But even across the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Valencia makes you feel right at home with ease

It's a coastal city with a dream climate

So trading in my usually brisk Canadian Novembers for beach weather -- nothing to complain about

But the sunny Spanish coast has more to offer than just that

The country's third-largest city boasts rich cultural and architectural history

But also, sections of striking modern entertainment complexes

And with the addition of several beautiful beaches

It's a formula for a great tourist destination

And by no means as busy as Madrid or Barcelona

This time around though, I'm not a tourist

Valencia is my temporary home

for just a short little while, as I take on a contract as an English teacher at a private language school

So while I'm here trying to live like a local, I'll show you around

Here's a day in the life in Valencia -- through my eyes

-Hola, buenas

-Uno de esos

Bienvenidos a Monteolivete

It's my neighborhood -- in the Southeast region of the city

Just walking distance from one of the top must-see places in Valencia

La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

Or, the City of Arts and Sciences

An iconic series of buildings, including a planetarium, museum, aquarium and performing arts centre

Its stunning design and composition helping it claim the title as one of the 12 Treasures of Spain

The work of Valencian-born architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava

Easily able to take your breath away

That cultural and entertainment complex

it sets at the end of what used to be the riverbed of the Turia

A river that was drained and rerouted after a deadly, catastrophic flood in the late 1950s

Now, it's one of Spain's largest urban parks

Nine kilometres of gardens, cycling and footpaths

Connecting some of the city's most interesting spots

The green belt running like a vital vein through Valencia

Follow the Turia north and you'll eventually reach Valencia's historic centre

lined with restaurants and cafes

Where, by the way, you can actually sit and enjoy your coffee -- no caffeine to go here

But the area is rich with a twist of cultural influences injected over time

From the city's Roman roots all the way back in 138 BC

to its Muslim rule starting in 714 AD

and to the Christian siege and reconquest in the early 1200s

Some of the city's major monuments were built in this time

Including el Torre del Micalet

a 15th century gothic bell tower overlooking a cathedral

And for only two euros, you can climb it

All 207 steps -- each one worth the view

-Empiezo? Empiezo la canción? (Start? Start the song?)

-Vale (Okay)

Speaking of views, no photo or video can do this place justice

While you can find a handful of beaches in and around Valencia

Playa de la Malvarrosa is a must-see destination

Its long and vast beach bordered on one side by tranquil waters, and the other, by a busy boardwalk

Where you can grab some Valencian paella, a traditional rice dish woven into the city's identity

(Doorbell)

-Hola

Or if you're having a lazy day like me

plenty of restaurants in the city also do home delivery

All of it readily available at your fingertips

-...traditional Valenciana salad

Maybe I went a little overboard

But if you're planning a night out in Valencia you better fill up, cause you may be in for the long haul

Unlike in North America...

...nights are a little longer in Spain

And in a bar hopping haven like Valencia

there's plenty of time and room for all different flavors of fun

Or even some bad and memorable decisions

Kind of like this one: A late-night snack from a streetside hamburger vending machine

-That's like the best one! Or should I get the waffle? No, that's cheating if I get the waffle, right?

-You're going to taste it

I'll spoil the moment and just tell you:

Zero out of ten, do not recommend

But, what I do recommend is enjoying a taste of what this city has to offer

Its wealth of history

Its prime cafe culture

Its easygoing atmosphere

And its friendly folk

Many of whom, if you ask, wouldn't live anywhere else in the world