If you live on the East Coast and want a new, exciting, and affordable Spring Break experience, then Valencia is the place to go to. Why the East Coast? Reason #1 says why.
1. Roundtrip flights are cheaper than you think.
My roundtrip flight from Miami was $350 and I booked it less than a month in advance. Flying out of big cities like New York, Boston, Philly, and Charlotte will cost just under $500 or $600 if you book it now. There's no rush because prices won't go up until the New Year starts.
2. ALL MONTH LONG.
Las Fallas is celebrated all throughout March, meaning your Spring Break would likely be compatible. Even though the biggest celebrations are saved for the very end, the people in Valencia will party just as hard the entire month.
3. Airbnbs/Hostels are also cheap.
Why spend hundreds in gas driving down or on a plane ticket flying to the Gulf to stay in a crummy overpriced motel just because it's on the beach. In Valencia, prices are usually up to $70 per night for an entire Airbnb and much cheaper to stay in a really nice hostel. This is the ideal price point to split between a few friends.
4. Massive Fireworks
The fireworks are bigger and better than Disney. And the people that make these fireworks are the same people who coordinate the New Years' firework shows in NYC and other major cities around the globe.
5. Mojito Buckets
Yep. Huge buckets filled to the brim just for Fallas. Perfect to share with friends. Need I say more?
6. Parades
Everyone marching is draped in historical Spanish dresses and costumes. There are marching bands playing Spanish music, dancers, acrobats, even a brigade of babies in strollers are part of the parade.
7. Street parties
Forget the nightclubs. All the Valencians crowd together near stages on the street where DJs blast your favorite Spanish music. Great place to dance with friends while sharing a mojito bucket.
8. Paella
If tapas won't fill you up, this definitely will. Paella is a huge skillet filled with rice and toppings that usually include seafood and vegetables. It's a popular Spanish dish that originated in Valencia.
9. Seeing the giant sculptures
These are displayed all around Valencia for the whole month of March. They are made of papier-mache and wood, perfect for burning.
10. Burning the giant sculptures (La Crema)
This is how Las Fallas ends. Many of the smaller sculptures are simply set on fire. On the other hand, a fiery cluster of dynamite and explosives are used to blow up some of the bigger sculptures. The biggest sculpture in Placa de Ajuntament is burned last at one in the morning. Starts with a fireworks show and then the sculpture slowly burns from the inside out.
After the last sculpture burns, there are no more street parties, no more food stands, nothing. Somehow, everything turns back to normal the next day, as if nothing happened.
