Altea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fedelecv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Imagen1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLooking for that super quaint, charming village to remind yourself why you fell in love with Spain in the first place? If so, Altea is a must-see<\/strong>. This adorable town, located on the Costa Brava<\/strong> approximately 1.5 hours south of Valencia (by car), is known for its labyrinthine cobblestone streets and picturesque white-washed houses. In the heart of the historic center is the beautiful La Mare de D\u00e9u del Consol Cathedral, topped with its iconic dome of bright blue-and-white tiles. Take a walk through Altea\u2019s streets and narrow alleyways, and you\u2019ll catch breath-taking glimpses of dazzling blue: the sparkling clear waters of the Bay of Altea<\/strong>. The town is also known as an increasingly popular destination for artists; their presence can be felt in the bursts of bright color that adorn pristine white facades and the quirky, artisan boutiques.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Alsa Bus Company<\/a> does have direct trips from Valencia to Altea<\/strong> (3 hours and 15 minutes), a shorter bus trip would require you to make a transfer in Benidorm. The quickest option just might be renting a car with some friends, rolling down the windows and enjoying the ride!<\/p>\n\n\n\nElche<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fedelecv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Imagen2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nElche is Spain\u2019s incredible gift to lovers of palm trees and pre-Roman history. This city, considered the third largest in the Valencian Community<\/strong> (after Valencia and Alicante), is a true trove of hidden treasures. On arriving to the city, Elche looks a bit like a godforsaken desert — but enter the city and you\u2019ll find a vibrant green oasis<\/strong>. Be dazzled with its lush overgrowth of palmeras<\/em>, or palm trees. In fact, Elche has to so many palm trees and orchards that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> in 2000. The Palmeral de Elche is a must-see palm orchard<\/strong>, and the Huerto del Cura Garden<\/strong> is home to lovely tropical plants, peacocks and the main attraction: the Imperial Palm, a striking one-of-a-kind palm tree with seven branches growing out of one trunk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fedelecv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Imagen3.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBut Elche isn\u2019t just about its surface beauty \u2013 beneath its city grounds are thousands of years of priceless pre-history. Elche\u2019s roots are known to date back to the 5th<\/sup> century B.C.; the territory has been occupied by Iberians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. Get a history lesson in any of Elche\u2019s various museums<\/strong>, or better yet, see it for yourself at the impressive and vast archaeological site, <\/strong>La Alcudia<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can get from Valencia to Elche<\/strong> directly by bus<\/a>: the trip is a little more than 2 hours and you\u2019ll only pay around \u20ac13 roundtrip. The Renfe <\/a>high-speed train will also take you from Valencia to Elche in 2.5 hours for about \u20ac22.<\/p>\n\n\n\nX\u00e0tiva<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fedelecv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Imagen4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nX\u00e0tiva is another stunning Valencian city<\/strong> that will amaze you with its antique charm and fascinating history. First off, let\u2019s talk about the elephant in the room: that castle. <\/em>Majestically perched atop a hill, visible for miles, the Castell de X\u00e0tiva<\/strong> is second-to-none in its regal beauty\u2026 and, of course, its breath-taking views!<\/p>\n\n\n\nMake sure to allocate enough time in X\u00e0tiva for the other sights, though: the Collegiate Basilica of Santa Mar\u00eda<\/strong> is a 16th<\/sup> century haven for ancient religious art; the Hospital Reial<\/strong> is renowned for its striking blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture<\/strong>; and the Iglesia de Sant Dom\u00e8nec<\/strong> for its contributions to medieval culture during the Middle Ages\u2026 and the list goes on. Located just an hour away from Valencia by car, why not hop in a Bla Bla Car<\/a>? Or if you prefer public transportation, you can get there by Renfe\u2019s high-speed train or Cercan\u00edas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlbufera Natural Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fedelecv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/albufera.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAlbufera Natural Park is the perfect last-minute city escape<\/strong>; just 20 minutes away by car and under an hour by bus, the pristine tranquility of Albufera will leave you speechless. Disconnect from Valencia\u00b4s bustling urban life and come recharge your batteries; take a scenic boat ride on the largest lake in Spain<\/strong>, have a picnic while taking in the area\u2019s unique bird and wildlife, or explore the sleepy nearby town of El Palmar, known for its amazing cuisine<\/strong> (especially paella).