In love with Valencia (and this is why)

In lockdown light, my wanderlust is stirring a bit. A luxury problem, I know that for sure, but I still want to share my remedy with you because who knows, it might help you too. It is: mapping out a plan to go to Valencia when it is possible again and allowed. That looks like this…

First, you determine the length of your trip; in my case, I'm going for four or five days. If you ask me, it's a misconception to do a city in three days. That's fine if you're going back for a second, third, or fourth time, but for a first time in a city, you need longer to really get to know it. I mean walking down streets that aren't in your guidebook, settling down at a little place where you only hear Spanish, or hopping on a bike and looking beyond the city limits. Taking the time for it.

Secondly, there's the question of the time of year. It's of course tempting to settle there in early spring and soak up some sun, but have you ever thought about autumn? Actually, this is a sneaky extension of your vacation. Today it is simply 22 degrees. The advantage of late summer is that the sea is still pleasant, making a swim in the morning suddenly one of your options.

The third essential part is to think about what you want to see. And remember: a plan is there to be deviated from. If you suddenly want to have lunch for an entire afternoon instead of diving into a museum: go for it, or if you want to explore a nature reserve by bike instead of lounging on the beach: totally fine. A plan is just a suggestion of what you might undertake.

Day 1 (just lounging)
– Trying a fresh horchata at Horchatería Daniel, which is said to be the temple of this local drink.
– Diving into the Mercat Central, the market that is actually the foundation for all the food in the city and far beyond.
– Eating pintxos, but the trendy version, at gastrobar Pica'p.

Day 2 (on discovery)
– Taking a piece of Jardin del Turia, the greenest river you will ever see because a kilometers-long park has been made from the old riverbed.
– Going to the Museo de Bellas Artes to see a Velázquez.
– Stopping for tapas at Colmado de La Lola, where Lola's son Jesús now reigns.
- Savoring culture, because autumn is the start of the opera season, the concerts in La Pergola with sea views are scheduled until well into December, and the Palau de la Música has many performances lined up.

Day 3 (out of the city)
– Looking for a quiet beach in the Parque Natural de la Albufera. Swapping the city's noise for an extended beach, a book, and the nature of the province.
– Eating paella on the terrace at Nou Racó with the most beautiful view over the lagoon, where they are apparently masters of the Valencian cuisine. The restaurant is located in El Palmar, the fishing village where you probably don't want to eat anything else.
– All of this can be done by bike, by the way, as there is a bike path from Valencia to the park and there are also routes in the park.

Day 4 (eating and drinking)
– Doing everything I have come to love in Valencia one more time.
– Off to Requena for a real tour through the wine region DO, also known as Denominación de Origin. Just for this name, I already want this. You taste at families' homes in the winery, can indulge in a tasting of Spanish sausage, and then that lunch…
– To finish off, star dining under the stars, because Ricard Camarena reinvented himself during the pandemic and moved his entire Michelin-star restaurant to the garden terrace. And since I learned this, I really think I need to eat there.

Okay, vamos!