


A gorgeous historic hotel, actually situated on the beach.
A local place to meet friends for a cerveza or tapas on the terrace. Also has a fine restaurant. The hotel balconies have hammocks to laze on, facing the blue Med. Bliss.
www.voramar.net/
Paseo de Pilar Coloma, 1 12560 Benicasim, Spain
+34964 30 01 50
Google map: bit.ly/zhGOHY
The location is absolutely perfect, just next to the Cathedral on the very central Plaza de la Virgen. Lots of quiet little streets and great restaurants in the vicinity, it is the ever charming Barrio del Carmen district.
The central B&B only has two or three guest rooms, which means the proprietors take an hour or so to point out their favorite sights and restaurants on a map.
Breakfast in this wonderfully restored Victorian townhouse is very, very rich and the variety is breathtaking.
Small touches that make a stay perfect: a bottle of champagne popped when entering the door, a selection of teas for the guests' convenience at all times, two large lounge rooms for guests, and beautiful art and antiques throughout the entire house. It is just lovely.
www.valenciamansion.com/
Corner Plaza del Virgen and Calle Herba, 6, Barrio del Carmen, 46003 Valencia, Spain
Google map: bit.ly/lIAfRm
This is a very good chocolate shop and cafe. With a couple of famous names behind it - the brothers Albert and Ferran Adrià. I had a late lunch there - glass of wine, starter, sandwich and two tasting shots of chocolate, all for about £10. Then I went and bought a box of truffles to take home. The chocolate flavours are far from the ordinary as you might imagine! The place is great and somewhere very relaxing to spend an hour over lunch or coffee. It's near the Mercado de Colon which has lots of cafes - but save yourself for this place just round the corner instead. A nice surprise!
Calle del Conde de Salvatierra de Alava, 19
46004 Valencia, Spain
www.cacaosampaka.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/3ykzdvu
I was in Valencia last year in Valencia, and I fell in love with the place. It's very beautiful, and not so big like Madrid or Barcelona. I was doing a Spanish course in a school called Taronja. Very good classes, teachers, facilities. It's all decorated by Valencian artists that's why the school looks very different. I encourage you to visit Valencia and, if it is possible the school. It was a very nice stay. I really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.
I want to thank Marie-José, Adela (they were both great as teachers) and Fernando (for twice cooking delicious paella.)
Taronja school
calle Convento Santa Clara, 10, 1ª
46002
+34 96 325 85 45
www.spanish-in-spain.es
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