Christmas is nearly here!

Route 66 Idiomas students who still have some Christmas shopping to do might be interested in checking out some of Valencia’s Christmas markets. Details below!

Barón de Cárcer: this market is open from 1 December to 6 January in the area surrounding Mercado Central.

Craft Fair: in the Plaza de la Reina from 2 December to 8 January; particularly good for handmade items.

Christmas Present Fair: along the Gran Vía Marqués del Túria from 8 December to 8 January. It’s name says it all.

City of Arts and Sciences: in the area outside the Science Museum from 23 December to 5 January.

Happy shopping!

Happy Halloween from everyone at Route 66 Idiomas Language School! Have fun and enjoy the holiday tomorrow too!

Os deseamos Feliz Halloween a todos. ¡Qué lo os paséis muy bien!

Wednesday 31 August: kick-off at 11.00

Come with us to Buñol for the Tomatina, the world’s largest tomato fight!

Every last Wednesday in August, thousands of people from all over Spain (and increasingly from all over the world) descend on the town of Buñol to enjoy this huge tomato fight.

The battle commences at 11 a.m. and lasts for an hour. During this time tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the town’s streets, where shops and homes are protected by huge sheets of plastic.

The history of the Tomatina goes back to 1945, when a random fight between local festival-goers happened to involve tomatoes. Over the years this confrontation became organized and is now the main event of Buñol’s annual summer festivities.

You can travel from Valencia to the Tomatina by train. Make sure you wear disposable clothing as you’ll probably never be able to wear it again after the event. Swimming goggles and earplugs are a good idea too.

Route 66 Idiomas language school is preparing for our annual Tomatina trip. If you’d like to come with us, sign up in the office!

To find out more about the event and how it all started, click here.

Route 66 Idiomas language school students staying in Valencia in July have lots of choice when it comes to filling their free time.

For more information about any of these activities, just ask your teacher or the Route 66 office staff.

Every Monday at 21.00: Paella Party!
Meet other foreign students, practise your Spanish and enjoy this delicious local specialty.

Saturday 4 July: Calpe and Jávea
Come with us on a day trip to the beaches of Alicante.

Thursday 14 and 28 July from 21.30: English – Spanish intercambio
You can practise your Spanish at the Route 66 language exchange at Finnegan’s Irish Pub in La Plaza de la Reina.

Friday 15 and 29 July: Beach volleyball tournament

Saturday 16 July: trip to Picassent for their bull running festival

Wednesday 6 – Saturday 23 July: Feria de Julio outdoor concerts
Various artists will perform in Valencia’s Jardines de Viveros, including Seal on 18 July. Find out more and get tickets here.

Saturday 23 July: trip to Peñíscola

Saturday 30 July: Aquópolis water park
A good solution to the high temperatures. Come with us to the water park!

ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE TOMATINA!!
Wednesday 31 August: kick off at 11.00

Come with us to Buñol to join the world’s largest tomato fight. To find out more about the event and how it all started, click here. We’ll post more information about how to sign up to come along nearer the time – look out for information here and around the school!

The night of the 23rd June is “la noche de San Juan” (Midsummer’s night). In Valencia and other parts of Spain one of the most common customs is to celebrate the shortest night of the year with bonfires on the beach. The brave jump over the bonfires for luck. Those less brave but who still want to improve their fortune for the coming year jump over the first seven waves that come onto the beach after midnight.

For most it’s just another excuse for a party on the beach. Students at Route 66 Idiomas language school who want to join in should head down to the Malvarrosa beach on Thursday night.

¡Feliz noche de San Juan! from the Route 66 team.

The Valencia International Kite Festival (Festival Internacional de Cometas “Ciudad de Valencia”) returns to the Malvarrosa beach next weekend, 30 April – 1 May.

Route 66 Idiomas Language School students who go down to the city beach between 10.30 and 18.30 will be able to enjoy the various categories including the giant kites, which in the past have been in the form of everything from birds to crocodiles.

A colourful, fun display and a good excuse for a day at the beach (should you need one!).

For more information, visit the event website.

To get you in the mood, here are some pictures from the Exposición del Ninot.

If you have any Fallas pictures you’d like to share, why not send them to us?

See you all soon!

The Tomatina is one of the Valencia region’s most well-known events.

Every last Wednesday in August, many thousands of people come from all over Spain (and increasingly from all over the world) to the town of Buñol for this huge tomato fight.

The battle commences at high noon and lasts for an hour. During this time tens of tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the town’s streets, where canny shop and home owners protect the fronts of their buildings with huge sheets of plastic.

The history of the Tomatina goes back to 1945, when a random fight between local festival goers happened to involve tomatoes. Over the years this confrontation became organised and now it is the main event of Buñol’s annual festivities.

You can travel from Valencia to the Tomatina by train. Make sure you wear clothes you’ll probably never be able to wear again. Swimming goggles and earplugs are good idea too. Route 66 Idiomas language school are organising a group trip. If you’d like to go, sign up in the office!