Visiting the City of Arts and Sciences
After spending a whirlwind weekend on our study tour in the high-energy city of Barcelona, my friends and I were unsure of what to expect upon arriving to Valencia. We knew we were expecting a more mellow night life and relaxing days on the beautiful, less crowded beaches but did not grasp the great cultural lessons we would learn by e
xploring the city's most well-known sights. The incredibly modern Ciudad de las rates y las ciencia (The City of Arts and Sciences) as well as the diverse and bustling fresh markets make perfect day trips and after visiting these sights I gained a deeper understanding of everyday life in Valencia and also of its rich and complex history.
I remember arriving to Valencia with my friends on MUDEC busses and I was struck by the modern and abstract buildings that stood in the center of the city and towere
d over all of Valencia. The CAC is in itself an architectural masterpiece and if you are
particularly interested in finding out more about its architecture before visiting, read further in Wendy's art and architecture blog. The city of Arts and Sciences offers several main attractions. The Hemisferic is an IMAX cinema that offers different virtual 'adventures' to view. There is also a science museum and The Umbracle which is a massive bridge that covers 17,500 square meters upon. Venture to the top and gain a fantastic view of all of Valencia's buildings, lakes and walkways. (http://www.cac.es/hemisferic/). The massive opera hall known as Palau de les Arts is another impressive building within the center. My favorite sight to see within the CAC was the Oceanografic, or the aquarium, which is the largest aquarium in all of Europe. My friends and I entered buildings shaped like igloos to get a peek at the penguins and spent way too much time watching the highly entertaining dolphin show. While the CAC is a beautiful and luxurious sight, I quickly learned that the center was built more for show as Valencia poured millions of dollars into its construction to prove its modernity.
"Through a word of warning, some of these magnificent buildings were
built more for splendor than purpose, the Agora has yet to be completed
and apparently most of the money for the science museum was spent on its
construction so unless you are very interested in the subject it offers its best
view out doors." (Catie Krassner)
Take a moment while wandering around the CAC and look across the street. If you are lucky you will see farmers tending their vegetables while you are standing beneath some of the most modern architecture in the world. To me, this experience defines Valencia. A blend of tradit
ion and modernity makes the city unique and beautiful.
Click Here to Read Catie Krassner's blog to discover more details about Valencia's CAC!
Click here to see a map of the CAC in Valencia!
While in Barcelona….
I'll admit, when we first arrived to Barcelona I was looking forward to a weekend of beautiful beaches, clubbing until five in the morning and authentic Spanish cuisine. While I did party until the wee hours of the morning and also enjoyed the beautiful beach and ate the fresh seafood paella, I took away so much more from my stay in Barcelona. I am not an expert on art or architecture and yet I could still appreciate the beauty and unique design of Sagrada Famillia and Park Güell. However, if you are interested in learning more about the artistic details of these tourist attractions read Wendy's blog about art and architecture. Of course you should hit the clubs and experience Barcelona's night life at its finest. Just make sure that you take one or two full days before the party starts to visit Park Güell and the Sagrada Famillia. Barcelona is rich in culture and beauty and these two sites reflect a Barcelona that is much deeper than sandy beaches and bumping night life.
Exploring Park Güell
My most memorable experience in Barcelona was our group hike up to Park Güell and exploring the incredible park and soaking in the breathtaking scenery and views of the Mediterranean. The park features the stunning architecture of Antonio Gaudi and I felt almost like I was walking through the pages of a Dr. Seuss picture book with glittering multi-colored giant lizards irregularly shaped houses. Pack a picnic and eat lunch on the terrace at the top of the park and enjoy the traditional Spanish guitar music playing.
Below: A picture I snapped while in beautiful Park Güell
Visiting the Sagrada Famillia
Do not leave Barcelona without paying twelve euro to experience the grandeur and dist
inct beauty of the cathedral, Sagrada Familia. The church is still in construction and it began in 1882 under the direction of Gaudi. (www.sagradafamillia.org)
You can't miss the church as it towers over downtown Barcelona and serves as a universal symbol of the city. Despite the fact that I know next to nothing about architecture or art history, I was struck by the intricacies of the church and
its distinct style.
Catalunya's national identity is largely connected both to Park Güell and the Sagrada Famillia. I was able to sense the immense pride that those living in Barcelona hold for the history and culture that are attached to these historical monuments. If for any other reason make sure to visit these sites simply because they are just so unforgettably beautiful.
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