Spain
Valencia is a city that has some spectacular and unique attractions. I just got back last week, so this is 'fresh' info. Firstly i have to reccomend Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias; a massive 21st Century architectural marvel designed by Santiago Calatrava. This place is a photographers wet dream. I only snapped a few dozen photos and really want to go back and spend a day discovering this stunning area further. It sits on what was once the riverbed of the Tiria river which used to run through the city. Following floods last century they re-routed the river but instead of selling the valuable land for development, instead opted to create a ribbon park through the heart of the city. Again this is a sight not to be missed.
Moving into the old city there is a complete change as we enter narrow streets and old buildings that excite the senses. The smell of Paella wafts from restaurants and the bustle of this vibrant place really appeals during the day. At night, Valencia moves up a gear and becomes Spains party capital where locals think nothing of going out at midnight to enjoy a meal with friends and family or dance the night away in one of the city's many many nightclubs and flamenco bars.
For a different experience the cathedrals purports to have the actual holy grail on display. Someone should have told Indiana Jones and saved him a load of trouble.
Finally, but perhaps most impressively I will remember Valencia as a city of shopping and my particular holy grail was the amazing covered market. This really is something quite astounding and is not to be missed.