When you think of paella, you may envision a round, shallow pan full of saffron-colored rice, topped with an abundance of seafood, such as shrimp, calamari, and mussels. However, you may be surprised to learn that the original paellas were made by field workers who cooked them over an open fire and used ingredients that were more commonly found in the fields, such as chicken, rabbit, and snails.
Today there are as many variations of paella as there are cooks, and the locals in Valencia take pride in handing down their own family recipes from one generation to the next.
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Expected to open this fall, La Galiana is near the town of Alcira, south of the city of Valencia. The 18-hole, par-72 course enjoys a spectacular setting in a valley surrounded by pine and orange groves. More than 5,000 local species of plants and trees were used in the landscaping, and water consumption will be minimized through a sophisticated rainwater collection and drainage system. Designed by the Spanish firm Moon Masters, La Galiana will be open to non-members who can use the facilities. New golf schools are also planned for the area.Head over to the ILC website for our robust offerings in Valencia and make sure your clubs are ready to play.
Opened in May, Font del Llop Golf Resort is a new 18-hole course located near the historic town of Monforte del Cid, in the Vinalopo valley, just minutes inland from Alicante. Designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martín, the par-72 course blends naturally with its scenery and has great views of the surrounding mountains. Recalling some of the best Scottish and American courses, the layout of Font del Llop’s fairways – around a small river connecting five lakes -make for a technical game that challenges players to use all golf clubs.
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club opened in June and is located in Dehesa de Campoamor, south of Torrevieja in the province of Alicante. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the 18-hole championship course has been carved out of a spectacular gorge and has breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby coastline and a nature reserve. Managed by Troon Golf, the par-71 course offers a great variety of short and long holes, with five unique par 3’s presenting an array of challenges of varying length and topography. Key features of this course’s design are water hazards and dramatic bunkering.
On June 23, the “Fiesta de San Juan” celebrates the shortest night of the year with bonfires and music on the town’s beach. On July 9 and 10 the “Festival Borja Music Summer and Sand” will present popular bands and DJ’s on the same beach. From July 20 to 24, “Festival Les Venus de la Mediterranean” features singer-songwriters such as Jane Birkin, Maria del Mar Bonnet and Ute Limper at venues on the beach and on the patio of the Ducal Palace. For the entire month of August the “Casa de la Marques” will play host to the International Music Festival of Gandia. From September 28 to October 3, the town holds its traditional fair celebrated with additional pomp in honor of the 500th anniversary of the saint’s birth.Those that are into regional cuisine also have tons of options -- the biggest of which are two gastronomic fairs taking place from September 17-19 and then in the winter from December 11-19. Most restaurants in the town's historic square will participate and offer up a unique Gandia take on Spanish cuisine.
The recipes feature traditional Gandian favorites like stuffed squid and rabbit, as well as truly authentic medieval preparations. One such recipe is for a garlic sauce made with bread, garlic, oil and fish stock. Almonds may substitute for the bread, a variant that works well with eel. Another medieval recipe is a leek puree which, instead of the cream used in a modern Vichyssoise, has almond-milk – true to Valencia’s Mediterranean heritage and to the dietary laws of Medieval Jews and Muslims who contributed to the region’s customs.For more information about the region of Valencia, you can visit our website or the Tourist Office.
With its charming old quarter full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments, the Museo de Bellas Arts with one of Spain’s best paintings collection, IVAM, the contemporary art museum, beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine – this is paella country, after all – Valencia has plenty to offer visitors before and after the competition. Stunning modern architecture is another draw. Valencia’s emblematic City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium, planetarium, science museum and performing arts center has a new addition, the Agora by Santiago Calatrava. Resembling a knight’s helmet, this dramatic steel structure in deep violet was the venue for last year’s Valencia Open 500.Tickets for all three days of racing are currently available here.
New General Admission tickets will permit fans access to the Valencia Street Circuit without buying a seat (about $42, or 30 euros on Friday, $70, or 50 euros on Saturday and $142, or 100 euros for the Grand Prix on Sunday.) Grandstand tickets are on sale now and range in price from around $212 to $680 (150 to 480 euros). Sailors can moor their yachts and view the race from the water and the marina also has a special grandstand. To learn more about the Grand Prix of Europe, go to www.valenciastreetcircuit.com/index_eng.html.As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.
