The next day we arrived in Valencia to another perfect cloud-free, 35-degree stunner!

We were staying right in the thick of the old city - an area at the heart of Valencia only about a square kilometre in size that is a real labyrinth of ancient cobbled streets.

I quickly learned that Valencia is a city of contrast...

But venture out a little further and it turns into a bit of a dive (it's similar to Glasgow in that respect - a bit like an onion of contrasting layers).

Some of the sights around the old city include: Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart (Serranos and Quart towers), the only survivors from the demolition of the medieval city wall in the 19th century...

Mercado Central, one of Europe's largest markets...

Palau de la Generalitat, built in the 15th century it seats the regional Catalan government and overlooks...

...Plaza de la Virgen, a big marble-paved square surrounded by tapas bars and cathedrals, and yet another water fountain in the middle.

Plaza de la Virgen is a great place to chill and watch the world go by.

This is horchata, or tiger nut milk. It's made from a mixture of crushed chufa nuts, cinnamon, sugar, and water. The locals love it and it is really bloody good (but expensive)!

Spain is big on bullfighting (this is a Plaza de Toros bullring) although it does cause enormous controversy. I deliberately did not want to witness any of it for myself - it's cruel and disgusting in my opinion.

Looking over Plaza de la Virgen is the Miguelete bell tower that can be climbed for some good panoramic views of the old city. This is looking back over Plaza de la Virgen...

Torres de Quart...

Some random direction...

Some random square below...

And this guy! :)

North of the old city is the Jardin del Turia - a 14km stretch of parkland built over the bed of the Turia river which was redirected to avoid the periodic flooding that the city suffered. We hired bikes for a day to check it out and see a bit more outside of the city.

The parkland they've developed is awesome! Big walls for me to ride along...

Slippery BMX tracks for me to drift around corners...

And free facilities for me to relieve myself in ;)

Good cycling aside, the Jardin del Turia is a bloody nice area just to meander through.

...and next door the La Ciutat de las Arts i Ciencies (City of Arts and Sciences), and L'Hemisferic IMAX cinema plonked in the centre of a turquoise pool.

Not everyone can be arsed going around the long way hehe.

Nearby is L'Umbracle, just a random sheltered palm-lined promenade along the main road - cool!