Valencia, Spain
Description
Valencia, founded by the Romans in 138 BC, dominated by the Moors from 718 and conquered by the Christians in 1238, is a fascinating city with a rich cultural and architectural history. It is also the hometown of Santiago Calatrava, world-famous for his futuristic-looking extravagant structures.
In the early 1990s, the city council made a strategic decision to put Valencia on the European map and compete with Madrid and Barcelona by realising the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, and invited Calatrava to shape this ambitious plan.
In four days, you will get to know the city with its great contrasts between past and present. We will visit the historic city centre, led by architect Calatrava, visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and take a bus tour around the city. We will take a bike tour through the Turia River's riverbed, which has been drained and turned into a unique urban park. We won't forget the port area that underwent a transformation for the 2007 America's Cup and enjoy lunch at the David Chipperfield-designed Veles e Vents port pavilion. Finally, not forgetting a visit to the beach.
Subject to the following programme
Saturday 15 May
- flight and transfer to hotel
- shared lunch
- lecture introduction Valencia
- walk through historic centre
Sunday 16 May
- bike ride to Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencas to harbour and beach
- harbour pavilion Veles e Vents (David Chipperfield)
- visit buildings Calatrava
- visit historic city centre
- (optional) show Palau les Arts
Monday 17 May
- visit Ciudad and Calatrava office
- medieval city centre and historic buildings
- evening at leisure
Tuesday 18 May
- guided excursion by bus 'hot spots' area
- (optional) visit museums
- afternoon departure/departure
Location
Valencia
Spain
Organiser
Construction
Name and contact details for information
Nico Brouwer, phone 010-2311818.