Days 3 & 4 Valencia

We got the early train to Valencia which was quick (2 hours), easy and very pleasant with lovely views. When we arrived we jumped straight on the tour bus outside the station to orientate ourselves. The thing that immediately stood out was how beautiful every single blinking building was.

After doing a loop we hopped off and wandered up to the cathedral where we had lunch sitting outside looking at the cathedral at General Life. Tourist trap location, lots of stupid tourists but the food was actually pretty good. I had paella followed by steak and then arroz con leche (rice pudding). K had the same but a salad to start.

Stuffed we went to check into our hotel which was wonderful (Ad Hoc Carmen), amazing location and amazing room. We had a blinking duplex, 2 mins from the cathedral for £40 a night. Highly recommended.

We then got the other tour bus route to the City of Arts and Sciences which was the main reason we wanted to come to Valencia. It was beautiful and futuristic and concretey with amazing lines. We spent ages there taking it in but didn't actually go to any museums. We also had a wander in the park made in the old river bed. We hopped back on the bus and had a wander down the port and the beach with a wee beverage stop overlooking the sea.

Back in the old town we wandered about a bit, had a delicious snack of toast with sobrasada and honey for merienda and took lots of photos.  Our dinner was paella overlooking the cathedral, nothing special but nice enough and amazing views and people watching. We then spent ages wandering about taking pictures of amazing street art amd getting lost (in a good way). We ended the night at a delightful brew pub where I had Lemonzilla beer and K had a giant chalice of jd and coke.

Tuesday started with a traditional breakfast of horchata and fartons outside the market, they were delicious! We then wandered about the beautiful market for a while, it was very like the one in Barcelona but I think even nicer. We had a stop at the central bar in the market for a coffee and tortilla and decided we want to visit again and get an apartment so we can shop at the market.

We wandered about for hours just taking pictures of murals and stuff, it was like being back in Miami the street art scene was so strong. After a cheeky beer we went to the modern art museum (IVAM) which had some great exhibitions on.

After the museum we went for a menu del dia for lunch at Maria Mandilas, we sat outside in a beautiful square in the heart of Carmen and chilled for ages. We both had a beautiful salad to start then I had pasta pesto amd K had chicken and rice - muy rico. Pudding was weird but actually really nice, it was a banana with chocolate sauce drizzled over it.

Wander, wander, wander then a horchata break at the famous Santa Catalina Horchateria (not as good as the wee stall outside the market but beautiful tiled decor). More wandering but with a destination in mind this time, the beautiful Colon Market. After seeing the market we walked back to the hotel for a chill because we were exhausted after pounding the streets for hours in 30 degree heat.

Our dinner for the evening was at Las Cuevas, in a handy square near our hotel. We sat outside as it got dark drinking beer and eating delicious food. The table was a board game from K's Spanish youth so she was delighted. We shared patatas bravas, jamon croquettes and a delicious salad with goats cheese and crunchy ham. I'm already dreaming of getting that salad again. We then went for some drinks around the old town at Laboritorio and L'Emrita, id recommend both.  Afterwards we headed back to the hotel and our Valencian adventure came to an end. I'll definitely be back.