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MINIGUIDA DI VALENCIA IN … INGLESE
…L’ottima giornalista di turismo, Pamela McCourt Francescone, ha
chiesto all’umile scrivente un commento su Valencia per TravelAgentCentral.com
del 18 agosto.
Quanto da me raccontato a proposito della capitale valenciana
è apparso sul magazine insieme a tante altre notizie, dati, segnalazioni etc
etc, informazioni e novità certamente utili per chi va nella capitale del
Levante. Ecco pertanto, per il cortese lettore, una (ulteriore e per di più
aggiornata) Guida di Valencia, vabbè, in inglese, ma siamo gente di mondo
(no?).
N.B. Per quanto concerne
(in “Agent Advice”) la presentazione dello scrivente, preciso, a titolo di
doveroso chiarimento, che da tempo (per la Serie: Largo ai Giovani) non sono più
“president” della Squirrel (della quale, ormai, curo soltanto i Contatti Stampa
e P.R. … anche perché il “Turismo di una
volta” non c’è più, e quello attuale
–posso dire massificato, inumano e
imbarbarito?- davvero non mi piace … meglio raccontare i viaggi, che
organizzarli).
Valencia, Spain
Beauty, history and culture combine in this
vibrant city
Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city,
but it has a comfortable small-town feel. Visitors can spend days walking around
the old medieval center or touring the museums and arts centers in the
futuristic City of Arts and
Sciences. And at night, the Barrio del Carmen in the old
heart of the city comes alive with trendy bars, clubs and atmospheric
restaurants.
The Westin
Valencia, a handsome 1917 heritage building, is a short walk from the old
center. The enormous Swarovski chandelier in the circular hall is dimmed at
night when candles create a fairytale atmosphere both inside and around the
large patio with its palms and orange trees.
Maria Dolores Martinez (011-34-96-362-5929, dolores.martinez@westin.com), personal assistant to the general manager, says the Thursday jazz
sessions in the El Jardi
Lounge and Sushi Bar and Valencia’s only Sunday Brunch in the
El Rosmarino
Restaurant are popular. The fine dining restaurant is run by
Michelin-starred
Chef Oscar
Torrijos (011-34-96-362-5900, oscartorrijos@telefonia.com).
For high-end clients, ask for a Grand Deluxe or
Executive
Room, which have terraces with Jacuzzis. All 135 rooms (38
connect) feature Heavenly
Beds. Heavenly
Cribs are available upon request for tiny tots, as are
Heavenly Dog
Beds for pets up to 18 kilos (about 40
pounds).
VIPs will relish the 2,150-square-foot Suite Real, the largest
suite in the Valencia region, designed by local designer Francis Montesinos, with a
lounge, library, wine cellar and two bedrooms. The striped walls, sumptuous
furnishings and all black-and-white bedroom decor are very dramatic. And anyone
staying here will remember the designer’s name, as it is scribbled over carpets,
rugs and bedcovers. Demi
Moore and hubby Ashton Kutcher were the
first to stay here and Kevin
Costner and Bruce Springsteen have also
been guests. This suite cannot be booked over the GDS, so contact General
Manager Franck De Weerdt (011-34-96-362-5900, franck.deweerdt@westin.com) for reservations.
Ramon Cisneros (011-34-96-186-6280, rcisneros@carolihealthclub.es) manages the Caroli Spa & Health Club
and fine-tunes treatments to personal requirements. The concierge staff, headed
by Francelina Amaral (011-34-96-362-5900, francelina.amaral@westin.com), will book seats for concerts and sporting events, and arrange city
tours and airport transfers.
Agent Advice
Gianpaolo Bonomi, president of Squirrel Viaggi in
Milan, knows Spain as well as he does his native Italy, and says Valencia is not
to be missed.
"Valencia and its countryside bring colors to mind: the
yellow and orange of its infinite citrus plantations and its glorious natural
light and sunshine," he says. "Another particularity is Las Fallas, the ancient
spring festival with processions, parades and bullfights, which ends with
bonfires and fireworks on March19 every
year,"
Bonomi adds, "Valencia has labored down the centuries to
attain the prosperity it enjoys today. It flourished in the 12th century after
freeing itself from Moorish domination and then, after the discovery of America
when the importance of its port began to decline, agriculture became its main
focus. In the 1970s, taking a leaf out of Barcelona's book, Valencia began to
develop culturally and artistically, also making a name for itself as a prime
sports venue.
