is Valencia a place to visit?

I would visit either Galicia or San Sebastian.

ttt

I've always wanted to visit Valencia. If you are a Calatrava fan, then definitely go.

thanks yk, and Aduchamp1
one of my favorite buildings in Toronto is BCA place designed by
Calatrava.
It just seems that Valencia is not
very popular with "regulars" to Spain.

sorry, BCE Place

I saw a documentary on Calatrava, called "God does not throw dice". It has interviews with him, his drawings and models, and how he conceived his designs. Most of the footage was the various complex he designed for Valencia. Not sure if it's a movie that you can rent from Netflix or not.

Have you been to the Milwaukee Art Museum?

Hi

If you've been to other cities in Spain I think Valencia is worth visiting. The historic centre reminds me of Madrid in a way. The City of Arts and Science is quite mind blowing - http://www.spanish-living.com/regional/Valencia_city-of-arts-and-science.php.

yk, thanks for the info
we live in Canada and have not
traveled much in the US (except New York city)or the rest of Canada for that matter.

Somehow, we always end up spending holidays in Europe!

thanks winb,
there is always some new place to discover in Spain.
Last year we went to Santander ,only because we had the use of a house for a week, and just loved the place.

Valencia is the origin of horchata, and that's a darn good reason to visit. I've only had mexican horchata, which I adore, but someday, I'm going to have the original, tigernut stuff.

Valencia is the origin of horchata

I didn't know that. It's great stuff. I'll never forget the first time I had it (in Cordoba, last year).

I just love Fodors. I learn so many useless tidbits every day here.

My daughter spent a year in Spain and loved Valencia, particularly for its architecture. I've only been through it by train a couple of times but agreed that visually it's very nice.

It is so nice to see an interest in "my " city.

Valencia is not on many American / Canadian tourist routes it seems, but perhaps because many people are not aware of the metamorphis it has experienced in the past 20 years.
We do seem to have many more European visitors.

What used to feel like a provincial town with a few museums has practically become the museum capital of Spain, with an excitig mix of old and new, plus additional 4*and 5* properties to satisfy any traveller.

I doubt many people do not realize how many new museums there are, nor have even been to most of them.

http://www.valencia.es/mhv

http://www.cult.gva.es/mbav/

www.valenciavalencia.com
( look for museo del artist fallero)

Many of the historic buildings have been recuperated by the government and turned into lovely art museums, often offering top private collections that go to Barcelona, Madrid and other European capitals.

Visit one of the Horchaterías in Alboraya itself, (take the metro to Palmaret or Machado) and enjoy the boisterous activity of groups partaking in the "fartons"( sweet bread) for dunking in their horchata or a nice cup of Spanish chocolate and freshly vat-fried churros.

www.horchateria-daniel.es also in Spanish but good photos

And do not miss a half day in the Albufera area,

http://www.albufera.com/ ( in Spanish but nice photos)

..ending up at this lovely relaxing top restaurant in the area. It is especially nice at sunset,too, for a drink if mealtime does not work out.

http://www.nouraco.com/

The America's Cup (who knows what will happen to the next edition) has left us some nice edifices and lounges to enjoy, one of my favorite being

www.3927.es for the best photo opportunity along the beach!

David Chipperfield's Veles e Vents building is one of our favorite buildings in the city.

I could go on and on about special corners of the city. I have posted a few itineraries. Any guide book will tell you what not to miss.

Our central market is one of the largest in Europe as is the actual historic center.

Go to www.mercadocentralvalencia.es, then "vistar el mercado", then "Fotos esfércias" to see the photo album.

Valencia usually amazes those who take the time to stroll her back streets and spend a few researched days.

Spectacular hotels and settings

Hotel Las Arenas
El Westin Valencia

Towns to stop on your way from the north: Peñiscola (2 hrs away)and Caves of vall d'uxó (30-40 minutes away).

Towns to stop on your way from the South: Denia/Javea/Altea for beachfront

Guadalest ( near Benidorm) for scenery

Lincasanova,

Just wanted to mention to you how much we loved Valencia when we visited for Las Fallas several years ago. A combination of good academic schedule and seeing a television program about Las Fallas motivated us to visit Valencia with ignorance about what a lovely place it was.

Because my second obsession after travel is Opera, we were delighted to go to the opening performance at the Opera House as well as learn a great deal about sleep deprivation during Las Fallas.

More than anything else, we were surprised and delighted to find that two visiting Americans, with limited Spanish and no Catalan were welcomed to the point of adoption whenever we had a conversation in the city. We cannot wait until we have a chance to return.

