When in valencia ........
in general
TRAFFIC
Pretty hectic for our standards. There are stop lights everywhere, not just at end corners, like in Canada. There are stop lights in any corner and mid-block, and then the stop signs.
Careful !!. Pedestrians have the right of way on the "zebra zones" (white stripes on the streets) and they don't stop. Drivers have to stop.
Pretty hectic for our standards. There are stop lights everywhere, not just at end corners, like in Canada. There are stop lights in any corner and mid-block, and then the stop signs.
Careful !!. Pedestrians have the right of way on the "zebra zones" (white stripes on the streets) and they don't stop. Drivers have to stop.
The apartment
The place will be left pristine. By leaving the apartment as clean or cleaner than you got it the first day will help us to keep renting it out. With only ONE guest than wouldn't do this, we will have to stop renting it for hygiene reasons. Please help us.
Water from the tap is Safe to drink. We installed a new (2014) under-the-counter filter to remove the excess calcium and enhance its taste. I haven't noticed any difference myself. While 2014 seems years ago, bear in mind the flat is only used 4-6 weeks per year.
We usually have: Tea, oregano, pepper, barbecue seasoning, Nesquick, some rice, spaghettini (sort of), chicken broth powder, olive oil for cooking and for salads, wine vinegar and a bit of ground coffee (what's left in the cabinet). There is coarse salt above the stove in a yellow container on the wall, use it with your fingers. This is not counting what we won't finish by the time we leave. You can use what you need and replace it before you leave, so that everybody feels welcome.
If you have any left overs when you have to return home, you can leave what is NOT perishable in the top cabinet besides the fridge. Anything that needs refrigerating and/or freezing will need to be disposed of.
There's toilet paper, napkins, and all cleaning stuff . There are also paper towels, table cloths, table mats, and all cooking and serving hardware. You will find extra bed linens in the cabinet outside the main washroom. There is also a Bose dock for older iPhone's (4-4S), but it also has a cable to connect to anny smart phone to enjoy your own music.
You need to bring your bath soap (though there's a bath gel in the shower), laundry soap and softener (usually bought in Valencia to avoid luggage weight). Some brands we use are: Ariel pods for washing,or Liquid Fairy; and Flor as a softener.
Bring a couple of power converters or adapters for your electronics (more on this below). Europe runs on 220 volts.
Hot water is provided by a tank-less water heater. We will connect a new gas tank before we leave (it lasted us more than 6 weeks, and counting). I suggest you take your shower with only the hot tap. Temperature has been adjusted to be hot, but not scalding. If you decide to use the cold tap too, use it "one hair" at a time. If the water becomes cold, close both taps and start again.
Important: By reading these instructions, you acknowledge having watched the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSueiIleOSE
There's a coffee maker with a mesh filter, so you don't have to buy any paper filters. There is also a tea pot and an Italian style coffee maker in the cabinet above the fridge.
The clothes washer works great, just fill it up with your clothes, but do not overfill; put the soap and conditioner in their place, choose a cycle and start. If you receive an error message, just press harder on its door. We usually buy liquid Fairy Detergent or Ariel pouches that go inside the machine, not in the soap compartment. Clothes softener is highly recommended, because there's lots of calcium salts in the water and it leaves the clothes a little stiff. We use FLOR brand.
DO NOT take your hair dryer to Europe. It'll be ruined in less than 5 seconds. We have one for your use in the sink cabinet of the main bathroom. There is also a steam iron for your clothes in the black closet.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, turn off the Air Conditioners and the area heaters if you're going out. Spain just raised its power fees by 35% in 2019, and they were already high. Our monthly bill will tell us if we can keep the rental at this price or will have to raise it due to increased costs.
There's no need to the close windows/shutters every time you leave. We usually don’t. There's the odd fly, and almost no mosquitoes. Pests (and burglars) don't reach the fourth floor very easily, so not to worry. The sun only hits the place head on in the evening for about 60-90 minutes. If it bothers you, there are two canvas awnings that you can lower at your leisure in the balcony, or if you're in the dining room, you can always lower the shutters. If you keep the windows open, traffic noise is annoying the first 1-2 nights, but you get used to it thereafter.
We don't have a parking space, but all Spain is a huge parking lot, although very busy.
If you'd rather play it safe, the Parking lot at the Hospital (one block away) has weekly/monthly plans.
Water from the tap is Safe to drink. We installed a new (2014) under-the-counter filter to remove the excess calcium and enhance its taste. I haven't noticed any difference myself. While 2014 seems years ago, bear in mind the flat is only used 4-6 weeks per year.
We usually have: Tea, oregano, pepper, barbecue seasoning, Nesquick, some rice, spaghettini (sort of), chicken broth powder, olive oil for cooking and for salads, wine vinegar and a bit of ground coffee (what's left in the cabinet). There is coarse salt above the stove in a yellow container on the wall, use it with your fingers. This is not counting what we won't finish by the time we leave. You can use what you need and replace it before you leave, so that everybody feels welcome.
If you have any left overs when you have to return home, you can leave what is NOT perishable in the top cabinet besides the fridge. Anything that needs refrigerating and/or freezing will need to be disposed of.
