A tourists guide to the Valencian community, Spain

Because of the pleasant climate and placid beaches, many choose to visit Valencia in the summer. Unfortunately, that means missing the Fallas, a major festival in Valencia city that takes place every March. In a nightime procession that is something of a Mardi Gras or Macy's Parade, every neighbourhood builds its own multi-story paper mache model. Plus, every day for a week is punctuated by three fireworks events.

Near Valencia city are the protected, clean beaches of Saler. Farther afield are the beaches of the 200 km coastal strip of Costa Blanca. It is dotted with seaside resorts, especially at Calpe and Benidorm. More people may go to the beaches around Barcelona, lured in by the glitzy nightlife, but Valencia's sandy coast is just as beautiful, usually quieter, and sometimes even a better bargain.

Fans of the Roman period should travel straight to Lucentum, the ancient equivalent of modern day Alicante. It is one of the major Roman archaeological sites in Spain, covering 3 square kilometres. The ruins include parts of the city walls, the baths, the forum, house foundations and part of a later Muslim necropolis. Valencia was also a battleground in the Reconquista, and as a largely coastal region experienced frequent piracy and slave-raids. The result are a number of castle that survive to this day. The city of Valencia itself has its fine Quart Towers. The little inland town of Biar is dominated by a major fortress. In the middle of Alicante, in a position that overlooks Lucentum, is the Castle of Santa Barabara. The focus of multiple attacks and sieges, the castle was even occupied by the British for three solid years in the War of Spanish Succession.

Valencian cuisine is world famous, known even to people who have never heard of Valencia. This is all because of a singular dish, paella. Valencian paella comes in two forms. The first consists of white rice, green vegetables, meats in the form of rabbit, chicken or duck, snails, beans and seasonings. Seafood paella, also popular due to Valencia's long coastline, swaps the meats, snails and beans for shellfish and prawns. However, just as Valencian and just as tasty is fideuà, or seafood noodles. For a light snack, try coques de mullador, or a mini-pizza topped with ratatouille.

The major airport of Valencia is actually not in the capital of Valencia city, but in the major tourist centre at Alicante. That airport has flights going all over Europe through both major and budget airlines. Valencia's airport also has routes to many European countries through budget and major airlines, but is not quite as well-serviced. Valencia city is also connected by the high-speed rail line Alaris to Madrid, while the Euromed rail line connects Alicante and Valencia city to Barcelona.