Valencia Tourist Traps

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I arrived in Valencia in an afternoon, in my way to Mallorca, after buying my first camcorder in Andorra, and already with the film ot two weeks spent in Salou and Altea. For security reasons, I had booked a hotel with garage, to leave the car while we would be out, and, for the same reasons we went to diner early in the day, parking close to the restaurant. Five minutes were enough to the restaurant's manager tell me that my car was assaulted and the camera... gone. I never felt so revolted. Not because the camera itself, but for the memories of my kids happiness in their first holidays abroad.
And so, Valencia became a trauma. Please, don't tell me it really exists!
(Fortunately, my wife took some photos, and the smiles were not totally lost. Maybe one day I'll recover from the trauma, and decide to check if Valencia does really exist.)

Unique Suggestions: The trauma is gone. I made friends in Valencia. I will soon put it back in the map.

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Whenever you arrive there you are looked up and sorted out. Local people (who ussually go in for worshipping) go left; tourists go right. Of course this means contributing to the Cathedral's upkeeping! or in some other way "tourist milking". Being a Valencian my best tip to come out that small trap is just to enter as a Christian (or someone who would like to pray...).
For your information, Masses there are always held at the round hours (8.00, 9.00, 10.00 and so on).
Also the poor at the Cathedral's main entrance door are mainly eastern-Europe inmigrees, who pose as hungry folk and moan. Do not believe them. They are ussually fed by Christian Charities, like Charity Hall at Paseo de Pexina; they need no food: Begging is their way of life.

Unique Suggestions: Well, it is not a big deal: pay your entrance; or if you please give alms to the Rumanian women.

Fun Alternatives: The climate and some weak immigration policies have attracted many immigrants. Spain is the first point they meet in Europe (many come from Africa). Only those who are ready to learn just so-so Spanish and not to move further within Europe remain in Spain. As a result we have a huge Do-little population, drinking away night and day and messing the parks.
An alternative could be to ensure a good local guide (I know a few) to visit the city, to be able to enjoy the most with the least waste of time.
Just to mention a few:
- Anthony the Gipsy, professor in hallways (+34662254324)
- The ever busy Valencian Guide Association (+34963524708)
- Martha Cicerone, excellent professional (+34625963494)

Dear people

We rented a car at the valencia airport from star rent a car , we had to pay for a full gas tank , we didnt ask for it , when we gave the car back at the agent at the airport we asked for a refund becouse the gastank was still 50 % full , they lought in my face and told me if i had any complaints i schould go to the main office . that was it . its a complettely rip off .
so be aware , dont go there , take an other compagnie and ask before U rent the car how the deal is with the gas tank ???
Be aware .

Stef .

Unique Suggestions: Take another on

Dear people

We rented a car at the valencia airport from star rent a car , we had to pay for a full gas tank , we didnt ask for it , when we gave the car back at the agent at the airport we asked for a refund becouse the gastank was still 50 % full , they lought in my face and told me if i had any complaints i schould go to the main office . that was it . its a complettely rip off .
so be aware , dont go there , take an other compagnie and ask before U rent the car how the deal is with the gas tank ???
Be aware .

Stef .

Unique Suggestions: Dont hire a car with Sar rentacar

Fun Alternatives: take another ons and ask for info

Saint Vincent Ferrer, a native of Valence in the XIV century, is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic church. His brithhouse, which now hosts a small tile covered chapel is located on Sea Street, near Tetuan Square.

As the legend goes, when Saint Vincent left Valence, he told his fellow citizens he would leave a small well behind that would never get dry and would provide relief for all Valencians.

And that was true. Even in the middle of the worst droughts that the city had to endure, when all the other fountains went dry, the little well of Saint Vincent never ceased to provide water for the citizens.

But this miraculous source of water sadly came to an end: the construction of modern buildings around the house in the XX century diverted the underground water courses and the well's water supply was cut. Nowadays, the little well is served by the city's drinking water network.

Unique Suggestions: The local religious authorities claim that this tape water is still blessed by Saint Vincent, but it cannot be but a pale fake copy of the genuine waters of the little well, I believe.

It is a bit like Valencia isn't completely ready
for tourists. Your welcome for sure...
We went to the tourist office at the
'plaza de la reina'. The lady in the little
stall was very friendly and among the few
people we met who spoke English very well.
I was asking for information...and I got a little
map with the museums and places of interest.
>She pointed out a walking route and how
we could get to the marine parc.
I told her we were staying 5 days. 5 days , she
asked? yes , 5. So , I asked her for a restaurant
guide. That didn't exist. I asked her where the
zoo was... she knew where it was but pointed
out the entrance completely wrong ,
while it was only one km from this place.

Information on the busses?
You can find it on the bus stop.

The first really handy tourist guide still
has to be written and I hope it will contain
some more information on the museums
then the 5 words on the map.

(ps most tourist visit from Benidorm just for
one day with a local tour operator)

When we arrived at Valencia and we took a taxi
from the airport to the hotel...it is amazing
what you'll get to see. A little warning is at
it's place. The surroundings of Valencia
are among the ugliest I've ever seen.
It is an area of big industrial activity and
the landscape isn't much appealing.

We got a saying in Belgium
'1 zwaluw maakt de lente niet'.
One swallow doesn't make it spring.
What I mean by that is that Valencia has got
a couple of very modern and attractive
buildings. But they aren't representative for
the rest of the city. Most of the buildings
outside the beautiful center are ugly ,
colorless apartment buildings.
It isn't yet the mecca of modern architecture.

Lower your expectations is the message.

The 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias' is a huge and beautiful piece of architecture. You should go and admire it. http://www.cac.es/
But do not spend the 7 Euros (August 2004) to enter the 'Museu de las Ciencias'-building.
Unless you are an 8 year old. Not for adults.