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VALENCIA DOWNTOWN CAR RENTAL |
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Valencia Downtown car rental - Travel Guide |
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Valencia is a charming old city and the capital of the Valencia province of Spain that is well worth a visit. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea approximately 4 hours to the south of Barcelona and 3 hours to the east of Madrid. Valencia is famous for its Fallas festival in March, for being the birthplace of paella, for hosting the 2007 America´s Cup, and for the massive architectural project by Santiago Calatrava called The City of Arts and Sciences.
There used to be a river running through the centre of the city but the river was redirected a while back and so now there's a beautiful park where the river used to be. This is a very nice place to while away any free time you have in the city on a sunny day.
Understand
Valencia is host of the 2007 America´s Cup. This fact, along with the construction of the City of Arts and Science by renown architect and Valencian, Santiago Calatrava, have made Valencia a city in transition. Massive construction and transformation over the last 10 years have turned a once little-considered medium city into a meatier and more interesting destination.
Despite being on the Mediterranean Sea, even residents say that "Valencia has always lived with its back to the sea", meaning that the spirit and the core of the city is not necessarily integrated with its beach. The city center and the most visited neighborhoods are not particularly close to the beach. This situation is changing considerably as much of the port area is being rapidly developed in preparation for the America´s Cup.
When to come
Summer - Like most European cities, August is a slow month as many of the residents are on vacation. At this time of year Valencia is extremely hot and humid with temperatures averaging between 30º-40º Celsius.
Fall - September and October are more active months and the weather permits beach outings. Sidewalk cafes are still open until around the end of October.
Winter - Though temperatures are still relatively mild, it´s too cold to sunbathe at the beach.
Spring - a lovely time to visit. The annual Fallas de San José [1] unofficially mark the beginning of spring. Cafes and restaurants open their terraces and life spills out onto the street once again.
Language
Valencia's official languages are Valenciano and Spanish. Valenciano is technically a dialect of Catalan but this is a polemic topic so it´s best to consider and call the local language Valenciano, as it is in many respects an independent regional language quite different in vocabulary and pronunciation to Catalonia´s. In the capital of Valencia, very few people only speak Valenciano and are not offended being addressed in Spanish. However, outside the capital, the principal language is often Valenciano and though many still speak Spanish natively, it is not the primary language. As in Barcelona, be senstive to this language dynamic.
English speaking skills of the locals can be hit or miss. Most people under 35 speak some English, and some quite a bit, but most would obviously prefer being addressed at first in Spanish (or Valenciano).
Get in
By plane
Valencia Airport (VLC) is 9 km from the city centre. The bus to Tùria station departs every 11 minutes and takes about 30-40 minutes. Additionally there is the Aerobus which goes directly to the city center, but costs a bit more. Local trains run every 20 minutes. A subway (Line 5 to Ayora) is under construction and is due to open in 2008. A taxi ride should cost around 10€.
By train
Many trains coming from Madrid (eg: Alaris), Barcelona (eg: Euromed or ARCO) and many other cities. The train station is located in the center of the city, nearby the Town Hall.
The national train company is RENFE.
By bus
There are also many buses coming from almost every big city in Spain and most of the cities in the Valencia region. The bus station is located by the river in Valencia, not far from the center.
Get around
By foot - Aside from going to the beach and the City of Arts and Sciences, exploring the hub of the city requires no public transportation. Much of this city can be done walking, stopping for a coffee or a beer and then walking more, all very leisurely. It´s not necessary to have the mindset of mastering a complex public transportation system. However, for longer trips, see below for some pointers.
By Metro - The Metro Valencia consists of 4 lines (from which 1 is a tramway to the beach) and connects the suburbs with the city. As of 2006, a one way ticket costs 1.10€. This metro system is not extensive but can get you to major points within the city.
By Bus - apart from the Metro, there are many buslines, allowing you to reach virtually every part of the city.
For both means of transport, it is possible to buy bonos in kiosks and tabacco shops. Both Bonobus (which as of 2006 costs 5.20€) and Bonometro allow for 10 rides. If you want to use two lines to reach your destination, you have to use a B-T.
By bike - renting a bike is increasingly becoming a popular way for visitors to explore this essentially flat city. Do You Bike rents bikes at relatively reasonable prices and has a store in the Barrio Carmen.
See
Valencia has a fantastic festival each March called Fallas in which local areas build big papier mache models depicting... well, everything really. At the end of a week displaying the 'fallas' they are burnt - which is fun. Another feature of Fallas is the fireworks. God - those fireworks! You can't escape them. It's like the city's a war zone for a week - they wake you up early in the morning and go on through the day. Each day in the main square of the city - the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (at 2pm) There's a thing they call Mascletá. This is 120 kilos of gunpowder translated into a lot of noise. It has to be experienced to be understood.
The City of Arts and Science (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) is also very interesting. It is located where the old river Turia used to flow and over there you will find a Science Museum, a Planetarium, an IMAX cinema, an Aquarium and, in a near future, the Arts Museum. It is famous for its architecture by Santiago Calatrava.
The Barrio Carmen neighborhood is in the old center. This is a centrally located, transitioning neighborhood with many outdoor cafes and trendy shops. There is an interesting mix of people, from lifetime residents, to alternative types, hippies, gays and lesbians, and other assorted peoples. The neighborhood swells at night with revelers but please respect the neighbors who live there.
The Seu Cathedral - a curious cathedral with doors from three distinct architectural periods. A trip up the Miguelete tower (formerly Moorish but now "Christianized") provides a pleasing view of the city.
The Lonja - This building is the site of the ancient local silk trade. It is also a UNESCO landmark and has recently been refurbished. Some of the gargoyles are quite naughty.
The Central Market - located in an aging "modernist" building in the process of being renovated. See how the locals shop for food and buy some fantastic fresh produce, meat, or olives.
More Valencia sightseeing at Valencia tourist information
Do
Walk along the old Tùria river bed, now a park with soccer and rugby fields, an artificial boating lake, athletics track, playgrounds, fountains and trails . This massive elongated park spans many neighborhoods and ends at the City of Arts and Sciences. Abundant bike paths make it an ideal place to get in a little exercise and sun.
Stroll through the old Barrio Carmen neighborhood and witness the transition from a forgotten area to an up-and-coming diverse neighborhood.
See the Torres de Quart at the end of Calle Quart. This pock-marked medieval tower was part of the ancient wall that surrounded the old city. Another set of nearby towers called the Torres de Serrano were also part of ancient wall. The Serrano towers have been massively renovated and somewhat modernized but they are still interesting and are located across the street from the park.
On the last Wednesday of August nearby Buñol hosts La Tomatina, a festival that involves thousands of participants throwing ripe tomatoes at each other. Make sure you wear clothes that you can throw out afterwards, as it gets very messy.
Eat
Try the local "Paella". There are several versions of this tasteful rice dish, some with meat (chicken and/or rabbit usually), others with fish or seafood, or even meat and fish at the same time. It is very difficult to say which is the "real" paella, as every person has his/her own version (Though NO paella that deserves this name contains sausage, ham or meat broth, for instance). Anyway, if you want to eat a quite authentic Paella, try it at the Malvarosa beach area; you will find there are several good restaurants. The authentic Valencian Paella is made only with fresh ingredients, in an iron special pan and using a fire made with wood (not gas or electricity).
Tip 1: to recognise "real" local paella from tourist junk, avoid at all cost any places with large paella pictures on the door step. This is a sure sign for frozen/microwaved paella.
Tip 2: When possible, make reservations or arrive early (no later than 2pm) especially on a Sunday because these restaurants fill up quite quickly at the weekend.
Tip 3: Paella is typically eaten at mid-day (between 2-5pm), so many restaurants do not serve it at dinner. Be careful of those that do as this is not the custom here and the quality of the paella may be poor.
Try 'arròs a banda' and 'arròs negre' (it is black because it has squid ink) too, at the same places above. The "Fideuà", a paella-like dish with short noodles and fish that was invented in the Gandía and Denia area (Alicante), can be usually found in paella restaurants. It deserves a try too.
Try all i pebre. All i pebre is made of eel, a snake like fish typical from the Albufera, a lagoon near Valencia. You can drive to El Palmar and taste it there. Delicious but a very special taste. You can find good paella, and other traditional dishes at the restaurants here too.
Try "Leche merengada" (a kind of milk-based soft ice cream with cinnamon-lemon taste).
Try "bunyols" (fried doughnuts, sometimes round shaped, sometimes like rings), widely available only during March. Dip them in hot chocolate if you want. Sometimes they are too oily, so don't eat a lot of them or you will not be hungry again in several hours. If you can choose the 'carabasa' (pumkin) version, you should try it. They are generally tastier.
Drink
A major nightlife destination in Valencia is the Barrio Carmen. There are numerous restaurants, bars and dance joints in this area which tend to cater to a youngish crowd. There are no rigid boundaries and people tend to just go wherever appeals to them at that moment.
Radio City - very popular night club in Barrio Carmen with a crowded dance floor playing a variety of danceable world music. The crowd is very mixed with students from around the world and locals.
Calcutta - slightly upscale but still young crowd in this bar/nightclub in a beautiful renovated old building. Also in Barrio Carmen.
Cafe Infanta - bar and cafe with terrace decorated with Hollywood memorabalia. Located in the heart of the Barrio Carmen at the Plaza Tossal. Good central locale to watch and absorb the spirit of the neighborhood.
Blau - newish bar on Calle Alta in Barrio Carmen that plays groovy music and has a good mix of people.
Venial - gay and hetero-friendly disco in Barrio Carmen, located near the typical drinking haunts of the neighborhood but open after everything else closes.
Other centers of are nightlife are Cánovas (more upscale), Juan Llorens (young also, less "alternative"), around the university (students), and increasingly in the area near the beach and port.
Traditional Regional Drinks
The Agua de Valencia (Valencia water) is a very famous mix drink. There are several recipes, which mainly base on orange juice and Cava, the local champagne.
Try out Horchata ("Orxata" - earth almond milk) with "fartons" (pronounce it with accent in the second syllable, please).
Cebada (an iced malt drink).
Limon Granizado (Iced Lemonade).
Café de Tiempo (Expresso on Ice).
Blanco y Negro (Iced Coffee with Leche Merengada).
Sleep
Home Youth Hostel. La Lonja 4, Valencia. Located in the very center, 5 min walking from "Plaza Ayuntamiento".
Apartment Rentals (accommodation-valencia.com), Central Office. Calle Hospital 1-4c, 200m from "Plaza Ayuntamiento".
Get out
Take a day trip to the Albufera to see this fresh water lake and the surrounding area where rice is grown. The Albufera is also known to host an interesting variety of migratory birds. The local village in the area, El Palmar, is also a good place to try paella and other local dishes.
Take a trip to the beaches of Saler. These beaches are on "protected" land and are the cleanest and most secluded beaches near the city. Accessible by bus but complicated. A round-trip taxi ride should cost between 10€-20€, depending on how far along the beach you go. The beaches closer to the city are in transition due to the America´s Cup.
Rent a car and do a day trip to any number of picturesque villages or small cities in the region, including Chulilla, Sot de Chera, Xátiva, Sagunto, among others.
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