Here are 10 reasons why you should definitely include Valencia in your trips for 2020.
DEBUT THE YEAR AT THE NEW LUXURY HOTEL OF VALÈNCIA: PALACE VALLIER
The new five-star hotel in the city, the Palacio Vallier, is located in a former palace dating from the mid-19th century. 31 rooms that combine baroque decoration with Art Déco with a remarkable outcome, particularly in the Lladró Suite, a 52 m2 room that can be transformed into a small event space in which the signature porcelain has put its mark. The Lladró partnership is also visible in the breathtaking butterfly sculpture hanging from the palace staircase and the Lladró Lounge, an intimate American-style cocktail bar in which to enjoy truly special cocktails. The fresh products from the neighbouring Central Market and from the fish market in the harbour are combined in a very Valencian menu in La Perfumería restaurant, named after its location where remains were found of an old Roman perfumery from the 3rd century.
TWO NEW MICHELIN STARS IN THE WORLD OF VALENCIAN GASTRONOMY
Quique Dacosta’s El Poblet restaurant has achieved its second Michelin star, gathering five stars with the restaurant that bears the chef’s name in Denia, Alicante. Dacosta has a further three restaurants in the city: Mercatbar, Llisa Negra and Vuelve Carolina. On the other hand, Begoña Rodrigo debuts in the Michelin guide with its first star in La Salita restaurant, with a thoughtful, local and honourable cuisine. One can also experience its cuisine at Nomada Urban Food, in the Ensanche district, with its exotic touch and a menu that fuses baos, cocas, tacos and rice dishes.
THE JUBILEE YEAR OF THE HOLY CHALICE
This is the ideal year to learn about the fascinating history of the Holy Grail as Valencia is celebrating the Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice, which kicks off on the 24th of October. This celebration, granted to the city by Pope Francis I, can only take place every five years and is accompanied by a plenary indulgence, to be granted in some of the city’s temples. It is an ideal year to carry out the Holy Grail Trail, a pilgrimage rich in culture and overcoming which stretches from the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña (Huesca) to the València Cathedral, where the Holy Chalice is kept.
The first two months of the year have a strong gastronomic aspect. For starters, the Festin festival sets up luxury alliances between chefs and art galleries. As a result, a guided tour by the Picasso exhibition curator at the Bancaja Foundation will be completed with a sampling cocktail by the hand of chef Michelin Begoña Rodrigo. However, you can also dine just as the medieval monks did in the 17th century chapel at Convent del Carmen, with a tasting menu by chef Miguel Ángel Mayor. You can also visit the European headquarters of the world’ s best music school, Berklee College of Music, enjoy its best repertoire live and taste alcohol-free cocktails. There is much more to complete the list of 14 places that will take part in the Festin from the 24th of January to the 2nd of February.
At the Clec Fashion Festival, the concept of a music festival will be reinterpreted, adapting it to the world of fashion and creating a total experience that also combines gastronomy. Designers, dj’s, photographers, stylists, make-up artists and chefs will take to the catwalks to showcase the Valencian talent associated with the world of fashion in every aspect. It will take place in Feria Valencia on the 21st and 22nd of February.
Renowned Valencian chefs, sommeliers and artisan producers will participate in the 4th edition of the Valencia Culinary Festival, to be held from the 24th of February to the 8th of March. This year 18 restaurants will be taking part, including chefs awarded with Valencian and international Michelin stars who will be cooking menus with four hands. The festival also includes social gatherings, tastings, cooking workshops, as well as culinary cinema. The highlight: the Great Gastronomy Night at the iconic Veles e Vents building in the València Marina on the 1st of March. Culinary art multiplied!
