I am originally from the Pacific Northwest, and I really miss the green trees and fresh air. The…read moreJardins de Ayora are a sanctuary for those that need to escape from the city for a little while. The trees here are stunning and plentiful, the air is clean and crisp, and the sounds of the birds drown out the city noise. I also love that there are no dogs allowed in this park because I spend most of my day playing hopscotch trying to avoid this millions of crap bombs all over the city, and here I can take a break from that too. I love this city for many reasons, but I love the Jardins de Ayora because they remind me of home.

The Miguelete Tower is the bell tower of the Valencia Cathedral in Valencia, Spain. This Valencian…read moreGothic-style bell tower was built between 1381 and 1424 and access to the tower is from inside the Cathedral by means of a spiral staircase. Entrance is €2 per person. It is 207(ish?) steps to the top in a fairly winding, narrow stair case. Your legs will burn - no, not you Crossfit exercise folk but us always eating our way through our travels sort of folks. You may feel a little nauseated. But the experience is worth it. Pace yourself if you don't work out much. There were lots of people panting and having issues. The view from the top is pretty great, and there's plenty of space to sit to let your legs rest after the hike up. ALSO yes - you have to walk back down said spiral stair case, but it's much easier going down. Just make sure you don't go too fast and lose your step as it's a long way to roll. Note: There is a traffic light system on either end. At the top of the tower, you'll see a red/green light. Red means don't come down as people are coming up and there's really no room (particularly close to the top of the tower) for someone to squish past. There are cameras watching you (operator at the base is the guy you pay your €2 to. And there's a speaker, as he'll tell you how many minutes when you stare and wave at the camera impatiently.

You're in Valencia, visiting the Cathedral, so why not climb the steps? Phenomenal view, get your…read morehistory on, and make an afternoon out of it. The Micalet is one of 12 bell towers, goes back to 1539, and packs over 24,000 lbs of heft. Not to shabby! Be sure to grab a drink or two at the bars around the area. You've earned it!