Still Discovering Spain...

The history of humanity has thousands of ins and outs that have changed our way of living. The year we find ourselves in, for example, is a number that we accept and celebrate every January 1 to welcome another 365 days or 366 every four periods.

Thus, since last January 1, the Western world entered the year 2022. This was taken naturally by the majority of the population, although not all places on the planet entered the same way when they circled the sun that day.

The Chinese calendar, for example, is currently in the year 4719 where, according to the most extensive studies, its origin would be 2679 before ours, the Gregorian calendar. Its establishment meant such an important change in the life of a large part of the planet that it regulates today the year in which we live.

About 500 years ago the months were not structured as they are today. The world was regulated by the Roman calendar, which was the first system to divide time in Ancient Rome, whose legend states that it was created by one of the two founders of the city, Romulus. This was based on months of 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes that, according to the moon, could amount to 30 days.

But this almanac underwent various changes such as the one introduced by Julius Caesar, influenced by Sosigenes of Alexandria who decided to establish modifications to this system. Thus, a new calendar, called Julian in honour of the president, was implemented in the year 46 BC and established years of 365 days where every 4 years the leap figure would appear.

But the most important change to the way of structuring the days and months until today would occur in the sixteenth century. Pope Gregory XIII decided to establish what is today our almanac and January 1 was considered the beginning of the year, something ingrained in society.

Although the initiative was approved by the pontiff, the origin of this calendar has its home here in Spain. Spain was in charge of creating the day manager used by most of the planet thanks to research carried out by the University of Salamanca that would revolutionise calendars forever.

The study was carried out by a commission of professors from the institution appointed by the Pope and directed by Pedro Chacón, one of the most important mathematicians in Spain during that century. He, unfortunately, died in 1581 without being able to see the adoption of the calendar.

The page specialising in historical issues on the Twitter social network "theespanishlegacy" exposes how Pope Gregory XIII turned to the teachers of the Spanish university because this was "one of the main centres of knowledge in the world." In this sense, it should be noted that it only took three years to prepare the investigation, a milestone for the time.

After the publication, it was Philip II himself who pressured the highest pontiff to establish the new calendar, leaving behind the Julian calendar, which had been lagging behind ten days since its creation. Thus, after various deliberations, the pope accepted the Spanish proposal and research and it was adopted by pioneering countries Spain, Italy and France.

Spain’s allure is inevitably linked to its sun-drenched coastal towns, vibrant cultural festivities, and the delight of balmy summer months. Yet, once the season recedes, there's plenty to relish. Many Spanish towns continue to shimmer with remarkable charm and offer a peaceful experience. From November to March, these towns open a path to all-year-round exploration of Spain, dotted with milder climates, lesser crowds, and more affordable airline and hotel deals.

Jávea: A Coastal Joy on Costa Blanca

Located on the Costa Blanca, Jávea, a tranquil seaside town, is notable for its stunning coves and magnificent coastline. Even during packed August vacation periods, the town manages to retain an unhurried ambience. Its enchanting beaches such as El Arenal, La Granadella, and Cala del Portixol, although they teem with visitors in summer, continue to allure in the winter. Coupling this with temperatures remaining a comfortable 16-22C through much of the winter, Jávea secures itself as a warm winter getaway.

Water sports lovers can indulge in kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing, while land explorers can hike or bike the scenic trails of Cape San Antonio and Montgó Natural Park. Savour the unique blend of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine at La Mar de Chola, then finish your day with a relaxed drink at La Siesta Beach Bar.

San Sebastián: The Foodie's Paradise

San Sebastián, famous for its prestigious film festival and stellar food scene, entices visitors with its temperate weather. Despite being one of the culinary capitals of the world and home to the beautiful La Concha beach, San Sebastián keeps its doors wide open during off-peak periods. Venture into its cultural pulse during the Tamborrada of Donostia festival in January.

Make sure to visit Bar Txepetxa for delicious ‘pintxos', a Basque rendition of tapas, and La Cuchara de San Telmo, famed for dishes like foie gras, beef cheeks, and razor clams. For surf enthusiasts, the Zurriola beach continues to allure with its winter waves.

Seville: An Andalusian Delight

For those who struggle with the resounding summer heat of Seville, autumn and winter offer an ideal retreat. The Andalusian capital continues to captivate, with its Royal Alcázar, the cathedral, and energizing flamenco shows in Triana available to explore sans the oppressive summer heat.

