Valencia – Spain | Family travel

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Visual explosion at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Our visit to Valencia, Spain very short, but we managed to visit several of the most important sights. The city that emerged as a Roman colony in 138 BC. has a lot of history to tell, as well as a lot of recent things to visit. Of course, leaving Barcelona, it seemed that we would not be dazzled by little, but now recalling those days, I think Valencia gave a show, in his own way.
We had 2 whole days to tourist in Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, behind only Madrid and Barcelona. We got there by train and the trip was super quiet and with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, we walked side by side for a good part of the trip.

These two days has a little bit of everything, old places, new, beach, fair, market, laundry… was run, but profitable. Hard even was separating the photos for that post! So many beautiful looks that if I could, I’d put them all here. Then sit down, there’s a lot of picture coming!

train in Europe
On the train Barcelona >> Valencia
DAY 1
Cuart Tower
Central Market
Iglesia de Los Santos Juanes
Llotja de la Silk
Valencia Cathedral
Plaza de la Verge, California
Serranos Tower
Playa de la Malvarrosa

We walked a lot in the two whole days we were in Valencia. The first day was reserved for attractions in the oldest area of the city and a quick pass on the beach. 
The entire most historic area of the city is super charming, with narrow alleys and buildings with sacks that observe the staff below. The Tower of Cuart, for example, gothic style, were built in the 15th century and were part of the city’s defense wall at the time. Just like the Tower of Serranos, which represented one of the gates to the city, built in the 14th century.
The Llotja de la Seda or Lonja de Silk, one of the world heritage sites, according to UNESCO, is fantastic, especially the room full of twisted columns.

It seems like everything happens quietly, but walking around all day with two small children takes a daunted job. You saw that Alice is almost always using the stroller that Diana was supposed to be wearing right, glad I always take the “kangaroo” where Diana spent much of the day, at the time of the naps and all, because she would not have enough arm to endure so many hours with a baby in the co It… Hehe
We ventured through several subways, trams and buses, went up and down staircases and of course, we hit a lot of leg. Tiring, but that’s at our travel rate and at the end of the day, that’s what we adopt and love.

Valencia
Cuart Tower backgrounds and valencia’s charming alleyways
Central Market and paella pots for sale
Iglesia de Los Santos Juanes
Main room of Llotja de la Seda
Alice feeling at home in one of the attached rooms in the Llotja de la Silk
Olé!
More charming streets and the atmosphere of Valencia
Valencia Cathedral
Interior of Valencia Cathedral
Plaza da la Verge – unforgettable
Serranos Tower
Malvarrosa
Playa de Malvarrosa
Very quiet beach, space and beautiful day – perfect combination.
The girls didn’t even like it, as you can see! Hehehehe
Ahhh the beach!!
Famous seafood paella in Valencia – approved!!
DAY 2
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Jardín of Turia
Gulliver Park
And the second day, we booked for the entire Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex, a walk in the gardens of Turia and a little time to play in Gulliver Park.
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is a magical place, one to fill the eyes of anyone, especially architects. Designed by one of my favorite architects, the Santiago Calatrava Félix Candela. The complex is located on the bed of the old Turia River and houses 7 amazing structures, including:
  1. L’Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema, planetarium and laserium)
  2. Museum of les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (science museum)
  3. L’Umbracle (hiking trail with native plants and sculptures by contemporary artists)
  4. L’Oceanogràfic (Europe’s largest oceanographic aquarium)
  5. El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia (opera house and arts performances)
  6. El Puente de l’Assut de l’Or (bridge connecting the south side of Menorca street)
  7. L’Àgora (covered square where concerts and sporting events take place).
Unfortunately, counting all the commuting and the limitations of walking with children, we ended up choosing to visit only L’Oceanogràfic (which was very cool – Alice approved!) and L’Umbracle, and we left to appreciate the others on the outside even. It’s all so huge, one day you just can’t do everything. Well, so we leave activities for an upcoming visit to Valencia! 😛 
The Jardín de Turia, super popular in the city is a park on the bed of the River Turia. The river was diverted due to flooding to the city and became a huge park, with green areas, activities and sports, children’s and more. Inside it is Gulliver Park, the coolest playground we’ve ever visited. It is a giant lying down and adults and children circulate, slip and climb by their clothes, hands, hat, boots etc. Suuuper interesting. Alice talks about it to this day!
El Puente de l’Assut de l’Or and L’Ágora
L'Oceanogràfic
L’Oceanogràfic
Beautiful day in the water
Me and my girls!
Otters
Dolphin Show
View of the bridge to the buildings of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Left to right: L’Umbracle, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, L’Hemisfèric and El Museu de les Ciènces Príncipe Felipe
Crossing l’Umbracle
El Museu de les Ciènces Príncipe Felipe and L’Hemisfèric
El Puente de l’Assut de l’Or and L’Àgora
Walk through the Jardín de Turia – this was one of the bridges over the river in the past.
Gulliver Park – very cool and free entry
Gulliver Park – wanted one of these here in Ottawa!
Where to stay?
Sculpture Dame de Elche -Area near our hotel in Valencia

Although away from the center, we chose the ILUNION Valencia 3 hotel because it is kind of halfway through the center and the Ciudad de las Arts and las Ciencias. The facilities were very new, clean and modern. Breakfast was not included, but we chose to pay separately to make it easier with the girls (and it was very tasty). The downside was that the bedroom and bathroom were extremely compact, so much so that the bathroom looked like ship (compact suuuper).

We used the metro station that was close to the hotel and also had bus lines accessible and gave everything right.

Kisses and until the next and last post of this trip : Sevilla!