The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage will open in Valencia, Spain one month from now. After the conclusion of Group A in Fingal-Dublin, Ireland, the third biggest city in Spain will host World No. 4 Puerto Rico, No. 10 Netherlands, No. 11 China, No. 12 and home team Spain, No. 28 Cuba and No. 38 South Africa from 18-22 July for Group B of the biggest international softball event of the year.
Group B will be played at Camp Municipal de Beisbol i Sofbol in Valencia, a city with more than 800,000 inhabitants. It is the first time Valencia hosts a WBSC tournament.
Valencia is located on Spain’s eastern coast, at the mouth of the Turia River, right in the centre of the Gulf of Valencia. It is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, a stretch of water which has gradually forged the city's character over the centuries. Its geographical location makes it an excellent operational base from which to explore the rest of Spain. It is just an hour and a half away from Madrid by train, three hours away from Barcelona by car, and with daily departures to the Balearic Islands, the capital of the Mediterranean is well worth a visit.
Softball fans attending Group B should not miss the opportunity to visit the City of Arts and Sciences, a modern scientific and cultural leisure complex which can be enjoyed with family or friends, covering around two kilometres of the former riverbed of the River Turia.
Work of Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, the City of Arts and Sciences hosts the Hemisfèric, a digital 3D cinema, with a huge 900 metre concave screen; the Science Museum, which offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology; and the Oceanogràfic, Europe's biggest aquarium.
Valencia has also many historical buildings, including the Cathedral and La Lonja at the historic centre, the Gates of Serrano and Quart, Portal de Valldigna and Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir (known as the Valencian 'Sistine Chapel') at El Carmen neighbourhood.
Valencia has an average temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. It is an ideal destination to visit all year round. During the month of July, visitors can expect temperatures of 30 degrees during the day and 21 degrees at night, which makes it a great time to enjoy beautiful Mediterranean beaches, including the L’Albufera Natural Park, 17 kilometres of fine, golden sand, often between protected dunes and with all the charms of their scenic beauty.
Visitors should also not miss the opportunity to taste Paella, Valencian cuisine’s most international dish and the city’s main contribution to global gastronomy.
Photos: ©VisitValencia
