The city of Valencia is located next to the Mediterranean Sea and 350 km from Madrid and Barcelona, the largest cities in Spain. With a population of 800,000, its many streets and unbeatable climate, it offers you a wide variety of unforgettable leisure and cultural experiences.

City Highlights

The City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is an avant-garde, futuristic museum complex designed by a renowned Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, who is often described as Gaudi with a computer. The entire complex is devoted to scientific and cultural exploration and consists of five main elements: the Hemisfèric (an IMAX cinema), the Umbracle, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, the Oceanográfico (the largest aquarium in Europe with over 500 marine species) and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (the opera house).

Jardines de Turia - Gardens of Turia
The old river bed of the Turia River is the central axis of the city - 9km of a green belt, surrounded by ancient walls and buildings. The river bed is the embodiment of the cosy charm of Valencia. There are numerous playgrounds, areas for sports, fountains and well-trimmed artistic gardens. The river bed is always full of people - there is something for everyone.

Lonja de la Seda
The Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange) is a late Valencian gothic style civil building built between 1482 and 1548, and one of the city's principal tourist attractions. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mercado Central
Right opposite La Lonja, this is one of the oldest and still running food markets in Europe, although the building itself was constructed at the beginning of the XX century, in genuine Valencian style, with lots of colours, ceramics and mosaics. The market is still as lively as ever, as if the centuries have passed it by. It’s a snapshot of the real Valencian daily life and, needless to say, a perfect place to buy some local delicacies.

The America’s Cup
After being chosen the Host City of the 32nd America's Cup in 2007, the first America’s Cup ever to be held in Europe, in 2010, Valencia welcomes the 33rd contest for the oldest sports trophy in the world.

Night life and Entertainment

Music
A vibrant local music scene evidences Valencian musical traditions that go back centuries in time, a passion that has been passed from generation to generation. Valencians are brought up with music in their blood.

Festivals
Valencia is home to a number of popular festivals from the religious to the profane: it is a melting pot of rituals and celebrations.

Local Cuisine: Paella
The most characteristic Valencian dishesare made with rice, cooked in a myriad of different ways. The star of the show is the world famous paella. Paella is a kind of stew, cooked with special rice, chicken and rabbit, bajoqueta (green beans) and garrofón (butter beans). Other traditional dishes are arroz al horno (oven-baked rice), arroz a banda (rice with seafood), arroz negro (rice with squid ink), arròs amb fesols i naps, a “moist” rice dish with beans and turnips, and fideuá (replacing rice with noodles).

Local Cuisine: Tapas
Patatas bravas, grilled cuttlefish, mussels, clams, anchovies in vinegar and cod croquettes are just a handful of the tapas on offer for you to enjoy with a cold beer.

Your Spanish Language School in Valencia

Our Spanish language school in Valencia is located right in the heart of the historic city centre. You’ll be able to have your breakfast at the fabulous Mercado Central and then a quick lunch between your lessons in one of the excellent local bars and restaurants. You’ll be also able to immerse yourself in Valencia’s leisurely nightlife later in the evening.

The Teachers

• All the school’s teachers are native speakers with specialized training in language teaching
• All the school’s teachers are highly qualified and experienced in teaching Spanish as a foreign language
• All the school’s teachers speak at least two languages

Facilities

• Spacious classrooms located on two floors of a beautiful period building
• A comfortable student area
• Free broadband internet access
• A library
• A DVD library
• Free water, coffee and tea + an option to buy soft drinks at low prices

Cultural Activities

Language Exchanges
Every two weeks, the School organizes a language exchange meeting for students learning Spanish and English. The exchange takes place in the School and acts as an ice-breaker; from there you can make your own arrangements to meet up at a later date to continue practicing your new language skills. Check the library bulletin board for language exchange dates and the sign-up sheet. Taking part is free of charge.

Dinners
Every month the School organizes a dinner. This dinner is for all students of the School (including students learning English, Valencian and Dutch) and the teachers. You can sign-up in the office. Posters advertising these dinners are displayed on the library bulletin board. The cost of each dinner will depend on the restaurant (around €20).

Cultural Lectures
Every week, one of the teachers will give a cultural lecture. Each lecture has a different topic and takes place from 13.30 to 14.30, so that all students can attend. Information about the date and topic of the class will be posted on the bulletin board in the library. Attendance is free of charge.

Room in a Shared Apartment

All rooms and apartments are furnished. The kitchen, living room and bathroom are shared.

Spanish Host Family

Best option if cultural immersion is the most important factor for you. Home stay in Valencia is available as bed and breakfast, half-board or full-board.

Youth Hostel

A clean, basic and budget accommodation in single or shared room in a youth hostel right in the historic city centre. The youth hostel is located in a modernist building at one of the most important streets as far as Valencia’s modernist architecture is concerned.

Apartments

Please ask us for more information about this option. Prices depend on what you are looking for: the size of the apartment, its location, the season and the length of your stay.

Cheap Flights to Valencia

There are many low cost flights to Valencia with Easy Jet and Ryan Air. You can also often find excellent deals with British Airways, Iberia (Airline of Spain), Lufthansa and Air France who are amongst the many airlines offering flights to Valencia.

Valencia by Train

When traveling in Spain (i.e. if your flight is to Mardrid) a great alternative to flying is to take the train to Valencia. Train travel in Spain is very easy, affordable and a great way to travel to Valencia. Since December 2010, Valencia has been part of the Spanish rapid train network.

Arriving at the Valencia Airport

The good news is that the metro line from Valencia airport to the city has been completed. You can also take the Bus Aeropuerto (airport bus) to the city of Valencia and other buses to Gandia and the surrounding areas, and the RENFE trains run from Estacion del Norte in the centre of town.

Transfers

Our Spanish language school in Valencia will be happy to organize your return flights and airport transfers. Please, ask for more details.