Spain entered the 2010 World Cup as a favorite and left South Africa as a champion. There's no better time than now to visit this country filled with pride and excitement.
We can't get enough of Barcelona and Madrid - but our favorite new Spanish getaway is revamped and rejuvenated Valencia.
This ancient port is gaining a reputation as a boutique shopping destination, a culinary hub, and a party city every bit as banging as Barcelona. Add to that a stretch of beachy Mediterranean coastline, a cloud-free sky, and some world-beating museums and galleries, and you've got yourself a year-round city-break destination with looks, brains and attitude.
Sleep: A minimalist modern palace at the edge of the old-town, Hospes Palau de la Mar has an air of soul-soothing glamour.
Eat: Tapas don't carry the same culinary weight in Valencia as they do elsewhere in Spain, but the country's other famous gastro-gift to the world certainly does. Paella was invented in Valencia, and you'll find it on the lunch menu of almost every restaurant. Our favorite is from the street-side stall between the Mercado Central and La Lonja.
View: Valencia's as flat as a paella pan, so for a bird's eye view climb the 132 steps of the 14th-century Torres de Serranos.
Culture: Internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava has brought about the Valencian renaissance almost single-handedly with his Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencas, now Spain's second most visited spot after the Prado Museum in Madrid.
Best Beach: The two city beaches - La Malvarossa and las Arenas - are broad, lively and restaurant-lined - great for a partyish atmosphere and authentic paella. A short trip outside town on the yellow bus to Perelló, however, and you find the quieter white sand beaches of El Saler, the most beautiful in the region.
Perfect Picnic: Jardines de Real on the northeast corner of the old town are ideal for sprawling out on the grass with some fresh jámon iberico and stuffed peppers picked up fresh from the Mercado Central. The modernist market houses hundreds of lively stalls selling everything from live eels to sheep heads - but some fresh bread and wine might be more picnic-friendly.
Daytrip: When you've had enough city life, drive 40 minutes inland to the medieval town of Requena, the wine capital of the Valencia region, where you can spend the day bodega-hopping, sampling the local grape.
Deal: CheapOair has a stellar deal to get you there. Fly from New York to Valenica starting at $644 roundtrip. But hurry... this deal is only good through July 20.
