With over 80 students to please, ISA Barcelona had its hands full trying to create the most fun trip for each person to enjoy. Fortunately, I had the honor of experiencing an all-out trip to satisfy all our traveling desires!
From exploring the city center to eating fresh paella in the countryside and even taking a quick stop in the city of Peñíscola, take in the beautiful views we saw along the way.
Oceanogràfic
The Oceanogràfic Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Europe spanning 110,000 square meters. It is located in la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a part of the city with incredible modern architecture, including a museum in the shape of whales bones and an opera house in the shape of a shark. Since the aquarium includes one of the largest dolphinariums in the world, they host regular dolphin shows. These impressive animals can dive backwards, carry a diver across the water, and swim at incredible speeds.
Inside the aquarium you could even walk through tunnels under the water viewing the fish from below. This also allows for the aquarium to be even larger and spreed out as the space is underground.
There were hundreds of species to view, and even the collection of jellyfish, itself, varied so widely in color and shape. The ones pictured were incredibly large with vibrant colors.
Walking Tour to City Center
This building is The Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, located in one of the most popular plaças in Valencia. Students learned on the tour that the inclusion of the Star of David was to show the Christian’s appreciation for the Jewish families that helped them build the church.One of Valencia’s most famous locations is the Mercat Central. A giant market with fresh products ranging from vegetables to meats to drinks and anything you could think to buy.Here you can watch their process of cutting and preparing the fresh meat for customers. Hanging grand pieces of jamón and decorating with pigs feet.
Paella Experience
Outside of the city, students explore the countryside where fresh vegetables are grown in completely self sustaining farms. Following the smell of fresh herbs, we were led to the restaurant where you can eat paella made from their own crops. Students were taught hands-on how the vegetables are prepared and allowed them to help in the process. They crowded the long table and got to work. As well as preparing the vegetables, these students got their aprons on and got to work in the kitchen. Stirring a large pan of paella over a fire stove, smelling fresh seasoning and meat.This lovely farmer gave us a tour of his farm and crops even demonstrating how they grow and collect the much loved peanut. Here he is seen pulling the peanuts from the ground.Now hungry from their hard work, students sit down and enjoy fresh peanuts, white beans, paella and more. The most attentive staff made sure we were not hungry for even a moment as dishes of food continued to come.Along with the classic fresh bread and patatas bravas, other tapas were served like this white bean dip, cheese and jamón, and salad. Dessert was also served as a choice of fruit cocktail or pumpkin puree. After the delicious meal, we were treated to a lovely horse drawn carriage ride around the countryside. The day was so sunny and the air was fresh as the carriage brought us to a beautiful cottage.Around this lovely cottage there were families of chickens, roosters, and baby chicks, where inside is a small attic where the produce, such as corn and peanuts, is hung to dry. The area was so silent other than the roosters crowing.
Peñíscola
The bus took a quick stop at the lovely beach town Peñíscola, famous for its grand castle and beautiful ocean. Away from the coast, at the highest point of the city is where you can enjoy the sights of the castle.The castle is massive, allowing for so much space to explore and an almost 360-degree view of the city. Like a museum, the castle has information stations, explaining many elements of the building structure.With such high staircases inside the castle, incredible views of the ocean can be seen. This photo was taken at one of the highest points.Finishing off the trip, it is necessary to experience the delicious seafood of Peñíscola, and rave about the incredible quality. Pictured is a delicious squid with pesto and citrus.
Our days were packed full of memories and activities. Much free time was also given, allowing students to experience even more of Valencia! Such as nightlife, tapas, tradition food and drinks, as well as swimming in the sea. After so much incredible adventure, the trip was complete.
Audrey Daines is a student at Soka University of Americaand an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Barcelona, Spain.
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