If you are planning a trip to one of Europe’s most fun capitals, make sure to check out our list of useful insider tips. Here are 8 things you need to know before traveling to Amsterdam for the first time:

#1 Try Dutch street food, it’s cheap and tasty

Don’t miss on Dutch street food like frites (fries that are typically served with mayo) and kibbeling (deeply fried cod that is usually dipped in fresh garlic sauce). Find it on food stalls and carts that are spread all over the city. Some of the best fries I have tasted in my life were bought from a street stall in the city center and covered with a rich and creamy cheese sauce.

Speaking of cheese, Dutch gauda is excellent and you can try some varieties for free on big markets like Albert Cuyp Market and Saturday’s Farmer’s Market. My personal favorites are the ones stuffed with fresh green pesto and filling walnuts. Sweet lovers should definitely have a bite of the typically Dutch stroopwafels (a delightful waffle made of two sheets of baked dough and caramel in the middle). Combine it with a cup of strong black coffee or hot tea for a perfect taste of melting caramel.

#2 Go on a canal cruise

Guided boat tours of the canals are a good way to experience Amsterdam’s quirky side. Changing the perspective will help you see the city in a different light while learning a bunch of historical facts. Most boats pass by famous sites like Anne Frank’s House, the Skinny Bridge, and the Hermitage Museum.

There are many types of canal cruises – from one-hour options to practical hop-on-hop-off tours and romantic evening boat trips for couples. Some of the most popular boat operators include Blue Boat, Lovers, and Stromma.

Tip: For a free ride, hop aboard the ferry behind the Centraal Station.

#3 Cannabis is legal, but only from licensed coffeeshops

The famous Dutch coffeeshops are not serving coffee but cannabis. It`s completely legal to enter and browse through the menu that is offering different types of weed. But look for a green-and-white sign on the door, which proves that the place is certified. When choosing cannabis, ask for recommendations because some varieties can be much stronger than others.

#4 Don’t walk on bike lanes

Cycling in the Netherlands is much more than a means of transportation. The locals worship their bikes that are used to commute to work, carry groceries or meet a friend for a drink.

Never walk on bike lanes as you can easily be hit by an impatient cyclist. As a person who has lived and studied in the Netherlands, I was riding a bike literally everywhere. I can assure you that my least favorite thing was careless pedestrians walking on the bike lanes. Dutch cyclists are always in a hurry and can get exceptionally rude. To avoid scolding and accidents, watch your feet and avoid the bike lanes.

#5 Rent a bike or walk around the city

Amsterdam`s city center is quite compact, so the best way to explore it is either on foot or on two wheels. As you already know, biking in the Netherlands is an adventure of its own but it is also the most authentic way to discover the city. Bike rentals can be found on most central locations– near the Centraal Station, Vondelpark, Leidsplein, and more. Check out bike rental companies like Yellow Bike, Bike4U, and A-Bike Rental. Most of them are offering guided tours or customized bikes to rent on your own.

And why not hopping on the luggage rack of a Dutch cyclist? It’s a bit like Couchsurfing, on a bike, but more fun and without the smelly socks in your living room.

#6 If biking is not your thing, buy an OV-chip card

If you are using the public transport, be sure to purchase an OV-chipkaart. It is valid for all kinds of transportation and will save you lots of money. The cards are refillable and can be bought from the Central Station, as well as almost all tram and bus stations, and tourist offices. Go online to plan your journeys using the Dutch Public Transport Data that is also available in English.

#7 Bring a rain jacket

One thing I learned while living in the Netherlands is that it’s raining all the time. And sometimes you get some heavy wind as a bonus. Therefore, be sure to pack some warm clothes, rain-resistant shoes and an extra pair of socks. Even if you are visiting in summer, don’t forget to take with you a reliable raincoat.

#8 Visit on King’s Day and party like a local

King’s Day is a national holiday marking the birth of King Willem-Alexander and celebrated on April 27. This is the time when both locals and international visitors are up to some wild parties, concerts, and various outdoor activities. Wearing orange clothing, dying their hairs in orange and consuming some orange-colored alcoholic drinks, people are celebrating on streets, squares, and even on boats in the canals. The party is as crazy as it can get in the Netherlands, so it’s a shame to miss it.

But keep in mind that Amsterdam gets heavily packed in that period. There are almost 1 million visitors coming for the celebrations, so it might be difficult to move around and go sightseeing during the day. Also, note that the city center is closed to cars and public transportation.

