Valencia: blossoming with city and beach break opportunities
Valencia offers a wide variety of city and beach break options. These enable the visitor to combine the orange blossom joys of Spain’s Costa del Azahar with the thrilling variety that Spain’s third largest city has to offer. Less well known than Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia rejoices in a blossoming reputation as a vibrant centre for culture, splendid dining and a nightlife, which plays through till dawn! Whatever floats your pedalo; there’s something for sightseers and beach buffs, here on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast.
It’s best to bus it on the Valencia vino trip
Most Valencia hotels, large and small, offer detail on activities to fill every moment of your holiday break. There are numerous organised excursions, or, if feeling a little adventurous, you may want to strike out on your own, either by hire car or bicycle. You can get to one popular attraction, Huerta of Valencia, (Great Garden), via the city’s cycle route. This is easily accessed from a number of hotels in and around Valencia city centre. In Valencia itself, a visit to the Club de Futbol scores highly with visiting sport enthusiasts. At the end of every day, there are plenty of places in which to wind down. Sala Matisse and the Loco Club are just a few of many. It’s also worth noting that your hotel in Valencia will help you avoid any possible hiccups. So, when planning your visit to the popular wineries and eateries of Requena-Utiel, seriously consider investing in an organised bus excursion. Then you can enter into the true spirit of the occasion. Cheers!
All great paellas and jolly good ‘Fallas’ in Valencia
In Valencia it’s impossible to ignore the city’s role as the originator of Paella, long established as Spain’s national dish. Even on one of many all-inclusive breaks, your chosen hotel is more than likely to feature it prominently on the menu. The highlight of Valencia’s vibrant social calendar, Las Fallas, falls in March. Throughout the region, but particularly in Valencia itself, Las Fallas heralds an eruption of fireworks, dancing; singing and … you’ve guessed it… Paella. Prepared in the streets and in huge container pans, it’s accompanied by cream filled churros and Horchata, a hot nut milk drink which they say will cool you down; plus more national favourites and an infectious party vibe. Sadly though, the party’s over as quickly as it started. Every year, there are many all-inclusive breaks that focus on the unique atmosphere of Las Fallas. The secret is to book your Valencia visit early to ensure that you don’t miss out on next year’s festivities.
Variety is the spice of life in Valencia
Valencia has truly universal appeal. It’s a province, a commercial and tourist city and a Mediterranean resort area; all rolled into one intriguing destination. Resulting from these combined factors and to suit the needs of commercial and holidaying visitors, there is an impressive range of hotels in Valencia. Spain, of course, has thousands of hotels and here, near Valencia Airport, they are geared to the needs of business and short break guests. Then, there is the vibrant city centre and a further plethora of hotels, B&Bs and apartments. Away from the buzz of the city there’s yet another sector; this time, on the beach, by the Med and appealing to sand, sea and sun worshippers. Finally, a short road journey takes you to resorts such as Peniscola. Here, the sea is beautifully shallow and safe, making the beach a real family haunt. Alternatively, you can escape the kids and chill out with the bucket loads of peace, castles and sand dunes of Playa del Pebret. The Valencia area really does specialise in variety!
There’s history, innovation and independence in Valencia
When taking your first tentative stroll, after checking in to your hotel in Valencia, it becomes apparent that this is a truly forward looking city. Dating back to 138 BC, there are impressive architectural reminders of a glorious past with the museums and Old Quarter, always drawing the tourist crowds. The golden age was the 15th century, but the present isn’t bad either! Just take a jaw-dropping look at some of the inspiring and futuristic buildings designed by local artist Santiago Calatrava. The City of Arts and Sciences, for instance, is an entertainment and culture themed complex and considered to be one of the 12 treasures of Spain. From the many city centre hotels, Valencia has numerous features which unfold to the joy of the increasingly wide-eyed visitor. Confusing for some visitors, Valencia’s independence and quirkiness come into play with the citizens’ preferred use of the Valenciano language.
Maybe, though, the vast park which sweeps through the city and which was once the flood plain of the River Turia, typifies Valencia’s optimism, vision and forward thinking.