Located on the Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain's third largest city is a cultural and economic hub that is rapidly establishing itself as a mainstream tourist destination. Valencia originally built its reputation as a tourist destination on the strength of its festivals, cultural prestige, historical tradition and its riotous residents.

Whilst Valencia has long enjoyed a reputation as a beautiful city, the recent economic boom, stimulated in no small part by a flourishing tourism industry has funded heavy investment in the local infrastructure. New hotels and attractions are being constructed all over the region, providing the amenities essential for any modern tourist destination. If you are planning a visit to Valencia, try and make it in March when the Las Fallas festival is on. The festival features huge papier mache heads, often caricaturing Spanish social and political current affairs. The models are burnt on the night of March 19th in a festival of fire and organised mayhem, culminating in a magnificent fireworks display at midnight.

Visitors will also enjoy the Festival La Tomatina in August. Although the annual event has no religious significance and was only started in 1945, the festival sees in excess of 30,000 people hurling 240,000 pounds of tomatoes at each other and is one of Spain's most famous events. Another site of interest for visitors to explore is Valencia Football Club grounds. Football is virtually a religion in Spain and rouses great passion. The team is idolised by the locals and has enjoyed reasonable success in European competitions in recent years.

As a tourist destination Valencia improves every year as new facilities, attractions and venues are opened. But with its relaxed yet passionate people, its heady blend of culture and style and its reputation as a revelers paradise, Valencia is well worth a visit.

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