by cwells | Jul 14, 2015 | Bus, Culture, Expat, Pix, Spain, Travel, Valencia
Independence Day for Americans here in Valencia can be somewhat daunting. I know, I know, I could celebrate the holiday with other Americans, but this year I decided to do something decidedly different… I took a day trip with an activity group to see El Pou...
by cwells | Jul 7, 2015 | Culture, Festival, Pix, Spain, Valencia
Since Valencia is on the coast of Spain, a number of traditions have emerged to help remind the Valencian community of its oceanic origins. Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of seafarers, is celebrated in late June, and is celebrated on the beach with bonfires,...
by cwells | Jul 1, 2015 | Car, Pix, Spain, Train, Travel, Valencia
Filled with summer wanderlust, a couple of friends and I decided to visit Gandía on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It’s easy and cheap, since a round-trip ticket on the train will get you there for the cost of one hour each way and about $12.00. We had high hopes for...
by cwells | Jun 23, 2015 | Bus, Culture, Festival, Food, Pix, Spain, Valencia, Walking
There are times when keeping your schedule open is a good thing. The weather here, while growing into the summer season in sunlight, heat, and, well, humidity, really begs for some outdoor time. This is Valencia’s advantage: long springs and autumns and...
by cwells | Jun 19, 2015 | Culture, Festival, Pix, Spain, Walking
Ahhhh, summertime. With all of the rain we have been having here in Valencia, the temperature has been mild and the trees are green. The riverbed, then, becomes a great place to have festivals and celebrations of all sorts. Recently, the “alternative...
by cwells | Jun 17, 2015 | Culture, Festival, Pix, Spain, Valencia
The Plaza de la Virgen is one of the core places in Valencia, in part because it celebrates the Virgin Mary of the Homeless, and is probably the most celebrated patron saint of the city. The celebration continues for an entire weekend, and is really quite amazing to...
by cwells | Jun 15, 2015 | Culture, Pix, Spain
Summer has arrived here with a big bang, bringing lots of sun, time outdoors, festivals, and opportunities to enjoy what Valencia has to offer. After a month of guests, my apartment feels kind of empty, so I have been spending time outdoors when I can. I have also...
by cwells | May 18, 2015 | Culture, Fallas, Pix, Spain, Spanish, Valencia
The weather here has been spectacular, with cool evenings and warm days full of sunshine. Then, suddenly and quite shockingly, the temperature sort of burped. For one day, the weather was blisteringly hot, reaching 108F and staying that warm until later in the evening...
by cwells | May 14, 2015 | Culture, Pix, Spain, Valencia, Walking
Every April, Valencia holds an amazing kite festival on the Malvarosa beach. In the past, these days herald the beginning of spring with sunny weather and plenty of breezy opportunities to fly kites and get the family outside. This year, however, Mother Nature had...
by cwells | May 11, 2015 | Car, Culture, Holiday, Pix, Spain, Walking
On the way home from Carcasonne, our group visited a lovely town, Roses. Wait, is it Rosas? This beach town is in the Girona province of Spain, and just south of the French border. Like Valencia and the Province of Valencia, the residents there share a dual-language...