<\/em> The park offers guided tours, bike rentals and other organized events so that visitors can take full advatange of Albufera\u2019s splendid landscapes and rich ecosystems. What better place to relax, play and reconnect with nature? Check out Visit Albufera<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nLooking for that super quaint, charming village to remind yourself why you fell in love with Spain in the first place? If so, Altea is a must-see<\/strong>. This adorable town, located on the Costa Brava<\/strong> approximately 1.5 hours south of Valencia (by car), is known for its labyrinthine cobblestone streets and picturesque white-washed houses. In the heart of the historic center is the beautiful La Mare de D\u00e9u del Consol Cathedral, topped with its iconic dome of bright blue-and-white tiles. Take a walk through Altea\u2019s streets and narrow alleyways, and you\u2019ll catch breath-taking glimpses of dazzling blue: the sparkling clear waters of the Bay of Altea<\/strong>. The town is also known as an increasingly popular destination for artists; their presence can be felt in the bursts of bright color that adorn pristine white facades and the quirky, artisan boutiques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Alsa Bus Company<\/a> does have direct trips from Valencia to Altea<\/strong> (3 hours and 15 minutes), a shorter bus trip would require you to make a transfer in Benidorm. The quickest option just might be renting a car with some friends, rolling down the windows and enjoying the ride!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elche is Spain\u2019s incredible gift to lovers of palm trees and pre-Roman history. This city, considered the third largest in the Valencian Community<\/strong> (after Valencia and Alicante), is a true trove of hidden treasures. On arriving to the city, Elche looks a bit like a godforsaken desert — but enter the city and you\u2019ll find a vibrant green oasis<\/strong>. Be dazzled with its lush overgrowth of palmeras<\/em>, or palm trees. In fact, Elche has to so many palm trees and orchards that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> in 2000. The Palmeral de Elche is a must-see palm orchard<\/strong>, and the Huerto del Cura Garden<\/strong> is home to lovely tropical plants, peacocks and the main attraction: the Imperial Palm, a striking one-of-a-kind palm tree with seven branches growing out of one trunk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Elche isn\u2019t just about its surface beauty \u2013 beneath its city grounds are thousands of years of priceless pre-history. Elche\u2019s roots are known to date back to the 5th<\/sup> century B.C.; the territory has been occupied by Iberians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. Get a history lesson in any of Elche\u2019s various museums<\/strong>, or better yet, see it for yourself at the impressive and vast archaeological site, <\/strong>La Alcudia<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get from Valencia to Elche<\/strong> directly by bus<\/a>: the trip is a little more than 2 hours and you\u2019ll only pay around \u20ac13 roundtrip. The Renfe <\/a>high-speed train will also take you from Valencia to Elche in 2.5 hours for about \u20ac22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n X\u00e0tiva is another stunning Valencian city<\/strong> that will amaze you with its antique charm and fascinating history. First off, let\u2019s talk about the elephant in the room: that castle. <\/em>Majestically perched atop a hill, visible for miles, the Castell de X\u00e0tiva<\/strong> is second-to-none in its regal beauty\u2026 and, of course, its breath-taking views!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to allocate enough time in X\u00e0tiva for the other sights, though: the Collegiate Basilica of Santa Mar\u00eda<\/strong> is a 16th<\/sup> century haven for ancient religious art; the Hospital Reial<\/strong> is renowned for its striking blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture<\/strong>; and the Iglesia de Sant Dom\u00e8nec<\/strong> for its contributions to medieval culture during the Middle Ages\u2026 and the list goes on. Located just an hour away from Valencia by car, why not hop in a Bla Bla Car<\/a>? Or if you prefer public transportation, you can get there by Renfe\u2019s high-speed train or Cercan\u00edas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Albufera Natural Park is the perfect last-minute city escape<\/strong>; just 20 minutes away by car and under an hour by bus, the pristine tranquility of Albufera will leave you speechless. Disconnect from Valencia\u00b4s bustling urban life and come recharge your batteries; take a scenic boat ride on the largest lake in Spain<\/strong>, have a picnic while taking in the area\u2019s unique bird and wildlife, or explore the sleepy nearby town of El Palmar, known for its amazing cuisine<\/strong> (especially paella).<\/em> The park offers guided tours, bike rentals and other organized events so that visitors can take full advatange of Albufera\u2019s splendid landscapes and rich ecosystems. What better place to relax, play and reconnect with nature? Check out Visit Albufera<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nElche<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nX\u00e0tiva<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAlbufera Natural Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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