Valencia Parks Tour: Bicycle, E-Bike, or E-Step Review
Have you ever dreamed of experiencing Valencia’s green heart in a distinctive way? That is, if you’re anything like me, and appreciate a leisurely, yet involved activity when getting to know a locale. The “Valencia Parks Private Tour on Bicycle, E-Bike, Or E-Step” looks, at a first glance, like a stellar choice for anyone eager to discover the city’s parks. But what is the tour like, as far as personal experience is concerned, and does it stand up to scrutiny? I’ll provide a personal insight.
First Impressions of the Tour
Before signing up for the tour, I found myself doing my own asking around and gathering of opinions on cycling, e-biking, and e-stepping. I wanted something that matched my own energy levels and interests, naturally, when visiting the garden city. What became clear, pretty soon, is that these tours offer, generally, something more personal compared to traditional bus excursions, for instance.
It seems you get to enjoy, usually, a more intimate exploration. Private tours tend to be the best, so it sounds, because you, I guess, receive the full attention of a guide. With these in mind, I was pretty much counting down the minutes.
What surprised me the most when checking out descriptions of these private excursions? Maybe that they often accommodated different fitness levels and interests. A person who’s into a slower paced bicycle stroll with some stops along the way to take pictures and maybe sit a spell on a bench can probably book that, while a speed demon would be happy with a more aggressive e-bike itinerary.
Choosing Your Ride: Bicycle, E-Bike, or E-Step
Right, let’s talk rides! When I was presented with these options for seeing the park – regular bike, e-bike or e-step – that was a fun deliberation process. Each one seemed to offer, too it’s almost, its own perks and advantages. For people watching their wallet more closely, the humble bicycle is the choice.
It’s inexpensive, in a way, and gives you, like your own bit of fitness time. E-bikes can turn that into an effortless cruise if your thighs are barking in protest as you struggle against even the shallowest incline. The e-step sounds cool too, or, at least I thought so at the time, but some folks might find its handlebar more squirrely than some of the bike’s, very confidence-inspiring setups. Also, don’t rule out availability; depending on the tour company, some vehicles might be unavailable for the day because of regular maintenance.
What You’ll See: Highlights of Valencia’s Parks
Picture this: the Turia Gardens, first. This dried-up riverbed turned green haven is what will, as a matter of fact, leave most visitors picking their jaw up off the sidewalk. We started there and wow, what an awesome green space to behold.
Its winding paths are awesome. The manicured lawns seem manicured right up to the limit of sanity. There is, usually, a wide range of hidden gems within its borders, everything from the City of Arts and Sciences’ stark modernity to the Palau de la Música. During a previous tour that I’d taken around town some years ago, our guide had filled us in on its history, including, just a little, its origins and how the river was diverted following a deluge. So I felt as if I was already getting pretty familiar with its points of interest.
We stopped next at the Parque de Cabecera, at the gardens’ west end. Here the mood is pretty serene, almost meditative, since it has a biopark and a gorgeous lake where you can put your feet up and go boating around for awhile. It felt, just a little, as though, if the Turia Gardens is the pulsating, invigorating arteries of the city, then Cabecera is where you finally plop down in that reclining sofa after a vigorous exercise.
I also asked about seeing Jardines del Real and the tour operators made accommodations! Score one for good customer service! This park also possesses history of its own because it once held royal palaces. The guides, from the look of things, also pointed out things such as sculptures. One piece seemed like a playful riot, while the fountains played in the distance as a melodic accompaniment to the walk.
The Guide: More Than Just a Leader
What can I tell you? Tour guides usually can either sink or lift the experience for the day, right? Mine seemed pretty nice and informed from the onset. And, they weren’t one of those windbags droning on like they were a museum audiobook you can’t pause to go the restroom either. The guide had a bit of a winning personality, alright, that added to, like your, time outside. He even made it feel as if it wasn’t a paid tour as opposed to just someone driving their relatives and visitors around town!
I am unsure if all the tour companies do this but he always made time, anyway, to know everyone a bit more personally by checking in, figuring out everyone’s comfort levels for our transport of choice, and, maybe even better, tailoring our stops on a spontaneous whim.
I, anyway, am not one of those diehard travelers with an inflexible agenda, so having someone adjust on the fly and suggesting something bespoke based on what I myself wanted to experience turned what would already have been a very, really wonderful time into something extra-special!
Flexibility and Customization: Making It Your Own
That is, it could be, the tour is actually pitched to individuals so that visitors don’t need to spend a whole chunk of their budget seeing stuff they might not otherwise care to look at anyway, so this might be an obvious section of the summary, if that makes any sense. Still, it’s one of the most important things to talk about! Don’t hold back in telling the tour folks and guides beforehand, when setting up the experience.
Speaking honestly, these operators aren’t mind readers! What kind of things should you tell them? Any places that caught your eye prior to landing in the city, if that is actually possible, your own skill level when it comes to operating e-bikes and such things, also anything about health considerations.
Is that maybe getting too TMI? I am thinking a guide wants to steer an asthmatic far, far from any freshly mowed lawn, so speak up and you could actually find a tour operator that has your best interests firmly placed where they should be!
What to Bring: Preparing for Your Ride
If, apparently, you have all of these things settled from back at your apartment, what next? Plan to bring certain items. Like most of these kinds of outdoor trips, come on over with lots and lots of water! Some routes lack a vending machine so bring some snacks as well if you suspect your engine knocks when your blood glucose meter dips down too far!
Sunscreen seems necessary, and comfortable clothes should really come to mind too! Did you picture yourself teetering around town looking like a mannequin while touring on a two-wheeler? No? Wear athletic shoes. If your itinerary lands, literally, smack dab during midday heat, bringing, naturally, sunglasses can do your vision a big favor, as can maybe even toting a cap to stop sunshine directly beaming right through the skull. Last recommendation… that’s right, bring money! Gratuities are customary and it’s always a fine gesture when things went very well!
With those considerations out of the way, prepare yourself for seeing beautiful Valencia. Remember to keep your possessions guarded in transit! Keep your devices close to your bodies! And please let others know of these things too as they decide their own plans! Safe travels!