VALENCIA, DENIA, ALICANTE....finalizing plans for November/December
 

I have another long thread about plans for this trip but now that I've settled on a few things, I will begin this new thread so readers do not have to wade through a long thread about apartments, etc.

In brief: We hope to make a trip of about 17 days, focused mostly on wandering around and discovering new foods and restaurants, and some sights. I went to school in Valencia as a teen and spent about a week there (combined with Barcelona) about 15 years ago. My partner has never been.


This is a tentative plan:

Arrive Valencia (from JFK with connection in MAD) on Sunday 11/17
Valencia..7 nights at ONLY YOU HOTEL

Rent car and drive to Denia..spend 5 nights as HOTEL LA POSADA DEL MAR...hope for a room with water view; will focus on booking table at EL BARET.

After five nights in Denia, drive to Alicante (any recommended stops for lunch?)
Spend five nights in Alicante--Hotel Hospes Amerigo????

Drop the car off upon arrival in Alicante, unless there are great restaurants out of the city that require a car to visit....

In general, have I planned well the number of days in each city? Too many days in Alicante?
Best location for Alicante hotel?


I had planned to stop in Cuenca but want to make this trip as easy as possible for my partner, with fewer checking in and out of hotels.....I can go to Cuenca on my own someday, from Madrid...


I should add that for both of us, the rice we had at Sebe in Lanzarote opened my eyes to how fantastic a rice dish can be.......I can almost say that this dish changed my life at the table.....and it had no seafood, only pork. I think about it every day!!!

How does this plan sound???? Too much time in Denia and in Alicante?????
Once I get the plan set, I will ask Maribel to recommend restaurants in Denia and in Alicante (El Baret is already tops on my list!)

Thanks all for bearing with me through my lengthy and involved threads with all the focus on eating!!!

Be back later, eks, but I´m on my way to Rafa for dinner!!!:)

Quick note: For Alicante I would book the Hospes Amérigo or the Casa Alberola Curio Collection by Hilton. Both get good reviews on booking.com, but read through all the very verified booking reviews to get a sense of each. The Casa Alberola is newer.. Both just a short walk from the seaside promenade and great dining within very easy walking distance.

Rafa!!!! Oh how I wish I could go with you!!!

I just booked my stay in Vejer for March..good news there!!

Hope to hear from you when you get the time!!

Ok, eks, I just updated my 10-page dining guide for the Marina Alta and Dénia just for you!!

5 nights in Alicante for me would be a bit much, unless you take a day trip to Elche and another trip further west-north, inland, to have a spectacular rice dish at Elías in El Pinoso, also recommended by Susi Díaz of La Finca, Elche. Elías I didn't include in my attached file.

From Dénia to Alacant, you'll pass by Benidorm (I keep my eyes closed, lol), but you could stop just inland from highly overdeveloped Benidorm at El Xató in La Nuncia, which we considered, as it´s often recommended by locals, but didn't have time to pursue on our trip up to Guadalest. It does have an excellent local reputation plus a Michelin star. That said, it offers tasting menus only, best done at night while staying nearby and not while in transit!

Or in El Campello you have La Vaquería, Michelin and Repsol recommended. That would be my choice.

And the Alicante Mercado Central, although not nearly as large as Valencia's, is a joy. The fishmongers' stalls are amazing!

Bar Manero (I love this place, both in Alicante and Madrid) just opend its Bikini (yummy grilled ham and cheese sandwiches) Cocktail Bar at the Teatro Principal.
https://www.bikinimanero.com

Maribel you are a marvel!!

I cannot wait to dig into your new guide!!!!!

I will cut down the time in Alicante.

Did you stay at VIVOOD hotel? I have that marked but have not read much about it....
Or, I should ask if there is anyplace we ought to spend the night inland between Denia and Alicante?

Nowhere to spend the night between the two except for the VIVOOD outside of Guadalest, but Guadalest is a strange sort of town, although it has a very dramatic perch, it's tiny and filled with rather quirky museums (the salt & pepper shaker museum, the micro miniature museum, ..) . We stayed for one night at a lovely B&B (we wanted to do some wine touring nearby at Enrique Mendoza), but the town itself at night is dead as a doornail.

Just drive straight down from Dènia or spend the night at VIVOOD but plan on spending your entire time there.

