Shopping, beaches, sports, siesta and sun on 300 days - the Spanish metropolis and its region offer everything your heart desires, rejoices JOY reporter Monica Gumm.
On to Valencia! Valencia Photo: Monica Gumm & Raquel Morcillo content
fantasy world
Trends by bike
Heavenly pleasures
Fiesta España
Asia feeling
matter for the boss
Rutschpartie
Excursions and events
Tips for a trip
Valencia has long been able to compete with its big sister Barcelona. The America's Cup and Formula One woke the port city, 350 kilometers south of the Catalan metropolis, from the slumber. Hard to believe how the city has changed since my first visit 15 years ago. The former gray old town houses radiate in bright colors, the star architect Santiago Calatrava officials Valencia with its futuristic buildings into the 21st century, international events liven up the city and provide for about two million tourists annually.
More impressions of Monica Gumm's trip to Valencia can be found in the gallery:
Meanwhile, Valencia is one of the trend capitals of Europe. 300 sunny days a year, a casual lifestyle, the best paella and the trendy Ruzafa district are just a few of the reasons why I always enjoy traveling to Valencia. Frequently I meet the fascinating contrast between the Orient and the Western world, antique and modern. As in the former palace of the Marquis of Caro in the middle of the old town, where I live the next days.
Behind the Gothic facade of the hotel, remnants of Romanesque and Islamic eras merge with contemporary interior design. From there, I reach on foot the renovated Mercado Central, one of the largest markets in Europe, with its 8, 000 square meters, the majestic Lonja with its spirally wound pillars (the Gothic Silk Exchange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the octagonal bell tower Torre del Miguelete.
fantasy world
Around the old town, the dried-up riverbed of the Turia River has been transformed into a park, now filled with joggers, bikers and families. With a rental bike I drive through this green lifeline. Shortly before the sea, the spectacular "City of Arts and Sciences" appears in front of me. The snow-white architectural creations of "Calatrava City" remind me of huge mythical animals and house a museum, an oceanographic theme park, IMAX cinema and opera. The landmarks of the city are also their biggest point of contention: more than a billion euros have devoured the buildings.
Trends by bike
"We Valencianos will not let us down despite the economic crisis, " explains Bike Guide Carla.The "Trendy Tour" leads through the city in her favorite neighborhood Ruzafa near the bullring. "Young designers and vintage fashion boutiques such as" buy "(Cadiz, 38) and "Flying Rabbit" (Carlos Cervera, 13) In the evenings you can meet friends in one of the many bars.
Trends to go: In the boutique "Madame Bugalú" you will find Spanish and international designer fashion
The vegetarian restaurant "Copenhagen" (www.restaurantecopenhagen.com) is now so popular that you have to reserve, "reveals Carla. Continue to Art Nouveau buildings over in the L'Eixample district. The square around the street Jorge Juan attracts with stylish boutiques, including many Spanish labels. At "Munich" (www.munichsports.com) I discover unusual sneakers and in the "Ese O Ese" (www.eseoese.com) cool Spanish streetwear.
Heavenly pleasures
Exceptional culinary creations such as peas from trout caviar on Norway lobster and Valencian ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon) conjures up the German restaurateur Bernd Knöller on my plate. For only 30 euros I try six snacks, three tapas, three courses and a dessert from his Michelin-starred kitchen (www.restaurante-riff.com). Strengthened with relief I start late in the afternoon in the marina a sunset tour. On a catamaran, with a glass of cava (sparkling wine) in my hand, I cruise through the bay of Valencia towards the sunset.
Fiesta España
The Valencianos are always ready to celebrate life. The "Fallas" folk festival takes place in the spring for one week and the "Feria de Julio" in July with free concerts, bullfights, fireworks and a big flower fight. But there is a party every weekend. The night owls make a pilgrimage to the Barrio del Carmen in the early evening. From one o'clock onwards chilling and dancing under palm trees in "L'Umbracle" / Calatrava (entrance fee 15 Euro including a drink, www.um bracleterraza.com). Housemusic fans are drawn to the "Las Animas del Puerto" (Admission 15 euros including drink, www.lasanimasdelpuerto.com), a mega-open-air club on the harbor.
