Magsc

My husband and I are traveling to Valencia, Spain, for the week between Christmas and New Year's with our 2 year old (our family has an apartment there and it is the only time we can get away)...I have only been to Valencia for Las Fallas many years ago, and know much has changed.

Can anyone offer some advice of nice things to do in Valencia (or nearby, daytrips can work). Also, ideas of things to do there with kids (nice parks, plazas, kid friendly yet typical/good restaurants), etc.

Also, should we rent a car for our week there - or will it be easier to get around on public transport?

Any advice helps, this is a last minute trip and find myself short on time for lots of travel plans, and so scared of traveling with toddler (1st time!).

Lincasanova, if you are out there, would appreciate anything! Thank you!

lincasanova

depending on where your apartment is, you may not need a car at all except for a day trip, in which case you can rent one for those days only.

your son is so young, he will be entertained with almost anything, so i will try to think of websites for you to check out.

most normal restaurants are fine with kids.. perhaps your upper crust ones would frown on a fussy toddler.. i will try to put something together for you.

in the meantime, do a search here as there have been many requests about valencia in the past.
we do have the new zoo (Bioparc) which is nice. What do YOU like to do?

The central market and the historic heritage site "La lonja" across the street are a nice combination for an hour or so.
tapas around there, or chocolate con churros nearby fits in well, too. That is part of our classic tour.

the circuses will be in town, and it is an opportunity to see one in a more "close up " atmosphere. all seats are good. coupons will be out for discounts. expect huge crowds.

these circuses are more low key than the ones i remember from my youth in chicago.. but i enjoyed taking my children to them here.

there will be plenty of shopping, street hub-bub as the spaniards are still celebrating the holidays untl january 6th. lots of afternoon crowds along the streets and very full cafés around 6.30 onwards.

one place you will need to go one afternoon or mid morning is the Mercado de Colon. A converted art deco market that now houses coffeeshops and delicatessans and always has a LOT of kids activities during any holiday. tons of strollers there!

if i am here would love to have a gtg, small as it may be! maybe kenderina can come down,too!

Magsc

Thank you so much for your reply, lincasanova!

Will probably skip the rental car except for possible day trips - any nice towns nearby you would recommend for a daytrip?

Also, info on the circus would be great.

We love to eat, enjoy nice neighborhoods for walking around, nice plazas, ruins, castles, etc. Museums are surely out of the question with two year old.

Will def do the zoo, mercado de colon and the central market area.

I am not sure exactly where the apartment is but will find out.

Also, how far is Barcelona from Valencia via train? Thinking of jumping over for an overnight trip as my husband has family there (in Villafranca) but not so sure as it all depends on time and we are limited...

lincasanova

barcelona is a very easy 3 hour trip on the euromed or 3.5 hours on other nice trains. go to www.renfe.es to see schedules and if there are any webfares.

good luck trying to book by internet. people have been having problems lately.

all other fares except webfares are bookable by phone, picking up tickets at any renfe station.

there will be circus info out later. usually there are two or three circuses in town.

valencia does have its own little tourist bus now which one of the routes takes you all the way out to the albufera region (large spring fed lake, old royal hunting grounds). if the weather is nice there are a lot of little paella places along the canal/lakeside and in the town itself, "el Palmar".

one i especialy like is the raco d'olla, which has now changed its name, i think, to the "racó de rafa". www.elracoderafa.com

nice towns near valencia in winter?? hmmm. it is going to be COLD in the interior.. and if it is windy the beaches are no fun. i will have to think about this one a little.

if you go to barcelona for a couple days and valencia a few nights, you should have the itinerary pretty full by then.

there is a lovely castle hotel parador two hours towards madrid called ALARCON. might be a nice overnight if you have the time. you must go by car.

cuenca is off the same road, but east, and it does get very cold there, but it is an interesting town with parador, modern art museum and "hanging houses" built into the cliffs.
you will have to watch road conditions when you come to see what is going on as when/if it snows along the madrid road, you do not want to be on it.

but then again we may have a week of sunny skies and cool temps, who knows? i have had xmas breakfast on our terrace many many a time.

for public transportation in valencia nd barcelona you can buy a ten ride ticket for the bus/metro and both of you use it, punching "twice" each time.

the one in valencia(B10)costs about 6 euros gives you also a free transfer. maybe the one in barcelona does, too.

lincasanova

wrong website. that must be his downtown restaurant.

this is the one.

http://www.nouraco.com/