Taking a short Vacation...Need Help deciding Where???

[OakLeaf]

I spent three weeks in Valencia a few years ago and had a WONDERFUL time. We're not much on nightlife (though I know it's famous for that), but it's a beautiful and very walkable city with ample public transit and a fascinating mixture of ultra-modern, Moorish, pre-Columbian and Renaissance architecture. Castle Xátiva, a short bus (train? I don't remember) ride away, has been in continuous use from Roman times until today and has sections and additions from six or eight different periods.

Can't speak to either of the other destinations.

Just be forewarned if you end up going to Spain in August: Half of the rest of Europe might end up being there, too. As you probably already know, August is the month that parts of Europe take off and Spain is a big destination for northern Europeans.

Very true. We were there in October and November, the tail end of the season, starting to get a little cool for the beach, so most everything was still open but not at all crowded. I can see it being a zoo at the peak of the season.