CathyM

I'm already thinking about my trip in the Spring 2012! Normally I visit during Semana Santa but it's not possible next year due to a work schedule conflict.

In my many trips to Spain I've never visited Valencia! Since I enjoy festivals so much in Spain I'm thinking Las Fallas may be a perfect time to visit Valencia. However, I want to make sure I have a good understanding of the dates and city before I start booking.

Is Las Fallas always March 15-March 19? If so, I would not be able to arrive until the evening of March 17 so really would only have 2 days during Las Fallas.

Is there a particular area of the city that would be best to stay? I generally like to be in the middle of it all! I'm betting that I need to start thinking about hotel reservations very soon or I'll risk not being able to find a room at a reasonable price or in a good area to visit.

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Cathy

lincasanova

The last two days are the most visited by people. Train/plane and bus reservations must be made early. Hotel swill be VERY expensive those last two nights right downtown.. however, if budget is a problem, there are several other areas that are a bus/metro ride away and actually also near some interesting fallas.

I just took a look at prices and be prepared to pay $150 + for anything within city limits it seems.

Some B+B private homes may be available. If that would interest you i could try to find out some addresses for you.

CathyM

lincasanova-

Thanks for the quick response. Something told me that although I don't have my entire 17 day itinerary developed I do know that I want to be in Valencia for Las Fallas and had better at least book the room soon.

I really didn't want to spend more than 125 euros. However, I did some very quick research today and found the Husa Dimar for 150 euro. If it's in a good, central area I'd consider but I really didn't want to pay this much. If you don't mind trying to find some B+B's for me in private homes it would be greatly appreciated. I just want to be somewhere central since I'll be traveling solo and want to be in the thick of things.

A related question - is 5 nights (considering one will be arrival after a transatlantic flight) and 4 days enough time? It's my initial thought but I can add more time. I like to take things slow and get to know a place so I'd rather have more time (always something to keep me happy in traveling) than too little.

Aduchamp1

Linca

Is Las Fallas one of those events that looks good for a photograph or a minute of video but is not worth the effort?

lincasanova

Fallas for me is really an experience that is hard to describe .. it's not just the effigies up in the street plazas. It's everything religious and non that goes with it. You have one event after another.

The schedule/agenda during falls is very full, starting with the despertá ( wake-up explsions at 8 every morning) , then parades, the mascletá ( more noise at 2..but indescribable noise, hopefully with a rhythm, designed by a different fireworks artist everyday)..more parades to catch.. and of course, the necessary wandering through ( the last two days) thick crowds to see these beautiful huge works of art.

All this with a festive atmosphere.. street light contests and plenty of concerts and other special goings on to keep even the uber -culturally minded content.

I will admit though, unless you know what you are coming to, and do some research ad know what is happening when and where.. you may not get as an intense positive feeling and appreciation for it all. If a person has not done research or has a map to show him where the top Fallas are.. then he would walk away less impressed than those who have been walked through the process, have reservations for lunch ( impossible ot wing it the last few days), etc.

I have my own favorite things to do during Fallas.

-go to the Mascletá everyday that I can.
-The week before, enjoy driving out at night to see the progress on the assemblage of several HUGE Fallas.
-Arrange to meet friends or guests for and churros somewhere fun
-Make reservations at a couple nice places to make going into town more special.
-My husband an d so usually take bikes into town around 5.am. to make a grand tour with no hassles the worst days.

A very late in-the-middle-of- the- night taxi tour of top Fallas is worth whatever it costs s you can see so any so quickly.

Worth the effort.. more so with a local guide for a day or two.

lincasanova

Actually, although away from the center..it is very well communicated by bus, this is a very nice 4* hotel and for 75E/night a steal IMO.
Silken Puerta Valencia.

also I see the tryp oceanic for about 90E near science center.

You could actually spend the most expensive nights ( 17,18,19) away from the downtown NOISE and more INTO center ( when prices drop for rest of trip)?

However, I doubt these cheap rates will last.

I have used

www.trivago.es
www.rumbo.es ( where I also saw plaza picasso apartments for good price)
www.kayak.es

Good luck. when you find something let me know and i will try to help out.

5 nights is good if you like museums.. one of the days you could do a day trip depending on weather. remember Cuenca is on way to madrid on AVE. Might be nice overnight on your way back to USA. but it can be beastly cold or very pleasant in March.. Cuenca will be snow country if we get a cold wave.

easy side trips

denia/javea
sagunto..roman ruins
cuenca

jelopez33

Cathy:
We were in Valencia last june(trip report coming soon); and we talk about Valencia not only is a good place to visit;we hope we could live there!!!
Take a look at hotel SH Ingles;excellent and a location second to none.Please,note we obviously never attended the Fallas,I am sure the hotel rates will increase.Enjoy your planning and your trip(and always consider Lincasanova's tips,she is always right!!).

Aduchamp1

Linca you make it sound more than worthwhile.

CathyM

jelopez-
The hotel looks great but unfortunately is not available for the dates I need.

Linasanova-
thanks again. I was looking at the Silken Puerta Valencia as a possibility when I did some research last night. Will buses run all day/night during Las Fallas? The price is great there but I do like to be in the center of things. I may splurge for the Husa Dimar considering this will be my trip in place of Semana Santa where I also have to pay premium rates.

