Today is our last full day here in Valencia. Breakfast again at the Blue Bar, same order as yesterday. My sweets plate is a tiny bit different. The mini muffin is different. But it still is just right to start our day. We check out the indoor pool. Decent size. There's also tennis court, exercise room.
We had been thinking about taking a cooking class but we've decided to not do that. Instead we want to do the tourist bus. Down in reception we talk to the concierge who can sell us tickets for the HOHO bus. Cost cash only for 24 hour pass is €34 for the 2 of us. There is a stop right across the street from our hotel. We decide to do the blue line route. Stops in order from #1 are-Plaza Reina, Plaza Toros, Museo Fallero, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Oceanographic, C. C. Aqua, Marina Real, Las Arenas, Puerto, Baleares, and Mestalla M. Historic Militar. The red line centers more on the historic area and doesn't have a stop by our hotel but you can change/ride on either the red or the blue line. You can change over at stops 1, 3, 12. Stop #8 is across the street from our hotel. We only have a short wait before the double decker tourist bus arrives. It's 11:10 AM now. We show our tickets to the driver. This bus is old with worn cushions. The windows don't open for good picture taking and the system for the commentary didn't work. We get off at stop #1 which is Plaza Reina/Queen's Square.
Valencia Cathedral. Founded 13th c. on site of main mosque. Finished 17th c. Gothic, Baroque, Neo classical. Octagonal bell tower/El Micalet. Mummified hand of patron saint of Valencian community-San Vicente Martyr. It's also widely thought the chalice used at the Last Supper-the Holy Grail-is here. It's been scientifically proven to be from 1st.c and made out of one piece of agate. It's Sunday so lots of people and Mass is starting. Very pretty. We can hear the organ music. We spend 30 minutes here. We slowly walk around a bit. Plenty of restaurants. Lots of people milling around. We stand in line to hop back on the bus.
This bus is newer and the audio guide/commentary works. However, there are glass panels that don't allow for pristine picture taking. Got off stop #3 Museo Fallero. Walk across the street to the City of Arts and Sciences. The architecture is stunning. Very sleek and modern. We walk around. Lots of cool sculptures, water features. Back on the HOHO bus by 1:45 PM.
This is the nicest bus. On the top level there is no glass panels so good for picture taking. Pass by Oceanografic/Aquarium. Lots of people here. We get back to our hotel by 2:15 PM. Sent Dorie a message that we are back. We head to the pool. I think Richard should experience the beach so we leave our stuff on our pool loungers and walk down to the beach. Richard spends all of maybe 5 minutes in the water! Well, at least he was at the beach. We return to the pool. We spend lots of time just doing nothing/relaxing. After several messages back and forth we decide to meet Dorie by the bullring for dinner at 8:45 PM. Taxi to the bullring. Waiting on the corner for Dorie to arrive which she does with just Ronan. Said others will join us later.
Dinner-Los Toneles. This has indoor and outside seating. Since it's so nice we decide to get a table outside. Dorie said we have to try agua de Valencia. It's a drink made with Valencia oranges, cava/champagne, vodka, and gin. We order a pitcher and it is fantastic! Tasty and refreshing. Good call, Dorie. We order patatas bravas, green padron peppers, olives, cod croquettes, Valencian salad, clams. Blue and Kerby arrive but Zerlina is not feeling well. They order a bottle of rioja crianza/red wine. Ronan gets a vanilla ice cream. Give Ronan a big hug as we won't be seeing him again. 😢Blue takes him back to the apartment. They will stop for Chinese noodles on the way home for Ronan. Blue returns. I'm told the Hard Rock is just a short walk so we decide to go there to get Arleen her shot glasses. Dorie pays for dinner. How nice. Cost without tip was 55€.
Hard Rock. Kerby and Blue got beers while I bought the shot glasses for Arleen. Looked at clothing but Dorie felt the red T shirt I liked with a guitar on it for Ronan was too expensive. Said our goodbyes. Taxi back to our hotel. Have to pack as train to Cordoba leaves early morning.
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| Indoor pool |
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| Tennis court |
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| Exercise room |
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| Kids' pool early morning |
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| Lounging area |
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| Main pool |
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| Richard's toast with tomato spread |
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| My sweets plate |
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We had been thinking about taking a cooking class but we've decided to not do that. Instead we want to do the tourist bus. Down in reception we talk to the concierge who can sell us tickets for the HOHO bus. Cost cash only for 24 hour pass is €34 for the 2 of us. There is a stop right across the street from our hotel. We decide to do the blue line route. Stops in order from #1 are-Plaza Reina, Plaza Toros, Museo Fallero, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Oceanographic, C. C. Aqua, Marina Real, Las Arenas, Puerto, Baleares, and Mestalla M. Historic Militar. The red line centers more on the historic area and doesn't have a stop by our hotel but you can change/ride on either the red or the blue line. You can change over at stops 1, 3, 12. Stop #8 is across the street from our hotel. We only have a short wait before the double decker tourist bus arrives. It's 11:10 AM now. We show our tickets to the driver. This bus is old with worn cushions. The windows don't open for good picture taking and the system for the commentary didn't work. We get off at stop #1 which is Plaza Reina/Queen's Square.