Mallorca: The Island Oasis

Mallorca, which rules with one of Spain's most efficiently connected airports, serves as a peaceful retreat. The sedate winter weather complements the grandeur of the Island’s cathedral, modern art displays at Es Baluard Museu d'Art Contemporani de Palma, and charming towns like Valldemossa.

For those aiming to escape bone-chilling winters, the sun-kissed Spanish towns present unrivalled delights. The off-season brings out their quieter charm, and relaxation meets rich cultural tapestry, delectable food, and invigorating outdoor expeditions. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extensive vacation, these towns invite you to leave winter coats behind and soak into the warm Spanish winter sun.

Food in season is cheaper and tastes much better. No arguments there!

Throughout the year we can consume almost any type of food, even though it is not the optimal time for its harvest. This allows us to eat a very varied diet, but it hurts the environment ... and our pockets. 

Consuming fruits and vegetables in season is cheaper than buying foods that should not be on the market during a certain time of year. In addition, it is beneficial for our bodies and has great environmental benefits.

When food is in season, it indicates that it is the best time to consume it, since it maintains a large part of its nutrients. It is also noticeable in its flavour since the ripening process is not done artificially.

Fruits that are at their best are avocado, raspberry, kiwi, lemon, tangerine, apple, oranges, banana, and grapefruit. January is also a good month to take advantage of the harvest of the last persimmons and custard apples of the season. Also, in January, the first strawberries begin to appear on the market.

The list of seasonal vegetables in January is extensive too. At this time of year, we can enjoy the following foods in their fullness: chard, garlic, artichoke, celery, aubergine, broccoli, zucchini, thistle, red cabbage, cauliflower, endive, endive, spinach, pea, broad bean, green bean, lettuce, cucumber, pepper, leek, radish, beet, cabbage, tomato and carrot.

Maybe we should all start paying attention to the seasons, it will benefit us in many ways.

Twelfth Night is the festival marking the coming of the Epiphany and concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas. In medieval and Tudor England, the Twelfth Night marked the end of a winter festival that started on All Hallows Eve — now more commonly known as Halloween. The Lord of Misrule symbolises the world turning upside down. On this day the King and all those who were high would become the peasants and vice versa. At the beginning of the Twelfth Night festival, a cake that contained a bean was eaten, and the person who found the bean would rule the feast. Midnight signalled the end of his rule and the world would return to normal. The common theme was that the normal order of things was reversed.

 The origins of the Three Kings' Cake appear to date back to the 2nd century BC, when the Romans celebrated the Saturnalia – also known as the Slaves' Festival as they didn't have to work – with a round pastry that concealed a bean. The bean symbolised the imminent arrival of prosperity thanks to the Spring and to Saturn, the god of agriculture. Its symbolism has changed greatly since then, and the recipe even more-so. The Romans spread it across Europe, but its consumption died out with the arrival of Christianity. However the French preserved the tradition and it was common among bourgeois families to eat the cake, which they prepared with a coin inside it.

Food and drink are at the centre of the celebrations in modern times, and all of the most traditional ones go back many centuries. Around the world, special pastries and bread, such as Roscón de Reyes, La Galette des Rois and King cake are baked on the Twelfth Night and are eaten for the Feast of the Epiphany celebrations. In English and French customs, a Twelfth Night cake was baked to contain a bean and a pea, so that those who received the slices containing them should be designated king and queen of the night’s festivities. 

Over the centuries this tradition has changed. Gold coins began to be introduced as a reward to whoever found the Roscón treasure, it was later decided to hide a figurine of  King and a bean at the same time to find out who was the 'lucky one' and who was the fool with the bean ... until today. Nowadays most Roscón have the figurine of a King and dehydrated bean, only now the person who finds the bean is not only the fool but also has to pay the cake!

Traditionally, however, there was a time in Spain when whoever found the trinket (which would have been a figurine of baby Jesus) had to take it to the nearest church on February 2, Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day), which celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. According to the Jewish tradition, an infant was to be presented to God in the Temple forty days after his birth. The use of candles on Candlemas represents the light of Christ presented to the world. The Kings’ cake (Roscón) in Spain is traditionally eaten after lunch on the 6th of January and if you fancy making one this year, here is a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

Sourdough mix:

100 g of strong flour
60 ml of warm milk
2 g yeast

Decoration:

1 beaten egg
Glacé fruits
Almonds
Sugar

For the final dough:

162 g of sourdough 
330 g of strong flour
60 ml of milk cooked with cinnamon and the peel of 1 orange
2 eggs
80g sugar
30 ml of honey
110 g butter
15 g of pressed yeast (or 5 g of dry baker's yeast)
3 teaspoons of rum
2 teaspoons of random water
Zest of half a lemon
5g salt

Preparation:

The day before, prepare the sourdough. To do this, mix the flour, milk and yeast and knead it sufficiently so it is well mixed.

