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VALENCIA IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

The Year has just started and there is already so much on offer in sport, music, opera and arts! The big four are of course America's Cup 33 (if it ever gets out of court and on to the water!) starting 08 February. Then there is MTV Winter for music fans - a free night of music and spectacle at the City of Arts and Sciences on 13 February and with a great line up headed by the Arctic Monkeys. More premium sport for Moter Racing fans with the Formula One trials 01-03 February at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit at Cheste - tickets are so reasonable at 25€ Adult for the weekend! Fourth event is the excellent street and theatre festival Valencia Escena Oberta (VEO) 10 - 21 February all over the city.

But that's not all - there's a lot of great music too, Flamenco, Opera - read on here and don't forget - most of what we decribe is here on video for you to get a taste!

AMERICA'S CUP 33
Port America's Cup
08-14 February
If it all ever gets out of the New York Courts we are promised some of the most exciting sailing for a few days when Alinghi and BMW Oracle (or is it TeamUSA now?) fight it out with huge and extremely fast multihull yachts on the waters of Valencia to win the chance of hosting a real, multi-team America's Cup 34, here again, hopefully. Mike O'Neill has been following the long and protracted story here, and will be reporting on the racing when they finally get to it.ALL THE LATEST HERE AS IT HAPPENS AND ON OUR BLOG thisisvalencia.blogspot.com and follow us on twitter.com/gooruvlc

XIV Flamenco Festival
Palau de la Música
The very best in Flamenco yet again in this excellent Festival.
30 January - Diego 'El Cigala'
31 January - a Night of Valencian Flamenco
14 February - Buika
19 February - Miguel Poveda.

Formula One official 2010 Trials
Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste
01-03 February
A great weekend's entertainment and an absolute must for any petrolhead. 25€ gets you a grandstand seat for the whole three day event but as little as 5€ will get you into the circuit and there are VIP box offers too!

Seven of F1's 13 teams - namely Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Renault, Sauber, Williams and Toro Rosso - have confirmed their participation in the opening group test of the 2010 pre-season.

The good news is also that part of the proceeds of the day will go to help the victims of Haiti. "Fans who buy a ticket for the tests in Valencia will also perform a humanitarian act to help after a tragedy," Garcia said.

SEMANA DE MODA VALENCIA

02-04 February

Feria Valencia and Mya in Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències are the two main Venues for this VIII edition.

La VIII Semana de Moda De Valencia will present the 2010 fall-winter collections. On the runway, for three days, 24 prêt-à-porter collection proposals will be presented. Not only national designers but important local designers too.

As in previous editions, VIII SDM will present a non-stop parade, with 7 emerging designers in Zona D: Asta Masiulyte, Lola Cuello, Blanca Beyer, Retal Reciclaje Creativo, Georgina Vendrell, Loolah and Susana Escribano.

The complete list of designers showing at this important event in the Fasion Calendar is as follows:-Alex Vidal, Encarnis Tomero, Asta Masiulyte, Higinio Mateu, Ion Fiz, Bianca Beyer, Itzíar Górriz, Jaime Piquer, Georgina Vendrell, Jose Zambrano, Juan Vidal, Loolah, Manuel de Gotor, Maya Hansen, Lola Cuello, Miquel Suay, Mónica Lavandera, Retal Rec. Creativo, Nona, Paco Roca, Susana Escribano, Porfin!, Siglo Cero, Tonuca, Yiyí Gutz, Yono Taola, Modakaos

Festival VEO
Valencia Escena Oberta
10-21 February at the following locations
Mercado de Campanar, IVAM, Sala Zircó, Estación del Norte - RENFE, Jardines de Viveros, Parque de Benicalap,Teatre El Musical, Sala Matilde Salvador, Pont de la Mar

MTV Winter Festival
City of Arts & Sciences.
13 February
This is the third MTV Winter to be held and televised to millions of MTV viewers around the world. It is usually a spectacular night and this year looks like it will be no exception with a great line up headed by the Arctic Monkeys, who are supported by the Mystery Jets, Lightspeed Champion and Fuzzy White Casters. Get there early as the event is free and people come from miles to see it.

OPERA
Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
23, 26, 29, 31 January and 3, 6, 9 / February
Grand Théâtre de Genève and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino production of this tragic drama based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott set on the moors of Scotland. It is directed by Birmingham Opera's Graham Vick and designed by Riverside Studio's Graham Brown. Vladímir Stoyanov plays Lord Ashton and Nino Machaidze plays Miss Lucia.

