Valencia

Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is perhaps best known as the home of paella and of the Las Fallas celebration, but has so much more to offer for your next school trip. The ideal destination for Spanish language tours; a school trip to Valencia can also focus on many other subjects including art, science and history.

The fact that Valencia is quieter in terms of tourism than Madrid and Barcelona, and is easier to explore without a coach as it is considerably smaller, makes it a popular choice for teachers organising a school trip to Spain. Many of the city’s main landmarks can be seen while exploring the old town on foot and Valencia also has beautiful beaches and gardens where groups can relax and escape the bustle of the city.

Spanish language tours to Valencia can be tailor made to include visits to some of the city’s most historic landmarks including the Cathedral, Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart, Llotja de la Seda (the silk exchange; a beautiful UNESCO world heritage site), Plaza de la Virgen and the markets; not forgetting the iconic and futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, which has become Valencia’s most popular tourist attraction.

For those looking for an art focus to their school trip to Valencia, there are a multitude of excellent museums in and around the city to choose from, including the Museo Fallero (Fallas Museum), the Institute of Modern Art,  the Museum of Fine Arts and the Ceramics Museum to name but a few. Why not contact us today to find out more?

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for Spain, including information on security and local laws in addition to passport and visa requirements, please click here.

The City of Arts and Sciences

One of the region’s top attractions, the City of Arts and Sciences is the perfect addition to your school trip to Valencia. This unique and modern complex devoted to the sciences and arts comprises five main elements; the Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and digital projections), the Umbracle (a vantage point with an exhibition zone from which all the buildings, lakes, walkways, and landscaped areas of the City of Arts and Sciences can be viewed), the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum (an entertaining, innovative and interactive science museum which covers everything to do with life, science, and technology), the Oceanográfico (the largest aquarium in Europe with over 500 marine species) and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (a multi auditorium space dedicated to the performing arts, notably opera). This excursion is suitable for any school trip to Valencia, but highly recommended for those looking for a science focus to their tour.

Mercado Central de Valencia

Covering 8,160 square metres and the largest market of its kind in Europe, the Mercado Central brings together almost 1000 stalls under one roof. Since its opening in 1928, the market has played an important role in the sale of fresh produce in the city and for years has been a major cultural and tourist attraction not only for foreign visitors but also for the people of Valencia. An attractive piece of architecture, the market hall is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Valencia. A visit to the market will give Spanish learners the perfect opportunity to practise their language skills, see how the locals shop, and buy provisions for a picnic or for lunch. Open Monday – Saturday, 0700 – 1500, entry is free of charge.

FC Valencia

The Mestalla stadium is home to FC Valencia, Spain’s third most supported football team. While the Nou Mestalla (the team’s new stadium) is being built, pupils have the opportunity to explore this 90 year old stadium, which is able to seat 55,000 fans. Groups can visit the changing rooms, press room and pitch, walk through the players’ tunnel, sit on the benches and view the private and presidential boxes. There is also an interesting exhibition about the club’s illustrious past and achievements over the years. This enjoyable excursion can be included in any school trip to Valencia, and is open all year round, although visiting hours are subject to match fixtures and special events at the stadium.

Museo Fallero

Each March Valencia celebrates the noisy and colourful festival of Las Fallas – where giant, often comical or satirical papier-mâché statues are set alight on every other street corner and fireworks explode all through the night. This unique museum is dedicated to all things ‘Fallas’ and houses a fascinating collection of the ‘pardoned ninots’ – or statues which have been chosen to be saved from the flames, pictures of the best ninots over the years and various fallas memorabilia. An enjoyable excursion, which is suitable for any school trip to Valencia, but highly recommended for art tours or for Spanish language tours.

Of course, the above excursions are only a sample. We will tailor-make your tour to engage with your exact learning requirements, and our information packs contain details of our extensive excursion package. Why not contact us now to request more information?

We work with a wide range of good standard and well-located accommodation in Valencia. Our school groups are generally accommodated in three star hotels, some of which have swimming pools. All of the hotels with which we work have en-suite facilities in every room and are well used to catering to the needs of our school groups. Students are generally accommodated in multi-bedded rooms sleeping between two and four pupils (depending on the hotel) and adults are accommodated in twin and single rooms. Packed lunches can be provided to take away for your days’ excursions and evening meals are taken at the hotels’ restaurants, although we can also offer the option of eating at a local restaurant (at a supplement), so that your students can enjoy a true taste of Spain, for example the local Paella or tapas, during their school trip to Valencia.