tommyp

Hello Fodorites -
Doing a last minute trip to Spain, seeing Las Fallas (bucket list) with my sister. It worked out that cheap flights arrive after the last AVE leaves Madrid for Valencia. Should I just rent a car and drive or stay overnight and take AM train? I don't plan to drive in Valencia so the car would be a one-way rental, probably..
Also- any reco on places to stay in Valencia or Madrid would be great. Thanks!

jkbritt

Are there any cheap flights that you could take? Valencia has an airport. There is a bus also, but not sure about comfort, times, etc.

We stayed at the http://www.senatorparquecentralhotel.com/. It is a 4 star and we got a great price. It is a 20 min. walk to old town. You have to take a bus to the beach. 30 min ride, and last bus is at 10:00 PM. Everything is just starting then, so you might have to get a taxi to get home after hours. Take a card with the name and address of the hotel on it for the taxi. There is not a lot of English spoken in the city.

lincasanova

Careful about arriving by car in Valencia DURING the last days of fallas as the central streets are totally blocked off so you cannot get anywhere near a central hotel. Would be best to drop off at airport the metro into the city or taxi to get as close as possible.

However, I do not recommend the metro with luggage durng fallas. It is a madhouse.

If you are flying lowcost airlines from Europe, look into Alicante as that would put you much closer than Madrid with cheaper and more frequent service and better weather.

I would take the bus but get your tickets NOW online at avanzabus.com.

Is there a train to Cuenca that first night? that would make a lovely overnight and then you are closer to Valencia and also throwing in a neat small town for a few hours.

We will be having a GTG in Valencia. Hope you are there to join in some of the fun and walking I will prepare.

If you tell me your dates I would be happy to take a look and see what is reasonably priced for this high period.

tommyp

Thanks so much for the helpful info!. It turns out there are AVE trains later that night, so I think we're set on travel from Madrid>Valencia. About $50 RT. Just hope that there are no strikes!
The hotel looks like it's right next to train station and close to city center. I'll most definitely check it out. Definitely see some markup for Las Fallas, but that's to be expected.
Any other accomodation recommendations in Valencia or Madrid are sincerely appreciated.
Thank you!

tommyp

Our dates in Valencia are 3/15 thru 3/19 0r 3/20 - then back to Madrid or Barcelona for a few days. (Love Barcelona - was there for only two days last time - need to decide on soon)
Thanks for the GTG offer! It would be fun to see fellow Fodorites there!
I was looking at this Hotel - might be close enough to walk but far enough to be able to get some sleep? Plus rooftop fireworks view sounds like a lovely idea..
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nhce...-15;interval=5
or this
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nhce...-15;interval=5

tommyp

Hello - booked Blue Moon as choices were getting scarce during Las Fallas. Pricey, but what the heck.
Still would appreciate 'not-to-miss' experiences in Valencia or Madrid. Thanks!

lincasanova

Good you got something.. I am surprised there are AVE trains $50/return? The cheapest fares are about $45 each way when you can get them, and that is only online.

jelopez33

Tommy:
Some things not to miss in Valencia:
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.
Central Market(Mercado Central).
Silk Market(La Lonja de la Seda); no,they don't sell silk, you go there for the building.
Church of the Patriarch(Iglesia del Patriarca); we yhink this is the most beautiful church in Valencia; plus a crocodile is in charge at the access(really!!!)
Ceramics Museum;(Museo de la Cerámica).
All this added to Las Fallas means that you will hace un unforgettable visit to Valencia.Enjoy!!!

lincasanova

the tourist office will have a map with the fallas on them .

lincasanova

Here is the Fallas program. It is in several languages.

http://www.turisvalencia.es/Datos/EN..._2012_prog.pdf

tommyp

thanks again everyone for the info.
Lisacasanova - You're right - AVE Madrid-Valencia R/T is $111 - still a better alternative to bus or car for the two of us, right?

lincasanova

great alternative.. the bus will cost almost as much (if you can get those prices). I'm surpirsed there are still those fares left.

tommyp

Thanks Lisacasanova! thanks JeLopez!
I'm truly excited! I love festivals, fireworks and fire - so all good for me. A few more questions, if you can be so kind - is it worth getting a Valencia Tourist Card? (Loved the one for Rome, not so much the one for Paris), The tour on the program - worth the time? (It seems inexpensive enough, and i have no shame - I want to wear a Fallas costume).. and finally - I'm still up for the GTG if it's happening! my cell will be up and textable: +1 650 654 4565.

Thank you, thank you. Fodorites.
I promise to write up a trip report..

lincasanova

do you have whatsapp?If not, get it. Or a BB?. Whatsapp is a free app for free texting worldwide between smart phones with that app. just turn off roaming and use free wifi when possible.. i'll put your number in and see if you are available in a few days.

You will be walking most of Fallas.. so I am not sure if that is a good deal. I will check their website and see what else is included. We do have transportation strikes or slowdowns usually this time of year.. the syndicates always see to that.