TRADE FAIRS - FEBRUARY
FERIA DE VALENCIA

CEVISAMA 2010
09 - 12 February
28th INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR ARCHITECTURAL CERAMICS, BATHROOM & KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, NATURAL STONE, RAW MATERIALS, FRITS, GLAZES & COLOURS, MACHINERY (MACHINERY: even numbered years only)

MARMOL 2010
09 - 12 February
27th INTL. SHOW FOR NATURAL STONES, MACHINERY & RELATED EQUIPMENT

FORINVEST 2010
24 - 26 February
3rd INTL FORUM-EXHIBITION OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES, INVESTMENTS, INSURANCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE SECTOR

TCV 2010
26 - 28 February
6th INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA

TANNED TIN FESTIVAL

CASTELLÓN - TEATRO PRINCIPAL AND SALA OPAL
28 - 31 January

The very curiously named Tanned Tin Festival takes place at the Teatro Principal and the Sala Opal in Castellón from 28 January until the 31st - It features no less than 34 rising stars of the indie scene in concerts both during the day at Sala Opal and the night at Teatro Principal. The Line up is as follows:

Thursday 28 - Teatre Principal

McEnroe 20:00h · Lacrosse 20:40h · David Thomas Broughton 21:20h · Arborea 21:55h · Dean & Britta 22:40h · The Wave Pictures 23:40h · Giant Sand 0:40h · Aidan Moffat & The Best Ofs 1:50h
Friday 29 - Teatre Principal

Ecstatic Sunshine 20:00h · Thee, Stranded Horse 20:35h · Picastro 21:20h · Callers 22:10h · Luke Haines 22:55h · Robin Guthrie 23:50h · The Third Eye Foundation 0:50h · Sleep Whale 2:05h
Saturday 30 - Teatre Principal

Kristofer Aström 20:00h · Sea of Bees 20:40h · Richard Buckner 21:20h · The Wowz 22:15h · L'Altra 23:10h · Dean Wareham plays Galaxie 500 0:10h · Savage Republic 1:15h · DD/MM/YYYY 2:15h
Wednesday 27 - Veneno Stereo

Fiesta presentación. Entrada: 6 € (fuera de abono) · Betunizer
Thursday 29 - Sala Opal

Jozef Van Wissem 13:00h · Jason Urick 13:35h · Sir Richard Bishop 14:15h · Homenaje a Jack Rose 15:05h
Saturday 30 - Sala Opal

Ching Chong Song 13:00h · Jamie Stewart 13:35h · Joe Pernice 14:25h
Sunday 31 - Sala Opal

Mi and L'au 13:00h · Castanets 13:40h · The Clientele 14:25h · The Joe K-Plan 15:15h
 

VALENCIA IN NOVEMBER

TONS TO DO IN AND AROUND THE CITY AND THE WEATHER IS GREAT TOO!

WANT TO GO TO SHOPPING HEAVEN! JOIN OUR TOURS!

WE LOVE IKEA!
Can't wait for Ikea Valencia to open?

Then join us on a luxury coach to Murcia for a day's Christmas/Reyes shopping. Shop 'til you drop at Ikea and/or at the beautiful shopping mall Nueva Condomina close by!

We leave Plaza Ayuntamiento at 08:30h and a pick up at Heron City at 09:00h - we return to Valencia at 20:00h

All this for the incredibly reasonable price of 35€ per head!

Includes a free Swedish tapas lunch at IKEA and special discounts in IKEAFOOD Shop.

Book now! We are currently taking bookings for Saturday 28 November and Wednesday 02 December.

Call now on 665 699 361 or email us at info@thisisvalencia.com stating your preferred date and number in party

*group discounts available
**No time to come yourself? Give us your list and we'll personally shop for you!
***If you plan or would like to purchase furniture on the trip please let us know in advance, we offer great rates for delivery (and assembly too!).

STOCK UP FOR CHRISTMAS!
Want to stock up on English Christmas Goodies at great prices?

Join our luxury coach to Iceland/Waitrose in Benissa and buy all those food items you miss - great party food, cranberry sauce, mince pies, Christmas cards, crackers, cakes and puds...that's not all, magazines and books, sweets and chocolates, and much, much more!

Pick up at Heron City at 09:30H and back by 16:00h ish..

And the price? Just 20€ a head

Book Now! We are currently taking bookings for Monday 30 November and Friday 11 December.
Call now on 665 699 361 or email us at info@thisisvalencia.com stating your preferred date and number in party.

*group discounts available
No time to come yourself? Give us your list and we'll personally shop for you!

NOS ENCANTA IKEA!
¿¿No puedes esperar hasta la apertura de IKEA Valencia??

Vente con nosotros en un autobus de lujo para un día de compras antes de navidades y reyes. ¡Haz unas compras en Ikea y/o en el genial centro comercial Nueva Condomina muy cerquita!

