Valencia was founded by the ancient Romans in 137 BC and has been pillaged, burned and besieged numerous times by various conquerors over the centuries since, but the vivacious Spanish city has sailed into the second millennium as Europe's quintessential sophisticated modern holiday city, a favoured location for the America's Cup yacht race. Situated on the Mediterranean coast about four hours south of Barcelona, Valencia is spread out around its busy port and backed by the hills which give way to the plains of Aragon.

Valencia oozes traditional character, particularly in its old town (El Carmen), and has retained its cultural heritage not only in the form of medieval architecture but also in its quirky, exuberant festivals (like the Battle of the Flowers, the fireworks of Fallas and one dedicated to tomato-hurling). The Valencians even have their own language. Amid the old, Valencia has very much that is new, including its major attraction, the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences, which draws around four million appreciative visitors each year.

Outdoors it is hard to beat the golden beaches which fan out from the port along the coast, and the sprawling city offers plenty of green parks for strolling, cycling or simply lolling on a bench to get your breath back after indulging in the vibrancy of the city. Football is also a local passion, Valencia's team being at the top of the game, and fans should not miss the atmosphere at one of the carnival-like matches.

When night falls, dine on paella, which originated here, and then hit the high spots, because Valencia is renowned for its lively collection of bars and clubs. It may sound clichéd, but Valencia does indeed fit the bill as the holiday city, which 'has it all'.

Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward ticket, all necessary documents for onward travel and sufficient funds. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Travel Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Bird flu was detected in Spain in 2006, and although there is little risk to travellers, close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry products well cooked as a precaution (no human deaths or infections have been reported). Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing emergency health care on the same terms as Spanish nationals. EU travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note that the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised.

Tipping: Hotel and restaurant bills usually include service charges, but additional tips are welcomed for services rendered. In established restaurants tips of about 10% are expected. In Mallorca value-added-tax is usually included in restaurant bills, designated 'I.V.A', and may be mistaken for a service charge. Drivers of metered taxis expect small tips and it is customary to tip usually 5-10% for most services, including guides.

Safety Information: Generally safety is not too much of a problem for tourists in Spain. However, ETA has been responsible for numerous bomb explosions across Spain, and is blamed for the deaths of over 800 people in its fight for independence. There is a potential risk of international terrorism, as in other countries, although the risk to tourists is considered to be low. Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, except for street crime, which is common in the big cities; travellers are advised to take precautions to avoid theft of passports, credit cards, travel documents and money. Be wary of strangers offering or asking for help of any kind, as it is often a distraction for accomplices. There are also scams involving letters for outstanding traffic fines or Spanish lottery winnings.

Local Customs: Smoking in public places is banned and stiff fines will be imposed for smoking in areas such as enclosed public spaces, areas where food is prepared and sold, public transport, designated areas of bars and restaurants, and any places that cater for children. Drinking alcohol in the streets of Madrid, and in the Canary and Balearic Islands is illegal.