Review: Western Med Jade cruise Nov. 1 -12, 2014

[QuattroRomeo]

need to break now, continued tomorrow evening!:)

[AF-1]

You're doing a great job; you have lots of great pics.

[QuattroRomeo]

You're doing a great job; you have lots of great pics.

 

Thanks AF-1, it's a bit of a challenge to figure out the right number of photos to post! enough to be interesting, not too many to be repetitive! Glad you are enjoying it.

[QuattroRomeo]

We visited several eating places, including a cafe that served horchata- we quite liked trying this local beverage, it sort of tasted like a blend of almond milk and carrot juice, and looks like almond milk.

The tapas foods we had throughout the day were good-sized portions, and delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

Across the street from the Horchateria, we had some tapas later on at this place (excellent):

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

 

 

Some photos of the old town as we walked along:

 

 

 

This photo includes "the narrow house"- it is the one with pink doors!

 

[QuattroRomeo]

This house is just next to it; as you can tell, many buildings are being restored.

This particular one was being embellished with embroidery!!

 

 

 

They still make ladies' fans in Valencia!

 

 

[

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Thought this shop was rather interesting:

 

 

 

Next we headed to the Valencia Market!

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

The high ceilings and excellent ventilation in the market building meant there were virtually no unpleasant smells, even with all the meat counters.

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Suzie had arranged tastings for us in the market, too- we had some delicious cheeses, prosciutto, orange juice, cava wine, and turron - all delicious!

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Next we went directly across the street, to an interesting organic foods shop that was very charming; it sold only locally produced items. The orange cocktail was very nice- DH had fun with security getting it through the scanner at the port later, but he was able to convince her to let it through!!...

 

 

 

 

 

Ceiling in the shop:

 

 

 

 

The contraband orange cocktail:

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Scenery as we walked around the block:

 

 

 

I like gargoyles!..

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

 

 

 

Next stop- CHOCOLATE shop!!

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Of course we had tastings and purchases here!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

As we made our way through town, we saw a few places selling paella. We didn't stop at any of these, but Suzie does a paella tour as well!

 

 

 

 

Further along we went into this old church:

 

 

Baptismal font:

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Next to the church, there were a few shops. I liked this one, where I bought a casual handbag with 'Valencia' on it that everybody seemed to like. The prices in town were better than other ports!!

 

 

 

As we continued walking, there was this beautiful church:

 

 

The church led into this square. Suzie said that in the hot summer, the buildings on either side have hooks and they string up a huge canopy!! You can sort of make out the lines going across in the air for the canopy in the next 2 photos:

 

 

 

 

[drvalo]

What beautiful pics!!!! It's so great that you had such beautiful weather too.

 

I sent you an email over the weekend. Did you get it?

[QuattroRomeo]

Hi Val! Yes we got it, thanks!

 

We did have great weather. With the exception of Toulon, where it rained in sheets at times, most of the trip was just right for sightseeing.

[ROCruiser]

Wish your review was available before our cruise. Just came back from the 21 day on the JadeThank you for the wonderful pictures posted, what a great reminder!

Just a word of advice. For those who purchase anything at the Central Market in Valencia, keep your receipt. It will get you in to the restrooms downstairs for free! Otherwise you will have to pay .50 to get in.

[AF-1]

Wish your review was available before our cruise. Just came back from the 21 day on the JadeThank you for the wonderful pictures posted, what a great reminder!

Just a word of advice. For those who purchase anything at the Central Market in Valencia, keep your receipt. It will get you in to the restrooms downstairs for free! Otherwise you will have to pay .50 to get in.

 

Did you enjoy the ship? I will be on Jade in May; have never been on NCL

[ROCruiser]

Did you enjoy the ship? I will be on Jade in May; have never been on NCL

I maybe a little bias. This is our second time on the Jade and we felt like going home to a familiar and comfortable surroundings. Nothing fancy like the new mega ships but we knew our way around. I think what made this ship wonderful is the staff on board, or I should say the crew. Look for Joycelyn in Grand Pacific, she is just a wonderful person. Have a great cruise!

[QuattroRomeo]

We walked through some lovely streets on our way to the last tapas spot:

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

We reached this restaurant in a beautiful orange tree-lined square, where they served us outside. We had a variety of drinks here, including the best sangria I have ever had, and of course some bites to eat. It was so quiet here and beautiful- felt a bit surreal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we were finished eating, we settled up with Suzie and she had taxis come right into the square to pick us up. Before we knew it, we were back to the ship.

 

We loved the atmosphere in Valencia, and would definitely go there again!

 

[QuattroRomeo]

The day after Valencia we had a sea day; it would have been Tunis had it stayed on the itinerary. We were now en route to Sardinia!

 

This was the day we had our Meet and Greet, at 11:00. After that we just walked about and enjoyed the ship.

 

Officers at Meet and Greet:

 

 

 

Our roll call members in the Medusa Lounge:

 

 

 

Spinnaker Lounge

 

 

Chapel on board

 

 

 

Perfume Shop in the Atrium