Breakfast in our apartment this morning before packing up and walking about 10 minutes down near the river to collect our car from the parking station. Time for a coffee in a lovely cafe before driving back to the apartment and collecting our luggage.
With an ATM then petrol stop, we were on the road by about 10.15am. Long driving day today as we decided to bypass Alicante and drive direct to Valencia. About 500kms (our longest day of driving so far) but thought we would enjoy the benefit of another two night stop.
Scenery has been yet again incredible! So picturesque leaving Granada with those Sierra Nevada mountains with smattering of snow on the summits creating such an imposing backdrop. Would be so amazing to see in the winter when their ski season is in full swing.
The change then in the Alpujarras valleys is astounding. We were warned about the almost moon-scape and mysterious little villages perched strategically. At times reminiscent of the dry arid desert landscape of Arizona - with what appear to be caves for many dwellings. Fascinating! The phenomenal motorway wound through the mountains - we were as high as 1200m above sea level at times. Ground coverage was sometimes sparse and tundra like, then would become farming; always olives of course, plenty of vines and citrus. And the actual soil colours varied so
dramatically from terracotta, to rich Red and almost white.
Once we had reached Murcia the towns at each bend again were more like sprawling cities. Nothing is on a small scale in Spain!
We arrived in Valencia just before 4pm to our lovely very modern apartment just on the edge of the old town. Parked our car in a nearby parking station and ready to relax and plan for the evening and tomorrow.
We headed off about 7pm for our stroll to the old town, through the arches of the tower. Still far too early for too much to be happening but near the market area we found a taverna for a drink before heading back to “La Pilareta” for Sangria and tapas recommended by Daniel, the lovely guy who checked us in and offered so much help and advice. Chatted with a family here (Clayton from
Ireland, his wife from the Ukraine and their 2 year son, Connor) - very interesting and plenty more advice! So, next stop was their recommendation, “La Rentaora “- enjoyed a Rose and a pork tapas. Time for us to head back -
even though the rest of Valencia, as per the norm, are just settling in!