Merry Christmas! ?

Here’s the latest news from Valencia this holiday week. Stay tuned for a separate post covering events this weekend.

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A Bittersweet Christmas

It’s been a challenging holiday season for those affected by the recent floods. Many families in the hardest-hit areas are finding ways to mark the holidays despite the difficulties. Levante reports on how households are coping during this bittersweet season.

In La Torre, residents of the Sociopolis housing estate face unique challenges. Since the floods, elevators in many buildings remain out of service. Some residents living as high as the 10th floor and above have been unable to leave their apartments. They’ve resorted to a pulley system to haul ingredients and supplies, allowing them to prepare Christmas dinner. Read the full story on Levante.

King Felipe VI delivered his annual Christmas speech to the nation. He highlighted the need for solidarity during this recovery period. An image of Valencia’s flood disaster was prominently displayed behind him. He urged politicians to set aside difference and prioritize helping flood-affected communities. Read more on Las Provincias.

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Transportation Update

MetroValencia has resumed service on Line 2 between Paterna and Lliria. Efforts are now underway to restore the metro lines serving southern Valencia, with hopes of completing repairs by early 2025. In the meantime, bus replacement services remain operational. Valencia Plaza has more details.

To further aid recovery, Valencia City Council is offering free public transportation to residents from flood-affected areas. Learn more about this initiative on Valencia Secreta.

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Flood Recovery

Recovery efforts continue to gain momentum, with community support playing a vital role. The American School of Valencia raised over €14,000 with a solidarity run to aid L’Horta Sud, one of the areas most devastated by the floods. Valencia Plaza has more.

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Valencia Food on the World Map

Valencia’s culinary excellence is gaining world attention! Casa Carmela has a century-old tradition of wood-fired paellas on Malvarrosa Beach. Now, it has been ranked #37 on Taste Atlas’s list of the 100 most iconic restaurants worldwide. It’s the only Spanish restaurant to earn a spot on the list. Discover more on Taste Atlas.

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That’s it for now! Check back soon for our next post on holiday events and activities happening in Valencia this weekend.

Good morning!
Here’s your news update to kick off this holiday week. ???

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Surprise Royal Visit

The Royal Family made an unannounced visit on Sunday to Catarroja, Picanya, and other parts of Valencia affected by recent floods. The King, Queen, and Princesses came without any fanfare or politicians in tow, engaging directly with local residents.
?? Read more about the visit in Las Provincias.

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Christmas Lottery Winners

The Christmas lottery brought a sprinkle of luck to Valencia on Sunday, with some winners in flood-affected areas. While the largest prizes were won elsewhere, there was a notable surge in ticket purchases and sharing in disaster-hit regions.
?? Details in Las Provincias.

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Transport Update

Good news for commuters! Metrovalencia announced that the section connecting Paterna and Liria on Line 2 will be fully operational again starting Tuesday, December 24.
?? Check the Metrovalencia website for more updates.

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Weather Alerts and Air Quality Concerns

• Strong Winds and Rain: AEMET has issued an orange alert for strong winds and heavy rain, particularly in the Castellón area.
  ?? Details on the weather alert via Las Provincias.
• Saharan Dust: Valencia City Council has reactivated an air quality warning as Saharan dust blankets the city.
  ?? Learn more from Las Provincias.
• Ski Season Begins: Nearby ski resorts are benefiting from the temperature dip.
  ?? Check out Cadena Ser for more.

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Flood Recovery

• Emergency Unit Reinstated: Generalitat President Carlos Mazón is reinstating the emergency unit dismantled before the floods, following criticism.
  ?? Coverage in El País.
• Labor Shortages: A lack of construction workers, electricians, and renovation specialists is slowing recovery efforts.
  ?? Full story in El País.
• New Platform to Help: A new platform, Reconstruim, aims to match businesses with much-needed specialists.
  ?? Visit Reconstruim for more information.
• Expert Insight: Valencia Plaza features an interview with Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, an LSE professor and disaster recovery advisor, on how Valencia can rebuild more effectively.
  ?? Read the interview on Valencia Plaza.

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Best Almuerzo of 2025

The Cacau d’Or 2025 has been awarded to Casa Baldo for its spectacular bocadillo: a sweet-and-savory combination of chicken, tortilla, melted brie, and orange-honey dressing.
?? Discover more about this award-winning dish in El País.

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That’s all for now! Stay safe and enjoy the week ahead.