A Valencia Escape

TAP Portugal flight TP1906 takes you non-stop to Valencia, in the soft warmth of a summer Sunday evening. On arrival, there is nothing left to organise: every detail has been thought through for you.

Your plane touches down at Manises Airport. In the arrivals hall, a driver from Hotel Las Arenas is waiting, holding a sign with the name Mendelson. His name and phone number will be shared with you upon arrival, so you can reach him easily if needed.

No need to look around: he walks you to his vehicle and takes care of your luggage. The Valencian night opens up before you, mild and fragrant with orange blossom.

The palace rises facing the Malvarrosa, bathed in a warm light that traces its colonnades. At the reception, you are expected: check-in and a personalised welcome. Your Executive Room with sea-view terrace on the 4^th floor is ready, twin beds carefully prepared.

You open the terrace door. Before you, the Mediterranean breathes in the darkness; the lapping of the waves replaces the airport announcements. The journey begins here, with this silence, and with a deep night's rest.

The golden morning light caresses the hotel terrace while the Mediterranean shimmers on the horizon. Settle in facing the sea, lulled by the mild breeze brushing the palm trees. A parade of flavours awaits you: croissants fresh from the oven, flaky pastries, sun-drenched fruits, and the freshly pressed juice of Valencian oranges, incomparable. Artisanal breads, Iberian charcuterie and a perfectly pulled espresso accompany this gentle awakening.

Once ready, ask the hotel concierge for a taxi or take one of the many vehicles waiting in front of the entrance. The ride is short but the setting changes radically: you leave the seafront to dive into the heart of visionary Valencia.

Step into an imagined future. The complex designed by Santiago Calatrava rises on the former bed of the Turia river like a monumental sculpture of glass and white structures. Even a simple walk around the Science Museum is worth the detour, its architecture both striking and mesmerising.

Your Oceanogràfic tickets are already printed and included in your travel pack: entry from 10:00 onward. Head to the largest aquarium in Europe for a spectacular immersion in the marine ecosystems of the world, from arctic waters to tropical coral reefs. The glass tunnel, the belugas, the tropical dome… here, architecture becomes experience, a true cathedral of light and water.

Allow around 2h30 on site to enjoy the visit fully. On your way out, take a taxi in front of the complex: they are permanently stationed there. Direction El Palmar for lunch at Bon Aire restaurant.

The scenery shifts once more: the city fades away, the rice fields appear. The road crosses the timeless landscapes of the Albufera, this lagoon classified as a Natural Park where rice has been grown for centuries. Herons glide above the fields, the sky opens wide.

In the heart of El Palmar, you are expected at Bon Aire, an emblematic family-run institution led by chef Raúl Magraner, where rice becomes a true sensory experience. Reservation under the name Mendelson-Bravasun at 13:30.

Nestled between rice fields and lagoon, the restaurant pays tribute to the rich gastronomy of the Albufera. In the garden, the wood fire crackles as the paella is prepared according to ancestral tradition. The golden socarrat, delicately caramelised and irresistibly crisp, is here raised to an art form, passed down from generation to generation.

Time seems to slow down, giving way to a suspended moment of refined indulgence.

A stone's throw from the restaurant, the El Palmar landing stage welcomes you. Let yourself be tempted and hire a traditional wooden barca to glide over the calm waters of the Albufera, the very waters once used by the fishermen of the lagoon.

The rice fields stretch to the horizon, herons stand motionless in the shallows, a deeply romantic moment, almost unreal.

At the end of the ride, Bon Aire can call a taxi for you (allow 10–15 min waiting time).

Back at the hotel, take time to unwind. A final dip in the pool, a cool shower, a refreshment on the terrace… Get ready for the evening in the neighbouring district of El Cabañal; a walk on foot will let you discover the fishermen's quarter under the warm lights of the evening.

Heading to the El Cabañal district, a former fishermen's quarter with a deeply authentic and lively soul, now one of Valencia's most fashionable areas. The walk of about 1.3 km through the colourful streets of El Cabañal, its azulejo façades, its shaded alleys, its bohemian spirit, already sets the tone for the evening.

Note: if the heat or fatigue leads you to take a taxi instead, count around 5 minutes' drive and €7–8 for the fare.

Casa Montaña welcomes you for dinner, reservation under the name Mendelson-Bravasun. This century-old bodega offers a true experience of local tapas, where the essence of Valencian gastronomy expresses itself in a warm and unpretentious setting: oak barrels, blue azulejos, soft light from antique pendant lamps.

Marinated anchovies, Iberian ham, cod croquettes, grilled sardines, house wines… every plate tells the story of Valencia's sea and land. A complete and deliciously informal dinner.

On leaving the restaurant, ask the staff to call a taxi (or walk if the evening invites you to, 17 minutes through the still-lively lanes of El Cabañal). Back at the hotel, the sea-facing terrace welcomes your final impressions of this first day.

Begin the day at your own pace with breakfast on the sun-drenched terrace, facing the shimmering Mediterranean. Golden pastries, seasonal fruits, freshly squeezed Valencian orange juice and a perfectly pulled espresso accompany this gentle seaside awakening.

