Author: marionvermazen

I am a traveler, hiker, avid reader, Sun alumnus, computer geek, Spanish and French language student, knitter and genealogist. I am retired after working for almost 30 years in the Computer Industry. I live in Reno, Nevada with my husband Duke.

Tortosa Day 2

Today we explored Tortosa. We started out on the castle walls around the Parador. It was supposed to rain but it only drizzled a bit. The rest of the day turned out to be very pleasant.

The Parador of Tortosa
The walls in front of the Parador
A view of Tortosa from outside the Parador

Then we walked down the hill and visited Els Jardins del Príncep (the Princes Garden). It was originally a spa.

In Els Jardin del Príncep
The garden has 24 statues

Next we went to the Museum of Tortosa.

The museum is in a building that was originally a slaughter house.
In the museum

After the museum we wanted to go to a museum in an anti aircraft shelter from the civil war. Unfortunately it was closed. On the way there we walked along the river and saw the monument to those who died in the battle of the Ebre River during the Spanish Civil War.

War dead memorial
Outside the entrance to the air raid shelter museum
Ernest Hemingway spent time in Tortosa before writing For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Next we visited an exhibit about the Renaissance Fair that happens in Tortosa in July. The exhibit is in the buildings of the Royal Colleges of Tortosa. It looks like a really fun festival. Some of the videos remind me of the fantastic Carnival celebration we enjoyed so much in Cadiz a few years ago.

Part of the Renaissance Fair exhibit

We also went into the sixteenth century school

Outside the school building
Inside the school building

Later in the day after playing card and taking a rest we climbed all over the fortress across from the Castle where the Parador is.

The view from the fortress

When the restaurant opened at 8 we had another great dinner.

Jo Ann’s razor clams
My desert.

Valencia to Tortosa

Breakfast

This morning before leaving Valencia we found a place for breakfast then went for a walk.

Saturday morning in Valencia
Jo Ann, Brian and Duke on the back side of the silk exchange
This teeter totter was irresistible
It was fun
Out for our morning walk
Jo Ann found a friend

Plaza de la Virgin

Valencia has a big and beautiful garden that follows the former path of the river. The river was rerouted and the 9 mile long garden was created after a terrible flood in 1957. We walked through the park and enjoyed the beautiful day.

The Turia Garden
The old bridges are still there even though the river isn’t.

About noon we packed up and drove two hours to Tortosa. We had a great dinner at the Parador.

At dinner in the Parador
Duke’s roasted vegetable and anchovies appetizer
My salmon
My chocolate and rose desert

Valencia Day 2

This morning we walked through the central market then had breakfast at a nearby cafe.

Valencia Central Market
Giant radishes!
Breakfast

Then we went to the Ceramics Museum and Palacio del Marqués Dos Aguas. The museum was interesting but the building was amazing. It was over the top opulent

Ceramics Museum and Palacio del Marqués Dos Aguas
Entrance to the museum
Inside the building
Picasso ceramics
Picasso signed the pieces

We walked around and explored for most of the afternoon.

Jo Ann found a friend

For dinner we went to the same restaurant that we ate at with Rick and Elaine in 2020, Garnacha Tinta Restaurante & Gin Corner. It was wonderful.

Spicy Valencian Beans with onions

Jo Ann’s smoked octopus
My Grilled Red Tuna with sesame
Brian’s cheescake

Albacete to Valencia

Today we drove from the Parador of Albacete to Valencia.

Loading up the car this morning

Less than 10 miles from Albacete we stopped at the castle of Chinchilla. It is being restored and is not open to visit, but it was fun to walk around the outside. It has a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

The castle of Chinchilla
The moat of the Chinchilla Castle

When we arrived in Valencia we checked into our hotel then went for a walk. First we went to the central market. It was getting ready to close for the day so we will probably go back there on Friday.

The central market

Next we went to the silk exchange.

Inside the courtyard of the Lonja de la Seda – Silk Exchsnge
The trading hall of the silk exchange
Pavilion of the consulate at the Silk Exchange
The ceiling

While we were eating our tapas dinner all the local stations were covering the enormous apartment building fire that was burning about a mile from where we are staying. The pictures were horrifying.

After dinner we went for another walk.

Fountain of the Plaza de l’Ajuntament

We are spending two nights in Valencia. It is a nice change to be in the same place for 2 days.

Almería to Albacete

Today we picked up our rental car at the train station in Almería. We walked from our hotel to the rental car office at the train station.

Yarn store that we passed on the way to get the car.
Renting the car

Once we had the car we drove to Albacete. Along the way we saw lots and lots of Almond trees in bloom. We also stopped at a marble quarry where we just happed to see some very cool deer.

Almond trees
Marble quarry
European deer
More of the deer

When we got to Albacete we stopped at a grocery store to pick up food for a picnic dinner.

Ham section at the grocery store
Shopping for dinner
Our picnic dinner