Valladolid

Valladolid city is the biggest metropolis in Castilla y Leon and is its Administrative Centre as well. Its population is over 300,000 inhabitants. It´s split in two areas: The centre of town and the suburbs. The suburbs it´s not a residential area as the one you can find in London, for instance, but a huge amount of buildings and housing estates that surround the old city. On the outskirts, you can find residential areas with detached, semi-detached, terraced houses and cottages; so, if you want to spend a good time, you have all you need in the centre of town and you can get everywhere on foot. The city had a fire in the 1650s which destroyed most of the ancient buildings, but a little number of them still remains. There are plenty of facilities that you can find in the city: __CULTURAL:__ In St Paul´s dome lies The National Sculpture Museum which is a must –see. The Oriental Art Museum in the Filipino´s promenade is well worth a visit. There is also a Science Museum in the extended area of the city, on the other side of the bridge. You can visit the houses where Colon, Cervantes and Zorrilla lived, which had been transformed into charming environments. Of course, there are a lot of cinemas and several theatres, most of them housed in old beautiful buildings. __SIGHT-SEEING__: “El Campo Grande” is a landmark in Valladolid; it´s a big park with squirrels. A pond with ducks and swans ant the place where you and your children can go for a boat ride. There is also a waterfall and above all the famous peacocks. A sight-seeing bus that picks you up in Recoletos Promenade can provide unforgettable views of the city. Zorrilla´s Square and Promenade and Santiago´s street are another well-known places you ought to walk along. Don´t forget The Millenium Square which is the newest construction in Valladolid that you would like. It´s a big green lung just in front of The Pisuerga River, crossing the bridge. There is an enormous car park with exhibitions on the first floor of the underground inside it, a pleasant park with games where you can keep your children and a wonderful colour-changing semi-spheric dome which is used as a concert hall or exhibition room among other different uses depending on the events. The Town Hall lies on the “Plaza Mayor”, meeting point for many people as well and the heart of the city. Valladolid also has magnificent churches such as “La Antigua” or “The Cathedral” which was designed by Juan de Herrera. __ACCOMMODATION, FACILITIES AND RESTAURANTS:__ Valladolid has a complete offer in accommodation from one to five stars hotels. The best restaurants are in the centre of the city; some of them are quite famous such as “La Sepia” or “La Mejillonera”, although if you like haute cuisine you must come here on feasts ( during the first week on September) because then, there is a cooking contest among all the restaurants who wanted to take part in it and finally the best “Tapa” is chosen by the people. On this occassion each restaurant lays its stand along the streets with different elaborated and sometimes amusing and amazing meals. There are plenty of commercial streets and department stores in the centre and on the outskirts too where the best gift for you or your loving beings can be bought. Summing up : It´s worth to come here and check it out.