Part two of my Spanish vacation began on a long train journey from Barcelona to Valencia. There are quite a few options to get to one place from the other but the slow Renfe train proved to be the longest and the most beautiful. The entire journey wound its way down the scenic Spanish coastline.
Upon arrive I wasted no time in getting out to tour the city. I actually took a historic walking tour that ventured its way through historic downtown Valencia. Anywhere I go, I find the statues and fountains to be one of my favorite things to photograph.
Most buildings in Spain, though architecturally stunning, seem quite unassuming in nature. They’ve been there forever and they have thousands of years of stories to tell. The building on the left below houses the Holy Grail. Now I’m not a religious person myself, but it’s certainly a great story and an interesting part of a culture’s history. Unfortunately, no photography allowed inside. So I’ll leave that part of the adventure to you.
Spain is home to many fantastically interesting people. The house below, with the greenery on top, is the house of Santiago Calatrava, an internationally recognized and award-winning architect. It’s said that no building in Spain is considered architecturally sound unless Calatrava had a hand in its design.
The intricacies of Valencia are everywhere. They say the glory is in the details and if that’s the case Valencia, with even its amazingly carved doors, is one of the most glorious cities I’ve had the pleasure of seeing for myself.
Never let it be said that Spaniards are without a sense of humor 
The Torres de Quart is a remainder of the old city walls. They were conceived as fortified towers of the town and were part of the medieval wall that surrounded the old part of the town of Valencia and served as the gates of Napoleon’s point of entry into the city. The towers used to bear the scars of his cannon balls until the recent restoration.
The beautiful colors of Valenica, bold and iconic, are in plain sight everywhere you look.
If you find yourself in Valencia, don’t miss out on stopping for Horchata. Coming in from Texas (close to Mexico) I thought that I knew exactly what Horchata was and as it turns out, Mexican Horchata and Spanish Horchata are two completely different things. Spanish Horchata is made from a sweet tiny little nut called a Tiger nut. It’s delicious and a sweet way to beat the Valencia summer heat. Below, the Horchataria de Santa Catalina is by far the best Horchataria in Valencia.
At every turn Valencia produces splendor and architectural beauty mixed with history and nature creating nothing like you’ve ever experienced before.
Even in unexpected places, like the picturesque post office pictured below.
And of course, no Valencia tour is complete without the Famous Valencia Oranges (though I must warn you, these are purely decorational and taste nothing like oranges, which of course I wouldn’t know because it’s illegal to eat them 
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