Let it ferment for 30 minutes at room temperature and then leave it in the fridge for at least 12 hours.

The night before you also have to make the milk infusion with, cinnamon and the peel of 1 orange without the white part. Heat the milk with the ingredients to just before boiling point and then remove from the heat and cover. Let it cool and then refrigerate.

The next day, mix all the ingredients for the final dough, except the sugar and butter.
You will have to knead it in 3 steps:
 1) 5 minutes as is. 
 2) 5 minutes in which the sugar is incorporated in 2 batches until you can see no lumps are left each time.
 3)Now the cold butter is added and kneaded for another 10 or 15 minutes until the dough has absorbed all the butter and is smooth.

Let it ferment for about 2 hours. Form into a ball. Wait 15 minutes and then form into an even ring

Ferment for another 2 and a half or 3 hours: it almost triples its volume (then hide the figurine and the dehydrated bean).

Brush, decorate and bake in an oven at 180 ° C. Baking time is about 20 minutes (if fan assisted;  if not, slightly longer).

Let cool on a rack. Once cold, the roscón can be cut in two halves and filled with sweetened whipped cream or truffle cream, as you prefer.

However, if this seems like too much effort they are available in all supermarkets across the country. According to one of Spain's leading consumer organisations, the OCU, after analysing Roscones in nine major supermarkets, the best value-for-money Roscón de Reyes comes from Día and retails at €11.71 for a kilo.

The OCU looked at Roscones sold in Eroski, Carrefour, Alcampo, El Corte Inglés, Ahorramás, Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi and Día, and said the best quality ones were the cream-filled versions from Eroski and Alcampo, followed by those sold at El Corte Inglés, although in terms of price and quality combined, Día's cream-filled one came out top.

They retail at between €6 a kilo in Carrefour, Aldi and Lidl, and €17 a kilo in El Corte Inglés, although the OCU warned that in most cases, the cheapest prices reflected the quality of what you're buying.

Those with the lowest price tags, in general, had a greater quantity of vegetable oils and fats – coconut and palm oil – compared with the higher-priced ones, which contained cream and butter.

This said those seeking to avoid animal-based produce would find the cheaper ones suited them better.

Whatever you decide to do - Happy New Year!

Made in the same method as Champagne, Cava is Spain's sparkling wine treasure. Originating from the Penedès region of northeast Catalonia (just west of Barcelona), cava is made with three local varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Cava's claim to fame lies in its remarkable quality-to-price ratio. Top-quality cava is widely available for under €10 with many regional producers presenting their best bubbly in sophisticated bottles and leaning heavily on family-owned, tradition-inspired values. Here some to consider for the coming festive season! Take your pick, you can't go wrong with any of them...

Freixenet Sparkling Cordon Negro Brut Cava - €6,49
Freixenet

One of the best-selling Cavas on the market, Freixenet Sparkling Cordon Negro Brut Cava offers up exceptional citrus and toasted almond notes on the nose. Built on the region's three dominant cava grapes (Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada), this medium-bodied sparkling wine carries a fresh factor, lively acidity, and unmistakable balance on the palate.

Anna de Codorniu Cava Brut - €6,88
Codorniu Winery

        
Crafted from a 70/30 split of chardonnay and Parellada grapes, the Anna de Codorniu Cava Brut shows a lovely bouquet of ripe apple, plush tropical fruit, and the yeasty appeal of fresh-baked bread. The palate reveals a continuation of fresh-fruit themes, centred around green apple, pear, quince, and lemon-lime citrus. Crisp and clean.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava - €9,99
Segura Viudas

Bringing some serious value—not to mention bubbles—to the table, Spain's Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava showcases an engaging blend of nutty nuances and a dash of citrus on the nose.

The palate profile is fresh, with zippy acidity, bright lemon-lime fruit, and apple undertones. A remarkable sparkling wine for the price, this cava is made with a blend of regional grapes: Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo.

Perfect for parties, keep the Segura Viudas Brut Cava in mind for appetizers, shellfish themes, tapas, and a variety of poultry picks.

