Valencia is the true home of Paella and is a breezy, beachy, lively city packed full of things to do, to see, to wonder at and climb on for all the family. Valencia is one of Spain’s hippest cities with some jaw dropping architecture which will stun adults and children alike but as it in on the beach it brings a great option of city sightseeing and a recreation combination which is very seldom found. Undoubtedly this is a city with a medieval core at its heart but it is also a city very much looking towards the future. A family long weekend, an add on to some time on the Costas or a beach/city break week would be easily spent in Valencia.

While we were in the city was was getting ready for the Grand Prix which was causing ripples of excitement and this is a city that also hosted the Americas cup in 2007. For a family though the key is getting the right mix between what the adults and children each want to do and neither side feeling too hard done by or having tantrums (that applies to adults as well as children) and Valencia fitted the bill for us.

We stayed in the Novotel Valencia Palacio de Congresos which was a first for us as a family as we had never stayed in a Novotel before. We had arrived somewhat frazzled after several incidents with a sat nav not working, a bad map and very poor Spanish on my part so we were not in the best of from on arrival. Never fear though the Novotel had the kids fully occupied on entry with a play station centre and a play area by the door and some kids only gifts on check in that went down a treat. The chain has a very family oriented approach with all family packages including late check out and gifts on arrival. It was also very welcome to see a small pool outside which was well used by us to have a dip with the family after a long day in the city. August would not be ideal in terms of travelling in a Mediterranean city with two children under six and as such a pool and copious beach trips are always a great addition and distraction. The rooms were well equipped and staff very welcoming so a big thumbs up there.

The beaches are a huge selling point for me in any city and we spent a good few lazy late afternoons between Las Arenas and Malvarrosa beaches which are just a few minutes from the city centre by metro. There are good facilities and a well serviced promenade, ideal for taking a stroll, jogging, ice creams or roller-skating. We did the ice-cream bit only!

Valencia also has a living breathing heart of wonderful park and greenness running through it in the Turia Gardens which were created following the diversion of the Turia River after devastating floods in 1957. This is a welcome escape for families who want to rest, use the playground and cycle the parks. Covering 230 hectares, the Turia Gardens provide features cafes, jogging and cycle tracks, tennis courts, flowers and fountains. We took a wonderful little mini tour form Principe Felipe Science Museum one day and braved some cycling the next.

The star attraction of the Turia Gardens for families is the Parque Gulliver which is a play area based around the figure of the mythical Gulliver, tied to the ground by the people of Lilliput. The kids will love it. My own word of warning is that as a steel structure it can get hot so sliding down some of the slides in midday heat requires ample coverage of legs and all other extremities ( don’t ask just remember!).

The highlight for me though in Valencia was the City of Arts and Sciences which has spectacular, stunning and simply jaw dropping architecture. It is situated along almost two kilometres of the Turia river bed and has nature, culture, arts and science all joining together in a complex series of designs by the Valencia Santiago Calatrava which puts the Sydney opera house in the shadows in my view.

We spent hours of fun in the Oceanographic which is the largest aquarium in Europe. It has avant-garde architecture and is made up of different buildings, housing examples of the most important ecosystems from each of the planet's seas and oceans in 42 million litres of seawater. It features a dolphin show, wetlands, giant walruses, mesmerising installations and our favourite which was a walk through tunnel in which you can see sharks and all sorts of marine life swimming all around you.

We spent another afternoon in the L’Hemisferic which houses an IMAX theatre designed as a human eye. The Dinosaurs Alive movie went down a treat but watch your booking times as the movie choices are different and you are limited to times so do check the schedule early in the day. Also if you are leaving the Oceanographic to go to the movies do get a wrist band. Combined tickets for two or even three days are certainly the best spent money you are ever likely to spend in sight seeing for all the family and late night opening in the summer is a great advantage.
The Principe Felipe Science Museum was also a huge hit with all of us although we did strike it lucky by walking in on the super hero installation which kept us all fascinated for at least half of the time we were there. We also had time in a very kid friendly focussed play area and saw young chicks hatch which was a fascinating lesson for us all.

We missed the Bioparc Valencia which opened in 2008 although I have heard good things about it so it would be worth putting on the list if you have the time. All in all Valencia a city with lots to see and do for the family which oozes with style and creativity as well as natural areas to live and relax in.