First my thanks to Maribel and everyone who answered my questions and, especially, told me about the Hortensia Herrero museum, a favorite!

We flew nonstop NYC to Madrid. I allowed enough time for a separate flight to Valencia.

For an unknown, albeit welcome, reason, www.booking.com offered us a free taxi to our hotel. In 20 minutes, we arrived- and overtipped the driver. ( We used cash only twice more: tipping free guides and accessing the train station restroom. )

Cosmo hotel was perfect. Very well located. Recently renovated. Immaculate. Soundproof. Fantastic staff: Minerva. Laura. ToniS. They went above and beyond. The roof deck was a treat as was fresh fruit on offer. Would I stay again? Yes, but my husband would want a larger room, if possible.

Did we eat paella? Of course. But no horchata or fartons. Best foods were cups of strawberries at Mercat Central,gelato at La Romana and everything at Egeo in Rusafa.

Hailing taxis as well as using the uber and cabify apps worked well, when needed. Walking on car-free narrow streets and finding stunning plaza was a joy.

What else did we love?

Free museums on Sunday
Museum hours til 8 pm
Seeing the exteriors of the City of Arts and Sciences and Mercat Colon
Seeing the interiors of City Hall and North Station and San Nicolas
Weather and 2,000 years of architecture were superb.
Taking two “free tours”
Walking Jardin de Turia
Entering the Silk Exchange
The trees, especially citrus
The Centre de Arte Hortensia Herrero
The cloisters at Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporiana
The decorative arts at Museo Nacional de Ceramica

Please ask any questions and Ihope you enjoy your stay, too. We had four nights because I wanted/needed three full days. We are over 70 for reference.