From 20 to 22 October, Valencia Premium organised a familiarisation trip as part of the 8th Valencia Culinary Festival, with the participation of the luxury travel agencies Tailored Spain, The Real Thing, Spain Unspoilt and Madrid & Beyond, all specialised in the North American market.

Over three days, the guests enjoyed an immersion in the essence of the destination, with a programme focused on gastronomy, culture and the Valencian way of life.

The trip began in Madrid with a private flight from Cuatro Vientos airport, offering aerial views of the Utiel-Requena vineyards, the beaches of Valencia and the Albufera Natural Park before landing at Valencia Airport. A first contact with the territory that brought together landscape, produce and origin, three concepts at the heart of Valencian gastronomic identity.

In the city, the participants stayed at Hotel Hospes Palau de la Mar, a recently renovated historic building that combines classical architecture and contemporary design. From there, a tour took them through the City of Arts and Sciences and the Palau de les Arts, with a private visit inside to learn about its cultural activity, guided by the Valencia Guías team.

The day continued at La Marina de Valencia, the former America’s Cup port and now a meeting point for gastronomy, innovation and the sea. There, at La Sucursal restaurant in the Veles e Vents building, chef Jorge de Andrés presented his menu “Visions of Spain”, a culinary reinterpretation of the panels Joaquín Sorolla painted for the Hispanic Society of America, inspired by the different regions of the country.

After a break to explore the city centre and enjoy a sunset with panoramic views at Atenea Sky, the guests tasted the traditional Agua de Valencia before dining at Casa Montaña, a century-old tavern in the seafront Canyamelar district. The menu of tapas made with local produce and paired with Valencian wines offered a contemporary take on the origins of popular Valencian cooking.

The second day began with a guided tour of the historic centre, stopping at the Hortensia Herrero Art Centre in the restored Valeriola Palace. The visit revealed one of Spain’s most important contemporary art collections, with works by Olafur Eliasson, Anselm Kiefer and Jaume Plensa, among other artists.

The morning continued at the Central Market, a jewel of Valencian modernism, where chef Bernd Knöller of RIFF restaurant accompanied the group among the stalls and aromas, explaining how he selects the ingredients for his creations. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed a live showcooking at the RIFF counter, where the chef presented a reinterpretation of Mediterranean flavours through technique and contemporary sensibility.

In the afternoon, the group travelled to the Albufera Natural Park, where chef Luis Valls was waiting for a boat ride among the rice fields. Along the way, local charcuterie and wine were served while the chef shared his vision of how the natural setting and native produce inspire his cooking. The experience culminated with dinner at his two-Michelin-star restaurant El Poblet, where he reinterpreted the Albufera landscape through a signature menu.

The last day began with breakfast at the Mirador restaurant of Only YOU Hotel Valencia, on the ninth floor, where the guests enjoyed a barista workshop with panoramic views of the city. A relaxed way to close three days of discovery, encounters and shared experiences.

The trip allowed the agencies to experience first-hand the quality and authenticity of what the Region of Valencia offers premium travellers, reinforcing the image of a destination that combines creativity, heritage and internationally acclaimed gastronomy.

The fam trip was carried out with the support of Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, as part of its collaboration with Valencia Premium to boost the international projection of luxury tourism in the region.