Hungry for more adventures? Become a bag and purse expert by visiting the Tassen Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam. Or go off the beaten track and travel to the picturesque village with no streets – Giethoorn.

***

A passionate writer, journalist, and explorer, Yoana Hristova (www.yoanahristova.com) has worked and studied in Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. Currently based in Bulgaria, she is always on the lookout for great stories that inspire us to travel, grow and discover what life has to offer.

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Here are the most important attractions in Berlin to create your own itinerary:

Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer) – Stretches of the wall are still preserved to remind about the past that should never repeat. Part of the wall can be seen at Potsdamer Platz, while close to Spree River, in its eastern part, the wall is painted by modern artists expressing different messages. This section of it is known as the Gallery.

Checkpoint Charlie Museum (Mauermuseum) – The museum documents the events that led to the construction and the fall of the Berlin Wall and the attempts of the citizens of Berlin to cross it. Nowadays you can walk freely through the zone where in the past those who tried to cross the border were executed and reconsider the meaning of the term freedom. The museum is open every day (even during the holidays) from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. The entrance fee is EUR 12.50.

Reichstag building – The parliament, or the Bundestag, holds its sitting here. The dome of the building offers a beautiful view to the city, while inside, behind the glass walls, you will see a photo exhibition dedicated to the history of the Reichstag.

Potsdamer Platz – This is one of the most popular squares in the central part of Berlin. It is named after the city of Potsdam, located close to the capital. Until 1989 the Berlin Wall used to pass through the square but after its fall many new buildings were constructed at this place. Nowadays the square is known for its theatres, cinemas, modern trade buildings and skyscrapers.

Postadamer Platz in Berlin

Kollhoff-Tower – This is one of the skyscrapers at Potsdamer Platz, offering a wonderful view to Berlin from its panoramic balconies – the Panoramapunkt, located on the 24th and 25th floors. You will reach them with the fastest elevator in Europe, which moves at 9 m/s. Once up there you can enjoy the incredible view with a cocktail in your hand.

Brandenburg Gate – Its image is probably the first thing that pops up in your mind when you think of Berlin. The gate was built in 1788 as the official entrance to the city. On its top there is sculpture of a chariot drawn by four horses, ridden by Victoria, the goddess of victory. The monument is really impressive during the night when it is brilliantly lit up.

TV Tower (Fernsehturm) – On a clear day here you can enjoy a magnificent view to Berlin stretching over 40 km. You should better visit it early in the morning or late in the evening as during the rest of the day the queue of visitors waiting for the elevator leading to the top of the tower gets very long.

Unter den Linden Boulevard – Literally the name of the boulevard means Under the Linden Trees due to the fact that the branches form a tunnel over the pedestrian zone, filling the air along the entire boulevard with the sweet scent of the linden trees – a nice natural idyll amidst the urban environment. The boulevard leads to the Brandenburg Gate and crosses Spree River close to the Berlin Cathedral.

Berlin Cathedral – Its dome is 114 m high and it is adorned with stained glasses with flower patterns. You can go up there and feast your eyes on the splendid view to Berlin. The Baroque interior of the cathedral is really impressive. Inside you can also see a huge organ. In front of the cathedral there is a garden with a fountain where you can have a rest.

The Berlin Cathedral

Alexanderplatz – Be a real Berliner and schedule a meeting in front of the fountain or under the clock at this square. The TV Tower is here, too. The clock shows the time in each time zone in the world. It has a specific construction and does not look like an ordinary clock. Under the World Time Clock you can see a model of the Solar System. It was built in 1969. At the Alexanderplatz square, you can also find modern trade centers, stores, cafes and restaurants.

Charlottenburg Palace – This is the biggest palace in Berlin. It was built in the XVII century by Frederick I of Prussia as a summer residence of his wife Sophie Charlotte. Inside, in the huge ballrooms and halls you will see furniture, paintings, and porcelain collections that belonged to the royal family. Don’t miss to take a walk in the big garden.

Museum Island (Museumsinsel) – After you cross the bridge over Spree River you will find yourself on this small island in the central part of Berlin. There are several museums here, as well as the Berlin Cathedral and beautiful parks where you can have a rest after the long museum tour.

Old Museum (Altes Museum) – This is one of the museums on the Island. It houses an art collection of the Prussian royal family. The building is designed in neoclassical style by architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. His inspiration for the building came from the ancient and classical Greek architecture.

Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde) – Dinosaurs, fossils, glass vessels storing thousands of fish species. Here you can learn about different stuffing and storing methods, see an exhibition dedicated to the universe and the Solar System, and get detailed information about our planet. You will be really impressed yet in the very first hall of the museum, which presents three huge dinosaur skeletons. There are also models of the planets, as well as of the Earth’s crust.

Trabi-Safari – The emblematic Trabant car has not disappeared from the streets of Berlin, just on contrary, it became a fascinating means of transport that you can rent for the day. A trip through Berlin in a classic Trabant car, painted in pink, tiger prints, or any other funny color – a really exotic experience, indeed!

Trabant in Berlin

Musical Instrument Museum (Musikinstrumenten Museum) – Here you can examine more than 3,500 instruments from the XVI century onward. In addition, you can also listen to the music produced by many of them on audio records, which are available as part of the exhibitions.

Tiergarten – This is the biggest park in Berlin. The Berlin Zoo is sheltered here, as well as the President’s residence, the Potsdamer Platz, and the Victory Column. It is a perfect place for a picnic, to go jogging or roller-skating, or simply take a walk amidst the fresh greenery, flower paths and beautiful fountains.

Berlin Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) – This is one of the biggest zoos in the world with around 15,000 different species! Giraffes, elephants, pandas, hippopotami, giant turtles, lions, and whatnot… You can even touch some, like the penguins, for instance. The zoo opened doors back in 1844, which titled it the oldest zoo in Germany.

Jewish Museum – It traces the history of the Jews in Germany from the mid-centuries onward, in a very interesting way. Interactive screens, games teaching curious facts, small drawers hiding traditional or religious items, such as photos, paintings, pieces of art and of the everyday life, films and audio presentations. The building of the museum is a real masterpiece of the architecture with its unusual zigzag forms.

Gendarmenmarkt Square – Here you can find the German Cathedral (Deutscher Dom), the French Cathedral (Franzosischer Dom), and the Concert Hall (Konzerthaus), which form the architectural face of the square. At the German Cathedral you can learn much about the German democracy, while at the French Cathedral you will get acquainted with the Huguenots, who sought asylum in Berlin. The Concert Hall is the home of Berlin’s symphony orchestra. It was built at the place of the former National Theatre, which was destroyed during the war.

Hackesche Höfe – A complex of eight restored German buildings and their adjacent courtyards that are interconnected. Nowadays they are modernized and have turned into a center of fun and culture, as well as of residential and business premises. Hackesche Höfe shelters many entertainment and catering establishments, stores, restaurants, cinemas, galleries, residential and business institutions.

Victory Column (Siegessäule) – The monument is located at the Tiergarten Park. It is 67 m high and has a golden statue on its top, which is called the “golden angel”. Well, it is not exactly an angel but yet it has big golden winds. The statue weights 35 tons. Up at the top there is an observation deck, which you can reach following tens of stairs and then enjoy the splendid view to Tiergarten.

Red City Hall (Rotes Rathaus) – This building’s name is inspired by the red bricks it is made of. On the top of its clock tower there is pole waving Berlin s flag with the bear, which is a symbol of the city. In front of the entrance to the City Hall you will see the Neptune Fountain.

Sip Gluhwein Chritsmas punch – Want to warm yourself up while walking in the snow? When in Berlin in December you should not miss trying this traditional drink, which is offered everywhere along the festively decorated streets and markets. Red wine, rum, orange juice, clove, cinnamon and black tea – this mixture will leave a sweet Christmas scent in your memory.

Stollen – This traditional German fruit bread is seen everywhere in Berlin at Christmas time! It reminds about Easter cake but it is much richer in fruits, buts and fragrant spices.

Leberknödel soup (Leberködelsuppe) – This is one of the most popular soups in Germany – clear calf bouillon with calf s liver noodles. Hurry up and don t let it cool!

Nightlife in Berlin – Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg quarters offer the best night fun places. Bergmannstrasse Street in Kreuzberg is full of clubs, bars and discotheques. Here you will find the popular Yorckschlösschen jazz and blues club. More beach bars, restaurants and clubs are found along the Spree River, offering not only entertainment and fun but also nice views to the river scenery.

The design, the 3D visualization – are very important in many ways. The designers are creators.

