| Perhaps as a Valencia shuttle driver I may be biased, | | | | Marvel at the City of Arts and Sciences |
| but I think the city is a real gem that is too often | | | | When they drained the Turia river after a severe |
| overlooked in favour of the other major cities in | | | | flood, they had two choices; turn it into a park or a |
| Spain. Madrid may be the Spanish capital and | | | | highway. The highway would have made driving from |
| Barcelona popular for its arts scene and vibrant | | | | Valencia airport to the city easier for me, but I can't |
| atmosphere, but for culture and architectural | | | | fault their choice, especially since the recent addition |
| splendour, Valencia is the place to be. Whenever I | | | | of The City of Arts and Sciences. This jaw dropping |
| drive someone from Valencia airport to a city hotel, | | | | modern science park truly has something for |
| and always enjoy telling them what a treat they've | | | | everyone - an outstanding science museum, IMAX |
| let themselves in for. | | | | cinema, aquarium, dolphinarium, and underwater |
| There's plenty to experience on a holiday to Valencia, | | | | restaurant are amongst the many facilities on offer. |
| but there are few highlights that are simply | | | | Shop at the Central Market |
| unmissable - here are some of my personal | | | | With over a thousand bustling food stalls to explore, |
| recommendations... | | | | the Central Market is the best place to sample local |
| Stroll Through the Old Town | | | | delicacies. Housed in a handsome modern building and |
| The architectural mix in the Old Town is quite | | | | decorated with colourful ceramic tiles, the stalls have |
| astonishing, ranging from Baroque cathedrals to the | | | | plenty to offer to foodies on a holiday in Valencia, |
| Gothic grandeur of the Silk Exchange, the | | | | including fresh fruit, regional cheeses and wines, and |
| breathtaking building where the silk merchants of old | | | | the local speciality - paella. |
| used to ply their trade. The Old Town reflects the | | | | See the Holy Grail at Valencia Cathedral |
| many cultural influences that have made Valencia | | | | OK, no one can say for sure whether Valencia's claim |
| what it is today - Roman, Muslim and Chrisitans have | | | | to be the resting place of the mythical Holy Grail is |
| all ruled the city at one time or another. | | | | based on sound historical research, optimistic wishing, |
| I always say to my Valencia shuttle passengers, you | | | | or a canny marketing play by the city's tourist board. |
| can spend days wandering through the streets of | | | | But in any case, the Valencia Cathedral is an |
| the Old Town and still not see everything, but don't | | | | unmissable highlight of the city. The mix of Roman, |
| miss out on the Santa Catalina Bell Tower, the | | | | Gothic and Baroque architecture is fascinating, and |
| Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, | | | | (however authentic it may be) the golden chalice that |
| and the Plaza de Reina. The Plaza is also the best | | | | hangs above the altar certainly looks the part - my |
| place to pick up a horse drawn carriage to take you | | | | Valencia shuttle passengers invariably rave about how |
| around the Old Town, which is certainly an | | | | exciting it was to see! |
| experience you wouldn't want to miss. | | | | |