DESIGN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Valencia breathes design on all sides. This is how it has been recognised by the World Design Organization, which named it World Design Capital in 2022, highlighting both the sophistication of Valencian design and the city’s own attractions. Therefore, it is not necessary to wait until 2022 to live, feel and experience design in all its architecture, culture, leisure and even in its streets. The architecture of Santiago Calatrava in the City of Arts and Sciences or the century-old modernist buildings of the Colón and Central Market are some of the examples of how the city can coexist with design. But in addition, design is not only seen in Valencia, it is felt, experienced and enjoyed. In neighborhoods such as Ruzafa or El Cabañal, filled with art galleries providing innovative spaces; gastronomic offerings, a fusion of tradition and avant-garde in restaurants and cafés with striking interior design; or the very layout of their streets and squares, with smart, beautiful and efficient solutions designed for lasting mobility. To whet your appetite, the European Design Awards will be presented in June in Valencia, reinforcing the city as the heart of creativity.
THE 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE VALÈNCIA MARATHON
The 6th of December 2020 will mark the 40th anniversary of the first València Marathon. The latest edition, ranked sixth fastest in the world, brought together runners from 101 countries and achieved 94% hotel occupancy. For the very first time, the Marathon will not take place at the same time as the 10K race in order to add these places to the senior competition. The 40th anniversary race will have 30,000 competitors, though if it continues at the same pace as the inscriptions, these will be completed months before the race, given that the first 10,000 numbers were sold out in the first 48 hours. A similar thing happens with the Half Marathon, which will be held on the 25th of October in 2020 and will for the first time be integrated in the Superhalfs circuit together with Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen and Cardiff.
HORTA OF VALENCIA, WORLD AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE FAO
València is blessed to be surrounded by more than 10,000 hectares of farmland where many of the ingredients that reach the menus of the city’s restaurants are grown. Watered by the river Turia, the Horta (Garden) of València is a real work of engineering with a perfect watering system designed in the 8th century by the Arabs. The Horta is also the livelihood of local farmers and fishermen. It also houses a great variety of birds, fish and plants, many of which are classed as rare, endemic or endangered. For all these reasons and much more, it has just been included by the UN in the list of world agricultural heritage of the FAO. But the best thing about it is that it is so close to the city centre that you can ride a bicycle and discover it through its fields along the lane that runs through the entire huerta from the city.
STREET ART AND FALLAS JOIN HANDS WITH ESCIF
The fallera artistic tradition will join the purest transgression in the Fallas of 2020. Fallas artists Manolo Martín and José Ramón Espuig will design next year’s municipal monument together with urban artist Escif. Regarded as one of the most relevant references on the urban art scene worldwide, Escif proposes paintings that question the current struggles, resistance movements and the environmental challenges with sharp drawings, clear lines and sober colours. He has undertaken numerous projects in urban contexts around the world, such as his interventions at the IVAM, the Shanghai Power Station, the Palais of Tokyo in Paris and the Biennial of Contemporary African Art. A preview of his work can be seen at the Centre del Carme in the run-up to the 2020 Fallas.
SAN VICENTE MARKET, THE CITY’S NEW GASTRONOMIC TEMPLE
It aspires to become the city’s first large-format gastronomic market by spring 2020. From Iberian ham to seafood, Mediterranean rice dishes, traditional pastries, horchata or cheeses sprinkled with local wines, the San Vicente Market will bring an offer from every corner of Spanish gastronomy.
There will be 19 stalls spread over 2000 m2 located in an old printing factory. As well as its gastronomic offer, the market will offer live performances, varied cultural exhibitions and alternative activities to achieve a comprehensive entertainment experience for all audiences.
WEBIT: THE FUTURE IS IN VALÈNCIA
Robots with the latest artificial intelligence, shoes that enable you to walk in a virtual reality world, bikes designed to levitate… The most extraordinary experiences can be seen live at the Webit Festival Europe, a blend of conference and exhibition for professionals where fun will not be lacking.
From 17th to 20th June, the Valencia Marina will be the centre of technology and innovation. The Webit will bring together 1500 start ups and global leaders of various technology sectors in a whole digital party to enter into the future and marvel at the latest creations. Each night, the Webit Night Fiesta will make technology available to everyone, with music, flash mobs, bars and informal debates in the streets of Valencia.
