After staying in Alicante for over two weeks, we left the stunning beaches and turquoise waters of Playa de Juan for some ultra cultural immersion in historic Valencia. The train ride took just an hour and a half, and again, it did not disappoint us. We relaxed in spacious, comfortable seats while admiring the passing scenery. The scenic view was second to none. Purple mountains rose in the distance as we rolled through desert landscapes, neat rows of orange groves, rolling vineyards, and charming villages that left us mesmerized.
Our first taste of Valencia came as we stepped off the train into the city’s grand ambiance and medieval architecture. Founded in 138 BC by the Romans as Valentia Edetanorum, Valencia exudes centuries of rich history and tradition around every corner. With its cobbled streets, Gothic and Baroque buildings, and romantic cafes, we felt transported back to the Middle Ages or to a quaint European city like Florence or Paris. An air of timelessness permeated Valencia, blending the modern vibrancy of Spain with its long, illustrious past.
Since one of our main reasons for visiting Valencia was to explore the renowned City of Arts and Sciences, we booked our hotel room at the conveniently located Hotel Ilunion Aqua 4, which was directly across from this modernist masterpiece. Known as Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències in Valencian, this vast cultural complex is considered one of Spain’s twelve treasures. It consisted of mind bending futuristic looking buildings which stirred your imagination like a moth to a flame. Once we got close, we were sucked in like a human vortex.
Up close, the City of Arts and Sciences was like a self-contained village, with eye-catching buildings linked by whimsical bridges over reflecting pools. Wanting to fully immerse ourselves, we decided to spend several days exploring each fascinating structure. Known for being a gateway to culture, this futuristic architecture(one building is designed to mimic the skeleton of a whale) houses a wealth of artifacts and interactive experiences focused on history, art, science, and technology. Since hands-on engagement is central to the complex, visitors are encouraged to touch, feel, question, and interact with the displays to actively learn about human evolution, the arts, scientific concepts, and innovations. With this emphasis on participation, it’s no wonder flocks of eager students fill the halls daily. Their infectious enthusiasm amplified every corner of this 21st century museum which definitely added excitement to our visit. It was a lot of daily footsteps for us, but, I must admit, they were worth it.
To achieve contact with reality is not to transport oneself elsewhere, it’s transcendence but thorough immersion in one’s surroundings. A reality which is neither purely physical nor metaphysical, but both at once. – Antoni Topies
pinay e-motion 