Team+Spain

=Team Spain=

= = media type="custom" key="5618"


 * Members:** Annie, Justin, Vanessa, Rachael, Tara. **Use this space to collaborate and research for your Travel Diary Assignment.**

Team Contract
Contact a team member if anyone from the group will be away:
 * Annie -** 0402497061
 * Justin -** 0404263982
 * Vanessa -** 0422680626
 * Rachel -** 0401026311
 * Tara**- 0431250155


 * Always turn up to class on time
 * Always work together as a team
 * Do your fair share of work
 * Present yourself well while in class
 * Help each other when needed

Which country you visited

 * VALENCIA, SPAIN**

Map of Spain


I got this map from http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk/large-map-of-spain.htm

How you got there
We travelled by plane.


 * We're taking a plane to Valencia, Spain. And we're going for 28days!**

Transportation
From Sydney Airport to Valencia Quantas Return Airfare $4807.56c/per person (tax included) Total number of travelling hours: 30h 25m http://travel.ian.com/index.jsp;jsid=ehfwf1wtIWQla9qbpDY5qlocale=en_US&pageName=airSearch¤cyCode=USD&cid=89775&additionalDataString=

Interesting Travel Tips
This is a website that i found it has some pretty interesting travel tips for people travelling to Spain. They're tips provided by the readers on the Lonely Planet Website. There is a pretty cool bit on Scams and Warnings. It talks about the high risk of getting mugged and scammed...stuff like that. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/eur/spa_pc.htm

Where you stayed

 * Husa Reina Victoria**

Optimally located next to the City Hall Square right in the centre of the city. The hotel offers 97 spacious rooms with satellite connection, Canal Plus, minibar, air-conditioning and safe deposit box, renowned restaurant offering regional and international cuisine, lounge bar-hall TV, banquet rooms, 6 meeting and fully equipped convention rooms with capacities between 10 up to 300 people, and private parking.



Accommodation
Checking in 3rd August- Checking out 31st August There will be 2 people per room €5722/per 28 nights
 * Location:** Barcas, 4-6 Valencia, 46002
 * Double Rooms:** €204/per night

€11444 (includes tax) = $(For all 4 of us)
$19,035.33 ($AUS) 28days= (4 of us) http://www.aboutvalencia.com/valencia/hotels/223221.asp

What you ate
Ingredients:
 * Rice of paella**

1 Cup Olive Oil 4 pieces of Chicken 4 pieces of Rabbit (if it is available) ผ of Pound Shrimp ฝ of Pound Mussels or Clamps 1 or 2 legs of Crab ฝ of Pound White Fish (any kind) 1 can (small) Peas 1 can Lima Beans 1 can Italian Beans 1/2 can diced tomatoes 1 small spoon Saffron 1 pound of Spanish rice, (if it is available or any kind) 1 lemon Fresh Rosemary Salt Water

Put the Olive Oil in the paellapan and heat. Fry the chicken and the rabbit and the tomato sauce at the same time, the meat has to be well done. Add a little salt.

At the same time cut the whitefish in small pieces and when the meat is almost ready, add the fish and fry altogether.

When the meat and fish is well-done, add the vegetables and shrimp, mix around a couple of times, and after 1minute, add water and saffron, (fill the paella pan completely)

You have to boil everything with high fire during 20 – 30 minutes, it is very important that you taste how salty the water is. Then add crab legs and the mussels and clamps.

After 20 or 30 minutes the paella is ready for the final touch, you need to add the rice. There is a very special form to do it. You have to make a mountain that is going to cross the paella pan, drawing a diameter. This special mountain of rice has to be over the water one inch, with that technique you don’t have a problem to know how much rice you need. After you have measure the rice like this, move it with a spoon and split it into the whole paella.

Add water again, but in this case you put water until you reach the handles, (very important don’t put more water than that).

Lower the fire and add in the middle of the paella the rosemary as you put a nice garnish. The rice has to cook 20 minutes. Watch the water and the fire, the rice has to cook 20 minutes but don’t burn it!!

Cut the lemon in 4 pieces and serve the rice with one-piece of lemon on the dish, before you eat the rice squeeze the lemon, brings the flavor of everything. Enjoy it!!

Manchego con almendras fritas
Serves 8 as a tapa In Spain, “cheese” is equal to Manchego and Manchego is one of Spain’s taste treasures. The Manchego that is exported is often from ‘Denominacion de Origen’ makers and is made of pure ewe’s milk. It offers an exquisite nutty flavour and creamy texture. Manchego may be a little dear but for a treat it is well worth it. The cheese is hard and requires a little care to bring out its flavour. In combination with freshly toasted almonds, it is a timeless tapa. When I eat Manchego and toasted almonds with a glass of Manzanilla, I find myself in that delicious cycle of just a little more Manchego to finish the almonds… just a little more Manzanilla to finish the Manchego...just a little more Manchego to finish the Manzanilla.

