Irina's experience

Mediterranean weekend in January
In my essay I will present a wonderful long weekend spent at my friend who is studying in Spain. In addition to my experiences, I will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in the winter season or outside the season.My friend had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester as part of the Erasmus program. She chose a country with a rich culture and fascinating sights, Spain. As an encouragement, she asked me to join her for a few days, and I gladly agreed, as Spain was also a territory waiting to be discovered for me.As the title suggests, my visit took place at the end of January. It was an unparalleled experience to get off the plane from the cold, rainy Budapest and step into the bright sunshine and smell the slightly salty, humid air. I already knew then that the time spent here would be special. Our destination was Valencia, a large city by the sea, where my friend started her studies within a few weeks.The city itself was very people-friendly: spacious streets and squares throughout the city, buildings not too high, no more than 4-5 floors. Of course, I would not miss the huge park filled with beautiful palm trees either, which crossed the city like a river. In place of the usual trees, there were rows of palm trees and orange trees bending under oranges on the streets. The idyllic scene was completed by small parrots performing activities similar to green pigeons.Every trip's highlight is visiting the local market. At the markets, we can gain a lot of information: from the locals' cooking habits to the Spanish economic situation. I have to mention the unparalleled cleanliness and orderliness, which are rarely seen. We were amazed at the delicacies on display, which the vendors eagerly offered us. The merchants greeted us with huge smiles and loud “Olah!” shouts, but some even burst into song and, of course, we did not remain without an escort.Every café, bistro, tapas bar, and pub has been decorated in a unique style. Here, anyone can find a place to enjoy, but if someone did not get into the desired place, the young people walking on the street in their party clothes make sure they don't remain sad.There was no shortage of historical attractions. One of the most defining experiences was the arena, the venue of bullfighting. Although bullfighting has been banned, it was considered an event of significant importance in Spanish culture and remains a controversial topic.Valencia is an excellent travel destination, for example, for those who have visited the country's prominent attractions like Barcelona or Madrid. Although these mentioned cities can offer unforgettable experiences, the true face of the Spanish people and everyday life of the Spanish are hardly reflected in metropolises teeming with tourists.Choosing the destination is also important along with the time of travel. The winter season was a pleasant surprise for me. Although the temperature was not suitable for swimming, we did not have to suffer from the typical damp heat characteristic to the area during the day.Of course, we must not forget about the financial aspect of a trip, and in this regard, I can also mention only positives. Since we booked accommodation out of season, we had the opportunity to rent a spacious apartment in the middle of the old town at lower prices. The same applies to the prices of plane tickets.In summary, it can be said that a trip like this does not really have time or financial barriers. For those who enjoy traveling and getting to know other cultures, the winter season offers great opportunities and, of course, Valencia can provide ideal conditions for the realization of these goals.

/Irina/