Tourists scarcely seen and pristine beaches:
Traveler Feels Strong Connection to Valencia, Spain
A recent trip to Valencia, Spain, has left one individual with a strong sense of connection and a desire to return. The journey began with an early morning wake-up call and a long layover in Amsterdam, but the destination was well worth the wait.
Upon arrival, the individual was immediately drawn to the city's bike-friendly layout, finding it strikingly similar to their home city. Cycling through the city center and Turia Park was an absolute highlight, with the wide, lively beach promenade and the bustling plazas and orange-yellow houses adding to the charm.
The individual's itinerary included a visit to the beach, where they participated in beach tennis, a sport that combines elements of tennis, beach volleyball, and badminton, played on the sand. The individual found the challenges of learning a new sport and understanding the trainer's instructions in Spanish to be exciting and rewarding.
The beach visit was made even more special by attending a birthday party organized by the beach tennis players. The individual was warmly welcomed and felt a strong connection to the group. The party atmosphere was lively, with people playing volleyball and others passing by on bicycles and inline skates.
Valencia's huge green area, Turia Park, which has emerged from a dried-up riverbed, was another highlight. The park features cycle paths past palm trees, providing a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
The individual was pleasantly surprised to find that the cyclists in Valencia were less aggressive than those in Hamburg, making for a more enjoyable cycling experience. The relaxed atmosphere of Valencia was a welcome change, with it being possible to cycle from the city center to the beach in just 20 minutes.
The individual's friend has also expressed a desire to return to Valencia since the individual's trip, and the individual themselves feels a strong pull to explore more of this city that felt like home from the very first second.
Fernweh and Heimweh are two German words that describe the emotional experiences related to travel and place. Fernweh means a longing or yearning to travel to distant places, while Heimweh is homesickness—a deep longing to return to one's home or homeland. In this case, the individual's Fernweh was sparked by the new experiences and sights in Valencia, while the city's familiar layout and welcoming atmosphere evoked feelings of Heimweh.
Together, these two emotions capture the emotional duality of travel: the pull of familiar roots and the push toward adventure and discovery. The individual's trip to Valencia is a testament to the power of travel to evoke strong emotions and create lasting connections.
[1] Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Heimweh. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/heimweh
[2] Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Fernweh. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fernweh
[3] Oxford Languages. (n.d.). Fernweh. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/fernweh
[4] Lefebvre, K. (2019, June 25). Fernweh vs. Heimweh: The Two German Words That Capture the Emotional Duality of Travel. Luxury Travel Diary. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://luxurytraveldiary.com/fernweh-vs-heimweh-the-two-german-words-that-capture-the-emotional-duality-of-travel/
[5] The Culture Trip. (n.d.). Fernweh vs Heimweh: The Two German Words That Explain Our Travel Wanderlust. The Culture Trip. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/fernweh-vs-heimweh-the-two-german-words-that-explain-our-travel-wanderlust/