I usually meet up at the hotel melia plaza at 1 pm most days with friends to later walk out the front door and listen to the mascletá. Then I go for lunch sometimes. I already have a 6 person table for the 15th. What time do you arrive? (Lunch here is AFTER the mascletá.. around 2:30ish)

I just took a look at the VLC tourist card and I don't recommend it. You can buy a 10 ride bono mixto ( metro/bus) at the airport when you arrive that everyone in your group can use, just passing it through the machine once for each passenger. The museum discounts are not worth it as many of the museums they say are free, are free for everyone everyday. The important IVAM, modern art museum, has its most important rooms closed now so it is 1E for everyone. Most museums are free Sunday and some Saturday. Most are closed on Mondays.

I don't recommend it and never have.

A bono transporte, bus/metro should be about 10E. Buy it at airport metro station downstairs when you arrive at their ticket window. Be very careful with wallet, handbag, cell phones the entire time you are here. The best professional thieves move into Valencia for Fallas. They are nomads and follow the festivals around the country. They especially love the metro, like in Madrid. The police already have their eyes out for them, but you must really take care of your things here. Any lapse on your part in this country could jeopardize your belongings.

I usually only take some money, my phone and keys out while walking during Fallas. There will be massive crowds and wall to wall people the last two days walking around the statues so see as much as you can the first days you are here. You will thank me for that!

The night is especially enchanting. You must not miss the light contest.. which the best streets to see that are to the "left" of the main train station but up off the Gran Via.. Calle Sueca, etc. You can't miss it once in the neighborhood There are some great Fallas up there, too.

Best to take drinks and snacks with you the last days as getting food is a challenge with thousands of people lining up everywhere .

So, I will be at that hotel in the main square, point furthest from the train station, the 15th and 16th in case you stop by. I assume your first name is tommy? Mine is Linda. Hope to see you there.

lincasanova

excuse me.. didn't see the part about the tour. Just spoke to them . you get a 15% discount in the 20E tour with the VLC card and go inside the cordoned off area of three main fallas. The tour is in English at 5 pm and MAY be in English at 10 in the morning.

But you do need to sign up ( I can call and leave your names) and then you pay 20 minutes before the tour at the office in plaza de la reina. If you wait until you get here I doubt there will be space.

tommyp

Hello Lisacasanova (Linda) -
We arrive the evening of the 15th - So we'll look for you at Hotel Melia on the 16th! I'll do all I can to find you. Thanks for the heads up on personal security.. Got Whatsapp - nice!
I would definitely sign up for tour on 5pm -16th afternoon - hope it works out, and I'll give them a call tonight for the three of us. Please feel free to contact via txt or email at paderna{at}gmail{dot}com if you'd like to drop a private message.

I saw you had NZ on your list.. if you do go there, we have relatives in Auckland; let us know. Also, if you're ever in San Francisco, I'd be privileged to meet with you and maybe show you a bit of the city I'm still in love with after over 30 years..

lincasanova

Great! I will post a general GTG here for anyone who is around.

you can sign up for the tour online I think. probably no need to call.

I have made reservations for lunch immediately after the Mascletá in the same area if you would like to join us. It will be some type of menu of the day.. I will try to find out the price. This will be at 2:30 when the Mascletá ends. We will be finished in time for your tour which is not far away.

We took a drive this afternoon around the city to see the activities of setting everything up. It gets me in the mood. We are having amazing weather. Very sunny in the daytime but very chilly once it goes down. You will like the nighttime more than daytime as the Fallas are more beautiful with the lights, so come with warm clothes, maybe gloves if we get a cold spell.

Looking forward to it. I hope you enjoy your stay! Your apartment is in a fun area.. you can walk everywhere.

tommyp

Phew! We just got back from our last day of Fallas.

What an incredible experience.

I'll do a bigger writeup later, but wanted to share a couple of things before we head off to Madrid for a quick trip before returning home.

Fallas is incredible. There is no other like it on the world - five days of full-on Spanish festival. Happy, happy people celebrating pride in the form of over 400 Fallas, two DAYS of falleras walking with grace and beauty to make an offering of flowers to the Blessed Virgin, hundreds of parties, some outdoors, some with live bands creating great music, literally Thousands of people celebrating until the wee hours of daylight. And the Mascletas and Fireworks every day and night - the power and beauty is stunning.
Best.Fireworks.Ever
Fellow Fodorite lincasanova met us and gave us great guidance, and showed hospitality that makes Fodorites the best resource an intrepid traveller could hope for. There really is no knowledge like local knowledge. The Casanovas were soo nice that I felt like a pampered travel TV host, with their own 'fixers' who make it possible to enjoy Valencia the way the locals do.
A GREAT BIG "THANK YOU!!" to her friends and Family - Vincente who befriended us, and shared his high-rise view of the last Fireworks display, and on Father's day invited us for some tasty local paella at their super-spiffy modern home (hope you get better soon!), Elisa who who was incredible, spent so much quality time with us, and totally multiplied how much we enjoyed our trip, and of course mother Linda who greeted total strangers with warmth that made us feel like long-lost members of the family. Wow.

More later. For now, packing, then sleep.

Tom

lincasanova

Such sweet words! Thanks, Tommy! It was great meeting up and getting to know your family a bit more. Have a great stay in Madrid!

As you know, the weather held up beautifully in Valencia as no other year.. The downpour started just after the last Falla figures burned, it seemed!

They say this was the best attended festival in years. Over 1 million people filled the streets.

We can still handle a few more so here's hoping your future report entices even more Fodorites to put this on their itinerary! If not Fallas, at least the city.