Paella. This best-known Valencian dish is named after the pan used to cook the rice. Purists believe paella must be cooked over wood fire and using water from Valencia. Traditionally, paella should be eaten in the neighborhood by the sea, but you can order the dish from many specialist restaurants around town. There?s a variety of paella you can order?chicken, rabbit, shellfish, vegetable, and mixed.

Jamon Iberico (known as Iberian Ham or Pata Negra). Produced only in Spain, this type of cured ham is made from black Iberian pigs who feed only on grains and acorns.

Buñuelos. Traditionally eaten during the Fallas, these yummy fritters are a treat that should not be missed. Made from flour, water and yeast, buñuelos are perfect with hot chocolate. Enjoy them at an horchateria or open-air stalls.

Churros. Eat them plain with or without hot chocolate, in horchaterias or off the streets in paper cones. Churros are commonly served coated with sugar but the chocolate-covered variant is a must-try, too.

Llinares Ice Cream. You haven?t tried ice cream like this homemade ice cream. Shop owner Félix Llinares holds the Guinness Record for most number of ice cream flavors. Llinares is known for uniqueness. They serve vegetable ice cream and flavors like lentil, gazpacho, Spanish omelette, tortilla and different cheeses.

Llinares also offers ice cream therapy. Flavors based on medicinal plants and herbs promise to help you get rid of cellulite, lose weight, stop smoking and lower your stress levels. The popcorn flavor was perfect; too bad I couldn?t bring it home.

What to drink

Horchata. This sweet drink, served very cold, is made from tiger nuts, water and sugar. Alboraia is said to serve the best horchata in Valencia. You can buy horchata in bottles too, but there?s nothing like a fresh glass of this milky, creamy treat.

Agua de Valencia. If you like cocktails, search for a bar that serves Agua de Valencia. Made from a base of cava or champagne, orange juice, vodka and gin and served by the pitcher, this sweet drink has a kick. If your alcohol tolerance isn?t high, you might want to save this for later in the night.

Hot chocolate. Spanish hot chocolate is so thick it tastes more like melted chocolate bar. It?s comfort in a cup.

Wine. You must try the Valencia denominacion de origen wines. Don?t miss the reds, roses and cavas and the Alto Turia and Utiel-Requena whites.

Spanish beer. San Miguel?s still a big hit in Spain?but you might want to drink Spanish cerveza while you?re there. Mahou, Cruzcampo and Damm are some brands to try.

What to do

Explore Valencia?s history by visiting the Plaza de la Almoina, a square smack dab in the center of the old town. There you will see the ruins of the city?s ancient civilizations.

Let the City of the Arts and Sciences take your breath away with the beauty of its modern architecture. This large complex, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava in collaboration with Felix Candela, is a sight to behold (and photograph). Get close to the fish at L?Oceanografic, which displays the marine ecosystems of all five continents. Watch the dolphin show at the Dolphinarium, walk through the 30-m long underwater tunnel and enjoy the sights of the third largest aquarium in the world.

Go on a tour of two very different markets. Shop at the Central Market (Mercado Central), which is home to fresh local produce (including strawberries almost as big as your fist). This market, which opened in 1928, has over 1000 stalls and is considered one of the largest food markets in Europe.

When you?re done shopping, imagine the bustling activity in the now quiet Lonja de la Seda, a Unesco World Heritage Site. This beautiful hall with helicoidal columns used to be a center for silk exchange.

Ride a bike along the River Turia, which is now dry. Its water has been diverted outside the city since the terrible flood of 1957. The riverbed is now an area for sports, leisure and culture. Visit its bridges, gardens and the museums along the banks.

Go to the beach (Playa Malvarrosa and Playa de las Arenas are just a 10 to 15-minute tram ride from the center of the town) and be surprised by the sight of topless sunbathers even in cold weather.

Las Fallas 101

La Planta?The installation of the Falla monuments which takes place in the early hours of March 15. The children?s fallas are installed the previous night, on the 14th.

La Desperta?Falla groups who parade around the city and set off fireworks to wake everyone up

La Mascleta?Noisy fireworks display held every day from March 1-19 in the Town Hall square, yes, during the day. Valencians love this part of the festival.

La Nit del Foc?The largest and most spectacular fireworks display during Las Fallas, it?s on the night of March 18.

La Crema?The crowning point of Las Fallas. At midnight on March 19, all the fallas are burnt in front of the falleros. This emotional moment is one that should not be missed.

Fast facts

Valencia is the third most populous city in Spain, next to Madrid and Barcelona.

Hotel capacity: 16,695 beds as of 2007

Number of restaurants: 1,671 as of 2007

Average temperature: 20? C