Valencia, Spain

This city was highly recommended to us by a couple of friends, so we thought we’d give it a go in middle April 2013. As you do, we left Heathrow again at silly o’clock in the morning, for Dusseldorf where we changed for Valencia (anything to avoid that dreadful RyanAir airline!) Arrived at 11.00 feeling brave we barged through all the resident taxi touts, you see at every airport in the world offering to rip you off in an uninsured unlicensed car, and caught the underground to what we thought was the local station to the hotel. After getting Google Maps to tell us we were miles away, decided to get in a cab and travel in style.

Arrived at the Hotel Silken Puerto Valencia and got upgraded to a penthouse with a balcony as we are now Expedia VIP Access clients. Very well appointed hotel, great location in the city, close to all amenities and underground. Only problem with the room there were no drawers for underwear etc. Restaurant served great local food, and the breakfast was first class, however, we do like to have breakfast around the cities we visit. The egg on toast saga began. I got egg on a plate with the toast on another plate, Egg on a baguette, omelette, it really is never ending.

Temperature was late teens to mid twenties, shorts and tee shirt weather by day and a jumper required at nightfall.

Architecture in the Old Town is stunning along with all the medieval churches and of course the Cathedral. The City of Arts and Sciences is a testament to the complete lack of regard passed local authorities had for the local economy by spending vast amounts of money on something that is beautiful in its own way, but could still do the same job for 25% of the cost. Running through the city is the Turia Gardens. This lies on the old bed of the River Turia and goes for 9km. A really peaceful and tranquil walk in the middle of a bustling city.

The indoor food market is a must, all the different Chorizo and salamis hanging up in the midday heat that would simply not be allowed in the UK. Plaza del Virgen and the Cathedral Square are quite magnificent, 21 centuries of history spreading around you with plenty of bars and cafes to prevent those old nuisances called dehydration and exhaustion.

The airport is like any other European Airport, mainly Orange and Yellow (Easyjet and that awful Ryanair). We flew back via Zurich to Heathrow with the exceptional Swiss International, and as it was the day of Lufthansa industrial action, the planes were almost empty. The one from ZRH to LHR was only 2 weeks old, and there was no circling and queuing to land at Heathrow either.

In summary: Worth a visit once, but we wouldn’t go again to see things we missed.