Valencia is the birthplace of Paella. Nestled in the eastern shore of Spain, Valencia is known as the intellectual center of the country. Highlighted by La Ciudad de Las Artes y Ciencas (the city of arts and science) complex, Valencia provides a modern refreshing ambience that is still deeply rooted in its Christian past. For example, one can find the Holy Grail at the Cathedral which is located only a short distance from their progressive technology based university and arts and science complex.

Central to Valencia’s past is Paella. Paella is a rice dish using bomba rice (medium grain) that is slow simmered, like risotto, over a wood fire in a paella dish. Accented by saffron, paella usually has meats (chicken, rabbit, duck) or seafood (snails, shrimp, langoustine, mussels).

The name of the restaurant escapes me but, we dined in the beach town Platja de la Malva-Rossa. Below are some pictures. If you are in Valencia, head to the beach and you will find several restaurants specializing in paella.

We drank sangria, ate seafood paella, and watched waves crash on the beach. It was so good, it took us only 15 minutes to finish the entire paella. For me, it was the best meal of the trip so far.