Valencia, Spain - March 2022 Part One

 Valencia, Spain - March 2022 Part One

We all missed and continue to miss many things during the Covid Pandemic. Family, social activities and even routines are all different. Travelers assuredly missed adventures. Short or extended trips were subjects of daydreams for myself and adventures friends. During one of this daydreams I reserved an AirBnb apartment in Valencia, Spain. For the month of March! Why March? All because I read a review that mentioned the Fallas Festival. From March 1 through March 19 the city of Valencia celebrates Fallas. Whether you are daydreaming of a trip across town to visit a friend or an adventure around the world grab a refreshment and enjoy our trip with us! 

Of course our travel to reach Valencia has airport stories that are unbelievable. Especially at the Paris airport-a story for another time!

Learn More; Fallas Festival

As we explored the neighborhood and Old Town on the first day we saw beautiful buildings and enjoyed delicious treats. 

A wall built in the 14th century protected Valencia from enemies. It is at the end of our street and our entrance to Old Town. 

A monument to the honoree of Fallas. Follow us as we learn more about the Fallas Festival and enjoy the local vibe. Tonight we are taking a local shop keeper for a drink. Should be a fun and informative evening!

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow."

~Anita Desai

As we explored Valencia during our first few days we learned more about Fallas Festival and discovered shopping and dining areas. During our first full day we met a local shopkeeper and invited him for a drink. Drinks turned into dinner and dinner turned into meeting some of his friends and a short walking tour. It was a fun and also an informative evening. Below are photos of a Fallas dress shop, one of the neighborhoods preparing for an event and a photo of us with our dinner companion. Of course a few more photos of the beautiful architecture. 

We were fortune to encounter two beautiful women in their Fallas dresses. 

Through the fence you will see explosives strung on the ropes. Every day at 2pm there are explosions. Fireworks but during the day. When there are this many explosives you need a lot of emergency preparedness. 

Enjoying dinner and drinks with Farrin. We had Argentinean empanadas that this restaurant only prepares on Wednesdays. Just one of the local bits of information we learned from Farrin.  

Very close to our apartment is the El Jardin del Turia. The city was flooded by the river Turia and decided to divert the river and create a garden in the old river bed. 

Learn more; El Jardin del Turia

The main train station in Valencia was built in 1917 and the tile mosaic work is gorgeous. Below are a few photos. 

So many beautiful buildings and so easy to create some great shots.

Across the street from our apartment is a neighborhood park. On Friday evening we noticed a lot of families walking to the park. It was full of fun loving kids, a birthday party, soccer players gathering and grandparents enjoying their families. It was fun to watch. 

A sign in our neighborhood. 

The Silk Exchange - La Lonja is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Below are a few photos from our visit.

Around every corner is a new sight or something to experience. Our new friend recommended a tapas bar and the best restaurant for paella. We plan on visiting these establishments this coming week. I will definitely post photos. We are walking about 6-10 miles a day so a delicious meal or snack tastes good! We have already adopted the local custom of eating late lunches and then dinner at about 9pm. 

"No man is a failure who is enjoying life." 

~William Feather

What a difference a week makes while exploring a new city! During our first week in Valencia we learned several walking routes to Old Town and many new neighborhoods. Valencians absolutely know how to relax, eat and drink! The city almost shuts down for the early afternoon hours. Once reopen everyone is ready to eat tapas, enjoy a refreshment and relax. Dinner is at about 9pm so we have had many late nights. Yes, Valencians know how to enjoy life!

Discovered a great pizza place right down the street from our apartment.

We heard this band in our neighborhood. While listening we asked the girls pictured below about their uniforms. They were so excited and all started answering us in unison! I think they will be preforming all week and gave us a schedule. 

Below are photos of our first Tapas Experience. A place Farrin recommended. The owners were very nice. A young local couple noticed we were studying the menu and offered suggestions. We told them to order for us. It was fun! Squid, sardines, garlicky potatoes and bread. 

In the grocery store the bakery is self-serve. They long-handled scoops are used to slide what you want to the next compartment. There you can place it in a bag. 

Paella! Paella! Paella!

Valencia is known for growing rice and also for their art of Paella. We took the tram to the beach and tried Paella in a restaurant listed in a guidebook. We learned that because we made a reservation the Paella was selected for us! 

We joined a Paella making class the day after having Paella at a restaurant. The class included a walk through the local market to purchase ingredients. Then we walked to a culinary center and three chefs demonstrated the entire process. Of course we helped and had a lot of fun. Other members of the class were from the Netherlands, Moldova, South Korea and Switzerland. What a fun day. Photos below show some of the workshop. 

Strolling through the market with our guide. Always a good way to gain knowledge from a local. 

And the day begins with Sangria! 

We were very proud of our finished seafood paella!

Xativa, Spain

Xativa is a city south of Valencia. It is rich in history with a castle is from medieval times. The train to Xativa takes about one hour. We spent the day exploring and had a wonderful lunch with an amazing view at the castle. The photos of the town and castle really do not do it justice but I hope you enjoy traveling with us to Xativa, Spain. 

This pup had a view of the castle from his apartment window!

Our view sitting at our table for lunch. 

Really great tapa with lettuce, tofu, avocado and strawberries! 

Dessert with ice cream!

Learn more; Xativa Castle

Xativa, Spain