The whole month of July is a fiesta in Valencia. Concerts, al fresco cinema, stand-up comedy, fireworks displays, folk dances, parades, street markets… The programme of the Gran Fira (Great Valencia Fair) features more than 100 events at different locations throughout the city. Don’t miss the Battle of Flowers on the last Sunday, when brightly coloured floats and horse-drawn carriages parade through the city, with men, women, and children in lavish, traditional costumes tossing flowers out into the cheering crowds.

The Musée National de la Marine is the place to dive into Toulon’s maritime history. Learn about galley slaves, pirate attacks led by Redbeard, and a young Captain Napoleon Bonaparte, who played a key role in retaking the city from the English after the Revolution.

The Gran Premio de la Comunidad Valenciana is a key annual fixture in the Moto GP calendar. Thousands of motorcycling fans head to the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste, about an hour from the city, to cheer on their national and international heroes.

The United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was surprised by a Japanese military strike on the morning of December 7, 1941: all eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, more than 2,000 Americans lost their lives, and this very attack led to the American involvement in World War II. Today, a memorial reminds of those who died in the assault, while two museums and outdoor exhibits present the historical happenings and their backgrounds. The visitor centre in general also features exhibits and interpretive programs for other Pacific National Parks: Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Molokai, American Memorial Park in Saipan, and War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam.