Travel Valencia Spain June 25

WhyGoNow? Because Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is the country’s rising star. Travel to this seaside city for its modern edgy culture mixed with Spanish tradition. A gastronomical adventure, amazing nightlife with the raw excitement of bullfighting added in. Home to the breathtaking City of Arts & Sciences (a dizzying blur of beauty), high spirited cafes, great wine & the birthplace of paella. It’s also less than two hours away from Madrid by Spain’s AVE high-speed rail!

Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant (perfect for married (M)). Sometimes you want to “marry” the two (MS).

Where2Stay

SH Inglés Boutique Hotel – Located in Valencia’s financial and business district, staying here is like living in a mini, modern Spanish castle. (MS)

Palau de la Mar – Luxuriously chic w/ modern, elegant rooms housed in a refurbished palace. Perfect location, in the heart of the city. Fabulous interior & huge marble staircase lets you descend in style. Great spa and restaurant. (MS)

The Westin Valencia – Classic Westin style with a traditional Spanish twist. The front and lobby will make any architecture junkie swoon. This hotel is in walking distance of the Mercat Central Market and has all the classic luxury facilities. (M)

Hotel Neptuno – Fit for a king. King Neptune, that is. Directly connected to the beach and boardwalk, the outside looks like Miami Beach, inside pure Spanish. This hotel is perfect for a hot beach getaway with the girlfriends. (S)

Photos courtesy of I-Escape

What2Do

Valencia is split into two completely different districts: City of Arts & Sciences (modern) and La Seu (traditional). Walk through the beautiful, modern district and check out the 45,000 aquatic creatures at L’Oceanografic, visit museums like L’Almoina or the Museu de Belles Arts. Don’t forget Spanish bullfighting at the Plaza de Toros (men look hot in tights)! Party all day and night  when you celebrate the Summer Solstice in late June during the Fiesta de San Juan & Noche de San Juan – fireworks, concerts & beach bonfires. Go for a ride in Turia Park with Valencia’s public bike system (much like City CarShare).

Where2Dine 

Try paella at La Pepica or L’Estimat on Malvarrosa Beach. Valencia is also Horchata’s birthplace, so go to Horchatería El Siglo in the Carmen to sample the tiger nut drink (not those kinds of nuts) along with another of the city’s creations: the farton, a fluffier version of the ladyfinger. Try Carosel in the Carmen for a new take on traditional Spanish tapas. Alma del Temple is the perfect place for groups of 3+ for their set menu. Don’t worry, wine included! Ca Sento & La Sucural for the best seafood. Small energetic bars are more the norm than large venues, so just walk up and down the streets of the Carmen if you can’t decide!

Where2Shop

Barrio del Carmen is the oldest, most diverse, cosmopolitan area in Valencia. Full of local boutiques, bars and bohemian nightlife. Graze in the Mercat Central Market which is one of the largest indoor food markets in Europe.  Shop for art at My Name’s Lolita, Riff, Galería Rosa Santos & the Museu de Belle Arts. Calle Don Juan de Austria is home to boutiques and high-fashion brands like Gucci and Chanel. Calle Colon, on the other hand, is more focused on the works of local designers.

The Wear Girls Go Fishing!

Co-authored by: Tiffany Do & a special thanks to our foreign correspondent Marina Carbonell