3 DAYS

Valencia
City Break

Valencia Cathedral & Old Town – City of Arts & Sciences, Turia Gardens & Beach – Bioparc & Silk Exchange

Day 1. Valencia Cathedral & Old Town (Ciutat Vella)

On arrival at Valencia Airport, you will be welcomed by our chauffer and then transfer to the hotel, followed by a day to enjoy Spain's third largest city located on the country's eastern Mediterranean coast. Valencia or St Mary's Cathedral is a must see as the city's main catholic church, consecrated n 1238 and containing numerous works of art, many by local artists. Next should be a visit to the Central Market before it shuts early afternoon – this is Europe's largest fresh produce market. After a traditional lunch, perhaps sampling the famous paella dish, you should explore the streets, shops and cafes of the old town, which spans six unique neighborhoods filled with Roman ruins, medieval gates, Gothic landmarks and lively public squares, and the El Carmen neighborhood, the bohemian heart of the city. If you didn't sample it at lunch-time, paella should definitely be on your evening menu.

Day 2. City of Arts & Sciences, Turia Gardens & Beach

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you should take a morning walk or bike ride through Jardín del Turia, a public urban park of green spaces and leisure areas located in the former riverbed of the Turia River, before visiting the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias or 'The City of Arts & Sciences', a futuristic cultural and architectural complex that is regarded as one of the '12 Treasures of Spain', located in the former riverbed of the Turia River it includes within its many buildings, The Oceanografic, Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium. After a busy morning, relax with an afternoon of sun and sea by heading to Malvarrosa Beach and a post sunset array of local delicacies by the beach.

Day 3. Bioparc Valencia, Silk Exchange & Departure

Following a buffet breakfast at the hotel, take a tour of Lonja de la Seda or Silk Exchange, a gothic-style civil building that dates from the late 15th and early 16th centuries, followed by a visit to Bioparc Valencia, a 25-acre zoo park where a wide range of African animals including lions, elephants, hippos and chimpanzees are able to roam freely across various recreated 'African habitats', with visitors feeling closer to the animals in their normal surroundings. Another sampling of the local 'paella' speciality and some last minute shopping in Valencia's range of upscale boutiques and traditional shops, before taking a private transfer back to Valencia Airport for your onward travel.

Must see

ATTRACTIONS

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Valencia

★★★★★

The Westin Valencia
Hotel Balneario Las Arenas
Meliá Valencia

★★★★

Silken Puerta Valencia
Vincci Lys Valencia
Senator Mari Cristina Hotel

★★★

Hotel Expo Valencia
Petit Palace Bristol Valencia
Hotel Sorolla

Must try

FOOD

Paella Valenciana

Contains short-grain rice, chicken, rabbit, flat green beans and large white butter beans called garrofón and flavored with olive oil, sweet red paprika, saffron, fresh tomato, rosemary and water that turns into a rich broth; snails or duck are also common traditional additions.

Titaina

Originating from Valencia's maritime neighborhood of Cabanyal, tomato, pepper and pine nut pisto are combined with fine bonito mojama (tuna fish) to produce a traditional stew; the dish can be eaten hot if you have it right after cooking, but it is more common to eat it cold.

Arròs negre

A Valencian and Catalan rice-based dish made with cuttlefish or squid and garlic, somewhat similar to seafood paella; it is often referred to as paella negra, although it is traditionally not called a paella even though it is prepared in a similar manner.

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