On one of the days members of the Expedition team were granted a “leave of absence,” allowing everyone to rest and follow their own plans. The Expedition leader made the most of his day by visiting the Barcelona Marina, where he witnessed the meticulous preparations for the America’s Cup yacht race. He also explored the Sagrada Familia, a cathedral masterminded by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí.
On the next day we bid farewell to Barcelona and headed towards Tarragona, a picturesque city on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Upon our arrival, we immediately explored the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, which dates back 2,000 years and could once accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. We also visited the remarkable Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st century AD. Then we attended the vibrant Sant Roc Festival, which began with a lively dance parade featuring giants and other popular figures navigating the old part of the city. The giants, known as Gegants Vells (old giants), were first introduced to the residents of the Cós del Bou district by the city hall in 1904. The festive procession, filled with dancing revellers, musicians, and the charm of ancient streets, truly allowed us to immerse ourselves in the joyous atmosphere of the celebration.
Next, we headed to Valencia and made it in 3.5 hours. The journey was smooth, offering picturesque views of the Spanish countryside. Upon arriving in Valencia, we wasted no time and headed straight to the beach. The atmosphere was vibrant, full of families, tourists, and local beachgoers all enjoying the beautiful day. Later, we were fortunate to witness the closing of the horse racing festival.
On a free day in Valencia we decided to take a stroll in the city center. Our first stop was the local “Central Market”, housed in a stunning building. We sampled some local delicacies and then headed to the officially recognized Vatican Valencia Cathedral home of the Holy Grail. This treasured relic has been preserved here since the fifteenth century. Our small tour of the city center ended there. As it began to get hot, we decided to return to the hotel.
On the next day we bid farewell to Barcelona and headed towards Tarragona, a picturesque city on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Upon our arrival, we immediately explored the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, which dates back 2,000 years and could once accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. We also visited the remarkable Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st century AD. Then we attended the vibrant Sant Roc Festival, which began with a lively dance parade featuring giants and other popular figures navigating the old part of the city. The giants, known as Gegants Vells (old giants), were first introduced to the residents of the Cós del Bou district by the city hall in 1904. The festive procession, filled with dancing revellers, musicians, and the charm of ancient streets, truly allowed us to immerse ourselves in the joyous atmosphere of the celebration.
Next, we headed to Valencia and made it in 3.5 hours. The journey was smooth, offering picturesque views of the Spanish countryside. Upon arriving in Valencia, we wasted no time and headed straight to the beach. The atmosphere was vibrant, full of families, tourists, and local beachgoers all enjoying the beautiful day. Later, we were fortunate to witness the closing of the horse racing festival.
On a free day in Valencia we decided to take a stroll in the city center. Our first stop was the local “Central Market”, housed in a stunning building. We sampled some local delicacies and then headed to the officially recognized Vatican Valencia Cathedral home of the Holy Grail. This treasured relic has been preserved here since the fifteenth century. Our small tour of the city center ended there. As it began to get hot, we decided to return to the hotel.
