What to do in Valencia
Valencia was cool, okay?
Our last cruise ship stop before disembarking was the Spanish city of Valencia. Here’s some information on Valencia:
It was founded around 138 bc founded by Romans
The ‘Plaza de la Virgen’ is in the middle of the old city and where the Roman Forum once stood. (Roman Forums were for public meetings and spectacles)
In the year 1238 James 1 expelled the Moors from Valencia
In the 14th & 15th centuries, it was known as a golden era for Valencia. Valencia was part of the Spanish kingdom of Aragon.
La Seu cathedral (consecrated in 1238) -was built over a former Visigoth cathedral that had been taken by the Moors, after James expelled the Moors, it was changed back into a cathedral
There’s a Formula 1 Race Track in Valencia
We drove by a bull fighting ring, I learned that it’s illegal in some parts of Spain (like Catalonia) but some people see it as an integral part of Spanish culture.
When You Try to Learn Spanish, but French Takes Over...
In Valencia the city center is not walkable from the port like the other ports we docked in, so I took an Uber to the central market. There’s also a public bus stop right outside the terminal. My Uber driver didn’t speak any English so this was my first real chance to practice my Duo Lingo Spanish. I was surprised how well I understood him! But when I went to reply or say something, the first words that came to my head were in French. LOL.
My driver asked where I was from. He's from Columbia, said he's been in Valencia for 7 years.
He told me the central market (where he was driving me) was cool, has a lot of shops.
He asked what stops we had done on the ship. I told him. He said to watch my wallet in Barcelona, lots of pick pockets. He asked when I was going back, I told him. He asked if I liked Spain. Si!
The Uber ride was one of my favorite parts of the day, though I really liked Valencia, so there were lots of favorite parts. I walked around the Central Market for a bit, then wandered around the old city. These old Spanish streets are so beautiful!
There’s a big park that follows the road in Valencia. It’s called Jardín del Turia It used to be a riverbed. It’s full of bike trails and benches. It was an amazing walk. It’s 5.6 miles long. I didn’t walk the whole thing, but I imagine it’s all just as beautiful.
My travel style definitely includes walking in gardens and outdoor green spaces. I like to listen to a themed playlist or even just the quiet of nature. I love when it’s breezy and there’s shad. Not too hot. I don’t mind walking a lot or taking public transportation, I just want to see pretty things outside. Nature. Architecture. Learn the history of a place.
As I was listening to music and walking, a song came on that reminded me of a moment in Ireland almost 10 years ago. I remember walking along the top of the Cliffs of Moher and just feeling so empowered. It was quiet, I was alone, there was a beautiful breeze and Kelly Clarkson was singing Invincible. Funny how a moment with a song has stayed in my head this long. I had some realizations about who I am and who I want to be at that moment.
Gulliver's Park
Along the walk there’s a park called Guliver’s Park. Do you know the story? Gulliver arrives on a strange island after a shipwreck and falls asleep on the beach. When he wakes up, he finds himself tied down by a bunch of tiny people. So the park in Valencia is a giant playground of a man (Guliver). You can slide down his hair and climb inside his shirt. It was really cute.
I took lots of pictures / video because I was a little obsessed with the idea.
La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Further down the Jardin del Turia there’s a futuristic area with museums and experiences. Apparently several scenes of Andor (Star Wars series) were filmed there.
It's an area called 'La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias' (The City of Arts and Sciences). It’s a massive, futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, and it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Spain.
Here's what’s inside:
L'Hemisfèric: The Planetarium and IMAX theater shaped like a giant eye.
Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: The science museum that looks like a whale skeleton.
L'Oceanogràfic: The largest aquarium in Europe, with different marine habitats.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: The opera house and performing arts center.
Umbracle: A landscaped walkway and garden with native plants and sculptures.
It's all located along the old Turia riverbed, which is the park / jardin I was talking about earlier. An old riverbed transformed into a long, green park
It felt very futuristic. I loved it. I love some good unique architecture.
I explored the arts center and had a chocolate ice cream bar. I also realized how much I take for granted that everyone knows English. Everything on the ship was in English. A Dutch cruise line, sailing from Portugal to Spain, and they do everything in English. It doesn’t seem fair to everyone who doesn't grow up speaking English, that my first language just happens to be a global language.
I had a great time in Valencia. It was a good day.
About the Author
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