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TRAVEL REPORTS
by Liz and David Lodge
Trip to Peñiscola 28th September - 1st October 2007
We have just returned from our second U3A trip, staying at Peñiscola and visiting Tarragona, Morella and Requena, leaving on Monday 28 September and returning on Thursday 1 October 2009. Disappointingly, there were only 15 of us on this trip, but we were pleased that a smaller vehicle had been booked rather than cancelling.
Day One: First things first, it was the two Davids’ birthday (Holme and Lodge) so we all sang them “Happy Birthday” and Jan gave them a card each. Then, just like on our last trip, we left Calpe with dismal skies, and the forecast was not good!
However, after a heavy rain storm at our coffee stop, the heavens brightened and by the time we arrived at our destination, the Hotel Papa Luna, the weather had definitely improved. In the afternoon the two Davids were delighted when the hotel sent both of them an ice bucket containing a small bottle of cava, two champagne flutes and a card, in celebration of their birthdays. We were already very impressed with the hotel, and even more so after the thoughtful gift and later enjoying an excellent buffet dinner.
Day Two: It rained just before we left but cleared up a bit as we drove and then the sun came out! Arriving in Tarragona, which was one of the most important Roman establishments in Spain and known by them as “Terraco”, the driver dropped us at the Terraco Trenet Turistico where we were able to take a narrated tour starting at El Sorrella (the fishermen’s district) with its famous mobile bridge and “Miracle Beach” and then driving through St Anthony’s Gate into the Old City – which was a useful way of discovering the places worth giving a further look.
Walking the “Roman Route” we passed the Provincial Forum, the Roman Circus – which was the site of horse-drawn chariot races, and the Amphitheatre – built at the turn of the 2nd century.
We continued on the “Mediaeval Route” and stopped off at El Pla de la Seu (The Square of the See), one of the city’s areas that maintains its mediaeval atmosphere, which houses the Cathedral.
We enjoyed a panoramic view to the sea from the King’s Castle, which was a feudal castle during the Middle Ages and later a king’s castle at the start of the Christian resettlement. An imposing statue stands outside the Roman Museum.
In the afternoon we found our way to the town’s main street, the Ramblas Nova, and checked out the statue commemorating the “castellers” (human pyramid builders) – the “real thing” can be seen during the Sant Magi fiesta in mid-August.
We were all back on the bus promptly and drove through heavy rain to arrive back at the hotel - where we were greeted by thunder and lightening - with plenty of time before dinner.
Day Three:Starting off with better weather today we made for the small medieval village of Morella, the principal town of El Maestrat (the Masters) region of Valencia. The rain that had appeared briefly had stopped by the time we arrived, leaving a slight mist all around and an eerie view of Morella’s famous mediaeval aqueduct of Santa Llúcia.
The village is surrounded by an ancient and unbroken medieval stone wall with six gateways, and crowned by the ancient ruins of the castle (built in the 13th century by the Moors). Hard to believe that the legendary knight, El Cid, scaled these same walls to defeat the Moors.
As we made our way up through the village we stopped to look at the Gothic, blue-domed Basilica de Santa Maria la Mayor. Deceiving with its austere exterior, the inside was an absolute delight, with its vaulted ceiling and unique raised choir, accessed by an intricately-carved marble spiral staircase.
After a quick look around the cloisters of the Convent of Saint Francis, which are the entrance to the castle, we began our clamber (described in the Tourist Information leaflet as a “stiff climb”, and they weren’t wrong!), taking in the panoramic views and snapping a shot of the statue of Ramón Cabrera, the
famous general who was given the title “Conde de Morella” by Don Carlos, Pretender to the Spanish throne. (He apparently entered the castle through a toilet window – doesn’t bear thinking about!).
The remaining climb proved to be quite a trek and only a few in our group managed the last climb up to the ruins of the very summit of the castle.
Back in the village, a beer and a sit down at a bar in the main street, Carrer Blasco de Alagón, was most welcome!
Day Four: We left in sunshine and at about lunch time stopped off at Requena, a small town which was originally a Moorish fortress, most famous for its wine making.
We parked up outside the bullring and went our separate ways, our free afternoon allowing the group to have some lunch and follow the route map of the old town for a bit of sightseeing.
Although the town was quite sad and dilapidated in places, many buildings had been renovated and there were a lot of roadworks in progress.
We arrived back safe and sound, and we think that we can speak for everyone when we say that it was a most enjoyable trip. Our thanks go to Jan for organising it, and to David Holme for “holding the reins”.
Liz and David Lodge
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