Friendly Rentals Blog

The Rodrigo I apartment in Valencia has made the news! Why? Because it’s now become an exhibition hall...

The Festival International de Benicàssim 2012 (also known as ‘FIB 2012’ or simply Benicàssim 2012’ is once again taking place between the dates of the 12th and 15th of July. Sure to be as full of national and international party-goers as ever, this rock/indie/electropop music festival has gone from big to bigger each year.

Next Sunday 24th of June, the 2012 Formula 1 European Grand Prix will be celebrated in Valencia. Lovers of speed and strong emotions at the ready!

The Fallas comprise the biggest celebration in Valencia. From the 15th to the 19th of March, in honour of the city’s patron, Saint Joseph, Valencia will be filled with colour, music, huge falleros, and most importantly, fire crackers and pyrotechnics.

Whether you got lucky in the Christmas lottery or not, a little holiday to a new destination never hurt anyone. Valencia is an unusual city that combines tradition with contemporary in a unique way. In addition, over Christmas the atmosphere is even more festive than usual. Lights, nativity scenes, markets, Christmas concerts, the children’s fair Expojove and the popular San Silvestre race held on the 30th of December are some of the things that you can enjoy at Christmas in Valencia.

Valencia is preparing for the exciting finale of the Motorcycle Grand Prix. The last race will take place on the 4th, 5th and 6th of November at the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste Circuit (Circuit de Valencia).

Every year, one of the craziest and most extravagant summer festivals is held, none other than the Tomatina in Bunyol, a town located a few kilometres from Valencia. It comprises the largest tomato fight in the world and more than 200 tonnes of tomatoes are thrown during the event by festival participants. The Tomatina is always celebrated on the last Wednesday of August.

Valencia Orxata de Chufa (Tiger Nut Milk) is one of the region’s gastronomic treasures. Refreshing and nutritious, during the hot summer months there is no better drink. It is made with water, tiger nuts and sugar for a very original, sweet and slightly creamy taste, truly a pleasure for the palate. Horchata is traditionally accompanied by “fartons”, a sweet Valencia biscuit, similar to a sponge finger.

Located in Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences, the Oceanogràfic is Europe's largest aquarium and home to 500 species ranging from Artic beluga whales to all kinds of Mediterranean fish, a representative of the world's main marine ecosystems. Oceanogràfic, which is open daily, uses all kinds of modern technology to recreate underwater conditions from around the world to make our slippery friends feel at home and as comfortable as possible.

Although the Fallas will officially be kicking off on the 15th of March, the truth is the festivities and deafening noises are already starting. Therefore, a festive spirit should be reigning over Valencia and affecting everything in this event that is a must on the locals and students' agendas.

Jasper Johns is one of the most recognised contemporary artists in the world. His use of familiar icons such as American flags, maps, targets, letters and numbers was influenced by his unique “Take an object” perspective which came to have a powerful influence on subsequent sculptures and paintings. Together with Rauschenberg, this American artist is considered to be one of the forerunners of American pop-art, and is also famous for his paintings, sculptures, drawings and stage sets for choreographer Merce Cunningham.

If there is any event that stands out in Valencia, then that is the Fallas (the Fires) that are celebrated from the 15th to the 19th of March every year, although its preparation and the many related events take place all year round. The Fallas are particularly spectacular thanks to the “mascletás” (the firecrackers), a great castle of fireworks, and the mascletás (pyrotechnics spectacle) featuring lots of noisy firecrackers which attract hoards of visitors every year who gather in this beautiful city to listen to the incessant sounds of the fireworks and admire the originality of the giant papier-mâché figurines based on current political and cultural figures.