Dear Maribel, I think we will skip Vivood due to your comments. We have time to alter the plan but so far, I have booked:

ONLY YOU VALENCIA...9 nights

LA POSADA DEL MAR, Denia, 5 nights in room with terrace facing sea. We will have a car so can always take side trips. I've marked the dates when EL BARET opens the reservation books and you know I will be on top of that!!!

Not yet have booked Alicante but have trimmed down the time to 4 nights---we could think about Elche and/or El Pinoso during that time.

I had my hair cut today. The salon owner who cuts my hair is French; last summer he booked a house with pool and 4 bedrooms in Javea and adored it...Price was 3500 for a week (I think) and the was thrilled.....he never went anywhere else but had a marvelous time and was highly recommending Javea. It would not be for me, but maybe others here might have interest..he had looked in other places along the coast and said the prices were just so high he could not manage any of them......

Maribel, and others who know Alicante:

Four nights? (one would be day of arrival by car from Denia).

Or would you cut it down to three (not a terrible dilemma either way)
I do not think partner would be up to more than one hour day trip from there, but is there enough to keep me busy with the main food market, and restaurants?

I've got NOU MANOLIN on the list.

BAEZA Y RUFETE (?) (comida only)

???BAR MANERO (snacks, or meal; we are not exactly the cocktail bar clientele since he barely drinks!!))

If there are no other "musts" maybe three nights would be best.....I will take a look at both the hotels you recommended and if one has a room with terrace and sea view, Jeff will be happy on his own just relaxing while I wander around.,...he can't walk as far as he used to these days (can any of us?). So I don't want to just park him in an inside room for an afternoon while I scoot around (maybe "scoot" is a big of an exaggeration for me these days...but let's say "meander!")

I've not booked the air tickets yet so still time.....

I'm now thinking of skipping Alicante and spending the two nights at the beginning in Cuenca at the Parador..should I ask for town view of gorge view room?

Land in Barajas and take IRYO train from Atocha to Cuenca..ask for "assistance" on the train for the partner.

My plan has been changed, slightly:

Arrive Madrid, taxi to Atocha and take IRYO train with assistance, to CUENCA.

Two nights: PARADOR DE CUENCA (had to phone them because their online site would not accept my cell phone number). Took breakfast and need ideas for dinners.

Iryo train to VALENCIA..7 nights at the ONLY YOU.
Have many restaurant recs from Maribel but need to discuss later on...


Rent car in Valencia (train station?). and drive to DENIA

DENIA..5 nights at POSADA DEL MAR. On the cusp of booking EL BARET. Booking should open tomorrow for my dates.....thinking of booking two dinners there (???). They are almost all booked up for November already!!!

QUESTION:


After Denia, I was planning to continue on to Alicante for 3 nights.
BUT...I just learned that there is a 5 hours ferry to PALMA.
Can anyone here tell me how comfy the ferry is (my partner has asked).
Does it make sense to go to Palma for 3-4 nights, and then fly back to USA via Madrid?

I have not been to Mallorca since the 1970s. We would not venture much further than Palma; how many days would do justice to the city?
Nice hotel in the center; no car rental.
Markets, restaurants? (This would be early December)

I hope Maribel is ok as she has not been here for a while hope they are reveling in the North during the summer season!!!

Hi there. I'm only here because I'm currently staying in Javea!

I can recommend a bunch of things to do in the area as been here for a while now :)

With regards to the ferry...I once took it to Ibiza. I remember it not being comfy and I really wanted to get off...and that was only 2 1/2 hours!

Five hours will probably be a lot of travel time. If you go in the day, you're just sitting around, not good wifi, walking in circles. If you're only there for a short time 10 hours seems a shame to lose. Denia is lovely though. Recommend early evening drinks or vermouth at Los Magazinos. Recommend the castle, at least for a short visit, along with the museum for context. There was a British population there in early 1900s, they came to install the gas lamps and export raisins to the US and Canada. Old town and fishing district is lovely.

BUT 5 days seems a lot to me. It's a small-ish city. I'd recommend if you have a car driving to see things in the local area: e.g. visit Javea and walk through the narrow streets of the old town and the museum, maybe check out the Jardi de l'Albarda in La Xara/ Denia, consider the rice fields in Pego and have an authentic paella, if time check out the Les Freses winery which is beneath the remains of the oldest known evidence of winemaking in all of Europe...I'm rambling now. Other interesting areas nearby are the Guadalest castle, the Calpe rock, the Algar water falls, the Cala de Moraig beach.

Maybe something useful there :)

Rambling is good! We will have a car in Denia so could explore from there.

