Valencia

The Gates to Valencia when it was on the ocean
What a perfect day for a drive to Valencia. 160 kms and done on back highways. Very pretty scenery.


One of 3 buildings that make up the Palau
With our hotel cued up in the GPS we arrived at our hotel, another Holiday Inn, in perfect time to allow us the remainder of the day to start our sightseeing. 
We head off to scout out the Palau d'Arts and the Science Centre. As we drove into Valencia you drive right between two of these huge structures. There at a stop light we looked each other and went WOW.


Next on to the Old town Valencia and Sandra's identification of the Basilica as a must see. It certainly was. Known to house the original chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, yes folks the Holy Grail, immortalized in movies by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in search of it, it is reported to be a chalice constructed in Asia about 125 BC and used by Christ for the Last supper. It was then kept by Peter and brought to Rome.
Chalice from the Last Supper
When the Christians repelled the Muslims in Spain between 1492 and 1610 it was moved to Valencia during the construction of the church on the spot a mosque had been constructed. This church was definitely a must see with fine stained glass art and artifacts that date back to antiquity.


Next we just began to walk through the streets of Valencia. The architecture here is spectacular and rivals Paris. 







Only 1 of many fantastic stain glass windows


Jorges de Juan Blvd.


See I was on the trip too!
Today was our day to see the Science Museum as part of the Palau D'art.
It was very interesting and we can't wait to hear from the Gkids when they go to see it in June. 





This dinosaur was easily 100 metres in length





A dinosaur display is in one area of the grand centre and we attended a demonstration on electricity , the DNA chain, and the makeup of the 23 chromosome pairs that make up the human structure.


The Concert Hall in the background with the aquarium in the foreground

Viva Valencia

Venetian Blown Glass Larger than life size chess figures
We learned alot today. Art, glass work, science, Valencia is a beautiful place to see and stands tall when compared to Barcelona.

Later we discovered the beach area and promenade. It became very difficult to leave Valencia, in fact after spending 1 afternoon on the beach we extended our stay 1 more day so we could spend a full day there. the sand, water, swimming in the ocean in May, and the home for awhile of the America's Cup, Valencia has it all. We can't say enough about the good people at our Holiday Inn Express hotel where we enjoyed great service, a nice room and excellent breakfast, and the Valencia oranges, we made pigs of ourselves with them.


Sailboat hull formed in water

Harbor tour boat


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