Juve y Camps Brut Rose - €13,25
Juve y Camps Winery

 
Vivid salmon colour (thanks to Pinot Noir) and bright berry fruit with engaging floral notes on the nose make up this cava's first impressions. The palate doesn't disappoint, carrying almond essence and strawberries with cream, bright acidity, and an underlying elegance from attack to a spicy finish. This Juve y Camps Rose Brut Cava is perfect for cured meat and smoked salmon crostini.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava - €22,90
Segura Viudas

                       
From the heart of Penedès, Spain's sparkling wine centre, this Reserve Cava is crafted from all estate-grown fruit (Macabeo and Parellada). Thirty months ageing on lees explains the toasted brioche and smoky aromatic apple on the nose and gives this cava a creamy elegance and fuller-body on the palate. The fruit is well integrated with apple, quince, and some citrus weighing in alongside a mineral-driven finish. Rich, expressive, and focused, the Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava is made for caviar, roasted poultry, or pork. 

Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut Cava - €9,95
Freixenet

               
A fantastic Cava pick, this lovely sparkling Rosado is brimming with the ripe aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit. On the palate, red fruit steals the limelight buffered by bubbles and balanced with optimized acidity. There is plenty of class in this glass and at only €9,95 a bottle, this Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut Cava is perfect for celebrations, picnics, appetizers, and tapas.

Spain, a nation steeped in rich culinary traditions, boasts diverse gastronomy that varies from region to region. However, one universal aspect of Spanish cuisine during Christmas is the significant emphasis on seafood and fish dishes. This lean, flavourful fare of the Mediterranean is a choice of food over Christmas, celebrated through a variety of popular recipes. Let's take a look at some:

1. Langostinos a la Plancha

'Langostinos a la Plancha' or grilled prawns is a perennial Spanish Christmas favourite. This dish is exceptionally straightforward, consisting merely of fresh prawns, sea salt and olive oil. The key to perfection lies in grilling the prawns on high heat for just the right amount of time to attain a deliciously chargrilled flavour while ensuring the prawns remain tender.

2. Gambas al Ajillo

'Gambas al Ajillo' or garlic shrimp is another beloved Spanish classic. Sautéed in a simmering mixture of garlic, hot peppers, and olive oil, these succulent morsels are imbued with a rich, spicy flavour that will warm up any Christmas gathering. The dish is traditionally served in a 'cazuela' (terracotta dish), accompanied by crusty bread to mop up the savoury sauce.

3. Merluza a la Koskera

Merluza a la Koskera, also known as Hake in Green Sauce, is a traditional Christmas dish hailing from Spain's Basque country. This recipe features hake fillets cooked in a fragrant sauce made of garlic, parsley, and white wine. It is then garnished with clams and white asparagus, offering a warming, filling main course for Christmas dinner.

4. Bacalao a la Vizcaina

Bacalao a la Vizcaina, or Salt Cod in Biscayne Sauce, is a renowned Spanish dish traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve. The cod is first desalted by soaking it in water for a couple of days before being cooked in a rich and complex tomato and red pepper sauce. This flavourful dish is an integral part of the Spanish 'Nochebuena' (Good Night) celebration.

5. Calamares en su Tinta

'Calamares en su Tinta,' or Squid in its Ink, is another unique recipe commonly served during the festive season in Spain. This Basque Country speciality comprises tender squid pieces cooked in a rich, black sauce made from the ink of the squid. The result is a delightfully briny and robust dish that pairs well with white rice

6. Zarzuela de Mariscos

Zarzuela de Mariscos, or Seafood Medley, is a grand celebration of the bounty of Spanish seas. It comprises a harmonious blend of fish and shellfish, such as monkfish, prawns, mussels, and clams, cooked in a deeply flavoured tomato, onion, and white wine broth, aromatic with saffron and paprika. Decorated with crusty bread and rustic aioli, this Catalan classic is a quintessential centrepiece for a Spanish Christmas feast.

Spain's vast array of seafood delicacies pays testament to the country's rich maritime culture and tradition. The fusion of simple yet high-quality ingredients yield dishes that don't just grace the Christmas table but also represent the heart of Spanish celebrations – unity, warmth, and abundance. Enjoy these delectable seafood dishes for a distinctive and memorable Spanish Christmas!

