Valencia, Spain

Introducing Valencia

The land of orange groves, paella, and the riotous Las Fallas festival, it’s odd that Valencia is generally first cited as an economic and commercial powerhouse, rather than a cultural heavyweight. Spain’s third largest city skipped the world’s attention until the 1990s, when the city finally dusted off her feathers and donned her finery for Spain’s modernist ball. There’s talk that the fallen aristocrat has been reborn. When it comes to museums, Valencia simply can’t compete with Madrid or Barcelona. But a crop of world renowned, modern buildings have redefined the city’s backward image. While eminent British architect, Sir Norman Foster, has left his mark at the Palacio de Congresos, Valencia’s new millennium glory is, without a doubt, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencas (Art and Science Complex). Designed by native son, Santiago Calatrava, it’s a futuristic marvel worthy of a day’s appreciation and exploration. David Chipperfield’s polemical Veles i Vents (Sails and Winds) was built for the America’s cup of 2007 but didn’t quite hit the mark. The imposing, white, four-story structure has all the soul of a communist behemoth. With a plethora of new airport routes into the city, Valencia is now on the tourist radar. The city likes to be wanted. In the tapas bars and cafés that dot the small, but perfectly formed, medieval quarter, you’ll find an effusive welcome, a traditional ambience, and a spirited night scene.

Airports within a 25-mile radius of Valencia:

• Valencia Manises Airport (VLC, 5 miles from the city)
  • Los Llanos Airport (ABC)
  • Alicante Airport (ALC)

Popular aircraft charters* in the Valencia region include:

• Citation Excel (super light)
• Learjet 45 XR (super light)
• Citation CJ3 (light)
• Learjet 31ER 400A (light)
• Learjet 60 XR (midsize)
• Citation III (midsize)
• Gulfstream G200 (super midsize)
• Citation Sovereign (super midsize)

*This is just a sample. Zephyr provides access to aircraft at every end of the spectrum, from luxurious VIP airliners, to ultra long range business jet, helicopters, and economical turboprops.