Valencia (Euro GP)
Discussion
Yep. Me and the OH did the MotoGP last year around Oct/Nov time. Not quite t-shirt weather but far from cold.
The old river bed, which stretches a good few miles in length is now one long park with a few fountains and other random things buried in amongst the landscaped gardens such as a baseball pitch, a few football pitches, a massive kids play-area a few quite impressive bridges crossing over it. That's well worth a couple of hours traipsing about in.
The river bed leads down to the famous "museum area" (my words!). IMHO the science museum isn't worth bothering with, maybe if you have kids under the age of about 12, but as an adult there's not really a lot in there of interest. We didn't bother with the art museum.
We did the IMAX thing which is exactly the same as any other IMAX.
Also did the aquarium which is most definately worth a look. There are some unbelievably big fish in there and you can get real close up as it has one of the largest underwater tunnels in the world.
Also visited the cathedral (I only relented so I could see the 1000 year old arm of a saint, still wearing it's rings). Again, it'll kill an hour or two.
I might manage to post some pics up later.
We did find a teeny little restuarant over in the historic bit (can't remember the name, sorry) which did fantastic food.
The old river bed, which stretches a good few miles in length is now one long park with a few fountains and other random things buried in amongst the landscaped gardens such as a baseball pitch, a few football pitches, a massive kids play-area a few quite impressive bridges crossing over it. That's well worth a couple of hours traipsing about in.
The river bed leads down to the famous "museum area" (my words!). IMHO the science museum isn't worth bothering with, maybe if you have kids under the age of about 12, but as an adult there's not really a lot in there of interest. We didn't bother with the art museum.
We did the IMAX thing which is exactly the same as any other IMAX.
Also did the aquarium which is most definately worth a look. There are some unbelievably big fish in there and you can get real close up as it has one of the largest underwater tunnels in the world.
Also visited the cathedral (I only relented so I could see the 1000 year old arm of a saint, still wearing it's rings). Again, it'll kill an hour or two.
I might manage to post some pics up later.
We did find a teeny little restuarant over in the historic bit (can't remember the name, sorry) which did fantastic food.
I have been to Valencia a few times (have a mate who lives there) and am also going to be there GP weekend this year.
My worry about GP weekend is how difficult it might be to get to and from the circuit - We have a hire car so I am expecting access to be a pig - I was going to post my own thread asking if anyone has any tips for getting in and out on raceday but it looks as though there would be little point if the responses to this thread are anything to go by.....
I think Valencia is a great city to visit.
We were there last year and the food is great with loads of nice places to eat. There is a famous place in the old town near the city wall (which is opposite the Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina in the corner of Plaza de la Reina) that does awesome hot chocolate with these dipping doughnutty things called Fartons which you have to try.
We also had a rather nice Paella near the beach as well as various hams and fish dishes in the old town. Pinchos is Valencian for tapas and loads of places do Pinchos with beer all evening.
The market area in the old town is worth a look around as is the new science zone area of town which is built on the old riverbed.
We found that the best way of getting around is by bike. Valencia has the push bikes that you can grab and go (once signed up) and it means that you can get anywhere by hopping on a bike and riding on the cycle lanes around town. I think the were free for journeys of less than 30 minutes with no limit to how many bikes you could borrow in a day. This means that you could ride for 29 minutes, dock your bike, grab it again and ride for another 30 minutes. The docking stations are everywhere around the city.
There is also a metro service which gets you around town and to and from the beach + airport. I seem to remember this was fairly reasonable but didn't go everywhere in the center of town. Combined with the bikes, you can get everywhere really easily.
If clubbing is your thing, then there are some pretty good places to go (even if clubbing isn't your thing, I would say they are worth a visit anyway as they are quite cool places to hang out in the evenings).
We have been to a place near the port called Animas which is on the roof of this old building as well as a modern indoor / outdoor place near the science zone thing which had everyone from hardcore clubbers to middle aged couples out for an evening in the quiet zone.
Loads to do and if you get bored of looking around then you can hop on the metro to the beach for a swim.
Bob
My worry about GP weekend is how difficult it might be to get to and from the circuit - We have a hire car so I am expecting access to be a pig - I was going to post my own thread asking if anyone has any tips for getting in and out on raceday but it looks as though there would be little point if the responses to this thread are anything to go by.....
I think Valencia is a great city to visit.
We were there last year and the food is great with loads of nice places to eat. There is a famous place in the old town near the city wall (which is opposite the Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina in the corner of Plaza de la Reina) that does awesome hot chocolate with these dipping doughnutty things called Fartons which you have to try.
We also had a rather nice Paella near the beach as well as various hams and fish dishes in the old town. Pinchos is Valencian for tapas and loads of places do Pinchos with beer all evening.
The market area in the old town is worth a look around as is the new science zone area of town which is built on the old riverbed.
We found that the best way of getting around is by bike. Valencia has the push bikes that you can grab and go (once signed up) and it means that you can get anywhere by hopping on a bike and riding on the cycle lanes around town. I think the were free for journeys of less than 30 minutes with no limit to how many bikes you could borrow in a day. This means that you could ride for 29 minutes, dock your bike, grab it again and ride for another 30 minutes. The docking stations are everywhere around the city.
There is also a metro service which gets you around town and to and from the beach + airport. I seem to remember this was fairly reasonable but didn't go everywhere in the center of town. Combined with the bikes, you can get everywhere really easily.
If clubbing is your thing, then there are some pretty good places to go (even if clubbing isn't your thing, I would say they are worth a visit anyway as they are quite cool places to hang out in the evenings).
We have been to a place near the port called Animas which is on the roof of this old building as well as a modern indoor / outdoor place near the science zone thing which had everyone from hardcore clubbers to middle aged couples out for an evening in the quiet zone.
Loads to do and if you get bored of looking around then you can hop on the metro to the beach for a swim.
Bob
Thanks guys, i was starting to think i'd never get any replies!! If there are any more suggestions then please keep them coming and i'll check them out while there. As i'm out with the misses i had thought i wouldn't bother with clubs but Animas does sound worth checking out, can always sit with a drink and enjoy the vibe (wish i was still young enough to go clubbing, miss Ibiza!!)
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