Eastern Spain is home to the lush region of Valencia, where the sun rises first in the Iberian Peninsula every dawn. Nicknamed “El Levante” proudly by the locals, this privileged eastern chunk of Spain has the sparkling Mediterranean Sea as its front yard, the fertile interior farmlands packed with Valencian orange groves and rice plantations in its back gardens, and an infectious gunning-for-the-future spirit that can be felt from its inhabitants and on the streets. Pay a visit to the Valencians in their paradise of a home with a customised Valencia and eastern Spain tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours and immerse in their spirit of the good life as they know it.
Paella is served
Valencia is the birthplace of Paella, arguably Spain’s most famous culinary export to the world. While we may or may not have eaten good renditions of it, nothing beats going to the source of it all to unlock the true secrets of this world-famous dish. Learning to whip up an authentic paella and hopefully replicating it in your kitchen back home is obviously going to be the main takeaway, but the opportunity to transport yourself to the Valencian countryside, visit a market full of bright local produce straight out of farms and then indulge in a steaming plate of goodness that you have just whipped up sounds surely like a dream come true for all aspiring home cooks and foodies alike.
Sun, sand and sea
The famed Costa Blanca, while certainly not a hidden secret, can be experienced in a manner that is not just a congested tourist nightmare. Chartering a private boat for your party and having flexibility to plan your own route – hang with the pretty crowd some parts and get away from it all the next instance – sounds like the perfect way to take on this popular tourism magnet. Some of the best bespoke experiences to be had is seeing the impressive Santa Barbara Castle perched above the hilltop from the water, cruising along to El Campello and Altea and anchoring at sea to enjoy a swim in clear waters, escaping to fishing village Tabarca for a slice of rustic charm, then stopping for lunch in chic hidden coves to recharge and rejuvenate. For others who don’t mind being in the company of fellow sun-worshippers, all you need to is to simply touch ground on its white sandy shores.
Cave in to a tipple
For those looking for a unique way to enjoy the wines of the region other than spending all your vacation time at fantastic restaurants all over eastern Spain, the maze-like underground wine cellar caves of Utiel-Requena beckon. Take a break from the city’s best tables and go back in time to the atmospheric old town of Requena, explore the extensive labyrinth of tunnels and caves filled with huge jars of wine, and of course indulge in a tipple or two. Thereafter, you will find yourself sitting on a table again savouring a fantastic menu of local dishes typical of the region. This is one instance in which going back to square one isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
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If you have been pinning for a sunny holiday to brighten up your mood, a customised Valencia and eastern Spain tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours will not disappoint. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg to find out more.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be fully customised according to needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style of just about anyone who wants to travel privately and exclusively.
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Barcelona. Upon arrival, meet your driver and proceed for a 4-hour private tour of the city. Some of the highlights include the Example neighbourhood, recognised for its architecture, the narrow alleys of Gothic Quarter and Montjuic, site of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure to discover more of the city.
Montjuic
This morning, depart for Valencia by high-speed train. Upon arrival in Valencia, meet your guide and get ready for a tour of the must-see attractions in Valencia such as the state-of-the-art City of Arts and Sciences, the 15th-century Gothic Silk Exchange, Valencia Cathedral, Central Market and the 14th-century Serrano Towers.
Valencia Cathedral
Today, enjoy a day tour to Peniscola, a fortified seaside town and nature reserve. Peniscola’s baby-blue white walls and turquoise waters will remind you of Mykonos in Greece. Thereafter, continue on to Alboraya, where you can learn how a creamy nut milk know as horchata is produced. Next, proceed to Port Saplaya, also affectionately known by some as Little Venice. Upon arrival, spend some time to gaze and wonder at the colourful houses surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean flowers and trees. Return to Valencia for your overnight stay.
Port Saplaya
After breakfast, get ready to visit Albarracin, one of the best day trips from Valencia. Spend the day to explore the city’s scenic viewpoints and sights such as the towering medieval walls, the ruins of the Alcazar, the Moorish castle, which stands on a clifftop in the old town, and the 16th-century cathedral, which features a bell tower built on the remains of a Romanesque temple.
Albarracin Stone Wall
After breakfast, proceed to visit the region of Maestrazgo, a hilly, chilly and traditional antidote to Valencia’s flat, hot and relatively modern metropolis. This region boasts a collection of medieval towns such as Mirambel, Puertomingalvo, Cantavieja and Ares del Maestrat, and you will have a fulfilling day hopping from one town to the next.
Cantavieja
Today, return to Barcelona by high-speed train. Upon arrival at the train station in Barcelona, meet your driver and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a private airport transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.