Valencia - 13-16 June 2005

What a fantastic city, never realised it had so much to offer or we would have travelled for more than 3 nights. We flew from Manchester with Jet2.com. First time I have used this carrier and I was extremely impressed with them.

The journey to the airport was very traumatic, an overturned lorry on the M60 caused horrendous tailbacks, our last check in time was 10.05 for a 10.45 flight. We got to the check in desk at 10.02 after leaving the car with Airparks at Carrington. I was very disappointed with Airparks attitude, they knew we were last minute because of the delays but we had to wait 20 mins for the coach to take us to the airport, nevertheless we got the plane. We left Manchester it was a bitterly cold 57 °F and arrived in Valencia to a more comfortable 90°F and glorious blue skies. Flights cost us £36 return each.

Following advice on this website we decided against finding the train station and caught a cab into the city. We were staying at the Petit Palace Germanias on the corner of Sueca and Denia, about 5 mins walk from the Bullring and Estacion del Norte. Hotel was booked room only via Expedia for £50 a night. Breakfast was an extra 7€ and really good value. The hotel was a 3*** but very clean and comfortable and the staff were exceptionally helpful. http://www.hthoteles.com

We decided to go out and get our bearings and headed for the reclaimed river bed that runs through the centre of the city. In the 1960s after severe flooding they decided to divert the River Turia south of the city and they have reclaimed the river bed for recreational, culture and leisure activities and it is absolutely sensational what they have done. It is a super peaceful walk along the Jardin del Turia escaping the traffic. We headed for the Serrano Towers and the historical part of the city stopping in Plaza Virgin for a couple of Estrella Dams before heading back to our hotel to get ready for dinner.

Evening we ate on the Gran Via Germanias before exploring the city. The architecture is spectacular particularly the main railway station, bullring and the buildings around the main square the Plaza Ayuntamiento. The traffic is the main drawback, there doesn’t seem to be any speed limits in the city and you have to rely on pelican crossings to get around, some of which entail a long wait.

We stayed in the city for a few more drinks, as in other Spanish cities people only seem to eat after 22.00 at night so the centre was very lively.

Next morning following breakfast we decided to do the open top bus tour, 12 Euros from the Plaza de la Reina (Cathedral Square). Went round all the old historical centre then out to the new Science Museum built on the old river bed. Bus tour was okay but the traffic in the city is very busy and progress was slow. In the afternoon after visiting the main food market we decided to head to the beach.

We caught the metro from Xativa, changed at Benimaclet and caught a tram to Les Arenes. Trams and beach were vastly superior to those at home here in Blackpool. We walked all the way down the beach (Playa de la Malvarrosa) from the docks to the far end before returning to the city and hotel. We ate in the city centre that night and stayed out late again, bars were very busy.

Wednesday we went to the new Oceanografic, a bit like a mini Sea World. Bought tickets for €28 to get us into the main park, the Prince Felipe Science Museum and L’Hemisferic a giant IMAC cinema next door to the Science Museum. We had a super day, dolphin show, Red Sea Auditorium, huge in door tanks a bit similar to Kelly Tarletons in Auckland but bigger. They had an Arctic section with Beluga whales and Antarctic. The IMAC showed a film about Conservation narrated by Walter Kronkite. The science museum was also worth a visit including a huge section on Medicine and the human body on the 3rd floor. The buildings are all new very modern and futuristic. We were there all day until around 18:00, they close at 20.00, open at 10.00. Highly recommended and for around 16 quid it was great entertainment.

On the Wednesday night the Americas Cup was launched in Valencia’s main square, national TV and VIP party going on so the city was packed. Great atmosphere about the place though and the people are ever so friendly. Unlike Barcelona there are no evidence of beggars and pickpockets and we felt really safe the whole time.

Thursday we wanted to visit the Bullring but it was closed for an exhibition so that was a disappointment. We did visit the Bullfighter Museum which was free admission but a bit of a waste of time.

We got a taxi back to the airport for €12, exactly half what the cab cost us to get there which was puzzling.

Jet2.com return flight half an hour delay but as I said earlier would recommend them and I have already booked flights to Faro in September.

To summarise, great city, certainly outweighed my expectations, superb weather, cheap drinks, beer €1.80 for a 330ml bottle of Estrella Damm in a lovely people watching Plaza will do for me. Hotel highly recommended and close to city centre. We will definitely be returning.

Mickrory