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| This is the stop across from our hotel #8 blue route |
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| City bus |
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| The HOHO tourist bus |
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| Sights from the bus |
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| Stop #11 blue route |
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| View of Torres de Serranos/Ancient Town Gate from the bus |
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Valencia Cathedral. Founded 13th c. on site of main mosque. Finished 17th c. Gothic, Baroque, Neo classical. Octagonal bell tower/El Micalet. Mummified hand of patron saint of Valencian community-San Vicente Martyr. It's also widely thought the chalice used at the Last Supper-the Holy Grail-is here. It's been scientifically proven to be from 1st.c and made out of one piece of agate. It's Sunday so lots of people and Mass is starting. Very pretty. We can hear the organ music. We spend 30 minutes here. We slowly walk around a bit. Plenty of restaurants. Lots of people milling around. We stand in line to hop back on the bus.
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| Bell Tower/El Micalet |
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| Door of the "Irons" |
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| Chancel |
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| Allegedly the Holy Grail |
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| Ceiling |
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| Stairs to the roof |
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| View of Queen's Square from the cathedral roof |
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| Mummified hand San Vincente Martyr |
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| One of the many places in Queen's Square where you can get something delicious to eat |
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| Gelateria with so many interesting choices |
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| Queen's Square is very busy with tourists and locals |
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| Even a Mexican restaurant! |
This bus is newer and the audio guide/commentary works. However, there are glass panels that don't allow for pristine picture taking. Got off stop #3 Museo Fallero. Walk across the street to the City of Arts and Sciences. The architecture is stunning. Very sleek and modern. We walk around. Lots of cool sculptures, water features. Back on the HOHO bus by 1:45 PM.
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| Sights from the second HOHO tourist bus |
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| Bullring |
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| City of Arts and Sciences |
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| This is the Palau de les Artes |
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| Umbracle |
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| Hemisferic |
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| The darker building is the Agora I think with the Museo de las Ciencias on the left Ronan spent time in one of those plastic/clear balls which was cool although he kept falling down and wasn't able to make the ball go far across the water! |
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| Museo de las ciencias and Agora |
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| Museo Faller |
This is the nicest bus. On the top level there is no glass panels so good for picture taking. Pass by Oceanografic/Aquarium. Lots of people here. We get back to our hotel by 2:15 PM. Sent Dorie a message that we are back. We head to the pool. I think Richard should experience the beach so we leave our stuff on our pool loungers and walk down to the beach. Richard spends all of maybe 5 minutes in the water! Well, at least he was at the beach. We return to the pool. We spend lots of time just doing nothing/relaxing. After several messages back and forth we decide to meet Dorie by the bullring for dinner at 8:45 PM. Taxi to the bullring. Waiting on the corner for Dorie to arrive which she does with just Ronan. Said others will join us later.
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| Oceanografic |
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| Our hotel |
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| Richard at the beach |
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| View of our hotel from the beach |
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| Loungers and umbrellas for rent |
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| Relaxing at the pool |
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| I do like the pool! |
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| Very pretty grounds on the hotel property |
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| Outside seating |
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| Statue we saw from taxi to dinner |
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| Bullring twilight |
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Dinner-Los Toneles. This has indoor and outside seating. Since it's so nice we decide to get a table outside. Dorie said we have to try agua de Valencia. It's a drink made with Valencia oranges, cava/champagne, vodka, and gin. We order a pitcher and it is fantastic! Tasty and refreshing. Good call, Dorie. We order patatas bravas, green padron peppers, olives, cod croquettes, Valencian salad, clams. Blue and Kerby arrive but Zerlina is not feeling well. They order a bottle of rioja crianza/red wine. Ronan gets a vanilla ice cream. Give Ronan a big hug as we won't be seeing him again. 😢Blue takes him back to the apartment. They will stop for Chinese noodles on the way home for Ronan. Blue returns. I'm told the Hard Rock is just a short walk so we decide to go there to get Arleen her shot glasses. Dorie pays for dinner. How nice. Cost without tip was 55€.
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| Agua de Valencia |
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| Ronan likes this white chocolate covered ice cream bar |
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| Patatas bravas |
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| Olives |
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| Green padron peppers |
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| Clams |
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| Cod croquettes |
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| Valencian salad |
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| Los Toneles |
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| Bullring at night |
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| North Station-trains |
Hard Rock. Kerby and Blue got beers while I bought the shot glasses for Arleen. Looked at clothing but Dorie felt the red T shirt I liked with a guitar on it for Ronan was too expensive. Said our goodbyes. Taxi back to our hotel. Have to pack as train to Cordoba leaves early morning.
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| Shot glass for Arleen |
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| Rod Stewart's pants |
