March 15th – Fallas is now truly underway! A few weeks ago the city was awoken by the Despertà and ever since we’ve been running ourselves ragged, trying to attend as many Fallas events as possible.

La Planta officially starts today, lasting until tomorrow morning when all the Fallas monuments should be completed:

Make sure to watch the end; kind of funny.

The most famous food during Fallas is the buñuelo — donut-like fried treats made from pumpkin, which you dip into hot chocolate. You’ll find stands offering this sinful delight all over Valencia (Ruzafa has the most). Walking from monument to monument costs a lot of energy and buñuelos are even better than Red Bull for an energy boost.

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

 

Here’s a rundown of the main events for the next few days:

La Plantà
All over the city, Fallas commissions will be working to set up their monuments. A lot of the work has already been done on the larger monuments, but the groups officially have until tomorrow morning to finish. Traditionally the monuments are raised completely by hand, but the larger ones all employ cranes nowadays.

Fireworks Show
Tonight at midnight is the first fireworks show at Paseo Alameda. These shows are always incredible, so it’s worth staying up late. On the 16th and 17th the fireworks will start at 1am and on the 18th (the famous Nit de Foc) they’ll begin at 1:30.

Flower Offering: From 4pm until well after midnight on the 17th and 18th, traffic in the city center will be brought to a standstill as Falleras carry thousands of flowers to the Our Lady of the Forsaken in Plaza de la Virgin.

Here are some random Fallas pictures I took over the past few days:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For hostel/hotel bookings during Fallas, we’ve found the best rates at Hostelbookers, Booking.com and Apartments in Valencia

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Thanks to a very fortunate circumstance, we were able to experience today’s mascletà from the top of the Ayuntamiento. It was a good day to be on top — the streets became very packed, very early. We had an incredible view of the fireworks and the plaza, and hope that you enjoy our pictures of the bird’s eye perspective on this extremely loud mascletà.

After the fireworks, we were able to go onto the balcony and meet the Fallera Mayor, Maria Pilar Giménez, and the Fallera Mayor Infantil, Ariadna Galán. Both of them are even more stunning from up close — we were floored as much by their beauty as by their poise and warmth. At 9 years of age, Ariadna is amazingly confident and well-spoken. (I was still picking my nose and playing Magic at that age). And I got a kiss from Maria Pilar — sigh, I’m still swooning. What a day!! Just when we think Fallas can’t get any more exciting, something new comes along.

 

 

 

For hostel/hotel bookings during Fallas, we’ve found the best rates at Hostelbookers, Booking.com and Apartments in Valencia

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

A huge crowd was on hand for today’s mascletà, set off by the company Crespo. The sun was shining and people seemed to really appreciate the show. But Valencia’s mayor enjoyed it best of all! Her jumping had more energy today, perhaps because the pyrotechnician was young and muy guapo. Rita, you little cougar, you!

For hostel/hotel bookings during Fallas, we’ve found the best rates at Hostelbookers, Booking.com and Apartments in Valencia

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

Okay — we admit it. We spoke way too soon when announcing that Sueca-Literato Azorín was “obviously” going to win the annual Lights competition.

We hadn’t yet seen Cuba-Literato Azorín’s lights in all their glory! When we saw them the first time, they were only half-lit, and unimpressive. But when they’re totally on… woah. Check out the pics.

So, Sueca has a legitimate competitor this year! And it could be close — Sueca’s are probably more audacious, but there’s something special about Cuba’s. They’re easier to stare at… and just might pull out the victory. Sorry for jumping the gun! Enjoy the pics… and get down to Ruzafa to enjoy these incredible displays!

Some random pictures from last night:

-Nearby Youth Hostel

Filmed with the Sanyo VPC – CS 1 (super tiny) available here: USA, UK, Deutschland and Spain

For the 2nd day in a row, no Rita? We’re not huge fans of all her politics, but during Fallas, you have to love Valencia’s mayor. She missed a great mascletà today.  Tons of falleras were in the crowd, to see a display that was classic in every sense, with fireworks that never let up and built steadily to a great finale. ¡Qué bote HolaValencia!

 

 

 

La Planta Almirante:

-Bed and Breakfast for Fallas