TOURIST PROGRAMS

Tourist programs are handled by Viajes Mapfre, a local travel agency. Reservation is possible through the following form which can be used for accomodation reservation too.

ALBUFERA'S TOUR (morning September 6 - 2006)

Animated visits: a pleasant way to visit the Albufera, we cross the lake in an amazing, lovely and unforgotten way. The boat travel will be animated by actors that will tell us the history of the lake and will introduce us to the inhabitant's life. This trip has duration of about three hours, including transfers to each one of scenes by bus and boats.

Barracas: the Valencia’s traditional house for many centuries is known as Barraca. They were made from raw materials such as wood, reeds, clay, and mud. Nowadays, the Barraca is protected thanks to private owners and to private enterprises. The Barraca is an important asset to the cultural heritage. They typically have two floors. The main floor was normally used as the reception room area where the work in the fields was discussed, and the workers could also sleep. The main bedroom was for the owner, and his family. However, the top floor was often used for keeping the harvest. Around the back of the house, the kitchen and wooden ovens were used for cooking bread and typical dishes from the area. There were also “paelleros” which were commonly used to dry the harvest.

Barraca of Novella: the tourist area of El Palmar has a Barraca situated near the lake, and offers a picturesque view. It’s the perfect way to pass the day with friends, family, and to enjoy the sunset or just taking photographs. Attached to the barraca is a a sailboat which can be used to have lunches and dinners in the fresh air. The walls are decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles and some date back 400 years. The Barraca includes 2 rooms, a kitchen with 2 wooden stoves, a chimney and a larder. The upper floor includes a private dining room for 10 guests. This particular barraca is used for select social conventions, and a catering service can be provided.

Trip of the Rice Fields: from the oldest port, located in Catarroja, we cross the irrigated land which is approximately 2.5 km away from the port in Albufera. During the visit, it will be explained the importance of the rice crop, the motors used in the rice’s drying, the way the farmers work in the fields, and the different types of rice grown. After the visit to the rice fields, there is an excursion to the bird reserve of Mata Del Fang which ends in El Palmar

LLADRÓ: VISIT TO THE CITY OF PORCELAIN (Afternoon September 6 - 2006)

Heirs of the ancient tradition of porcelain, the Lladró brothers knew how to make this tradition their own and to bring a type of art that, up to then, had been reserved to a few people. In 1953, they quit their work at a tiles factory and built a little Moorish kiln in the courtyard of the family home. Their adventure began in Almàssera, a little town on the outskirts of the Spanish city of Valencia. And very near the place where they installed this first rudimentary workshop, is where The City of Porcelain stands today. Over two thousand people now work there, and their creations are exported to more than one hundred countries all around the world and sold in almost 4,000 points of sale.

L'OCEANOGRÀFIC, "AN UNDERWATER CITY" (All day September 7 - 2006)

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) includes amongst its attractions L'Oceanogràfic, the largest marine park in Europe that offers an exciting underwater voyage.

L´Oceanogràfic has been constructed with two main objectives: to create a centre from which to raise awareness of the importance and need to preserve and research the marine environment, and to support the recovery and rehabilitation of protected fauna and flora, thus contributing to the environmental protection and the biodiversity of the planet.

The park represents the planet's principal marine ecosystems – from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and continental waters to the icy seas of the Arctic and Antarctic, passing through the temperate and tropical habitats – and undertakes important educational, conservation and research projects related with the marine sciences.

Unique in the world in terms of its size, design and its large biological collection, L´Oceanogràfic permits the public to experience at first hand the behaviour of animals such as dolphins, sea lions, seals and sharks, amongst other living creatures, and to learn about the coral generating ecosystems and the wealth of the Mediterranean sea. It also offers projects with a highly educational content concerning aspects of the marine world and the need to preserve it. The International Scientific Advisory Committee, made up of respected experts from aquaria, research institutes and universities in the United States and Europe, supervises the scientific and educational projects.

The roofs of the entrance building and the Underwater Restaurant, designed by the architect Félix Candela, are hyperbolic paraboloids, constructed in concrete, that represent the shape of a water lily.

The L'Oceanogràfic has a volume of 42 million litres of salt water (equivalent to 15 Olympic swimming pools), an area of 110,000 square metres, and a capacity for holding more than 45,000 examples of 500 different species.

VALENCIA WALKING TOUR (morning September 8 - 2006)

A walking tour of Valencia that will allow tourists to witness, through the Museums and Monuments, the diverse art styles that have influenced Valencia’s city. At the heart of old Valencia is Plaza de la Virgen - one-time location of the Roman Forum. Around this beautiful square we will visit the Cathedral - dating from 1262 - and its octagonal bell tower called Micalet or Miguelete - landmark of Valencia. The Cathedral´s Museum displays works by artists like Goya, Jacomart, Cellini and Paggibonsi. Next to the Cathedral is Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados – a temple dedicated to the patroness of Valencia, built between 1652 and 1667. At the Plaza del Mercado we will find La Lonja - one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in Europe. During the tour, we will also visit other important buildings such as the Palacio de la Generalidad, the Town Gate or Torres de Quart and the Rococo-style Palacio del Marquis de Dos Aguas, headquarters of Ceramic Gonzalez's current National Museum Marti

EL SALER - GOLF CLINIC (All days possible)

Play golf with views of the Mediterranean Sea, amid the dunes and pines of this nature reserve. Materials for participating inthe Golf Clinic will be provided.

Number of holes: 18 - Par for the course: 72 - Type of golf course: 1 - Opening date: 1968

IBIZA WEEKEND (September 8,9,10 - 2006)

Friday 8: leaving from Valencia's harbour by Fast-Ferry to Ibiza. Arrival and transfer to the hotel (3***)

Saturday 9: day off for enjoying Ibiza's beach and visit the city.

Sunday 10: leaving from Ibiza's harbour by Fast-Ferry to Valencia

For more information please contact Viajes Mapfre.