Chasing the warmth of the sun and to enjoy the last bit of summer, we flew to Valencia for a long weekend of blue skies and 30 degree heat. Once we arrived, we made our way to Mercado Central, a big food market housed in an art-nouveau building with wrought-iron vaults and a central dome. It is a bustling market filled with stalls selling fresh and delicious produce. The colours and smells were enticing and the sight of the beautiful sun-kissed fruit made our mouths water. We just couldn't resist buying a bag full of golden juicy Valencia oranges. The temptation was too great, so we stocked up on an assortment of goodies. Armed with bags full of food and wine as well as our luggage, we ambled across the cobbled streets ready to check in to our ultra-modern and chic apartment. We were instantly impressed and couldn't wait to enjoy and relax in our home away from home. Once we settled in and unpacked our bags we walked around the city, taking in all the sights and attractions around Plaza de la Virgen, the Catedral and Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Every so often we veered off into the side streets and saw so much cool and interesting street art. The colours were vibrant and the designs were original. As is the norm, we walked until our feet ached and we were no longer able to stave off our hunger. We ended up in Barrio del Carmen, one of Valencia's oldest and most atmospheric quarters, where we had dinner in an unassuming and small restaurant tucked away in an almost hidden corner near Plaza del Tossa. The food was delicious and the Agua de Valencia, which is a mixture of cava and orange juice, was soothing and refreshing. As we were so centrally located our walk home was quick and easy. Soon enough we were back in our apartment enjoying a glass of wine and planning our next day's itinerary.

After a lovely breakfast of salumi and fresh bread, washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice we headed out for a full day of sightseeing. We walked along the pedestrian urban freeway that was formerly the river Turia. After serious floods in 1957, the river was diverted through the outskirts leaving behind a dry riverbed still flowing through the urban area. Now the former course of the river has been transformed into a green belt of open space designed for recreational use and to celebrate the arts. The whole area is a haven for joggers and cyclists and lovers of flora. It is a relaxing sanctuary, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. After a long and hot walk, we reached the futuristic cultural complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. It consists of five stunning buildings which have been elegantly designed, offering a futuristic twist. The clean lines and modern architecture create a visual feast for the eye. We were in photographic heaven and spent a good few hours trying to capture our own artistic vision of the complex. The sparkling reflection of the sun on the water in the shallow ponds along with the brilliant white of the buildings, against a backdrop of blue sky made an impressive sight. It is a strong contrast to the Gothic buildings, historical architecture and grand squares in the city centre. Valencia certainly offers a good mix of old and new. At sunset, we returned to the City of Arts and Sciences to explore the complex at a different light. It was just as impressive at night and the calm water in the ponds offered stunning opportunities for reflection shots. The architect's vision is incredible and the aquatic shapes and lines created by the manmade structures as well as the movement of water and changes of light are amazing. Our excitement was obvious and we spent the evening trying to capture the vision before us, hoping to do it justice. Safely tucked away in our apartment, we enjoyed a bottle of wine while dissecting the day's events and looking forward to another day in this wonderful city.

The next day we headed to the beach and walked along the seafront on Paseo Maritimo. It is a 2 km long promenade shared by a multitude of joggers, cyclists and families enjoying a stroll with uninterrupted sea views. If the Mediterranean heat becomes too unbearable, you can find some cool relief in the shade of the lovely Palm trees or enjoy a refreshing beverage in one of the many seafront restaurants. The beach itself is a hive of activity, with sun bathers aplenty and people making large scale sandcastles. We were quite riveted by the shirtless men in rather tight swimwear, playing volleyball on the beach. Their glistening and toned bodies shimmered in the heat of the sun. The temperature became a little too much for us, so we drove back to the city to see more of the sights and walk around the historic old town. Down one of the side streets, we stumbled across a small family run restaurant where the tempting aromas lured us in. As Valencia's speciality is paella, we sat down for a leisurely lunch and sampled the seafood version. It was a lovely meal and after being doused in prawn juice, we walked back to the apartment to change and have our own little siesta. Suitably relaxed and refreshed, we returned to the City of Arts and Sciences at sunset to wait for the inky blue sky of twilight. Our obsession with this complex seems rather insane but for us it was captivating and inspiring. We did promise to make it our last visit, so we spent a few hours capturing it at every possible angle. Once satisfied, we found a restaurant and toasted yet another glorious day with a glass of well-deserved sangria.

Today is our last day in Valencia and after a late start to the morning; we immersed ourselves once again in the laid back vibe of this charming city. We walked around enjoying the relaxed pace of life and basking in the warmth of the sun.

Valencia is a great place to visit for a long weekend. Its warm climate, friendly people, elegant squares, grand avenues and unpretentious attitude make it a lovely and welcome destination.