We always had this dream back in Canada: retire to Europe, “ideally somewhere south”. This post is about how that plan half-worked, twenty years early, and how it landed us in Bratislava instead.
How Valencia actually happened (it was never a plan) # In 2012 we did our first ever trip to Spain (Madrid → Valencia → Barcelona), triggered by our daughter’s stay in Madrid. It was part of the student exchange where Silvia spent 3 months with a Spanish family in Madrid and we had a Spanish girl from that family with us in Ottawa. We loved the experience - it was different than Italy we knew, but intriguing. So we started to consider Spain as a possible retirement destination.
Finally, we got to visit the mountains in the North - Pyrenees.
Specifically this place: https://benasque.com/en
Short version # I liked it. Great hikes, very good food. Excellent hotel
Long version #
The current weather in Valencia summed up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2VHUP7R2CY
Note for my friends who think Catalan is more or less same as Spanish: go for it and translate :-)
I have my doubts whether it will survive. It is next to Starbucks (one of several, albeit nothing like Toronto) so there is competition for tourists looking for the familiar logo.
As for locals, Spanish coffee culture is quite different, and if I am allowed to say so - Spanish coffee is both better AND less expensive as
So let’s hope Timbits will save the day. Who could resist deep fried sugary dough, eh ?
One day round trip Valencia to Madrid and back.
It is 350 km, but AVE (high velocity train) makes it in 1.5 hr. Take that, Via Rail !!
Travelling at 300 km/h is unreal. It is actually quieter and more smooth than Canadian train at 80 - all that makes the speed believable is the velocity display and view out of the window when train goes around something closer to the rails.
I took 3 days off and decided to explore the North of Spain, namely Cantabria and Asturias.
It was awesome and beautiful. Asturias reminded me of Switzerland, with beautiful alpine style nature, great food, very friendly locals speaking language one can understand :-) (I kinda do understand certain versions of Schwyzzertütsch when spoken slowly - but it is a challenge).
Unlike Switzerland, it is not überexpensive.
Here are the pictures.
Hiking trip - El Barranc de L’Infern. (Ruta de los 6000 escalones) - https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/vall-de-laguar-la-catedral-del-senderismo-pr-v-147-el-barranc-de-linfern-ruta-de-los-6000-escalones-11632646
Seeing almods in bloom was added benefit.