Nice to hear this!

thank you again.
as I said, Valencia has not been mentioned much on the board .
I am glad there is more info., hope to visit this or next year.

Great info lincasanova. I can see you're very proud of your city. To add to its credits it is the birthplace of paella I'm told.

Am bookmarking! Although we don't have an oficial itinerrary yet, DH and I will be renting a car out of Barcelona and will head south next month. It will be exciting to see Valencia, finally!
Linacasanova, you've been so helpful in the past, so we are taking in all of your suggestions.
My father was ill for some time and as caretaker, I really couldn't consider travelling. Ahhh, life - so many stages to experience, if we're so lucky, and I do mean that.

Oh, will especially enjoy the market - thanks for that!

Danon, you did not mention when your next visit to Spain will be. If you can get to Valencia for Las Fallas (March) that would be great for you. Prices may be a bit higher in restaurants etc, but still worth it. There is a little about Valencia on Fodor, but I think it probably tells you all you need to know. I wouldn't bother with Albufera, if I were you, unless you have a particular fondness for wildlife. I went there and saw hardly any, but, no doubt, if you are prepared to sit still in the right place for a few hours, you might be rewarded with the sight of a bird. If you have already been to Granada, Sevilla, Toledo, Salamanca, Barcelona and (arguably) Madrid, then Valencia should be top of your list of places to go in Spain.

thanks.
I posted a while ago because we were planning a trip for this fall. Something else came up, so we will be going in the spring . Not sure of itinerary yet, but it will be Madrid, Seville ( not Semana Santa, too crowded).. and maybe Valencia.

ttt

valencia it's a wondrful city.
Definetly must go.
It's very cheap place and it's lovely

find more information :
http:/www.comunidadvalenciana.com
http:/www.roomsdeluxe.com
http:/www.valenciaflats.com
http:/www.likeathome.net

I have fond memories of Valencia too. When I was a student living in Madrid, our program secretary arranged all our excursions. and she arranged one for us during Las Fallas. Such a huge celebration that I will never forget!

also, isn't the Lladró factory nearby? I remember going to it but don't remember many details of how we got there but seem to recall it was near Valencia.

and, sadly, I had to cut Valencia out of the trip I am planning for next May. just not enough time to do everything I want to do. Instead we will be visiting more of Andalucia which I didn't get to see much of while I was there. hopefully we'll be able to return and visit Valencia next time!

I posted a while ago... thanks for still sharing your thoughts. We were planing a trip to Spain this fall.. but decided on the spring 2010 instead .

just thought I'd top this to give Valencia a little publicity today as there has been SOME interest on the board lately!

Come on down you guys! Anyone up for a GTG I will be happy to arrange it!

I will always have a soft spot for Valencia. It was the first city in Europe I ever visited. (Summer session to learn the language and meet lots of cute Spaniards!) I have got to get myself back there someday.

Lin, I'll take you on your word and will get back to you before my wife and I visit the city and the region, hopefully within a years time. Nothing like the introduction to a new place in company of a passionate guide with suggestions of "special corners" and a broad outlook!

By the way, I've truly enjoyed the books about different aspects of Spain written by your fellow valenciano Jason Webster, especially his debut "Duende" (2002) about flamenco. Little more than a week ago he wrote this very interesting article in the Abu Dhabi newspaper The National about Valencia's Moorish past and legacy and growing status as a tourist destination.
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100731/TRAVEL/100729713/1196/general2

Webster is now, as you very well might know, about to release his first detective novel, set in Valencia's bullfighting circles and - considering the recent ban in Catalunya - with the very up to date title "Or the bull kills you". http://www.jasonwebster.net/

kihme, you are such a wealth of information. Thank you so much for those sites. I have to admit I have not read anything of his until these articles now. I do think one of my friends knows him personally. He does write beautifully.

By the way, are you a dancer?

Not a flamenco dancer for sure, but I flatter myself to be up in the "champions league" when it comes to feel the various forms of flamenco art. Started in the early 90's during a Christmas vacation in Córdoba, and it has only gotten worse...

Thanks for resurrecting my posting from a while ago. We did go to Spain in April- May this year , but ended up in Madrid , Segovia and Barcelona.
We are planning another trip in the spring of 2011:
Seville during the Seaman Santa ( not the whole week), Barcelona ( for the fifth time) and ??????????
We love Spain and intend to visit every year. I hope Valencia will make our list soon.

It's nice you can get here so often, danon.