Five hours on the ferry to Majorca from Denia---so tempting, and we could fly home from there so ferry only one way. Choice is only between Alicante and ferry to Mallorca..fly home from either of those places. Thanks so much for your response and for the info on Javea; my hairdresser, New Yorker but originally from Paris, thought it was fabulous but he was there in summer in a nice rental with family and did not explore much.

WAs the water brought to Ibiza? Imagine it would be different in December, though.

Flying home from Mallorca changes the game for sure!!

Honestly, I'm not such a fan of Alicante city. I think the MARQ archeology museum is cool. The Santa Barbara castle is really cool. But I got bored in a day's sightseeing. My most amazing experience in Alicante was the Hogueras festival, but that's in June.

Otherwise Alicante is just another big-ish city with a cool boulevard (in my opinion – love to be proven wrong!).

If I were you...knowing you can fly out from either...I'd take Mallorca.

I moved to Javea for work randomly, but it's really grown on me. I can understand your hairdresser loved it. A lot of the eastern coastline in Spain all long sandy beaches. But Javea is headland after headland...even in peak August I can find a deserted cove. They're nearly all pebble beaches which isn't for everyone but I loved the wild feeling you get in Javea. Denia is all white sandy beach and too me feels different. The cliffs in Javea are just stunning. The old town with its narrow streets are magical, like no other I've seen in the area. You can get bored quickly because there's not really anything to see besides the old town museum. But if you enjoy hiking/ kayaking/ walking/ natural places I would recommend. I've done kayak tours in winter to the giant sea cave in Javea and walked up the Montgo mountain (3-4 hour round trip if you know where to park) and it was breathtaking. You can see Mallorca from the top!

I didn't get your Ibiza comment?

Ha! I don't get that comment, either! Who knows what I meant to write...maybe I mean to ask if the water was rough???

Thinking to skip Alicate and look into that ferry to Palma......

Maribel: I hope all is all right with you and family. We are lost here without you!

Good news: Succeeded in booking EL BARET in Denia for two dinners in late November!!! I've never before encountered a restaurant that books up so fast, four months ahead. (Although I've never been to Can Roca!).

I suppose that by now Etxebarri books a year out as well. I do remember phoning Etxebarri in July for a late September booking. And of course, there was the issue of the (former) incarnation of Ibai, where I showed up at the door a few days early and asked Isabel (??) to book two for lunch. No problem, but even the concierge at Maria Cristina had no luck phoning.

Anyway..EL BARET! Also was able to book Lisa Negra in Valencia.

Looking to firm up the other three meals in Denia; researched all of your suggestions..there are so many places and we only have five nights!!!! Most seem to book now for late fall.

Help with Sunday Evening Meal in Valencia
 

Four of us are taking the train from Barcelona to Valencia on Sunday, September 22. We are scheduled to arrive around 1:15pm. We are trying to find a nice place to have an evening meal but we have not found a restaurant that is open Sunday evenings. What do you suggest we do for dinner? Thanks in advance for your help.

There are plenty...I can take a look into this by tomorrow, but please state your budget and what kind of food you are after....paella is usually a daytime dish.....sure you already know this but just mentioning in case.

Do you not want to eat a nice big lunch and just snack for dinner? That is what I would do....again, when I have time I can offer a few ideas because I now have a list since we are spending a week in Valencia later this year...
Again, you would need to state your approximate budget..no need for me=to offer ideas that are too pricey--or too rustic....

I have ongoing threads here on where to eat in Valencia...click on my name and you can find it......here is just on4e of those:

https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/valencia-denia-alicante-finalizing-plans-for-november-december-1723343/

I will also dine at CA PEPICO..open all day Sundays....


https://www.capepico.com/en/menu/


Do you want sit down, or bars with tapas?

We wanted a sit down, something special since it is the 40th anniversary of the couple we are traveling with. We like great food, budget not a problem. We actually like one star Michelin vs. three stars. We have been to both and find one star restaurants excellent and of course less costly and time consuming but we are open to good suggestions. We did some more looking and we are open to doing a nice lunch and light dinner, but I thought I'd check and see what kind of suggestions I can find on this forum. We have found such great recommendations from Foror's Forums in the past I thought I'd ask.We really are open to whatever suggestions you may have for a special meal on their actual anniversary day. We will be in Barcelona the day before and we will be eating at Via Veneto as part of their anniversary celebration! Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it!