Travel to Valencia

OchonAgusOchonOh · 2021-08-13T10:31:00+00:00

I'm supposed to be going on a work trip to Valencia next month and am thinking of taking dh and staying on for a few days longer as a holiday. Covid numbers seem to be going down and things seem to be fairly open. I can, if needs be, do the work part from home but it would be good networking if I went physically. I'm dithering as to whether I should go or not. We're both full vaxed. So, aibu to ask you what you think of the idea of going to Valencia for a week? I don't want to end up stuck in a hotel room unable to do anything. Equally, I don't want to get covid. But I would love a break. Mask wearing isn't an issue as we are still wearing them here and tbh, I am reassured by their enforcement of them. We're EU so no issues with being from a third country. If you have any experience of Valencia at the moment, i would particularly value your opinion.

ilovesooty · 13/08/2021 11:34

I think there is a curfew or additional restrictions in Valencia at the moment.

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 11:36

@ilovesooty

I think there is a curfew or additional restrictions in Valencia at the moment.

There is - it's 1am to 6am so not likely to affect us. Our clubbing days are well over

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 21:57

Bumping in the hope someone knows Valencia.

OP posts:

Menstrualcycledisplayteam · 13/08/2021 22:06

I haven't been recently, but all I can say is that we had a fantastic break there a few years ago and would be back like a shot. Great city, beautiful beach, glorious food.

Hope someone can give you some more recent advice.

nancy75 · 13/08/2021 22:11

Not specifically about Valencia but my friend has just come back from Spain, all good while he was there - home 2 days & contacted to say someone on the plane had tested positive & he had to isolate for a week. I would say only go if you’re prepared for stuff like that to happen

Sexnotgender · 13/08/2021 22:12

I was there in 2019, it’s a beautiful city.

Is there nothing on the government website about restrictions?

Caffeinemonster · 13/08/2021 22:14

We’re in Spain at the moment, having a great holiday. Go!

EileenGC · 13/08/2021 22:19

I was there last month and I’m originally from the area so I keep up to date with what’s going on.

The incidence is high, 400 right now, but it’s still one of the lower ones nationally, and nowhere near as high as in winter (1200+). Great vaccine uptake, higher than the UK already, so deaths are low which is obviously a good thing despite the high case numbers. Everyone wears masks and I felt safer there every time I visited this year, than at ‘home’ (also EU country).

Everything is open - shops, restaurants, museums, theatres - but well organised and people are respectful in my experience. In a month the incidence will be way, way lower than it is now. It’s always been like this - extremely high peaks and then it goes back down immediately for another 3-4 months.

Are there any other specific questions you have?

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 23:39

@nancy75 - home 2 days & contacted to say someone on the plane had tested positive & he had to isolate for a week. I would say only go if you’re prepared for stuff like that to happen

I don't think I would have to isolate in those circumstances but if I did it would be fine. I can work from home if necessary.

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 23:43

@EileenGC - Are there any other specific questions you have?

I guess I'm concerned about spending a week stuck in a hotel room but it sounds like that won't be the case. What I've read sounds like they are fairly strict in enforcement which would make me feel more comfortable.

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 23:43

@Caffeinemonster - where in Spain are you?

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 13/08/2021 23:46

@Menstrualcycledisplayteam @Sexnotgender - it's a city I want to visit as I've heard great things about it. I was meant to go last year but did the conference from my sitting room instead. Not the same at all.

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 14/08/2021 10:46

@EileenGC

I was there last month and I’m originally from the area so I keep up to date with what’s going on.

The incidence is high, 400 right now, but it’s still one of the lower ones nationally, and nowhere near as high as in winter (1200+). Great vaccine uptake, higher than the UK already, so deaths are low which is obviously a good thing despite the high case numbers. Everyone wears masks and I felt safer there every time I visited this year, than at ‘home’ (also EU country).

Everything is open - shops, restaurants, museums, theatres - but well organised and people are respectful in my experience. In a month the incidence will be way, way lower than it is now. It’s always been like this - extremely high peaks and then it goes back down immediately for another 3-4 months.

Are there any other specific questions you have?

@EileenGC - re-reading your post has convinced me

.

I'm assuming from your username you're in Ireland? Same here so safer than here sounds good.

As you're familiar with the area, would you be able to give me some advice on where to stay? We're thinking of getting an Air BnB. The conference is in Universitat Politècnica de València but I don't know if there's much going on out that side.

Ideally, I'd like some place not too noisy but with restaurants etc and walkable to sights etc. I would be ok with a walk of up to about 30 minutes to get to UPV. Just some general areas would be great.

OP posts:

Caffeinemonster · 14/08/2021 12:57

@OchonAgusOchonOh I’m in the Balearics so might not be quite the same as the mainland. But I have friends in Malaga who are pretty happy too.

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 14/08/2021 13:36

@Caffeinemonster - enjoy the rest of your holiday.

OP posts:

Caffeinemonster · 14/08/2021 14:41

[quote OchonAgusOchonOh]@Caffeinemonster - enjoy the rest of your holiday.[/quote]
Thank you!

OnLockdown · 14/08/2021 15:55

I've just got back from Valencia. I live in Madrid and took the train there. Masks are obligatory indoors and the vast majority of people follow that rule. Outdoors they aren't obligatory if you can keep 1.5 metres from people. It's probably about 50/50 those wearing them and those not.

P.s my username is an old one. I am not on lockdown anymore!

IamMaz · 14/08/2021 16:12

I don't think you can get valid travel insurance? Spain isn't yet on the green list and therefore not approved by the Foreign Office as a destination to travel to. Up to you if you want to risk it though...

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 14/08/2021 16:19

@IamMaz

I don't think you can get valid travel insurance? Spain isn't yet on the green list and therefore not approved by the Foreign Office as a destination to travel to. Up to you if you want to risk it though...

I'm not in the UK so that doesn't apply to me.

I don't think it's an issue travelling within the EU but thank you, I will check it out. I would be fine as it's a work trip and their insurance would cover me but dh would need to have travel insurance.

OP posts:

Original poster

OchonAgusOchonOh · 14/08/2021 16:20

@OnLockdown

I've just got back from Valencia. I live in Madrid and took the train there. Masks are obligatory indoors and the vast majority of people follow that rule. Outdoors they aren't obligatory if you can keep 1.5 metres from people. It's probably about 50/50 those wearing them and those not.

P.s my username is an old one. I am not on lockdown anymore!

That's good to hear.

OP posts:

Caffeinemonster · 14/08/2021 17:38

@IamMaz

I don't think you can get valid travel insurance? Spain isn't yet on the green list and therefore not approved by the Foreign Office as a destination to travel to. Up to you if you want to risk it though...

Green and amber lists are different to FCO advice which is what travel insurance is based on. The FCO does not recommend against travel to Spain.