Valencia, Spain

It's a bit out of the way just to go to an aquarium.

thanks. Valencia's situated between Granada and Barca. So i was viewing it as a good place to stop for a day..or so.... So, though it's out-of-the way, it's also kind of "on the way".... If anyone has other recs in or around Valencia, i would very much appreciate input.

We did stop there on the way from Barcelona to Granada and wished we had stayed for 2 nights instead of just 1. It's a nice clean city with lots of friendly people and great food. They also have a few golf courses! Good place to stop en route and a decent days drive. Most people haven't been there and don't bother with Valencia because they travel by train not rental car. Enjoy your stopover - we did!

Okay, Matt, since nobody else has much to say, here's what you're looking at: There's nothing wrong at all with Valencia, it's the kind of place I wouldn't mind living in fact. It just doesn't have much in the way of genereal tourist interest. What's really going to be a shame is the way you're thinking about going. Barcelona to Granada is maybe eight or nine hours. If you take the freeways, it pure monotony. You might be tempted to take twice as long and hug the coast - - if you do all you're going to see is miles and miles on condos interspersed with dusty, grubby settlements. It's just a waste of time, the driving part. I've done it several times and I just grit my teeth and press on to get it done. What you might want to consider is spending your couple of days on a slightly longer route that has some merit in the places to see. Zaragoza is world-class, but nobody ever seems to go there. Ciudad Real is worth some time as well. At least if you followed that general route, you'd get a glimpse of a bit more of Spain than just Catalonia and Andalucia.

Ed, thanks so much for the input. I've heard from others too, that Zaragoza is worth a visit if it can be fit in. We just might have to refine our trip itinerary.