Valencia

Why should I choose Valencia for my year abroad?
Beach bums can chillax on the alcove beaches in close by Cuatro Cots, whilst sipping on some refreshing orxata (the city's popular almond milk beverage). Home to the tasty national dish, paella, you'll soon be making like the locals, and feasting on the rice and seafood plato fuerte come Sunday lunchtime. Valencia can also sit pretty as a festival region — all year round, the valencianos are partying to past Moorish invasions, Christian celebrations and a few others that might float your boat. Las Fallas, a traditional festival that honours Saint Joseph and, um, carpenters, sets the city on fire, quite literally, as float after float of papier mâché figurines are set alight in a decidedly entrancing festivity.

If you fancy something a little more off the wall and a little more vegetarian, then head to nearby Buñol, for La Tomatina. For the uninitiated, it is one glorious food fight on the streets where the weapon of choice is the trusty tomato. If music is more your thing, than you could always get some tickets for the summer beach festival, Benicassim, when a pair of cool shades and some piña coladas are all you need to party days and nights away to chilled tunes and some seriously good sets from upcoming DJs. A city in which year abroaders can experience celebratory Spain!

Interested in seeing more of the Valencian streets? Check out this video from Jess, featuring the delights of Chinatown!