"The Lonja de la Seda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage
site, was one of the world's first stock exchanges. And the wonderful City of
Arts and Sciences and sporting events like the America's Cup and Formula One
have given it new luster."
And for gourmands, Bonomi notes, "The word 'paella' is
not complete without adding 'a la Valencia.' This world-famous dish is made with
rice from the nearby Albufera lagoon, which also produces tasty eels, another
specialty of Valencia cuisine."
The Hospes Palau de
la Mar is for clients who appreciate the finer things in life. This stylish
boutique hotel is in two stately homes off one of Valencia’s main shopping
streets. A haven of classical elegance, it surprises for its contemporary
touches and minimalist furnishings. Natural light is a feature throughout the
property, with windows cleverly set into the old walls and top-floor
ceilings.
The inner patio off the elegant lobby has 18 rooms. The other 42
Double Rooms, Superior Doubles, five Junior Suites and Presidential Suite are all different in size but have dark wood floors, queen-size beds
and cool white-and-beige color schemes.
For clients who like a lot of space, ask for #501, a top-floor Junior Suite with a sloping ceiling and extra-large
bathroom. Another room we liked is #410, a Double Room with a separate shower in the bathroom. Not all rooms
have these, so be sure to specify when booking. Assistant Manager Eduardo
Domenech Savall (011-34-96-316-2884, am.hospes.palaudelamar@hospes.es) says to book ahead for the Las Fallas festivities in March and for major sports events. Contact General
Manager Maria Ripoli (palaudelamar.direccion@hospes.es) for special requests. To call her, the concierge staff, the Bodyna
Spa or the restaurant, you have to go through the front-desk phone line
(011-34-96-316-2885).
The spa has a fitness area, small pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. The smart
Senzone restaurant serves contemporary Mediterranean food, Valencian dishes
and fine local wines.
The Hilton
Valencia is on the outskirts of the city, opposite the
Palacio de Congresos and near the fairgrounds. The 304 rooms have contemporary
furnishings and include 34 Junior Suites, two Presidential Suites and 10
Relaxation Rooms. We think the Relaxation Rooms (all on the 21st floor) will
appeal to couples, since they have a Jacuzzi big enough for two. They have
comfortable armchairs in the sleeping area and desks. Ask for one of the corner
rooms, like #2104, as they are extra large.
If you have clients who like to feel special, book them an Executive
Room or Junior Suite (29 connect), which have access to the breakfast, drinks
and snacks in the 26th-floor Executive Lounge.
Spa Manager Esther Fernandez (011-34-96-346-4320, fernandez@suite-spa.com) says the spa is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and has single and
twin treatment rooms and a Vichy Shower. The Bice Italian restaurant serves
elegant lunches and dinners, and the Podium Bar has an amazing range of specialty malt
whiskies.
The neo-classical Hotel Las Arenas
Balenario Resort on Valencia’s main beach is one of the Leading Hotels of the World
and only a $10 taxi ride from downtown. Head Concierge Andrés Baamonde
(011-34-96-312-0600, conserjeria@hotel-lasarenas.com) arranges airport transfers in stretch limousines and classic cars
and will reserve tables at popular local paella restaurants like
La Rosa and L’Estimat.
The 253 rooms are Classic (city views), Deluxe (sea views) and Executive, which are more spacious. We recommend booking one of the eight
Junior Suites and, for special clients, one of the two Presidential Suites. All
rooms have Wi-Fi and complimentary minibars.
All sea-view rooms have terraces, but the first-floor Junior Suites
have the largest. Bathrooms are spacious and feature Hermès toiletries in the
Executive Rooms and Suites. The Las Arenas Presidential Suite is one of the most attractive we have seen. Dazzling white with tan
contrasts, it is coolly stylish (for those who get tired of velvets and
brocades) with a living room and two bedrooms. Sales Manager Moisés Martinez
(011-34-96-312-0600, commercial@hotel-lasarenas.com) says the other Malvarossa Presidential Suite is white and mauve and has one bedroom and a dining room. Contact
Spa Manager Lucia Peris (011-34-96-312-0600) for appointments and General
Manager Pedro Cordon (direccion@hotel-lasarenas.com) to set up special arrangements for
VIPs.
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