I'm not much of a museum person but I think 5 nights will not be too much. In reality it will just be 4 days. I really want to absorb as much as I can of the Las Fallas tradition and festival so the first 2 days I'm probably not going to do much traditional sightseeing - just take in the experience of Las Fallas. I found some old threads in the forum yesterday with some great links to websites describing Las Fallas so I'll be hopefully well prepared prior to the trip So, it would really just leave me with 2 days of Valencia w/o the festival.

I already have Cuenca in mind for a couple of nights. It's been on my radar to visit for years and with the new AVE line this will be a perfect fit. Sure hope it's not too cold though...

I'll still have 10 days of this trip to plan. Bought a book focusing on Valencia and the area yesterday as I know very little about this entire area!

lincasanova

Unless there is a transportation strike ( a favorite time for the unions to make their show of strength) there will be night buses( but a bit infrequent) . Most people walk everywhere.. or take a taxi if it is late.

Try to see if you split your bookings at the Dimar if the last two days are cheaper than the 17, 18, 19th at their or another website.I really think the Dimar has gone a BIT overboard with that price. However, the location is good, but I must warn all of you.. being in the thick of things.. ( if you have a casal fallero nearby your hotel) there will be lots of music and festivities til wee hours of the morning IN THE STREET.. a complaint of many people who stay right downtown or near a fallas club ( casal).

It sounds like you will be ready for all of this when you get here. I hope I am around so we can meet before the mascletá and have a drink if you have the time.

CathyM

What an ordeal.....Prices went up overnight at the Hotel Dimar to 195 per night for the first 3 nights - riduculous! So I decided to take lincasanova's advice and spend the first 3 nights at the Silken and the last 2 (after Las Fallas) at the Dimar. Went to the Silken website and guess what - sold out for these nights!!! After an initial panic I tried using a 3rd party (generally like to book direct w/hotel) and venere.com had rooms for approx 100 euro including tax for the 3 nights during Las Fallas. I checked google directions and it estimated it was a 17 minute walk into town from the Silken and that's not bad at all.

Lincasanova - I'd love to meet up with you before the mascletá for a drink! It would be great to meet you.

lincasanova

holy cow! don't panic though. I think you have secured at lest a good rate at the Silken Puerta.. it's on a busy street but I am sure the hotel itself and the rooms are fine. I have only been in the lobby.

I hope you aren't paying 195E the last two days at dimar.. it is on www.rumbo.es for 68E those two days, which is more like it.

I hope I am here.. we are trying ot get to asia for part of the winter but I plan to be back here for Fallas. Might have guests ( as usual). We will definitely meet up if I am here. I can drag you around..!! It's non-stop!

CathyM

Well, got a rate of 80 euro the last 2 nights at the Dimar so I'm OK with it. Interesting "quirk" in their booking site where it charges you the high Fallas rate if any of your reservation is during that time.

Sure hope you're in town for Fallas - I'd love to be dragged around by someone in the know.

Now back to planning my fall trip to La Rioja/Basque Country!

Thanks again.

lincasanova

I know about those "quirks". Some websites do an average and others just blast the high rate all the way through!

Looking at rates during Fallas I was shocked also at the price hike overnight at all the hotels I had seen previously. Amazing!

Have fun planning the rest. Hope to meet you.

kera

@ CathyM are you still going to Las Fallas?

I'm a single female traveller from NZ, would love the company!

CathyM

kera - yes,I'll definately be in Valencia from March 17 for 5 nights! If you're on trip advisor you can send a private message to CathyDM. Otherwise if you email the Fodors board moderator they can forward your email to me and I'll contact you.

mpiotrow

lincasanova (or anyone that might happen to know, for that matter),

A couple friends and I will be in Barcelona starting March 10, and we are thinking about driving down to Valencia for Las Fallas. However, we have to be back in Barcelona on March 13, so we're not sure if it's worth going to Valencia because the main celebrations don't begin until March 15. Can you give me/us some more information? I see that there is a mascletá at 2pm each day, but is there much else going on for Las Fallas on March 11-13? Will the fallas/ninots be out on display that early, and if so, where do we find them (which plazas, etc)? Are there any parades to see during those days?

Thank you for the information!
Matt

victor_d

11-13 you can see mascletas everyday at 2pm in the main square

ninot exposition, eveyr falla brings a ninot and a children ninot so people can vote one of each, the winners saves from the flames and after the fallas will be sent to the fallas museum. Many fallas put their best ninot, even payed apart to the artist. Some of them are really fantastic artworks that will be burned.

planta is in the night of day 15 to 16, but some huge fallas need several days to be set up, you can see how big pieces arrive in trucks and are slowly assembled using cranes. (for the special section fallas)

As you see, you miss the most important, but there are still a few things to do.

victor_d

I agree with all the good advices given by Lincasanova, just let me give here the website i own with fallas pictures and videos as well as advices and routes.

http://www.fotosfallas.com/


of course, if you are seeking information about fallas visit also official site http://www.fallasfromvalencia.com/

lincasanova

definitely come down.i almost prefer the pre falla atmosphere. it is fascinating to see the fallas being set up. the top category ones are a must. they work on them all night long.

bunuelos con choclate...the mascleta..lots of fun. watch fodors for an impromptu GTG at 1 pm many days at the hotel melia plaza..right in the square to watch/listen to the mascleta.