Valencia-Spain

So, off to Valencia - we caught the 9.00am bus and for the next 3.5 hours enjoyed the journey to Valencia stopping at small towns along the way. It was nice for Harry to see some of the Spanish countryside instead of having to drive through it.

Our hotel was next to the bus station and close to the historic centre so it was all very convenient. After checking in, we went for a wander to get our bearings and make plans for the next couple of days. The Lonely Planet guide is a great source of information and we made a list of all the things we wanted to do and see. We decided that we would spend the following day exploring the old town (Historic Centre) which was going to keep us busy for a whole day and the 2nd day would be spent at The City of Arts and Sciences which is a major cultural and entertainment complex set up by the Valencia Regional Government.

After dinner at a nearby restaurant we returned to the hotel to have an early night in preparation for our explorations the following day.

Day 1

The Historic Centre is fairly compact and once we had got a copy of the town plan from the tourist office and got our bearings, we were off. Nearly every town has it's bull ring, Valencia was no exception and it's museum was quite interesting. 

Onto the station, an impressive Modernista building, opened in 1917. The main foyer is decorated with ceramic mosaics and murals. 

 Another impressive building is the Mercado Central. Valencia's Moderista covered market which was constructed in 1928 but given a new lease of life since it's recent 11 million Euros refurbishment. 

This is The Plaza de la Virgen which shows the splendour of some of the buildings here in Valencia.

Lunch was patatas bravas and fried prawns at a pavement cafe and once refuelled we were on our way again. A visit to the Cathedral and then to end the afternoon a visit to the botanical gardens which was an oasis of calm from the busy streets of Valencia. Established in 1802 is was Spain's first botanical garden with lots of mature trees and plants and an extensive cactus garden. A place to see free flying parrots in amongst the trees and somewhere for Harry to make a new friend.

A long and tiring day but very enjoyable and the bath waiting for me back at the hotel was bliss!!

Day 2

The Jardines del Turia are a 9 kms stretch of gardens, a mixture of playing fields, cycling. jogging and walking paths, fountains, lawns and playgrounds and have been constructed on the site of the now dry river bed which runs through Valencia.

It was a very pleasant walk from the hotel, through the gardens to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences). There was much to see there which would have taken several days - on this occasion we chose to visit the Oceanografic Centre. We paid our entrance fee and were delighted to find that we had been charged the reduced rate for pensioners but when we thought about it, realised our jaunt to the city must have aged us! Oh well, it comes to us all - we had a great day at the Oceanografic Centre and here are some photos that we took of our day there. 

 

We rounded off the evening with a lovely meal at the hotel with thoughts of our return to Calpe the next morning.

So, until next time when we shall have to find new adventures for you all.

Lots of love

Kath and Harry xxx