By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Cruise guests docking in the port city of Valencia on the south-east coast of Spain where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea are able to choose from a wide variety of safe and enjoyable shore excursions.
Visitors can comfortably walk or cycle to Valencia’s large, historic centre, particularly now that the city has created more pedestrian- and cycle-only areas to reduce congestion in places of interest. Traditional shore excursions take guests to the City of Arts and Sciences, which has a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum, as well as Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails.
Recently, the city has also developed new tours. For example, the Religious Art Route excursion enables guests to explore Valencia’s cathedral and see the Holy Chalice, which is traditionally believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ to celebrate the Last Supper. The excursion also includes visits to several other churches, such as the restored San Nicolás, which is regarded by many as the ‘Spanish Sistine Chapel’. Meanwhile, cruise guests who want to learn more about Valencia’s silk-making legacy can take the Silk Road tour. During this excursion, guests will visit the Silk Exchange Building, the restored Silk Museum and historic neighbourhood of Velluters, where silk workers made fabrics that are still used in Valencia’s Fallas Spring Festival.
Whether they opt to take an organised shore excursion, or explore the city’s attractions independently, every cruise guest will enjoy an authentic Mediterranean experience in Valencia.
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