Salimos de la Pl. Ayuntamiento a las 08h30 y recogemos en Kinepolis a las 09h00, para volver a Valencia a las 20h00

Todo esto por el precio razonable de €35/pax

Incluye la comida en el restaurante de Ikea de tapas Suecas y descuentos especiales en el IKEAFOOD Shop.

¡Reserva tu plaza ahora! Desde ahora aceptamos reservas para el sábado 28 noviembre y miércoles 02 de diciembre.

Llama ahora al 665 699 361 o mándanos un correo a info@thisisvalencia.com diciéndonos tu fecha preferida y nº de personas

* tenemos descuentos para grupos
**¿No tienes tiempo para venir tu mismo? Danos tu lista y te haremos la compra nosotros!
***Si planeas o te gustaría comprar muebles en el viaje por favor haznoslo saber antes de venir, ofrecemos tarifas geniales de entrega (y de montaje también!)

LLENA LA DISPENSA ANTES DE NAVIDAD!
¿Quieres comprar comida inglesa navideña a precios fenomenales?

Vente con nosotros en un autobus de lujo a Iceland/Waitrose en Jávea y compra ¡todos esos manjares británicos deliciosos!

Geniales canapés para tus fiestas, salsa de cranberry para la carne, "mince pies", postales navideñas, "Christmas crackers", tartas, pasteles
y postres.....y eso no es todo - regalos, revistas y libros, golosinas y chocolates, bebida, carne, y mucho, mucho más!

Recogemos en Kinepolis a las 09h30 y a las 16h00 ya estamos de vuelta.
¿Y el precio? ¡Sólo 20 por persona!

Reserva tu plaza ahora!
Desde ahora aceptamos reservas para el lunes 30 noviembre y viernes 11 de diciembre.
Llama ahora al 665 699 361 o mándanos un correo a info@thisisvalencia.com
diciéndonos tu fecha preferida y nº de personas

* tenemos descuentos para grupos
** No tienes tiempo para venir tu mismo? Danos tu lista y te haremos la compra nosotros!

Lucia di Lammermoor - La Monnaie / Cirque Royal from La Monnaie Opera House on Vimeo.

STOP PRESS, STOP PRESS, STOP PRESS
a new section on thisisvalencia..com - FLATS FOR SALE, the best quality flats and apartments in and around Valencia, at the best possible prices and terms -if you are looking to buy a flat, and can't find what you are looking for on the new pages contact us now telling us your price range, preferred size and area here. We'll let you know what's on offer by return

REVIEW
GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR
8TH TO 10TH MAY

Well-eat your heart our Douglas Bunn!!! Hickstead will never be able to offer such value for money and good viewing as The Global Cahmpions Tour and the City of Arts and Sciences offered us this weekend.

For just 5 euros per day (12 euros for three days, if you paid in advance), Jo Public was given the privilege of watching the world's top riders and showjumping horses perform in the most magnificent setting. The pool in front of the Science Museum became the arena by 'simply' draining it and filling with Fibresand - a special type of sand used for horses and sow jumping. The jumps were wonderfully colourful, the weather, although not overly sunny, was breezey and was perfect for the horses and riders. The husband and I have the most wonderful sunburnt faces with white panda eyes!.

Unfortunately for those that did not get up early, they soon discovered that seating was not in plentiful supply. Strangely, there were no programmes for sale, so no-one really knew what they were watching. The only piece of paper I had was a list of the classes that I downloaded off the Champions Tour website - it wasn't, however, accurate. The start times were different, and on Saturday one class didn't happen! In my humble opinion, it would have been nicer to have had programmes available, both for those that know something about the sport, and for those that know nothing about it. It seemed that the Valencians knew very little, as they waved their flags in the faces of the Spanish horses whilst they were in the arena and clapping and whooping mid-round!! Amazing really, how most of the horses tolerated it!

My only two gripes with the entire event are one, that the loos were badly signposted, it wasn't until the end of the second day that I found out I we could have used those inside the Museum, instead of trekking into the car park! Gripe number two is that the facilities for the disabled were negligible. People in wheelchairs had to view the event peering though the bars of fencing and barriers.

Saturday was the main day, with The Global Champions Tour Class, which was televised by Eurosport.  With over 30 World Class Riders with their wonderful horses, we were treated to a wonderful feast of top quality horsemanship over huge difficult fences. And the result-it was won by one of those many Whittakers from Yorkshire! So we were able to stand for the National Anthem and sing our hearts out! So thank you to John Whittaker! No doubt he is still smiling at his success-after all, he did win 285,000 euros! A huge pot for showjumpers.

So, well done Valencia, Oxer Sport, and GCT for hosting such a wonderful event in such wonderful surroundings.

©2009 S PRYKE