We enjoyed the train to Barcelona so much that we decided to take the train to Valencia. It was the high speed train and took us about 4 hours.
This hotel, Melia Valencia is by far the nicest hotel we have stayed in at the price of hotels of less quality in the states. I would definitely come back here if I ever get back to Spain. Everything else seems to be cheaper too, so we are enjoying some luxuries. So we just hung around the hotel for the rest of the day letting our "soul catch up with our body." In fact I wish we had booked one more night here but alas, we have reservations on the ferry to Mallorca tomorrow.
After a good breakfast we heading to the old city and then to the new modern section,
We started at the Central Mercado (Market). Each city has had its own version of a wonderful market with fresh ingredients; meals, fruits, vegetables. It makes me want to live here just to eat all this fresh food. Everything is so beautiful - grapes are bigger, peppers are brighter and seafood just begging to be eaten.
Then we headed to the La Sonja (silk market); quite an impressive building. It was a financial center and silk trading center in Valencia, built about 1500. Its claim to fame was that all transactions were ethical and non corrupt.
Then we headed to Valencia Cathedral. Built in 1262 it is noted for its claim to house the Holy Chalice. As with all Cathedral's in Europe, it is very ornamental with paintings and statues highlighting every thing and every one with little emphasis on Christ.
Then we headed to the modern side of town. It's called the city of Arts and Science. After a flood in 1957 Valencia rerouted the river and made the old river bed a park. In 1990 they built three spectacular building and today it is one of the 12 treasures of Spain.
As we headed back to our hotel around 2:30 we noticed that the Spanish people take their siesta time seriously as the Metro station was empty.
No comments:
Post a Comment