½ lb / 250 gr of Manchego in a single piece. ½ lb / 250 gr of whole blanched almonds, Spanish Marcona almonds are very nice 3 Tablespoons olive oil 1 very sharp and stiff knife, that is at least 15 cm / 6 inches long – a sharp chef’s knife works very well.

Take the Manchego out of the fridge 2 hours before you intend to serve it. Let it sit a room temperature. Because Manchego is very hard, it is traditional to serve it cut into bite sized triangles. While the piece of Manchego warms, prepare the toasted almonds. Thirty minutes before you wish to serve the cheese, heat the olive oil in a frying pan. When the oil is shimmering, add the almonds and stir. Turn down the heat to low and continue to toast the almonds until they are golden – about 10 minutes. Remove the almonds from the oil with a slotted spoon to small serving dishes. To cut the Manchego, lay the wedge of cheese on its side and place it with the round side of the rind pointing to the hand in which you hold the knife. While holding the cheese in one hand, pare the round rind from the cheese. Turn the cheese so that one of the straight sides of rind is facing the knife. Pare the first straight side of the rind, being careful to continue to hold the cheese down solidly with the other hand. Pare the second straight side of the rind. Discard the rind. You now want to cut the cheese into two wedges so that it the slices will be bite sized. Stand the wedge up. Turn the cheese so that the round side is toward you and so that the flat sides with the rind removed are now on the top and bottom. Cut the wedge in half. Lay one of the two wedges on its side still with the round side facing you. Slice the wedge into ¼ inch / .5 cm slices and arrange in a single layer on a plate. Repeat with the other piece. The cheese slices will be triangles with two strait a rounded short edge. Serve the warm almonds and Manchego together with a very cold, very dry sherry – such as a Fino or a Manzanilla. Note: Manchego is best eaten 30 to 45 minutes after it is cut, so that the cheese has time to warm but is not allowed to stand for too long. If it is very warm in the kitchen, cover the cut Manchego with foil and replace in the refrigerator.

http://www.slimspaniards.com/index.php/recipes/chapter/classics/P1/

Demographics and population
The population in Valencia, Spain is estimated at 807,396 (ranked 3rd in Spain)

Climate and Environment
When we arrive in Valencia, Spain the weather is quite warm.

Max temperature: 34 °C Min temperature: 22 °C Valencia is warm and humid with occasional rainfall thoughout the year, most rainfall occurs in october slowing down around july the hottest part of the summer.

Places of Interest - identify interesting places and events to visit
=Valencia Attractions=

La Tominato Festival
Is a [|festival] held on a Wednesday towards the end of August in the town of [|Buñol] in the [|Valencia] region in [|Spain]. Tens of thousands of participants come from all over the world to fight in a harmless battle where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe [|tomatoes] are thrown in the streets. Although the Tomato Festival in Bunol, Valencia has no religious connections and was only started in 1945 this festival along with the Pamplona Bull Run is one of Spain's most famous and well known festival.

The Festival La Tomatina is one huge tomato fight and each year around 30,000 people turn up to take part. The festival starts early in the morning when everyone turns up and dines on a breakfast of Chorizo and Rose wine. By 11am in the morning everyone's inhibitions are loosened and five huge tomato filled rockets are sent into the skies above the town. From this point it is every man, woman and child for themselves as the event turns into a tomato slinging war. Everyone is supposed to adhere to a small number of rules: You must squash the tomato before throwing it and you are not allowed to throw anything other than tomatoes.

Each year the Tomatoes throwing Festival last for around two hours and in total some 125,000 kilos of tomatoes are squashed and thrown. The festival also brings out a good community spirit where everyone involves helps out with the cleaning up and hosing down.

La Tomatina Festival, The Tomato throwing Festival, is held on the last Saturday of August every year and has been a regular event since 1945. http://www.spanishpropertyworld.com/la_tomatina_valencia_tomato_festival_spain.htm

Valencia, Central Market
The Valencia Central Market is a great market place to go if you want to soak up the atmosphere of the spanish culture. You can stock up on local produce - cherries, wines, cheeses. This beautiful place is in an imposing covered market of over 8000 square meters. It is the most important modern style building in the city, established in 1928. The best fruit found in the market place is the orange "Naranjas de Valencia". The region's climate is excellent for growing citris fruits. Definitely a must go!

I found this interesting site that gives a little historical information of the market place and a great collaboration of pictures. http://www.virtourist.com/europe/valencia/08.htm

Valencia, Ca'n Bermell Restaurant
Popular with the city's gourmets, this charming restaurant is located in the city centre. You'll find a wide variety of rice dishes and local specialties on the menu, like miniature honeycombs stuffed with foie gras, tender white bean salad and mushrooms with truffles. The restaurant is staffed by professional waiters who display an excellent sense of humor. Both the kitchen and the interior of the restaurant are decorated with beautifully painted tiles. The Bermell family started the business in 1956 and the present chef, Emilio Bermell, has more than 25 years of experience.
 * **Cuisine** || Valencian || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Hours** || Tues-Sat 2-4pm and 9pm-12:45am; Sun 2-4pm || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Address** || Calle Santo Tomás 18 || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Location** || Around Town || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Transportation** || Metro: Angel Guimera || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Reservations** || Reservations recommended || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Phone** || 96-391-02-88 || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Prices** || Main courses 21€-30€ ($27-$39); set-price menu 38€ ($49) || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Credit Cards** || AE, DC, MC, V || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] |||| [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="571" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="1"]] ||
 * [[image:http://www.frommers.com/images/destinations/spacer.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Season** || Closed Aug ||

