Flights from Podgorica to Valencia: The “City of Sand”

THE CITY OF SAND

TRAVEL TO VALENCIA

Have you always dreamed of setting off on a quest for the Holy Grail? A trip to Valencia, the beautiful Spanish city on the Mediterranean coast, is an adventure you shouldn’t miss.

TRAVEL TO VALENCIA

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city, located on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The Romans founded Valencia in the 2nd century on the site of an old Iberian town and named it Valentia Edetanorum, which could loosely be translated as “city of strength,” in honor of the Roman soldiers who founded and settled it. The Arabs, who arrived on the Iberian Peninsula around the 7th century, changed its name, giving it what may be a more fitting one: Medina at-Turab, the city of sand on the Turab River (the Turia River).

Valencia will satisfy even the pickiest travelers. It will win them over with the beauty of its buildings and its wealth of museums, delight them with festivals held every year (Feria de Julio, El Nueve d’Octubre…), entertain them with bars and clubs playing all kinds of music, and refresh anyone eager to swim and sunbathe on one of its three beaches: Las Arenas, La Malvarrosa and La Patacona.

Strolling through the old town, you will come across gorgeous squares, narrow streets, charming souvenir shops and richly decorated churches… One place you absolutely must not miss is the Plaza de la Virgen, home to Valencia Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint Mary. Once you pass through the Apostles’ Door, you will be struck by the grandeur of the building that houses the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus drank from! The Cathedral of Saint Mary was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. Its bell tower, El Micalet, is a remnant of an old mosque.

Another building well worth seeing is La Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange), where silk, wool and other goods were once traded. The power and wealth of the merchants who built it in the 16th century are reflected in the splendor of this Gothic landmark. Architect Pere Compte completed the Trading Hall (the main hall) in just fifteen years, as recorded by a Latin inscription in gold letters on a blue band running along the top of all four walls. It reads: “I am a famous house built in fifteen years. Try and see, fellow citizens, how good a thing commerce is when there is no deceit in speech, when one swears to one’s neighbor and does not cheat him, when money is not lent at interest. The merchant who acts this way will prosper in abundance and in the end will enjoy eternal life.” Be sure to look out for the building’s decorations, its gargoyles. Some of them are very amusing and a little risqué… The merchants paid to have them cleverly placed facing the church, to make their opinion of church dignitaries known. So you will find one figure showing a bare bottom, and another depicting a bishop relieving himself…..

If you want to try something authentic, paella is the way to go. Valencia is considered the birthplace of paella, the traditional Spanish dish served in as many as two hundred variations. And of course, I recommend washing it all down with a glass of good Spanish wine while you enjoy this specialty.

The best place to get to know the spirit of the city is the market. Valencia is home to one of the oldest markets still in operation, the Mercado Central.

FLIGHTS PODGORICA – VALENCIA

A Podgorica – Valencia flight can be booked for around 230 euros. Flights from Podgorica to Valencia involve a connection, as there are no direct flights from Podgorica… Podgorica – Valencia tickets are available from various airlines, with Air France and Lufthansa offering the best connections, with just one stopover and short layovers.

Valencia Airport, also known as Manises, is located 8 km from Valencia. It is the eighth-busiest airport in Spain by passenger traffic. The airport is connected to the city by regular bus and metro lines.

Enjoy the flavors of Spain with wine and paella!