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Travel is my favorite kind of bug.

Welcome to my travel blog!  I quit my job in NYC to go on a 100-day travel adventure, and I will be documenting, inspiring and sharing as I go.

Today I am in:  New York City

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DAY 78:  WHAT TO DO IN VALENCIA, SPAIN

7/5/2014

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Tuesday, July 1 (Valencia, Spain) – Valencia is a very interesting city in Spain.  There is the cobblestoned old city, the more modern area, plentiful beaches, a river-turned-park, and an architectural haven.  There is a lot to do in this city - known for originating paella - but here are some highlights, especially if you're short on time.
SHOP:  
  • Central Market - the food markets of all food markets in Valencia!  Here you can find fresh fruits and veggies, meat, nuts, and even local wine.  I love that they have a separate room for the fresh fish so the whole market doesn't smell fishy.  There are a row of restaurants outside of the market, and you can bring some of them your fresh meat or fish and they will cook it for you on the spot!
  • Calle Colon - the main avenue for shopping with all of the standard chain stores you see across Spain like El Cortes Ingles (I saw THREE of them in a few block radius), Sfera and Mango.  
  • Poeta Querol - for the more boutiquey shops, you just need to wander.  When I did, I came across Poeta Querol which quickly became my favorite street.  Quickly because it was cool from the start, but also because I was rushing back to my hotel to pick up my bags and get to the airport! So unfortunately I didn't have time to go in any of the shops but there were so many that I would have loved to poke around in!
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Conejo (rabbit) at the mercado... notice they even left some hair on rabbit's head
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Funky tomatoes at the market
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Caracoles (snails) climbing all over the place waiting to be bought and eaten
RELAX:  
  • Beach - Valencia is one of those special cities like Chicago or Barcelona that is extremely metropolitan, but turn a corner and there is a beach!  It is very easy to get to with public transportation and there are facilities like restaurants and bathrooms on the boardwalk.  This is also a great place for a run!
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Beach time in Valencia
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Boardwalk (and cool hippo playground)
EXERCISE:  
  • Run through the once-river, now-park called Turia River Gardens.  The Turia River was causing bad flooding in the city, so it was decided to dry the river up.  But in opposition with the city's plans to build a major highway in the middle of the city, rumor has it that Valencianos would go to the dried up river at night and plant trees.  Soon a park was born and the rest of history (or a legend, not sure!)
  • Rent a bike in this notably bikeable city and burn calories while you explore the town.  There are bike rental shops on every corner, including this fancy bike store where you can plan a picnic in style.  And then there's always the Valenbisi city bike rentals, one of my personal favorite ways of getting around.
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valenbisi_bike_valencia
EXPLORE:  
  • City of arts and sciences - an architecturally-unique cultural complex that houses an opera house, a science museum, a 3D theater, and an aquarium which I wrote all about yesterday!
  • Graffiti - a nuisance to some, but an art form to many, especially in Valencia.  There are some really incredible - albeit strange - works throughout the city.  Interestingly, black sausage is a common theme.  I didn't have a chance to take the graffiti tour offered by the same company I took a free walking tour with, but if I had another day I would have loved to learn more about the artists and back stories of some of the work. 
  • Perverted things - on my free walking tour, the guide Javier made sure to point out some of the... special... architecture throughout the city.  
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Part of the City of Arts & Sciences complex
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Black sausage graffiti
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Man pooping on the building!
EAT:  
  • Paella Valenciana - the original paella, as it was originated in Valencia.  This specific type of paella has a meat such as chicken and sometimes rabbit, as well as beans and green vegetables.
  • Fartones - log-shaped donuts with a funny name that are often eaten with horchata
fartones_valencia
DRINK:  
  • Horchata - a cold, refreshing beverage made from tigernuts, water and sugar.  It tastes like a sweet milk (but there's no dairy at all).  Note:  the horchata you may have seen in Mexico is different - it is made with rice instead of tigernuts.
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A big vat of horchata
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Tigernut beans that horchata is made from
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Pretending to like the horchata...
  • Agua de Valencia - a cava cocktail (Spanish champagne) that is served in a pitcher like sangria, and has no true recipe but usually includes a white liquor like vodka, orange juice, and sugar.
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Agua de Valencia - looking like a plan OJ but doesn't taste like it!
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HOW TO STAY FIT WHILE TRAVELING? 6 SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

4/2/2014

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Part of the fun of traveling is experiencing the local cultures and flavors without having to hold back.  But all those pasteis de Belem in Portugal, empanadas in Argentina and local beer... everywhere, can make it tough to fit into those two pairs of pants you packed to last three months.  Bottom line:  Trying local food and drink is necessary, not naughty!

For me, working out is not only to balance out the treats I enjoy while traveling, it is also energizes me, helps with jet lag, and keeps my body active (especially after long flights or bus rides).  But with limited time in new and exciting places, who wants to spend their afternoon at the hotel gym?  I've put together some of my favorite ways to stay active while traveling that are fun, easy and cultural!  Let me know what you think!
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Active Tours
Visiting a new city definitely doesn't mean you have to jump on a big red bus to see the sites.  My favorite way to explore is to get moving and take on the sites, smells and sounds of my surroundings - particularly on foot (mine or an animal's) or by bike.
  • Biking through Music City:  Green Fleet Bike Tours in Nashville, TN
  • Riding through olive groves in Greece:  Horseback Riding Tour in Crete, Greece

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Local Sports
We've all heard the saying 'do as the locals do', but I prefer 'play what the locals play'.  
  • Polo in Argentina:  I can't say enough about Estani and his team at El Rincon del Polo Club outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  With pick up, drop off, a traditional 'asado' BBQ lunch, and extensive polo training on and off your mount included, you really can't go wrong here.
  • Gaelic Games in Ireland:  I haven't done this yet, but Experience Gaelic Games in Dublin gives tourists a cultural and physical introduction to local sports like Hurling, Gaelic Football and Handball.

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Bike Share
Thousands of bicycles are emerging in major cities across the globe to help ease commuting traffic,encourage people to get active and give tourists and locals an easy and affordable way to get around.  While many big cities now have a bike share program, these are some of my favorites that make exploring so much easier (and healthier!)
  • NYC's Citi Bikes
  • Montreal's Bixi Bikes

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Exercise Apps
It's 2014 and working out no longer requires a gym membership - which is great for the travelers out there. These are some of my favorite fitness apps that keep me motivated on the road:
  • Nike Training Club

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Jog like a Local
Whether you're a marathoner, a power walker or somewhere in between, sometimes the best way to explore a new city is on foot.  These are some of my favorite parks and places for touring + exercise across the globe:
  • Millennium Park in Chicago


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Maintain Your Hobby
Just because you're out of your neighborhood doesn't mean they don't have yoga, boxing or tennis where you travel.  Even if you are trying to be a free-spirited non-planner, it is okay to get online to look up classes or studios - or even ask the locals.  Yelp and TripAdvisor are also great resources even if you are out of the States.

For me, I try to go horseback riding wherever I travel.  I love riding and it is a great way to explore the countryside of many cities I visit.  

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    Author

    Hi! I'm Stacy, a 28 year old Manhattanite who quit her job to go on a 100-day journey across the world.  Follow me as I hot air balloon in Turkey, hike the Todra Gorge in Morocco, horseback ride across Ireland, and take part in all the other active adventures I can find!

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