Eurotrip 8, 2020 – Day 18, Valencia by train…

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We were somewhat exhausted after our biking around the Serra d’irta national park mountains yesterday so we only just got to the station in Benicassim before the train left for Valencia.

Only it didn’t – have we been transported back to Blighty? The 10:15 Regional Express wasn’t running and the next train (a super stopper) woudn’t be departing until 12:00.

We had already purchased our tickets for the set trains (at a total of Euros 23.60 for 2 adult returns) so we couldn’t really delay things by a day – never mind figuring our how to get a refund from Renfe, the Spanish operator.

Eventually we arrived at something near to 2pm at Valancia del Nord. I have to say it’s rather a grand building for a railway station.

Estacion Valencia del Nord

Well, two hours wouldn’t allow us to see much of Valencia but we managed a tour of the Cathedral. A fairly typical grandiose building but we have seen more spectactular (eg the Cathedral at Burgos).

Valencia Cathedral at the back
Inside Valencia Cathedral
Inside Valencia Cathedral
View from Valencia Cathedral

Nearby was the tower of Santa Catalina.

Tower of Santa Catalina

The Turia Gardens is one of the largest urban parks in Spain. It runs through the city along nine kilometres of green space boasting foot paths, leisure and sports areas, and romantic spots where you can unwind. From Cabecera Park to the City of Arts and Sciences, the Turia Gardens are the perfect place for runners, cyclists, families and nature enthusiasts. Crossed by 18 bridges full of history, the former riverbed passes by the city’s main museums and monuments on either bank.

The vast gardens are built on the former riverbed of the Turia, whose course was altered to prevent constant flooding in the city. After a devastating flood on 14 October 1957, the Turia’s course was diverted south of the city, leaving a huge tract of land that crosses the city from West to East, bordering the historical centre. Several urban planners and landscapists designed different sections of the park, recreating the former river scenery. They created a unique itinerary of palm trees and orange trees, fountains and pine woods, aromatic plants and ponds, sports facilities and rose beds.

Turia gardens – Bridge over the old river bed, Valencia

We even had time for a swift beer on the way back to the railway station and ate at Bonterra Park restaurant in the evening. It was English quiz night though and the place was absolutely rammed.