Valencia's
Parador Saler is a modern building with excellent facilities. Whether you want
to relax on the beach or by the pool, take advantage of its golf course (none
of us are golfers, but we are told by people who do enjoy playing that the golf
facilities are excellent), visit the city of Valencia or discover the Albufera,
this parador is an excellent choice. Service is professional and brisk
(rather than warm and friendly), rooms are spacious. Ask for a room overlooking
the swimming pool and sea and enjoy sitting out on the balcony with a drink, relaxing
and enjoying the view. If you do sit out with the windows open in the evening,
BEWARE OF MOSQUITOS. This area is mosquito paradise - marshy meadows nearby, the
beach just a few metres away, and the pool. Make sure you take a mosquito machine
and plug it in as soon as you arrive. The hotel does not provide them.  Food
is good - the famous Spanish dish Paella comes from Valencia, so you really should
try it if you eat here (see recipe
for paella). Also try Agua de Valencia, a drink made from fresh Valencian
orange juice and Spanish cava. Very refreshing! See also restaurants
in Valencia and restaurants
in the Costa Blanca.
The Saler Meadow (Dehesa del Saler)
is 10 km long and lies between Valencia's Lagoon (Albufera) and the Mediterranean
Sea. It is a beautiful place, at its best at sunrise and sunset, when the whole
area changes colour and seems almost magical. The Saler parador is set just behind
the sand dunes, and is surrounded by pine groves and a wealth of Mediterranean
plants and fauna. And the Albufera, a water lagoon, is home to numerous species
of birds and plants. Rice used to be one of the main products grown in this area
(hence the fact that Spanish paella has its origins here), and is still cultivated
but on a much smaller scale. For more detailed information on other sights,
hotels and restaurants in the province see Guide
to Valencia. | 
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