Spain

[butterflyhigh1]

Greetings all!

My SO, 10yo dd, 2 yo dd, and I are planning a June 2013 extended trip to the Valencia area of Spain. I am looking for anyone's stories of Spain, advise, or pic's.

Thanks so mcuh!

[momma2bubbas]

I have not been to Valencia, but have been to Toledo, Seville, Madrid , Cordoba, & Barcelona. (winter of '02)

Wonderful country, note that the TAPAS Hour is like our dinner time here- and it ends around 7- many restaurants dont reopen until late, like 10 or 11 pm, for dinner. I am in CA and the terrain and weather where we were was quite similar.

Have fun!

[Guiguan]

I've been living in Madrid 3 and a half years now and I wanted to point out that most restaurant hours are actually closed between 5 and 8pm.  Tapas is something you get at bars or cafeterias, not restaurants so much.  I've never been to a restaurant that opened at 10 or later for dinner.  The latest I've seen would be 9, but most are back open by 8:30 even though the majority of Spaniards eat dinner around 9:30 or later.  You probably also won't be able to find a restaurant that will serve you before 1pm.

Now, about Valencia.  I love, love Valencia and even prefer it to Barcelona (which surprises most people).  I was just there a couple months ago with my daughter who was 3 months at the time.   June is a great time to go, but it will be very hot!  You've been warned.  Valencia is a city with a lot of history and just wandering around downtown you will find a ton to do.  If you stay in the center just know it is a bit of a hike to get to the beach as the city is a little inland.  One of my favorite parts of Valencia is a huge park that runs through the city in what used to be the river which is now diverted elsewhere.  It's gorgeous an unique.  I don't think I've ever seen another park quite like it.

As for what to see I recommend the Oceanografic.  Aside from it's wonderful architecture it is a very neat aquarium. http://www.cac.es/oceanografic/

If you have a car I would do some daytrips down the coast.  Some cool towns to see include Javea, Calpe (they have a seriously cool, huge rock), and Benidorm (which is full of skyscrapers and Brits).  Near Benidorm there is an amusement park called Terra Mitica http://www.terramiticapark.com/index.asp?idioma=_esp which you might be intereste in since you have an older child with you as well.   A little south of Valencia you'll also find a small, but nice waterpark called Aquopolis http://www.cullera.aquopolis.es/es/.

Something I highly recommend is doing a tour of La Albufera though I'm not sure you can get this in English.  http://albuferavalencia.com/  

I have a crying baby to attend to, but HTH and if you want more info or have any questions feel free to PM me!

[Guiguan]

Us in Benidorm. Gorgeous views!

 A man building a sand-dragon on the beach in Javea.

View from a Mexican restaurant on the waterfront in Javea.

As you can tell it's a beautiful area and I know your family will have a great time there!