In Spain’s northern region of Asturias, cider pouring is more performance art than simple table service. At local cider bars, known as "sidrerias", waiters remove the cork, then raise the open bottle high up into the air, at maximum arms length. One hand tips the bottle, while the other catches the cloudy cider in a wide glass held at waist height until it’s roughly a quarter full.

The servers aren’t just putting on a show, they’re actually enhancing the taste of the cider. Asturian cider has a few unique characteristics: It comes from five varieties of apple that are fermented into an interesting fusion of flavours, it contains around 5 per cent alcohol, and most importantly it is almost entirely flat. This cider has no sparkle! The long drop into the glass creates a splash that supplies much-needed effervescence and foam, which in turn help to release the cider’s aromas. Since bartenders might spill a few drops of precious cider in the process (perhaps due to all their cocky no-look pours), some restaurants litter the floor with sawdust to absorb the constant splashing or spills.

This can actually be quite fun, especially at family gatherings so why not have a go and see who can pour the best glass of Asturian cider. Here is a video to help you get started! Cheap bottles of "natural Asturian cider" can be found in all supermarkets across Spain at anything from €1,5 the bottle, so don't worry too much if the most of the first bottle ends up on the floor!

Goya, Sorolla, Madrazo, Chillida ... the banking institution has presented a catalogue with its collection of paintings and sculptures in order to bring them closer to the general public.

It is well known that the Bank of Spain has the largest gold warehouse in the country with a bomb-proof vault that jealously guards thousands of ingots of the gold that constitute only a part of the 283 tons of national reserves. Much less known is the other precious treasure that the institution conserves in the form of paintings and sculptures, a very rich historical-artistic heritage that it has been amassing throughout its 235 years of existence, and which from now on will be more accessible to the general public.

Undoubtedly more valuable than the ingots that the so-called "Gold Chamber" of this emblematic building on Calle Alcalá keeps safe and sound 35 meters underground (each piece weighs 12.5 kilos and has a value of around 600,000 euros), are the Goya, Sorolla, Madrazo, Zuloaga, Tàpies, Chillida ... treasured by the Bank of Spain. They are all part of the  Catalogo Razonado presented yesterday by the organization and which includes its impressive collection of works of art in three volumes, made up of 1,400 pieces by almost 500 Spanish and foreign authors. At the same time, the bank launched its first heritage portal, which makes this fabulous artistic wealth available to everyone.

The new catalogue revises and updates another one from 1985 only dedicated to painting, the main discipline represented in the collection. In the current edition, the field of study has been extended to sculpture, drawing and photography.

The three volumes reproduce with great quality each of the 1,400 works in a collection founded over the centuries on the basis of acquisitions, commissions and inheritances from the banks that preceded it. Each one is accompanied by its historical documentation, along with critical comments provided by 22 specialists, as well as the biographies of the artists.

Volume I includes the classical art section: 263 pictorial jewels produced from the 15th century to the first decades of the 20th, and where there are many portraits of the first directors and governors of the Bank of Spain, along with kings and heads of state, who have marked the history of the banking institution since the end of the 18th century. In the words of Javier Portús, head of Conservation of Spanish Painting at the Prado Museum, and author of two of the essays included in this first volume, it is “one of the best collections that exist to study the evolution of the official portrait in Spain since the end of the Modern Age and throughout the Contemporary Age ».

Among these works is a portrait of the Minister of Finance and later Governor of the Bank of Spain in 1877, Pedro Salaverría, painted by Federico de Madrazo and which is considered one of the bank's best canvases. Like a painting of the financier and diplomat of French origin Francisco de Cabarrús signed by Goya in 1788, the last work that the Aragonese genius did for the Bank of San Carlos, the direct predecessor of the Bank of Spain.

Volumes II and III contain more than 1,100 works that make up the contemporary art collection, dating from the middle of the last century to 2018. The pieces corresponding to the 21st century have focused on European and Latin American art.

To discover this unique collection online follow this link  https://coleccion.bde.es/wca/es/

Every night in a corner under the baroque clock tower in the Plaza de la Quintana, a hunched pilgrim appears. He stands life-sized and wears the traditional garb of the religious pilgrim: cloak, broad-brimmed hat, and a staff top-heavy with a gourd for water and the traditional scallop shell, which is the symbol of the pilgrim.

Upon closer inspection, the pilgrim is a trick of the light - and an unintentional one. His body is the shadow cast by the lightning rod pillar in the corner, and his staff is the shadow of the support column of the Berenguela clock tower. There are dozens of these lighting rods and hundreds of vertical supports in the cathedral exterior, but only one pilgrim.

