Posted by Tom on May 28th, 2007 — Posted in Travel, Architecture
What do you know about Spain?
Most people would probably answer something like Madrid, Barcelona, Paella, Oranges and Rioja. Until recently hardly anyone would have said Valencia. This will change soon. Thanks to the Swiss sailing team Alinghi who won the 31st Americas Cup in Auckland on the 2nd March 2003. They chose Spains 3rd largest city Valencia to host the most prestigious cup in sailing and the city now continues its rise.
The capital of the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia is beautifully located on the mediterranean cost on the plain of the river Turia, surrounded by hinterland hills rarely higher than 100 metres. Traditionally the city and its 800,000 inhabitants was always drawn away from the coast with its old town located a couple kilometers inland. The 500 Million Euro investment in the new harbour will eventually change that.
What struck me the most when I recently visited Valencia (of course to see one flight of the Louis Vuitton Cup), was the combination of old and new. The old town was as you would expect it, beautiful old buildings, a buzzing nightlife and lots of tourists. But there is also the new Valencia.
In Spanish they call it “Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias” which means City of Arts and Sciences. The newly built site consists of 5 individual but still visually connected buildings designed by one of the most famous architects, Santiago Calatrava. The Valencia born Calatrava with his main office in Zurich has been heralded as bridging the division between structural engineering and architecture. In simple English: the buildings are just breath taking! I would only travel to Valencia just to see these buildings with my own eyes. Brilliant!
The river Turia links the newly built Americs’s Harbour with Calatrava’s masterpieces and the old town. But you won’t see water there as the river was diverted in the 1960s, the river bed becoming the longest park I have ever seen. Imagine living there and you have a park that goes on for miles right in front of you. This must be heaven for all runners of this planet.
I’m sure you’ll hear much more about Valencia in the near future as it probably will compete with Barcelona to become the premier travel destination on the Spanish mediterranean cost. Even more so should the Alinghi team win the America’s Cup once again, the city will then continue to be host to this fascinating event.
Valencia, Spain
39°29′0″N, 0°22′0″W
Easyjet and Clickair have daily flights from Gatwick and Heathrow.
Valencia, Spain
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Posted by Katrin on May 21st, 2007 — Posted in Theater
Last Friday evening I was sitting at home, trying to figure out what to do with the weekend. Every now and then I have a look here, to see whether there are any affordable tickets to plays or musicals around. Honestly, I think the prices in London are absolutely mad if you don’t want to sit in the upper left corner behind a spotlight. I have done that before actually, back in my no-money-at-all student days in Paris. Half a baguette for the day, and a theatre ticket made me quite happy and I didn’t mind to compromise on the seat’s location.
Well, but thanks to this site sometimes you can get lucky. I was just browsing a little bit and found “a ticket for a tenner” for The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Called a friend, booked the tickets, and off we went on Saturday to stroll around China Town and then catch the matinee in the Apollo.
I loved it!
We had great seats in the 9th row or so, last minute bookings can be really good. It started out rather slowly, and Jessica Lange wasn’t as impressive as I had hoped (but then, who am I to judge). If you go to see a two times Oscar winner and an experienced stage actress you naturally get your hopes up.
However everyone might need some warming up on a Saturday afternoon, because the second part of the play was brilliant! Lange was fantastic, and an intense scene between Amanda Hale and Mark Umbers had me holding my breath. Ed Stoppard is great as Tom, the narrator of the play and main character. The only thing I found is that it feels a bit wrong to go out of the theatre after the play and find that it is still light outside. It just seems strange, so maybe I will avoid matinees in the future. The Glass Menagerie is unfortunately over now. But in general I can definitely recommend this venue, so watch out what is on!
Apollo Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
London, W1V 7DH
0870 890 1101Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
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Posted by Katrin on May 14th, 2007 — Posted in Restaurants, Bars
Oh cool, who would have thought I have this jewel in my backyard! Well, not actually in my backyard, but just around the corner anyway.
I was lucky enough to be taken out to dinner last night. We knew this place was in the neighbourhood but for some reason never got around to try it. Then a little article caught our attention.
Entering through a large wooden door which has a bit of a keep-out feeling you walk into a room that has such a comfortable atmosphere to it you want to just sit down and spend the entire evening there. Dark brown wood and warm reds dominate the interior, in the warmer months the French windows open up towards the quiet street where a few more tables are standing.
The menu offers Tapas style dishes divided into vegetable, meat and seafood, pizza (small ones, in line with the Tapas theme) and desert. All on an A4 paper – I love it when there aren’t too many choices. The food is absolutely delicious! The waitress recommended about three dishes per person. Try the house salad of Puy Lentils, Feta and Olives in Honey Mustard Dressing, the Roast Sweet Potatoe and Butternut Squash with wilted Spinach, and the Pork Meatballs in roasted Tomato Sauce. The Manchego filled Dates wrapped in Parma Ham are absolutely divine and because of their sweetness can work well at the end of the meal. Be aware of the oysters though, they are very fresh and tasty but huge! I’m not exaggerating… I am a fan of oysters but there even I hesitated for a moment.
Only sad note to the evening: We didn’t have much luck with the wine. The Montepulciano was disappointing, mainly because it was watery. The Rioja couldn’t win us over either. So you might want to try a glass first before deciding on a bottle.
Priory House
Bar and Restaurant
58 Milson Road
London W14 0LB
020 7371 3999
The Priory House
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Posted by Katrin on May 12th, 2007 — Posted in Events
There’s nothing more exciting than starting something new! Last year I came across some blogs I liked, tried it myself and was surprised how much fun it is. After a trial period of blogging (the web and all its opportunities wasn’t something that came naturally to me): I now officially launch my own site!
Originally I wanted to blog about London. I live here and it seemed a good idea, especially as a tool to keep in touch with friends and let them know what I am up to. However, my blog isn’t really just about being here, it is as much about travel and being on the move.
And last but not least it is about everything that makes life just a little bit nicer.
Welcome to farfromrainydays.com
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