VALENCIA Information
Valencia International Performance Academy & Festival, June 28 – July 14, 2023Founded in 138 BC, the Spanish city of Valencia has more than a story to tell. In more than 2000 years of history, the city has gathered different cultures, people, and melded distant and divergent traditions inside its walls. Passing from the control of the Roman Empire to the Moors, just to be heroically liberated; it saw the crown of Aragon and the Bourbons at its helm, as well as the long dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Its adventurous and rich history has resulted in a strong and colorful identity. Valencians are rightly proud of their heritage, their own language (Valencian), their traditions, and their own heroes…
Alessandro Tessari (theculturetrip.com)
FOOD
The lifestyle and hours are a little different in Spain. The main difference is that the main meal of the day, “La comida” is usually eaten around 2pm. Dinner is usually eaten around 9 or 10pm. So, if you go to a restaurant at say 12 noon, or 7pm, they are unlikely to be ready to serve you.
When time and circumstance permit, people will take a break and nap anywhere between 2 – 5pm, so if you are staying in an apartment, people usually refrain from practicing their instruments or playing music loudly during these hours.
The meals are outlined below:
Meal |
Timing |
Typical Food |
| Desayuno / breakfast | Morning | café con leche, tostadas con tomate, croissant. |
| Almuerzo | 11 AM | bocadillos, pincho de tortilla. |
| La comida / lunch | 2-3 PM | often a 2 or 3 course meal, with a café to finish. The main meal of the day. Followed by a siesta (nap) when time and circumstance permit! |
| Merienda / afternoon tea | 5-6 PM | café and snack – biscuit, cake |
| Cena | 9-10 PM | Tapas, a restaurant meal |
TRANSPORTATION
Moving around in our city is easy, and very cost-effective. To begin with, Valencia is very friendly towards the use of bycicles; just make sure to review what the regulations are with regards to riding — this resource from the City of Valencia helps in understanding how to ride safely in Valencia.
Buses – The local bus service is called EMT (“Empresa Municipal de Transporte”), and have a helpful web portal through which you can find out what local bus routes are, and calculate your options. Visit their website here. Buses 92, 93, 4, 19 and 95 connect the city center with the beach (Malvarossa), all of them passing near the school building and Marina Real student dorms. You can pay cash on board (1,50€/ride), or buy an EMT card (0,85€/2-hour ride, buying multiples of 10 rides) from a tobacco shop (called “Estanco” in Spanish) and top it up.
Valenbisi – This is a short-term bike rental service that is available around the city of Valencia, and is very convenient and inexpensive. You may purchase a weekly/annual suscription, and will have access to unlimited rides under 30 min for free. More info about Valenbisi here.
Coming from Valencia Airport – The simplest way to reach VIPA headquarters from the Airport is to take the subway directly to the MARITIM metro station (Line 5). This station is a few metres far from the School. Cost of the ride: under 5€.
LOCATION
Ateneo Musical del Puerto. C/ Francesc Baldomar, 40. Valencia.
Marina Real Student Residency. C/ Francesc Cubells, 7. Valencia
SECURITY
Valencia is one of the safest cities you can visit in the world, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have to watch your belongings or be minimally cautious. Be aware of your surroundings and remember that you are conspicuous as a tourist here. Do not leave any personal belongings unattended for even a minute. Just like you’ll do anywhere else!
