Here's an Idea for your Bucket List...Visit Valencia, Spain

It's a European city with everything you could want - the beach, mountains, culture, art, amazing food (home of paella), GOLF, wellness... and they're taking sustainability to the next level!

Café con leche… and Collagen Peptides is how I start my day. You?

Hola!

I begin this post at 10:30 a.m. Spain time - I’m leaving Valencia after spending the past four days on a press trip exploring the city of Valencia and then heading outside of the city to investigate the golf scene.

I’ll tell you about that later…

Currently, I’m seated in the comfort scaection of a high speed train called the AVE, which will get me from Valencia to Madrid lickety-split. I can’t recommend Spain’s trains enough. They are quick, very clean and great ways to see multiple cities on one trip.

TIP!

When booking a train trip be very mindful of the station and the train line of your particular trip. Sometimes cities have more than one train station, so it’d be a bummer to show up at the wrong one. Also, when you’re at the station and looking at the departure board for your platform information… there could be two trains going to a particular destination at the same time - one an AVE and one another line.

So be sure to look for your train.

At any rate, here I am on my train. The comfort section is kind of swanky (thank you, hosts!), so a steward will come by and ask if I want a beverage, snack, etc. The other cars are great too - and if you’re hungry, you can head to the train’s cafeteria. (Which makes for a cool experience.)

But let’s get into the trip.

Whenver I come to Spain, I fly Iberia Airlines. It’s my favorite for a number of reasons. One, a good friend of mine works for Iberia, so I have a soft spot for the airline in general. But, beyond that… when I’m flying to another country, I feel it’s always interesting to fly that country’s airline. It gives me a piece of the culture before I reach my destination.

For example, when I boarded my flight in Chicago, I was greeted with flamenco music playing softly overhead. Nice touch, Iberia.

Flying into Madrid Barajas Airport is always special (honestly, I always get a little teary when landing because I’m so psyched to be in Spain). Barajas is a beautiful airport that’s been nicely renovated. (Note… it is also FULL OF SHOPS, so leave some space in your carry on if last minute shopping is your thing!)

I flew in a day early for my trip and spent the day getting over jetlag and checking out cool shops, had lunch with my friend Rocio at a the restaurant of the boutique hotel Only You, and then went to Rocio’s hair person to book an appointment. (Some people travel for museums, I travel to get my hair done.)

After lunch I explored a few neighborhoods and stumbled upon a TV series being filmed. Loved the message on one of its trucks:

When it came time to travel to Valencia, I took the high speed AVE train, and began my three day tour of the city where I was with my hosts from Visit Valencia and 16 or so new journalist friends from Germany, Italy, Finland, the UK, Norway, France, Canada, and Mexico. Plus, one fellow American named Mark J. Williams. (Sidenote, Mark has a great book, Out in the World that explores inclusive destinations around the world where LGBTQIA travelers and their allies can have an uncensored and memorable vacation experience.)

This is what every meal looks like when you’re dining with fellow journalists!

After three days with the group, we all dispersed. Most went home, but a few of us had another assignment. I headed about 20 minutes outside of Valencia to the Parador El Saler to explore its beautiful facility, grounds, and beach access, and play its internationally recognized golf course.

There’s so much to tell you about Valencia, but for the sake of keeping this short (after all, I gave myself a two hour deadline), I’ll list the hotspots and provide some cool pics below… and promise to write more about my trip in future issues.

Before we get to the list of all of the amazing things in Valencia, I want to acknowledge and thank my hosts at the Tourist Office of Spain (in Miami) and at Visit Valencia.

Remember that tourist offices offer a plethora of information and can help you as you plan your trip from home and when you’re there!

TEN THINGS TO DO IN VALENCIA, SPAIN

I’d recognize the work of my favorite Jaume Plensa anywhere.

1. For a modern art museum located in a former palace, please visit the Hortensia Herrero Art Center. It features Spanish artists such as Eduardo Chillida, Jaume Plensa, and interactive pieces like the Tunnel For Unfolding Time that are beautiful and thought provoking.

   

   For someone who’s been banned from painting even the simplest rooms in my house (I’m a lost cause) I cannot comprehend how this masterpiece at the Church of San Nicolas was created years ago.

2. The Church of San Nicolas is beautiful beyond words, and the Cathedral of Valencia is where you’ll want to go if you’d like to see the Holy Grail. (Yes, the Holy Grail!)

   

   Agua de Valencia is one of the things you’ll want to try if you visit Valencia. We had it Atenea Sky and it was delicious. It’s like a mimosa… but better.

3. For a traditional Valencian dinner and views that will take your breath away, head for Atenea Sky and its rooftop bar & restaurant. (It’s hopping!)