According to local legend, the pilgrim is a local priest, who had fallen in love with a nun of the convent of San Paio, across the plaza. They met every night secretly, travelling through a secret passage under the Quintana stairs that join the convent to the cathedral. The two lovers planned to elope, and he promised to meet her in the plaza dressed as a pilgrim to conceal his identity. On the appointed evening, he waited in the shadows, but she never came. Since then, every night he returns, hoping to see her.

Dressing as a pilgrim is a good disguise in a city that has historically been flooded with them. Pilgrims have been coming to Santiago de Compostela for more than a thousand years, walking the miles from France through the well-worn route of the Camino de Santiago. They came to receive the blessings and forgiveness of sins from the body of the Apostle James, purportedly buried in the cathedral.

The story of the discovery of the bones of St. James (Sant-Iago) has the flavour of medieval fervor: In the year 813, when most of Spain was under Islamic rule, a hermit, guided by heavenly light (the Campus Stellae, or field of stars in the city name), discovered the previously unknown tomb of the apostle, somewhat improbably in far Northern Spain. The bishop at the time determined that the bones had arrived in 44 AD by an unmanned, rudderless boat following the decapitation of James in Palestine. A shrine, and then a church, and finally a cathedral was built over the site of the discovery, and the pilgrimages began.

If in Santiago de Compostela.....Walking from the north-east corner of the cathedral complex through the Plaza de la Quintana, towards the front of the cathedral, walk down the first set of stairs into the large plaza area. Look for the deep corner between the base of the clock tower and the Royal Door. The pilgrim is behind the lightning pillar as you can see in the photo.

As the concept of retirement shifts from winding down to embracing a second, vibrant chapter, more people are looking abroad for the ideal blend of climate, culture, and cost of living. According to a new ranking by the American financial portal Live and Invest Overseas, one Spanish destination has claimed the top spot globally: Valencia.

The city on the Mediterranean coast was recently chosen as the "best city in the world to retire," an international recognition that underscores its decades-long reputation as an ideal haven for those seeking both comfort and an active, affordable lifestyle.

The Winning Formula: Sun, Safety, and Savings

The Live and Invest Overseas ranking considered several key metrics essential to retirees, including safety, the cost of living, and the funds required for relocation. Valencia excelled across the board due to its unique combination of practical benefits and exceptional quality of life.

Mediterranean Climate and Lifestyle

Valencia is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine each year, providing a quintessential Mediterranean climate with mild winters and bright, sunny summers. This perfect weather contributes significantly to the city's quality of life, encouraging residents to walk, socialise, and enjoy outdoor life year-round.

Crucially, Valencia offers the best of both worlds: the peace of its residential districts alongside the vibrancy of a modern urban centre. The pace is generally gentler than in larger European capitals, yet the city never lacks for rich cultural events, social opportunities, or stunning historic architecture like the City of Arts and Sciences.

Economic and Healthcare Advantages

One of Valencia's most compelling draws is its low cost of living compared to other major hubs like Paris, Berlin, or Rome. While growing international interest has led to some increases, housing prices remain considerably more competitive.

For day-to-day expenses, the difference is striking:

• Groceries: Fresh produce is readily available at local markets for reasonable prices.

• Dining Out: Eating well is a part of everyday life, with affordable options for high-quality Mediterranean cuisine, including the city's iconic paella.

• Transport: The public transport network is both efficient and inexpensive.

Furthermore, Spain’s public health system is internationally renowned. Valencia boasts an excellent network of major hospitals and private clinics, offering access to high-quality, affordable medical care. For added peace of mind, private health insurance in Spain is often much cheaper than in many other Western countries.

A Balanced View for Potential Residents

While the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks, prospective retirees should keep a few factors in mind for a smooth transition:

1. Property Prices: Neighbourhoods close to the coast have seen property prices rise, so finding affordable housing may require looking further inland or to different districts.

2. Summer Tourists: The annual summer influx of tourists can be bothersome if complete tranquillity is your primary goal.

3. Language and Bureaucracy: Learning Spanish is highly recommended for better integration into the community. Familiarising oneself with local bureaucracy and paperwork will also prevent unnecessary complications.

Ultimately, Valencia’s appeal as a retirement destination is simple: it delivers a beautiful, sunny, cultured, and safe environment where savings stretch further, allowing retirees to genuinely enjoy their golden years.