Asia feeling
In the home of paella, the dish is part of the Sunday ritual. So after a short night I drive up to Albufera, 20 kilometers further south, by rental car. Surrounded by lush green rice fields on a freshwater lagoon lies the fishing village of El Palmar with its dozens of paella restaurants. Before eating, Pablo takes me on a traditional wooden boat, the Albuferenc, through the Albufera nature reserve in Spain's largest rice-growing region.
"You can watch the 250 species of birds here, " Pablo explains as we drive past a group of flamingos. After an hour in the restaurant "Mateu" a saffron-colored paella Valenciana is waiting for me. Wonderful tastes the variant with chicken, rabbit and snails (rental car, boat tour, paella 42 euros, www.shop.vistavalencia.com). After the opulent meal, I put on a relaxing siesta on the beach of El Saler.
matter for the boss
Back in Valencia, I swing the spoon the next day at a paella cooking class. Chef Gregorio gives us his best paella recipe and how to prepare gazpacho, foamy coconut mousse and a refreshing san-gria (cooking class from € 35, www.valenciaclubcocina.com). Buen provecho - good appetite! Siesta in the country Deceleration is on the agenda for the last two days. In the 65 kilometers west of medieval Requena, the landlady of the charming hotel "Doña Anita" has a tip for me:
"Look under the marketplace the cave labyrinth with huge amphorae, in which used to be stored wine!" Requena is famous for its lovely red wines. In the "Dominio de la Vega", one of the oldest of the 160 bodegas (wineries), Àlvaro welcomes me with perfect German. My favorite among the elegant drops is the Sauvingnon Blanc ice wine (on request, www.dominiodelavega.com).
Rutschpartie
Besides eating and drinking, canyoning is also a popular sport. The gorges of the rugged mountains of Río Cabriel are half an hour's drive west. Guide Ricardo leads me and a group of adventurers with wetsuits and helmets equipped by the turquoise waters of the gorge Las Chorreras. A refreshing fun with 27 degrees of air temperature are the natural water slides and thunderous waterfalls. The mix of fun and beach, city and country is why this visit to Valencia was certainly not my last ...
Excursions and events
- America's Cup says hello: 1.5 hours catamaran tour including cava, 20 euros, www.mundomarino.es
- Bicycle Tour: Three hours "Trendy Tour" (English) with Carla including Bike 26 for Euro. Bike per day 10 euros, www.bebike.es
- City of Arts and Sciences: Museum, IMAX & Aquarium, entrance 36 euros, www.cac.es
- Schlemmer Week: In autumn, the best restaurants offer tasting menus, from 20 euros, www.valenciacuinaoberta.com. Locals show their city: www.trip4real.com
- Fun sport: Guided canyoning, kayaking and white water rafting in the Hoces del Cabriel from 40 €, www.avensport.com
Central location & great atmosphere: the hotel "Caro"
Tips for a trip
flights
- Vueling flies from eleven German airports to Valencia (one way from 127 euros including taxes and fees), www.vueling.com.
- Skyscanner offers flights from 154 euros (round trip), www.skyscanner.de
hotels
- The Hotel "Caro" (see picture above) is centrally located in an old town palace, double room starting at 145 Euro, www.carohotel.com.
- Charming hotels from 81 euros per night can be found at www.rusticae.es
- Price Tip: You can book private apartments from 49 euros per night via the "Housetrip" Internet portal, www.housetrip.com
- Excursion to Requena: In the romantic hotel "Doña Anita", double room from 58 Euro, there is free Wi-Fi, www.hoteldonaanita.es
Culture
The "Valencia Tourist Card" grants unlimited transport by public transport and entrance to urban sites and museums as well as various discounts, is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours and costs from 15 euros, www.shop.vistavalencia.com
rental car
Three days rental car from 84 euros including full insurance without excess, www.billiger-mietwagen.de
Apps
"VLC": digital guide with sightseeing, shopping, restaurant tips and map, free, www.turisvalencia.mobi (for Android / iOS).