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The Northern Venice, and what once was the glamorous capital of Russia, today is a destination you should not miss out on. A winter wonderland or a midsummer dream during the White Nights – St. Petersburg has plenty to fill an entire month with, let alone a weekend. Here are some of the key landmarks in St. Petersburg:

A walk by the Neva River: During the day, you can take a walk around the beautiful parks that complement the Neva River, and at night – enjoy the sparkling lights of the city, the passing ships, and the drawbridges. You will also see the Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, as well as the gilded domes of many churches. You can also tame the river s waves, by going on a boat trip and enjoying a romantic dinner on board.

State Hermitage Museum (Государственный Эрмитаж): What once was the winter residence of the royal Romanov family is now the largest art gallery in the world. In 1764, Catherine the Great created a museum, where she displayed here personal art collection. Today, the Hermitage houses over 3 million pieces of art, displayed on a territory of over 46,000 km2. You ll see works by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and many more. It is located in the palace s main square. Here you can find the exact address, visiting hours, and ticket prices.

The Palace Square (Дворцовая площадь): This is the city’s main square. It houses the Winter palace, a few churches, the headquarters of the Russian army, as well as the column of Alexander the Great, erected as a celebration of Napoleon’s defeat, in 1812. Take a walk and experience the rhythm of the city, become one with the hurried crowds of people, or simply take a cup of hot tea in one of the cafes.

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral (Исаакиевский собор): The church’s large dome is covered by 100 kilograms of gold. Its interior is lavishly decorated in mosaics and murals, and behind the main altar is a stained glass display with the resurrected Christ. The walls and floors are covered in Russian, Italian, and French marble, in 14 different colors. The cathedral s construction was completed during the 19th century. Don’t forget to climb the 300 steps leading up to the cathedral’s top where you’ll find a mesmerizing view of the entire city. The cathedral is located close to the West end of Nevsky Prospect.

Marrinsky Theatre (Мариинский театр): This is one of the best theaters, of opera and ballet, in the world. It began to host performances in 1860. Its stage was the place where many of Tchaikovsky’s creations premiered. The main hall is U-shaped and sits 1625 people. The theater is located in the West Mariinsky district.

Yusupov Palace (Юсуповский дворец на Мойке): See the luxurious apartments, numerous paintings, and the emperor’s chambers. The palace’s halls often host classic music concerts and plays. In this palace, in 1916, the spiritual guide of Nicholas II – Grigori Rasputin, found his death. Today, this occurrence and the subsequent events have been recreated in the palace s museum, with the help of photographs, documents, and even wax figures.

Peter and Paul Fortress (Петропавловская крепость): This is the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1703, by Peter the Great. Its purpose was to protect the city from Swedish invasions, but it never had to serve that purpose. In the fortress’s courtyard is the Peter and Paul Cathedral – the largest one in the city, and also the first one to have been crafted out of stone. Peter the Great, and all the Russian monarchs after, have been buried in the cathedral.

Peterhof Palace (Петергофский дворец): Built in 1705, by Peter the Great. Apart from its beautiful architecture, the palace is primarily famous for its spectacular water cascades, numerous fountains, and gorgeous gardens. The halls of the palace have been decorated with fine art pieces, marble, lavish chandeliers, and gilded carvings. It is located 30 km outside of St. Petersburg.

Peterhof Palace | Pixabay

The Cruiser Aurora: This is a war ship that took part in battles with the Japanese Navy, and started the October Revolution. Today it is a museum. You can take a tour of both the decks and the inside of the ship, where you will find different cannons, nautical maps and tools. If you don’t hire a tour guide, you can enter without paying a fee. The ship is anchored by the shore street of the Neva River.

The Alexander Pushkin Museum and Memorial Apartment (Мемориальный Музей-квартира „А.С.Пушкина”): This is part of one of the oldest houses in the city, where the famous Russian writer lived, from 1836, until his death in 1837. Here you will find household items, related to his life and work, including his personal ink pot and the original couch, on which the poet drew his last breath. Most of the other furnishings are not the originals that belonged to Pushkin in his family, but copies.

