Train Valencia → Barcelona

Plenty to squeeze from its juicy heart When you venture into the city of Valencia, you will be met on both sides with the old and the new. As the capital of the region and Spain’s third largest city, it has managed to preserve a dense heritage and embrace modern landmarks. With the Valencia Tourist Card you have full access on Valencia’s public transportation as well as many free and discounted offers throughout the city. Spain is known for its strange festivals (tomato throwing, anyone?) In the month of March, Valencia throws its own fiery festival. Las Fallas literally means "the fires.” The focus of the fiesta is the creation and destruction of ninots (puppets.) Some are cardboard, others wood, and all are extremely lifelike and usually depict satirical scenes and current events. On March 19th at exactly midnight, La Cremá (the burning) begins. One could say it’s a blast. Arriving by train into Valencia Nord station from Madrid (in just under 4 hours) or from Barcelona (in just under 3 hours), this is an easy station to navigate. Built in 1917 with Neo-Gothic influences, this station hosts a caleidoscope of Valencian mosaics and ceramics, with themes of the city’s countryside. When you exit onto the outside plaza, be sure to cross the street and check out the adjacent bullring, Plaza de Toros. This bull-fighting arena has been in operation for nearly 150 years and resembles a miniature Roman Coliseum. Valencia has had this drab, dull reputation, which is surprising when you consider the city hugs the coast on the Mediterrean. The sea’s bounty helped invent the first Paella here, which could be easily washed down with its eponymous orange. And yet, for years, the city sat without a spark of excitement. That’s all changed now. In the last decade, there’s been a thrust toward tourism and innovation. It began with restoring old landmarks like the Serrano and Quart Towers and monestaries such as San Miguel de los Reyes. However, the biggest project to date is The City of Arts and Sciences. Designed by the world-renowned and Valencia-native Santiago Calatrava, The complex, which sits on what used to be the riverbed of the Turia river. Learn more about Valencia

A surreal journey into the capital of Catalan In a word, the capital of Catalonia is surreal. Dreamlike, whimsical, daring. It’s no wonder the likes of Dali, Miró and Gaudi sought to create their works of wonderment here. After the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona went through a rebirth, and is now one of the hottest destinations in all of Europe. Swinging nightlife, sultry beaches, the sound of the language (hint: it’s not Spanish) collides to create a sensuous, sublime city. Learn more about Barcelona