April 2, 2007

Europe | Spain | Valencia

Valencia Unveiled

By Mark Jolly

Spain's third-most-populous city looks to the sea for its renaissance.

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For centuries Valencia turned its back on the beach, but now Spain’s third city is ready for its moment in the sun. Tomorrow, the America’s Cup comes to Valencia, and returns to Europe for the first time since its inception, in 1851, when it was held around the Isle of Wight. The yachting world’s most historic regatta starts with the Louis Vuitton Act 13 — not a French drama in shopping but a prelude to the cup match finals from June 23 to July 4 — showcasing all 12 teams.

The Cup has long been tipped to do for Valencia what the ‘92 Olympics did for Barcelona. Though, if truth be told, the $1-billion revitalized waterfront is still an annexed neighborhood waiting to happen. However, with a new airport terminal, a long-awaited metro link to the city, and Santiago Calatrava’s spectacularly futuristic City of Arts & Sciences (which features perhaps the world’s most exquisite aquarium), Valencia is on a roll. Later this month, the doors open to the Valencia Hilton, the city’s biggest and tallest hotel, next to Sir Norman Foster’s Palacio de Congresos.