Christmas in Valencia

I have spent Christmas Eve and some more days in Valencia, where I have some family. I always enjoy these stays in Valencia, because, among other important reasons, my aunt is such a good cook, je, je, je. But the city itself has also changed a lot in the last five or ten years.

This time, though, I have not seen the sea!!!!! That's horrible!!!!! Yes, but I did not have much free time, to be honest. I have visited the new market (Mercat Central), which has been restored as it once looked like in the XIX century, I have walked around the Town Hall and the commercial streets (which have a lot of historial buildings, like the Central Post Office in the picture below), I have drunk something with my father and my uncle in Hotel Hilton, I have gone shopping,...
A visit to Santa Catalina, where an amazing hot chocolate is served, and to the cathedral, where the Holy Grial is kept (and Indiana Jones stupidly looking for it in Jordan, je, je, je), are a must. (Un)fortunately, the chapel where Holy Grial is kept was closed but not Santa Catalina.

Nevertheless, one of the most amazing parts of Valencia is the City of Arts and Sciences. It contains a number of modern buildings and constructions, which make you feel like in a sci-fi film. The project is still not finished, but currently only a garden is under construction, so one can say that it is almost "finished". This time, I could admire, as novelty from the previous visit, a bridge by Santiago Calatrava (see picture on the right). I am not an expert in architecture and engineering, and therefore I cannot write much about it in English, but the general idea is that I like it.

The development of the City of Arts and Sciencies has needed several years, but nowadays, with the surrounding houses and buildings, I think it is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Europe. The only pending issue is filling the museums and the other buildings with something, since they are a bit empty now.

To sum up, Valencia has changed so much in the last years that now it has become one of the most amazing places to visit in Europe: it has a beautiful historical centre (and the Holy Grial, don't forget it), wonderful beaches and very nice areas to walk. Thus, I just feel good for having some family in such a nice place.