My first stop in any city, no matter where in the world, is the local market. Anyone who has travelled with me has experienced this pilgrimage! It’s not about food (though I love sampling food of any kind!), it’s about soaking in the local flavor…the regional delicacies,the aromas, and seeing how residents live.

Today I am in Valencia,Spain and my first stop is Mercat Central (Central Market)! I just love it!
Local women shopping for today’s meals, men sipping strong coffee, vendors hawking local finds, and tourists alike in this gorgeous Gothic style market. The home to the famous orange, there is so much more to see, hear, and smell here…

You can get no better sense of a place than spending a morning in the local market.