Museum of Cosmonautics and Rocket Technology (Музей космонавтики и ракетной техники): The museum opened its doors to visitors in 1973. The display follows the evolution of rocket technology, from Soviet Union times, until today. You will see rocket engines, astronaut gear, and the city’s flag, which was part of the Mir Space Station for 161 days. The museum is located in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Catherine Palace (Екатерининский дворец): Located in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km away from St. Petersburg. The palace was built in luxurious Russian Baroque. Alexander Palace (Александровский дворец), which Catherine the Great gave to her grandson Alexander I, is located in close proximity. In the halls of both palaces you will find bountiful exhibitions of fine art, cutlery, furnishing, and jewels, which belonged to noble families. Don’t forget to take a walk in the beautiful royal gardens.

Pavlovsk Palace (Павловский дворец): This was the summer residence of the Russian emperor Pavel I. The palace was built in the 18th century. It was erected on top a large rock, 26 km south of St. Petersburg. Inside, you can see the emperor’s rich collections of porcelain, gold, sculptures, silks, furnishing, and paintings. The grounds around the palace, which once were a game park, have now been turned into a huge garden, with lakes and large meadows – the ideal place for a leisurely stroll, playing outdoor sports, or a picnic.

Saint Petersburg, Russia | Pixabay

Russian Museum: This is the first public fine art museum in Russia. It was created in 1895, by the monarch Nicholas II. Here you will find rich collections of religious icons, paintings, graphics, sculptures, as well as creations by contemporary Russian artists, famous worldwide. The museum is located on Nevsky Prospect.

Museum of Water (Музей воды): Located in a water tower, which was the first one in the city and was built in 1860. Here you will have the opportunity to try different water pumps first hand, you will see ancient toilets, sewage systems, steam boilers, and an attractive multimedia display, where you will learn about the various applications of water: as a medication, as music, as mystery. The tower has a panoramic glass elevator and a viewing platform on the last floor, where you will find a wonderful view of the city.

Russian Vodka Museum: We can’t talk about the Museum of Water and then neglect the Russian Vodka Museum. This is the place where you’ll learn when and where Russian vodka came to be, what to eat with it, and all kinds of other useful alcoholic facts.

White Nights: Every year, from the middle of June until the beginning of July, the sun never sets. This is because of the city’s Northern geography and its close proximity to the Arctic Circle. Enjoy the magical light and the unique the atmosphere it creates in the city. However, you should also be careful, because the White Nights can cause insomnia and drowsiness.

>>> Read more about the White Nights in Saint Petersburg.

Eat borscht: Soups are an important part of Russian cuisine. This particular soup, always contains beetroot, meat, and cabbage. You can eat borscht both hot and cold, with whipped cream or mayonnaise.

Eat pirozhki: This is dough-based dish, which can be either sweet or savory. You can find pirozhki with meat and vegetables, just vegetables, apples, jams, or cheeses. Just pick and enjoy!

Drink vodka: What more can we say about the traditional Russian alcoholic beverage, other than having to drink at least one while in St. Petersburg, if you don’t want to be cold. Just don t overdo it. Cheers! Or, as the Russian say: ‘Nazdarovye!’

Shopping in St. Petersburg: The main street – Nevsky Prospect (Невский проспект), has plenty of luxurious boutiques, leather and souvenir shops, antique shops, galleries, as well as large bookstores with books in all kinds of languages. A typical souvenir to buy from Russia is the Matryoshka doll – it is made up of several dolls with different sizes, that fit into one another. On Bolshoi street (Большой проспект), at Vasilievsky Island, you will also find many shops, as well as outdoor markets with fresh goods.

Gostini Dvor Shopping Center (Гостини двор): This is the oldest mall in Russia. Since the 18th century, it has been the primary shopping location of the city. Today, it has over 300 shops – for home appliances, clothes, jewelry, sports goods, toys, souvenirs, and plenty more. It is located on Nevsky Prospect.

Nightlife in St. Petersburg: Start off the evening with a drink or a delicious dinner, then dance the night away, or simply enjoy some great live music. The main street Nevsky Prospect has many night clubs with live music, dance clubs, casinos, and restaurants. The smaller alleys in the center of the city are where you will find bars, strip clubs, pubs, bowling alleys, and restaurants serving European cuisine.

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Not that a single weekend is enough to examine even a little piece of Valencia but yet you should start somewhere.

Here are the major attractions in Valencia, which you definitely need to see, feel and taste!

