Downtown Valencia bars
Catamaran trip , Denia
Valencia market Jamon in the local Valencia market
its unique cultural scene .
It ’ s truly an innovative place , with accomplishments such as diverting the city ’ s river to the outskirts and using the riverbed as a swathe of green for the denizens to enjoy typical of their ‘ outside the box ’ mindset .
The futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias dominates one part of this green space and is symbolic of the fresh , contemporary vibe that permeates the region . It is liberally festooned with eye-catching buildings , from Modernista designs to old-town structures that resemble classic paintings – and a stroll around the old quarter with its museums , cathedrals , local markets such as the huge Mercado Central and palette pleasing eateries might make you forget about taking on the links for a while .
On the top of the list of these establishments is the magnificent , Michelin-starred Riff restaurant –
where course after course flows seamlessly , each one accompanied by a glass of the appropriate wine for the delicate , individual flavours of each dish prepared by head chef Bernd Knoller – a gastronomic wizard if ever there was one - and his team . It ’ s a real treat dining here , and it ’ s as if the your meal is part of some grand dramatic culinary experience , in the best meaning of those words , rather than just being something to sate your appetite .
Before you head towards some of the magnificent courses in the region , it is certainly worthwhile taking the chance to see the aforementioned Holy Grail – yes , the real one - in the gothic masterpiece that is Valencia Cathedral .
The official papal chalice of many popes – most recently used by Pope Benedict XV1 in 2006 – it is revered almost worldwide as the true grail . Adorned by Arabic inscriptions and dating from early first
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