VALENCIA & VALLS DE LA MARINA

8 days from GBP811 to GBP841 including flights

Tripcode: ADM

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Alicante; 1.5hrs transfer to Hotel Els Frares, Quatretondeta.
Day 2: Circuit from the village of Alcala de la Jovada (20min drive by minibus from Quatretondeta). Alcala was the home base of the last Moorish ruler of the region and some remains of his palace are still visible. Our walk takes us through the finest example of ruined and abandoned Moorish village, the village of L'Atzuieta, continuing on an easy walk to the crest of the Gallinera escarpment with the superb views from the escarpment to the valley below and out onto the Mediterranean. We continue the walk visiting a man made cave dating from the Moors occupation and then to a 15th C ice house. Distance 8km, ascent 300mtrs.
Day 3: Visit the spectacularly located castle of Jativa (Xativa), high up on the escarpment above the old town of Jativa. Dating from 300BC and built by the Romans, used by Hannibal in 200BC, as his base when he sacked the Roman port of Sagunto, north of Valencia. Jativa was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Valencia and the home of the infamous Borja (Borgia) family. ( 45 mins drive time from Quatretondeta). The day can be easily filled by visiting the castle and the old town of Jativa. Jativa is also the place that writing paper was invented in Europe. There is an excellent bar in the castle with a terrace offering stunning views all the way to Valencia. Drinks and snacks could be obtained at the bar. The castle entrance fee is 2.10EUR per person.
Day 4: Free day to either take a tour around Quatretondeta or explore Moorish and archaeological museums of Alcoy (all optional).
Day 5: Earlier breakfast and leaving the hotel at 08:15 to catch the 08:50 train from Alcoy to Valencia . Alcoy is at the end of a branch line which wends its way through gorges and mountains to join the main rail route to Valencia. A great relaxed way to see the surrounding countryside. The train journey is approx 1:50mins . We will arrive in Valencia just before 11:00. This will give us 6 hours to visit the old town of Valencia. Must see visits are the Central market, the Cathedral and Basilica, the silk exchange. There are also a large number of different museums.
Day 6: Thursday is market day in the local town of Cocentaina. Cocentaina is an interesting town with its Moorish and Christian quarters. In the morning we have time to visit the market followed by a town tour. Before lunch we visit the award winning local winery of Vins del Comtat for a full description of the wine making process followed by a tasting. Tapas lunch. ( this can be included in the package or costs approx 12 euros per head) After lunch we visit the town's ethnological museum, for an interesting explanation and demonstration of the 3 traditional elements of local life: wheat growing and milling, olive oil processing and wine making. ( Museum entrance fee 1.50�)
Day 7: Transfer by minibus approx 30 mins to the circular walk via the Barranco del Sinc to visit the Griffon vulture colony. This route follows part of the GR7 long distance path through the dramatic gorge of Barranco del Sinc. Walk distance 8kms approx 4 hours walking time.
Day 8: Transfer to Alicante for flight back to London