There's toilet paper, napkins, and all cleaning stuff . There are also paper towels, table cloths, table mats, and all cooking and serving hardware. You will find extra bed linens in the cabinet outside the main washroom. There is also a Bose dock for older iPhone's (4-4S), but it also has a cable to connect to anny smart phone to enjoy your own music.
You need to bring your bath soap (though there's a bath gel in the shower), laundry soap and softener (usually bought in Valencia to avoid luggage weight). Some brands we use are: Ariel pods for washing,or Liquid Fairy; and Flor as a softener.
Bring a couple of power converters or adapters for your electronics (more on this below). Europe runs on 220 volts.
Hot water is provided by a tank-less water heater. We will connect a new gas tank before we leave (it lasted us more than 6 weeks, and counting). I suggest you take your shower with only the hot tap. Temperature has been adjusted to be hot, but not scalding. If you decide to use the cold tap too, use it "one hair" at a time. If the water becomes cold, close both taps and start again.
Important: By reading these instructions, you acknowledge having watched the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSueiIleOSE
There's a coffee maker with a mesh filter, so you don't have to buy any paper filters. There is also a tea pot and an Italian style coffee maker in the cabinet above the fridge.
The clothes washer works great, just fill it up with your clothes, but do not overfill; put the soap and conditioner in their place, choose a cycle and start. If you receive an error message, just press harder on its door. We usually buy liquid Fairy Detergent or Ariel pouches that go inside the machine, not in the soap compartment. Clothes softener is highly recommended, because there's lots of calcium salts in the water and it leaves the clothes a little stiff. We use FLOR brand.
DO NOT take your hair dryer to Europe. It'll be ruined in less than 5 seconds. We have one for your use in the sink cabinet of the main bathroom. There is also a steam iron for your clothes in the black closet.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, turn off the Air Conditioners and the area heaters if you're going out. Spain just raised its power fees by 35% in 2019, and they were already high. Our monthly bill will tell us if we can keep the rental at this price or will have to raise it due to increased costs.
There's no need to the close windows/shutters every time you leave. We usually don’t. There's the odd fly, and almost no mosquitoes. Pests (and burglars) don't reach the fourth floor very easily, so not to worry. The sun only hits the place head on in the evening for about 60-90 minutes. If it bothers you, there are two canvas awnings that you can lower at your leisure in the balcony, or if you're in the dining room, you can always lower the shutters. If you keep the windows open, traffic noise is annoying the first 1-2 nights, but you get used to it thereafter.
We don't have a parking space, but all Spain is a huge parking lot, although very busy.
If you'd rather play it safe, the Parking lot at the Hospital (one block away) has weekly/monthly plans.
garbage disposal,Spain municipalities place big bins on the streets. You take the garbage out, into these bins any time you want it.
Gray bin = Organic waste Green bin = Glass Blue bin = Paper and cardboard. Yellow bin = Plastics and small containers. converters vs adapters
A converter costs more than $30 Dls + tax, and you'll only use it probably once. Most of the new electronic devices work on 110-220 volts. North America works on 110 volts, while Europe works on 220 Volts. Check the charger of your device(s) and if it says 110-220 volts, then you just need an adapter, that goes for $4 Dls. There are a few adapters (not converters) in the flat, which we leave for your convenience. There is also a multi USB charger in the dining room. |
transportationCAR RENTAL
If you're planning on renting a car, think twice. You're far better off using public transportation if you're staying in the city, this way you won't have to find a parking spot. If you are planning day trips, yes, rent one. Make sure your smartphone has an updated version of Google Maps or Waze. You'll need it. It's easy to get lost. My wife has a blue handicapped permit for her car (from Ontario, Canada), and it is respected all over Spain. We have used it since 2012 and never had a problem, especially when there is metered parking. BUSES Safest and super clean way to go around the city and really enjoy it. When you're at a bus stop and you see your bus coming, raise your hand to let it know you want to hop in; otherwise it will keep on without stopping. There is a preferential bus and metro rate for seniors, but can't say anything else (check Testimonials). There’s a bus route map in the living room in a basket. METRO Punctual, fast, very clean, safe and efficient. There are metro maps in the living room in a basket. |
Best SeasonA lot of people ask us what is the best season to go to Valencia, but there's no correct answer to that.
During the cold months, it is cold. Although you won't see that white stuff on the ground. Temperature goes as low as 3-4º C at night and goes up to 13-15º C during the day. The sea water is cold, but hey...... no white shtuff!! Spring is "come back to life" season. Festivities like Fallas de Valencia are in mid March, and Valencia is wordly known for them. There were 3 million visitors during Fallas week in 2019. Fútbol is great, even bullfights if you cater to them. Summer is hot, hot, hot. Temperatures over 35º C are common. Valencia becomes saturated with summer vacationists from all over the World. Festivals, music, dance, wine, beer, food. You name it. Fall is "going back to school time" (although Spanish employees get 4-6 weeks off per year). Our favorite season to spend good quality time in Valencia. Beaches are empty and water still warm; weather is very good. Prices are coming down a little (not much), but tourists never stop in Valencia, and it never ceases to amaze. |