City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts Valencia) – this is a cultural complex, situated over 350,000 square meters. It shelters five buildings with unique architecture: Prince Felipe Science Museum (Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe) – a three-story building in the form of a whale skeleton; L’Hemisfèric – an IMAX cinema with a screen in the form of a hemispheric dome of 900 square meters; L’Umbracle- a landscaped walk; L’Oceanogràfic – the biggest aquarium in Europe with around 40,000 animals; and the Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts (El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia), which is a stage for opera concerts.

City of Art and Science in Valencia | Sarunas Mikalauskas/Flickr

Valencia Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de Valencia) is an interesting mixture of Roman, Gothic and Baroque style and architecture. It shelters many pieces of art, such as several paintings by Francisco Goya. The cathedral is also known as a depository of the probably most acknowledged candidate for being the authentic Holy Grail, which has been in Valencia since the XV century. The cathedral was built between 1262 and 1356.

National Museum of Ceramics and Decorative Arts (Museo Nacional de Ceramica y de las Artes Suntuarias Gonzalès Marti) is a museum-palace, known for its huge entrance gate with marble sculptures. The building dates back to the XV century. Inside, there is a collection of ceramic items from prehistoric times until nowadays. On the first floor there is a huge ballroom, a living room and many other rooms. Here you can see an authentic kitchen, characteristic for Valencia, built entirely of decorated tiles with typical vessels and utensils.

La Lonja de la Seda is a silk exchange dating back to the XV century. The building is built in Gothic style. There are gorgons on its façade, while inside the walls are adorned with floral motifs and many detailed figures of animals and people. La Lonja is declared one of the most significant Gothic buildings in Europe.

La Lonja de la Seda in Valencia | MollySVH/Flickr

Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia (Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia) is the place where you can see a really huge collection of paintings. It shelters works of Velazquez, Goya, Sorolla and others, as well as paintings of modern artists, sculptors and archaeological findings.

The Central Market (Mercato Central) of Valencia is the biggest fruits and vegetables market in Europe. It has more than 90 stores offering mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, jams, as well as tea, coffee, tinned food. The market is open from Monday to Saturday.

Las Fallas is a festival of fireworks, incredible fire and pyrotechnics show, which has turned into a tradition for Valencia. It is organised on different dates every year, very often in April. The tradition derives from the past when people used to burn down the waste after the spring cleaning. Nowadays the festival continues for a whole week during which every one of the local communities prepares big sculptures of flammable materials, such as wood and papier-mâché, which are set on fire on the last day of the festival.

Las Fallas in Valencia | Pablo Monteagudo/Flickr

Bioparc Valencia is a different type of zoo because here the animals are walking freely in their natural habitat and you can even touch them. You will be surrounded by lions, tigers, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros, chimpanzees, and many others. There are huge crocodiles and alligators in natural swamps, hippopotamus, herons, and etc. On the whole, there are animals from all continents. You are going to experience an unforgettable adventure.

La Albufera is the biggest lake in Spain. It is a wonderful place located only 12 km away from the city. A cozy beach, many birds, rice plantations, boat trips and delicious meals at the restaurants in the region. What more can one wish for? Here the sunrise and the sunset draw an unforgettable picture over the lake. Enjoy it!

Paella – You should definitely try paella while in Spain. There are different varieties of this traditional meal but the ingredients that are omnipresent include rice, saffron and olive oil. It can be garnished with different type of meat, vegetables and seafood. It is up to your personal taste and is also suitable for vegetarians. The residents of Valencia, on the other hand, claim that the meal was created in their city.

Siesta – after the nice lunch it is time for a brief rest – from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m., or longer, if you wish so. When in Spain, do it like the Spaniards and take advantage of the daily siesta. This is the time when the sun is the strongest, so what better way of escaping the heat than a nice nap.

Shopping in Valencia – souvenirs, t-shirts, jewellery, shoes, postcards, porcelain sets are found at the stores between the Central Market and Plaza Ayntamento. There are many stores in the passage between Plaza de la Virgin and Plaza de la Reina offering goods at good prices. There are also many malls in the city where you can find everything: Nuevo Centro, El Saler, Aquа, and others.

Nightlife in Valencia – Valencia meets everyone’s taste including in the night: house and jazz clubs, bars, restaurants, outdoor discotheques adorned with palm trees. You can choose entertainment pleasing your very own taste in one of the numerous clubs along the beach or in the outskirts of the city. The young Spaniards often gather in the open air at the squares and the streets in the night and have a beer or calimocho (a cocktail made of wine and coke) before heading to the discotheque after midnight.

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