What does paella taste like when it travels far from Valencia? What does it feel like to hear Valencian voices echoing in distant places? Can Valencia water stand alongside mojitos in Cuba? A team of Valencian reporters has the answers after touring the globe in search of communities and stories. They carry the world on their shoulders, tasting paella in faraway kitchens and listening to locals who carry a piece of Valencia in their hearts. Nostalgia stays close, even when thousands of kilometers separate them from home.
Cristina Orts with Eduardo García.
Program Valencians to the Moon has become a staple on À Punt. Since the first Mexico-focused episode in 2019, the show paused only for the pandemic and then resumed with renewed energy. It quickly returned to life at the far edges of the map, airing from 22:00 on Wednesdays and continuing through the week on social networks. It has become a meeting point for Valencians living abroad and a window for the home community to stay connected with its roots.
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Regular correspondents María José Berbegall, Nerea Camps, Lluís Liñana, Cristina Orts and Enrique Tena traveled to 73 countries, covering more than 360,000 kilometers. That distance mirrors the journey from Earth to the Moon and back. They were accompanied by seasoned camera operators Eduardo García, Pablo Perandres, Javier Rodríguez, Tomás Guil, Nacho Rodríguez and Jon González, who helped capture every moment on the road.
María José Berbegall, Nacho Rodríguez and other Valencians living in Helsinki appear in the program’s behind-the-scenes captions.
While the reporters have not literally reached the Moon, their travels span London, the North Pole, Finland, Quito, Havana, the Dominican Republic and a gyre through Route 66. They have reached Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali and Tokyo, and even ventured across Africa to Senegal and Morocco, with Australia’s distant lands not far behind.
Entertainment and culture intertwine in the show. The team aims to entertain while sharing intimate stories of Valencians encountered along the way, letting viewers feel the humanity behind every location.
Cristina Orts, a VAM correspondent at major events like the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, embodies the program’s energy and curiosity.
Some Valencians left their homes for love, others to pursue new careers, and a few chased fresh business opportunities in new cities. One shared thread remains: a deep affection for the country and the city they chose to make their own. Moments from family and friends travel with them as cherished tokens that keep them emotionally close, no matter the distance.
Culture matters deeply to Valencians who travel the world. Living abroad reshapes how they see the world, expanding horizons with new traditions. The program presents these cultures through the eyes of Valencians, with respect and curiosity guiding every story. “I think the show is a celebration of hybridization and tolerance,” notes Antonio Asencio, co-director, alongside Pablo del Pozo of La Cometa TV.
Anecdotes that travel the world
Enrique Tena and Pablo Perandrés appear at the reactor in French Provence, a reminder of the improvisational spirit that defines the show. Cristina Orts explains that returning to Melbourne after seven years was sparked by a desire to conduct interviews with her former boss at the restaurant where she once worked. The journey showed that, even from 17,000 kilometers away, the Valencian community can feel within reach again. A challenging schedule on Reunion Island and a dislocated shoulder during canyoning became part of the story, with a Valencian teammate providing necessary care and support.
Lluis Liñana recalls taping a Christmas special in New York, dressing as Santa Claus to engage with locals in Times Square. The spontaneous photo opportunities paid for the trip in their own way, turning a moment into a cherished memory.
In Miami, Valencians organized the first paella competition in the city. María José Berbegall reflects on how they brought Valencian flavors to the American landscape, pairing paellas, Valencia water, Nino Bravo songs and the playful Paquito the Chocolatier. The event resonated with locals, who even dreamt in Valencian for a moment in the heart of Miami.
Enrique Tena recalls a Glasgow master class where bagpipes and humor collided. The attempt to play the instrument became a running joke, highlighting the lighthearted side of cultural exchange and how laughter can bridge diverse traditions.
Nerea Camps remembers recording the Catrina processions in Mexico City with Julia Marco, a Valencian living in the Aztec country. When tractors rolled into the parade with giants dressed as Catrín and Catrina, the experience felt like stepping onto a stage. The moment turned into an unforgettable scene where the journalist found herself riding in the middle of CDMX’s grandest ride, a surreal brush with fame on a city-wide celebration.