 2008:  Madrid-Valencia in less than 2 hours
At the present time the cities Valencia and Madrid are linked via a high-speed line which is 430km long. From 2010 it is possible to overcome the distance between these two cities with a high-speed train in less than 2 hours travel time.

14^th Augst 2008: Best water temperature in Valencia
Whereas the water temperatures in Germany are cooling down due to the chilly whether in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea (17-20 degrees) the Mediterranean Sea is quite warm. Its water temperatures are between 24 and 29 degrees. That’s why Mediterranean vacationers are able to look forward to a comfortable 26 degree water temperature.

17^th July 2008: Pop-Diva Madonna gives a concert in Valencia
After the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and The Police, Madonna announced her concert within her Europe tour “Sticky & Sweet” in Valencia. Presumably, Madonna is going to perform at the 18^th of September on the race course Ricardo in Cheste. The advance booking starts on the 18^th of July 2008; prices are between 69 Euro and 255 Euro.

24^th June 2008: 'Manolo el del bombo' operates a bar in Valencia
The Spanish nickname for Manuel is Manolo. In Spain this name exists ten a penny. But one Manolo is world-famous. Manolo el del bombo (“Manolo with the drum”) is the most famous football fan in Spain. During football events as the EM 2008 Manolo is national coloured, carrying a drum in front of the abdomen which he beat 1970 for the firs time. Manolo’s home is Valencia. There he operates an own bar besides the football stadium Mestalla. The bar also attracts well informed tourists besides football fans. Some of them take a picture with Manolo and send them to Manolo for publishing reasons on his website www.manoloeldelbombo.com .

20^th June 2008: A touch of Monte Carlo in Valencia
In the harbour of Valencia luxurious yachts like those at the prestigious race on the Cote d’ Azur are used as tribunes by financially strong interested parties. Their price range for hiring is between 225.00 Euro and 275.000 Euro. Therefore the mega yachts near the race course cause an exclusive atmosphere.

19^th June 2008: Formel 1 Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia
After the sell-off of the tickets in Spain for the spectacular city- and harbour tour in Valencia 7.500 auto racing fans can take part in a 3-day lasting special arrangement. For the price of 395 Euro tickets for 3 Formula 1 races and 4 overnights on the air-conditioned fairground including an igloo tent for 2 persons are given. Reservations can be made via E-Mail ees@bancajaviajes or via phone +34-963 982 713. Tickets for the test races on the 26^th and the 27^th of July are 20 Euro. More here: http://www.valenciastreetcircuit.com.

15^th June 2008: Valencia celebrates month-long
Especially the July is the most appropriate month to discover and to experience the variety of Valencia and its cultural offers. The valencians celebrate month-long, the Feria de Julio, for the first time in 1871. Besides the international well known band competition in the first half of July there are several open-air festivals with jazz-, rock-, ballet- and theatre performances in the course of July. A highlight is the so called “Flower battle”: with beautiful flowers decorated gorgeous carriages which are accompanied by traditional dressed valencians are coming out into the streets of Valencia and leave a carpet of flowers of hundreds of thousands of blooms behind. 

8^th June 2008: Formel-3 and GT-Race as final rehearsal
The Valencia’s city race for the big price of Europe starts at the 26^th and the 27^th within Formula-3 races and the GT-sequence. The races in the course of July also function as a test of the infrastructure and the protection of the routes ending in the Europe’s premier competition on the 24^th August 2008.

7^th June 2008: Timo Hildebrand stays in Valencia
"Valencia is brilliant; quality of living is enormous. Such a thing cannot be thrown away!”, so constitutes Timo Hidebrand his decision.

6^th June 2008: Beach handball EM starts in Valencia 
Till the 8^th of June 2009 the European championship of beach handball takes place in the city of arts and sciences. 16 qualified teams in categories ‘Boys’ and ‘Girls’ take on in order to become the European champion.

29^th May 2008: Formel 1 - Valencia is prepared
Formula 1 race organizer Charlie Whiting gave the green light for the Valencia city race. The safety instructions are met in a commendable way, Whiting reports. The safety conditions are quite important in Valencia because during the city race speeds over 300km/h are provided in all for 4 times.

29^th May 2008: Spirited bows and brilliant sounds under palms
Two years before the Spanish queen started the opera house which offers a colourful and attractive programme. This includes among other things international stars, modern- dance performances and classical opera enactments. The repertory is represented in a futuristic opera house which has been designed by star designer Calatrava. It captivates with a spectacular acoustic and a unique interior decoration and a lighting design. The opera is an ingredient of the city of arts and sciences which has been constructed in the former riverbed of Turia and by the time has been developed to the new city’s landmark. www.lesarts.com

23^rd May 2008: Ecological city tours in Valencia
The traditional city tours in Valencia are completed by an environmentally friendly alternative. As of now Valencia offers various city tours with electric rickshaws with chauffeur. The flexible roofed rickshaws enable comfortable and breezily scouting expeditions on 3 various routes. Journeys across the historic centre, the avant-garde city of arts and sciences or the waterfront to the beach are up for election. The price for 30 minutes start with 10 Euro. Moreover there are several stages at which visitors have the opportunity to hire bicycles in various completions.

21^st May 2008: Poker Race Trophy in Valencia
Last weekend the 2^nd semi-final of the Poker Race Trophy has been staged on the race course “Ricardo Tormo”. The guests were able to experience an ideal poker feeling and the competitors enjoyed an excellent live tournament with videotaping.

20^th May 2008: Valencia priced for innovative turism policy
Valencia is priced by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) for its innovative tourism policy. The bestowal of the well-known “Ulysees” to the donation “Turismo Valencia” awards the excellent strategies of the development of destinations. The festive presentation of prizes takes place in Madrid on the 28^th of March 2008.

14^th May 2008: Alinghi achieves partial victory before the court
There’s a partial victory for the Swiss sails syndicate in conflict with the scheduling of the 33^rd America’s Cup. A bench in New York declared that the duel is going to be staged in March 2009 at the earliest.

2^nd April 2008: Colossuses impetus on Valencia tickets
The advance booking for the first Formula1 Grand Prix in Valencia exceeds all expectations. The organisations informed officially, that already nine hours after the advance booking started, over 100.000 of the approx. 113.000 tickets have been sold. Roundly 40% have been sold to foreign fans.