If eating there for the first time we suggest you dig into his first tempting specialty, a superb mushroom salad made with fresh fruit grown and ripened in the surrounding region. For a main course, we suggest cod, which is stuffed with onions and served with a tangy green pepper sauce. Duck breast served with a Riojo wine sauce is immensely appealing as well.

Golondrinas del Puerto (Las)
Boat rides around Valencia's port, which is the biggest commercial port in Spain, are a good way to escape the stress of city life. The traditional Golondrinas (motor-boats) make the trip each day until sunset. Each boat can hold between 50 and 80 people, and all are equipped with an upper deck from which to enjoy unobscured views of the modern port facilities and impressive boats docked there. Some of the sights taken in on the relaxed and enjoyable half-hour ride include the inner harbour, Levante Dock, and Xita Dock. http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/profile-79623105-Spain_Valencia_Golondrinas_del_Puerto_Las_.html

Culture - arts, society, music, language, traditions and customs
A lot of shops and some museums split their hours into 2 periods of opening, with a two or three hour break in the middle. A stroll in the early evening is still a common custom in the smaller cities as well as some larger ones. The dinner hour starts around 10pm, nightlife begins late, with a lot of dance clubs opening at midnight and closing at dawn.
 * Customs**

From 1936 - 1975, Spain was ruled by Francisco Franco. The Spanish society was rural and conservative, especially with women and gay rights. This started to change in the 1960's because of economic growth and culteral influences by Amercian and European tourists. After Franco died in 1975, Spain started to grow economically. Spain is now the 4th country with same -sex marriage and it also has gay adoption. Female employment rates have risen dramatically.
 * Society**

Christmas dinner is never eaten until after midnight. It is a family feast, highlighted with Christmas turkey with truffles. After the meal, the family members gather around the Christmas tree and sing Christmas carols and hymns of Christendom. This goes on through the early hours of the morning. Christmas day is spent at church and at feasts. Instead of Santa they have the Three Wise Men, who pass through in the night leaving gifts outside.
 * Traditions**

Bullfights in Valencia
There is little tradition of bullfighting in Valencia, but with the bullring in such a central position seeing a bullfight seems like an obvious thing for tourists to go and do whilst in Valencia. The bullring in Valencia is next to the train station in the centre of the city.

The best time to go to see the Bullfighting is in the July Festival however it can be seen all year round. http://gospain.about.com/od/bullfightinginspain/qt/valenciabullfig.htm

Laws and Government - find out about local laws, including issues that may lead to cultural difficulties or misunderstandings
Spain is a [|democracy] with a [|Constitutional monarch]. The [|Parliament] consists of two [|chambers], the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. Since 2004, [|José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero] of the [|PSOE] has been [|Prime Minister], with the title President of the Government. Elections were free and fair. The judiciary is independent. Internal security responsibilities are divided among the National Police, which are responsible for security in urban areas; the [|Civil Guard], which police rural areas and control borders and highways; and police forces under the authority of the [|autonomous communities] of [|Catalonia] and the [|Basque Country]. Civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces. There have been allegations that some members of the security forces have committed isolated human rights abuses. The market-based economy, with primary reliance on private enterprise, provided the population of over 40 million with a high standard of living. The economy grew during the third quarter at a 2.4 percent annual rate. The annual inflation rate was 3 percent at year's end. [|Unemployment] decreased to 11.0 percent by November. Wages generally kept pace with [|inflation]. The [|Government] generally respects the [|human rights] of its citizens; although there are a few problems in some areas, the law and judiciary provide effective means of addressing individual instances of abuse. There are allegations that a few members of the security forces abused detainees and mistreated foreigners and illegal immigrants. According to Amnesty International (AI), government investigations of such alleged abuses are often lengthy and punishments were light. Lengthy pretrial detention and delays in trials are sometimes problems. Violence against women was a problem, which the Government took steps to address. Societal discrimination against Roma and immigrants remained a problem, as did occasional violence against immigrants. Trafficking in women and teenage girls for the purpose of prostitution was a problem, which the Government took steps to address. The terrorist group [|ETA] (Basque Fatherland and Liberty) continued its campaign of shootings and bombings, killing three persons during the year. ETA sympathizers also continued a campaign of street violence and vandalism in the Basque region intended to intimidate politicians, academics, and journalists. Judicial proceedings against members of ETA continued, and Spanish and French police arrested 126 suspected ETA members and collaborators. Since 22md March 2006 ETA has, however, been operating under an indefinite ceasefire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Spain [|]