funkmonkey

Dear Fodorites, Am in a bit of a pickle. Currently I have reservations to stay in Valencia for 5 nights starting 3/15 - leaving on Sat. 3/19 mid-day- THE finale of Fallas!! The plan was to pick up a rental car and drive back to Barcelona while stopping at Peniscola and/or Tarragona and returning the rental at Sands by 10 pm. Now my Airbnb guy won't extend by a night - surprise! Any options you can think of?

One idea is to delay rental pickup leave late on 3/19 and drive to Peniscola (1 hr 45 mins), stay the night, and then carry on to BCN in the morning. I'm concerned that since I've never driven in Spain, whether leaving late night would be okay? Any suggestions?

I know it'll be damned difficult finding a hotel for the Fallas finale night - am checking though.

Or do I stick with the original plan? Do we really miss A LOT by not witnessing the final nights burn-fest. We will be there for the 4 preceding nights.

PLEASE HELP! SOON. Thanks.

annhig

have you simply put the last night of the Fallas into TA and seen what comes up? hotel, B&B - does it matter for one night?

Though we spent 4 great nights in Valencia, I've never been to the Fallas so I can't help you with whether it's really worth staying on but it might be worth finding out if you can.

Robert2533

Are you sure the car rental agency will even be open on the 19th? Besides, Valencia will be packed for the final day, a Saturday no less.

Here is the schedule for the 19th:

11.00 a.m. On the Puente de San José (Saint Joseph Bridge), flower offering made by the Fallas Queens and their Courts of Honour in front of the statue of the Patriarch.

2.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).

7.00 p.m. Cavalcada del Foc (Fire Parade) along Colon Street with a spectacular firework show in Porta de la Mar Square.

10.00 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Children's Fallas.

10.30 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Children's Falla that was awarded First Prize in Valencia.

11.00 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Official Children's Falla located in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).

00.00 a.m. Cremà or burning of all the remaining adult Fallas in Valencia.

00.30 a.m. Cremà or burning of the adult Falla that was awarded First Prize in
Valencia.

01.00 a.m. Cremà or burning of the adult Official “Falla” located in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square)

Bedar

Don't know where you'd leave your luggage, but you could stay up all night and take the train to BCN in the morning. Maybe leave the luggage in the train station ?

Robert2533

If there are any seats remaining on the Valencia-Barcelona morning train!

funkmonkey

Thanks a ton folks for the advice. We have reached a conclusion. We will leave Valencia as planned. There was a moment of anxiety but input from you all and other input has solidified our decision.