Day 1
We left the hotel at 5 am which gave us enough time to park the car, check in and have breakfast at the waiting area. It was just an hour's flight so we didn't get a chance to actually get settled down for a quick nap. Since ours was one of the first flights, most of the concessions were still closed including the tourist office where we were supposed to buy the Valencia Tourist Card. This is a 1, 2 or 3 day pass for all city transports as well as discounts for attractions, restaurants and souvenir shops. We ended up buying one-way Metro tickets (1.90 euro each) for the trip to the city proper.
We got off at the main train station to catch the bus to the hotel and also buy the VLC so that we can use it on the bus. However, we found out that the office does not open until 9 am (after being directed to different areas of the station) so we just walked around and checked out the bullring which is right next to the station. The weather was a bit overcast with a slight breeze but it wasn't cold. Got maps from the tourist office, purchased the VLC and also bought discounted tickets for entry to the L' Hemisferic, L' Oceanografic and the Le Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe at the City of Arts and Sciences.
The lady at the tourist office was quite helpful and gave us directions on which bus to take to our hotel and to the Lladro factory as well marking a route to the historical buildings. Rode the bus to the hotel to see if we can check in early but the rooms were not ready yet. They allowed us to leave our luggage though so that we don't have to drag them around. Took the bus back to the train station and started our sightseeing/shopping tour.
Walked down the main street to the Plaza de Ayuntamiento admiring the buildings and the fountain in the middle. Then the sky opened up so we had to find shelter from the rain. We normally carry our folding umbrellas in our travels but didn't bother checking the weather since it was still summer. Oh, well.
Walked down to the Mercado Central (Central Market) which is quite an impressive structure. It has everything that you can ask for: from fresh produce to dry goods, to jamon iberico and the day's catch from the sea. It is very roomy and bright and has a dome in the middle just like a
cathedral.
Behind it was a stall (above, right) that sells paella supplies including pans of different sizes and burners.
Directly across from it was the Lonja de la Seda which is the Silk Exchange. Pictured above is the Sala de Contratacion (Contract Hall) which is the Main Hall where the merchants meet, deal and sign their contracts. The roof structure is supported by huge twisting columns symbolizing palm trees with the fronds spreading out. We didn't get a chance to enter the other chanbers but was able to watch a video presentation of its history.
Walked farther down and visited the Iglesia de Santa Catalina with its impressive bell tower.
All that walking got us hungry so we walked back to the Mercado Central and had some assorted tapas: boquirones en aceite de olivo, tortilla de patatas, puntillitas fritas, adobo, pimientos and ensalada mixta.
Headed out to the bus station afterwards and rode the bus to the Lladro factory. It was about a 15 minute ride to the outskirts of the city and we just got there in time because they were closing already. It was the factory outlet which sells the items with slight imperfections (though it's hard to tell unless they point it out) with a 50% discount. The main factory is closed on week-ends while they're only open until 1 pm. They let us in though and allowed us to take our time looking at the merchandise. We ended up buying a 9-piece nativity set which was marked down another 20% due to being a demo on the floor. They were able to pack the items in small boxes so that we can place them in our hand-carried luggage and also flattened the original boxes. Headed straight back to the hotel afterwards.
Hotel greeting on the TV and view from our hotel room.
It was actually a short walk to the City of Arts and Sciences. We planned on going out to the marina to try the local paella but it was really raining hard so we settled for the hotel restaurant and had some paella de mariscos and paella negra. Pictured below with our friends Ivan and Melinda, new arrivals from Bahrain.
Day 2
Ahhh, our prayers were answered with a beautiful and sunny day. We were really worried because the original forecast was three days of rain. After a heavy breakfast (for the whole day of walking), we headed out to the City of Arts and Sciences. It is not really a city but a complex of 5 different structures built in the dry Turia riverbed. It was the perfect site due to the extremely futuristic designs which would have clashed with the historic buildings in the city center.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts). As the name implies, it is an opera house and cultural center for stage performances, concerts and conferences.
Museu de las Ciencias Principe Felipe (Prince Felipe Museum of Science) is designed to resemble a whale's skeleton and where all exhibits are allowed to be touched. The first floor houses the comic book gallery and has images of the various super heroes and villains. The photo in the bottom, right is a super clear mirror which appears like you're looking into a deep tunnel.
Inside the Umbracle and view from the terrace/walkway.
Pictures of the L' Hemisferic and Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts; the Umbracle.
Main support and cables of the Puente Laassut de Lor Bridge which spans the complex.
L' Oceanografic is a gigantic aquarium (biggest in Europe) display of different marine species from the earth's main oceans and seas. The tanks are connected by underground acrylic tunnels where visitors can walk through and view the fish as they swim around. The pictures didn't come out right though due to the diffused underwater lighting.
We rode the bus back to the city center afterwards for some souvenir shopping and also enjoy the attractions. Picture above on the left is a building in one of the corners in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento and the fountain in the center of the square.
The Cathedral and 'El Miguelete', the bell tower for the cathedral which is named after the bell 'Miguel'. We didn't get a chance to climb it due to the time and also because it only has a steep spiral stairway for access.
The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken) where we attended Sunday mass. It is quite small considering its significance and the only ventilation is provided by the four entrance doors and electric fans mounted on the wall (just like in the PI) so it was hot inside. The interior is very beautiful though and ornately designed with marble and the painting inside the dome is comparable to the cathedrals in Italy. The basilica is located just behind the cathedral and is connected by an arched walkway (top, right).
The Basilica (left) and the Apostle's Gate of the Cathedral as viewed from the sidewalk cafes across the Plaza de la Virgen.
The fountain at the Plaza de la Virgen where people cool off and place their feet in the water; the sidewalk cafes.
The bullring by the train station; sculpture in one of the pools at the park with the Queen Sofia Palace of Arts in the background.
The Angel Custodio Bridge spanning the Turia River bed leading to our hotel. Spanish sign above and Catalan on the bottom. Wikipedia listed Angel Custodio Loyola as a famous Venezuelan singer and composer but I think the bridge is actually named for the Guardian Angel which is the literal translation. The Spanish websites list Angel Custodio or Angel de la Guardia which I was told by Spanish amigos is the patron saint of the police force.
