Citytrip València,
Spain, June 2017







Day 2
Wednesday, June 14th



Having rested well we go out for our breakfast. Yes, go out! This small hotel only has sleeping arrangements and does not have a dining room or a kitchen. Breakfast is outsourced with a bakery nearby. Yesterday we were handed breakfast vouchers for the next couple of days. On these you mark what type of roll you would like to eat, which warm drink you like and which fruit juice you want. It is a small breakfast València style.

The bakery is the second street to the right with the green chairs we are told. We follow directions and spot the green chairs on the pavement from a distance. Quite a number of people are occupying the seats already enjoying their coffee and a fresh roll. A sweet roll, a croissant, or a piece of toast with an oil and tomato spread (pan tomaca) are typical choices. A small breakfast València style.

Oh, if you order coffee, you will get an espresso, a tiny cup with high octane coffee. If you want your coffee Dutch style then order coffee Americano (a shot of espresso and lots of water).



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Post office

Post office



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Post office

Post office



Then we venture out into town. València is an old town dating back to Roman days. The post office and the city hall are worth a visit so we were told yesterday. We follow the Avenida del Regne de València again to the Estació del Nord. The Avenida right in front of the station leads to Plaça del Ayuntamiento where the two buildings are located facing each other on opposite sides of the square.

Construction of the The Palacio de Correos y Telégrafos(Central Post Office) building began in 1915 and was finished in 1922. It was designed by the architect Miguel Angel Navarro, in what is an example of the eclectic style.

When I came across the phrase "eclectic style" I had no idea what that mend. So, I looked it up. It basically means that in the design you combine elements or particular styles from different time periods and different origins within a single project, without making it look chaotic.

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Post office

Post office



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Post office

Post office

On top the roof you will see a tower like construction; it is a telecommunications tower. There used to be a real telecommunications tower on top of the building, but the one you see now is just a replica, therefore it is not used anymore.

The entrance leads to the two-story main hall, covered by an elliptic glass dome with the València coat of arms in it, which is the centre around which the building is organized.





We cross the square and head for the Town Hall. This is also situated in the same square. The Town Hall was constructed in the 18th century. Inside you will find a beautiful marble staircase, a ballroom and the council meeting room and there is a clock tower in the centre of the building. The City History Museum can also be found under the roof of this impressive building. Like the post office, the Town Hall is also built in an eclectic style.

When entering the building we have to go through security. Our bags go through an x-ray machine like on the airport. In my bag I generally carry a roll of band aid in case of blisters plus a small pair of scissors to cut it. The scissors I have to hand over, they will be returned to me when I leave the building.

 




The council meeting room

 


The council meeting room is simply beautiful. Have a look; it is all red velvet that the council members sit on!



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Mercat Central

Mercat Central



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Mercat Central

Mercat Central



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Llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange)

Llotja de la Seda
(Silk Exchange)



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Plaça del Doctor Collado

Plaça del Doctor Collado



Next stop is the Mercat Central of course. I love these indoor markets. They give you a clear view of the variety of the local produce. Having spend some time here browsing through all the small shops we continue our walk through the old city center eventually ending up on the Pont de les Art bridge in the North-West crossing the wide former Turia riverbed. We give our feet a rest and have a drink while watching the traffic go by on the busy road that follows the curves of the Turia riverbed through the city.



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Estació de Turia

Estació de Turia


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Estació Empalme

Estació Empalme




Enough walking for the time being. We take the Metro at Turia station to Empalme, to take line 4 to the beach area. Arrived at Empalme you need to check out with your Metro card, leave the Metro station and cross the road and go to the streetcar stop for line 4. You also need to check in again for the streetcar with your Metro card. This brings us swiftly to the Dr. Lluch stop, right in front of the boulevard near the ocean.





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la Bodegueta del Mar

la Bodegueta del Mar


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Paella at
la Bodegueta del Mar

Paella at
la Bodegueta del Mar




Having learned our lesson regarding dinner time yesterday, we are not making the same mistake twice. It is around one in the afternoon and we look for a place to eat something. We find what looks like a small tavern with a menu placed outside that looks appealing; la Bodegueta del Mar located near the Dr. Lluch streetcar stop at the Carrer d´Eugènia Viñes 229. Having entered the restaurant it proves to be much bigger then it looked like from the outside.

Hear we enjoy a great, delicious Paella dish for two with a nice refreshing white wine.







Being completely rested and energized again we take a walk alongside the beach on the boulevard. It is partially covered in shade due to the many palm trees here. It is simply to warm to be ON the beach; it is roughly 34 Celsius by now. Following the boulevard we end up near the València Marina where we take the bus 19 that brings us back to the bus stop near the hotel.







We have a rest and in the evening we have a stroll through the beautiful park in which Turia riverbed has been converted into. It is cool and it has many shady spot where you can sit and enjoy the refreshing evening coolness.

And we are not alone here; there are many people here. Lots of the jogging, some lying in the grass and others meet, socialize and have a chat. A great multi functional place this former riverbed.











and welcome!






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City Hall, València

City Hall, València


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City Hall, València

City Hall, València

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City Hall, València

City Hall, València


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Me, on the balcony
City Hall, València

Me, on the balcony
City Hall, València




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Plaça de Sant Jaume

Plaça de Sant Jaume

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Carrer de Dalt

Carrer de Dalt