Descend to the hotel's thermal spa, heir to a century-old tradition of Valencian baths. The thermal circuit, hot and cold baths, water jets, cervical showers, hammam, sauna, offers a parenthesis of pure relaxation. Water, the founding element of this 19^th-century balneario, regains here all its nobility.

Your access is reserved for 11:00.

Slip into your swimwear and let the late morning unfold in pure pleasure. Stretch out on the sand or settle by the elegant pool, cocktail in hand. A Mediterranean prelude before the discoveries of the afternoon.

A refined lunch by the pool sets the tone: elegant Mediterranean cuisine, fresh seafood, local wines and the gentle lapping of the water, a true introduction to Valencian hospitality. Reservation under the name Mendelson-Bravasun at 13:30.

In the late afternoon, as the light softens, ask the concierge for a taxi. Direction Plaza del Ayuntamiento, starting point of your walk through the historic heart of Valencia.

Your walk begins on the majestic Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Here, Valencia reveals its elegance: grand early 20^th-century buildings frame the square while the central fountain murmurs softly to the rhythm of local life. Locals cross the square, terraces come alive, the Mediterranean atmosphere settles in.

A short detour leads you to one of Valencia's hidden jewels: the Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir, nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of Valencia. Behind its modest Gothic façade lies an explosion of baroque splendour: every inch of the vault is covered with vibrant frescoes by Dionis Vidal, retracing the lives of the two patron saints. Gold leaf, cherubs and celestial scenes swirl above you in a dazzling symphony of colour and light. Stand in the centre of the nave, look up, and let the beauty envelop you.

Last entry at 18:00 — arrive in good time.

Just a few steps away stands one of the city's architectural treasures: La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once through its doors, you step into another century. The impressive twisted columns of the great hall evoke Valencia's commercial prosperity in the 15^th century. In the inner courtyard, orange trees release a subtle scent that invites contemplation.

Closes at 19:00, last entry around 18:00 in practice.

Just opposite, admire the modernist façades of the Mercado Central, crowned with colourful stained glass and ceramic domes. The market itself will be closed at this hour, but its exterior alone is a small architectural marvel, a lasting impression of Valencia's gastronomic soul.

To round off this stop, treat yourselves to a gourmet pause at Horchatería Santa Catalina, a century-old institution. Try the authentic Valencian horchata, a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts, served with its delicious fartons, to savour slowly, like a final memory of this first stroll through the heart of the city.

Little by little, the lanes open onto one of Spain's most beautiful squares: the Cathedral of Valencia and the Plaza de la Virgen. Dominated by the cathedral and the basilica, the square comes alive around the Turia fountain. Free access in the evening; the terraces invite you to linger, to watch Valencian life unfold, and to savour the softness of the moment.

The stroll continues through the lanes of the El Carmen district. It is here that Valencia's most authentic soul reveals itself. Small cobbled streets winding between colourful façades, art galleries and hidden cafés. Around a corner, a medieval tower or a street-art mural appears, a testament to the unique marriage of tradition and contemporary creativity.

Before dinner, let yourselves be enveloped by the opulent charm of Café de las Horas, a legendary baroque lounge draped in velvet and bathed in candlelight, where time loses all measure. Order the iconic Agua de Valencia, an effervescent blend of fresh orange juice, cava and a touch of gin, and raise your glass to this unforgettable last day in the city.

From Café de las Horas to Flores Raras (Calle Correos, right next to Plaza del Ayuntamiento), allow about 8 minutes on foot through the lit lanes of the historic centre. A gentle transition before the great table of the evening.

For your last evening in Valencia, surrender to the quiet magic of Flores Raras, the new chapter of Quique Dacosta's celebrated Valencian table (formerly El Poblet), now under the sensitive direction of chef Carolina Álvarez. Reservation under the name Mendelson-Bravasun at 21:00.

Discreetly tucked above Calle Correos, a few steps from Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the dining room unfolds under honeyed light, ancient stone arches and impeccable white linen, an intimate sanctuary where two Michelin stars shine without ever raising their voice.

The cuisine is a love letter to the Valencian land and sea: the garden, the rice fields, the Mediterranean, all reimagined through stews, memories and exquisite craftsmanship. Each plate arrives like a poem, accompanied by rare wines chosen by sommelier Hernán Menno and served with the warm, almost tender hospitality of Delia Claure.

A slow and sensory evening, the perfect conclusion in Valencia.

On leaving the restaurant, a taxi is easily available on Calle Correos or on the nearby Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

A gentle beginning before your early flight to Palma. Enjoy a private breakfast served in the hushed elegance of your room: hot coffee, pastries, fresh fruits, freshly squeezed orange juice. A discreet attention from the hotel to soften the departure.

To be requested at reception the previous evening to arrange the service at the desired time.

Your private driver awaits you in front of the hotel at 5:45 sharp; check-out has already been prepared by the team, you simply step into the car. The drive to Manises Airport takes about 20 minutes at this hour.

Vueling flight VY3955, Valencia → Palma de Mallorca. Departure at 08:00, arrival at 09:00. Booking MN6YSQ. You leave the mainland, carrying with you the warmth of the Valencian Mediterranean.