Valencia

I've been saying this way too often, but my apologies for ignoring the blog for so long. I don't know if its the same with all you mothers out there, but with a wiggly 15 month old, all I feel like doing when she takes her naps is to plop down on the couch and watch TV! It's a lame excuse, I know, but here I am once again about to tell you about our wonderful trip to Valencia, Spain. 

The City Hall at Plaza del Ayuntamiento

My little sister Amy was in town a few weeks ago, and itchy travellers we are, we decided to take a weekend trip together with my sister-in-law Marie. As I claimed before and will again many times in the future-we love Spain. The people are warm, they are family oriented, they are nice, and the cities charming and inviting. We picked Valencia out of the blue because there was a direct flight available from Paris that took 1h45mins. They even have actual Spring weather, so the choice was made!

We stayed in a beautiful boutique-ish hotel called Hospes Palau de la Mar. For €144 a night in a 5 star hotel with breakfast and WIFI included, we can consider it quite cheap! The breakfast buffet was generous and yummy, the service very courteous and friendly. Had lunch one day at the hotel's restaurant Senzone, and we were not disappointed at all....

What I liked a lot about Vaencia is the mix of old and new. Like most European towns, the old town, or Cuitat Vella, is rich in history and old architecture that I adore. The Cathedral marks the center of the old town, as Spain is a stronghold of Catholicism. The central market, Mercado Central, is a busy indoor market that provides everything that a supermarket can offer from meat to vegetables to fruits and biscuits. 

Catedral de Valencia

Inside the Cathedral, once a Mosque

Mercado Central

 The new, the modern, is depicted by the vast Ciutat dels Arts i de les Ciencies, or City of Arts and Sciences in English. We walked all the way down Jardin del Turia, past the Music Hall and the museums and everything in between all the way to the Oceanográfico, just so that little Wigglemonster can see dolphins and jellyfish and baby belugas. It was well worth the walk. Other than burning calories from the ton of churros and chocolate that we ate, we basked in the sun and had a good time exploring on foot.

The loves of my life

Dolphin show

 We didn't bother doing the same to go to the zoo, however. Allez hop into a cab, to experience some wildlife, again, something I did out of love and not out of interest of animals. 

All in all, we had such a great time! Not sure it was because we had our crazy sisters with us, or the weather was just amazing, or we just love Spain that much, but it was definitely a memorable weekend. I highly recommend this destination for families with children or babies. Most sites can be done by foot, if not taxis are not expensive and the metro is quite efficient, so I hear. Viva España!

Photos by Me