Food technology school trips to Valencia

Tailored to your learning objectives, this walking tour can offer students the opportunity to discover more about Valencia’s history, Old Town, silk trade or culinary highlights. During the tour you will visit the main attractions including Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza de la Virgen, Lonja, Train Station, Bullring, Main Road Calle Colon, Carmen district, Central Market, Valencia Cathedral, Serrano Towers and Quart Towers.

Follow the process of olive oil production from grove to factory on this tour, where students will develop their understanding of the oil in Mediterranean food heritage and culture. One of the mainstays of the Mediterranean diet, the oil has excellent antioxidant properties recognised by countries in the region as far back as the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Experience the tranquillity of the Albufera Natural Park aboard a regional vessel with this excursion, and experience the way locals used to reach the island of ‘El Palmar’ before roads were developed. A freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia, Albufera is also filled with an abundance of birdlife; visit the Ethnological Museum nearby to discover more about fossils, insects, fish and rare birds found in the area.

Take the chance to cook Spanish specialities from scratch with this cookery lesson. We’ve seen students really enjoy getting involved in these lessons, where they’ll learn traditional Spanish cooking methods, put them into practise, and then end the session by eating the dishes they’ve prepared.

Students can bask in the beauty of the landscape that surrounds the city at L’Horta, one of only six market gardens that still exists in Europe. Its unique mix of irrigation systems, land rotation and farmer knowledge means the landscape can sustain a vast array of different crops and literally changes with every season.

An ideal excursion for a quieter afternoon, take your group on a guided tour along quiet farm roads and discover the history of the orange crop, where students will learn its ties to Spanish tradition and heritage. From the cultivation of orange trees, to the properties of the orange and orange blossom, and the architecture related to this crop, this excursion ends with a visit to a manufacturing plant, where students can sample the freshest of orange juice.

It may take years to perfect the dance form of flamenco, the folkloric music tradition of southern Spain, but students can learn the basics with an evening of culture in a welcoming Valencia dance centre. We’ve seen student groups immerse themselves in the spirit of the dance, encouraged by friendly flamenco musicians and their atmospheric guitar accompaniment.

Built on the site of a Roman temple in the thirteenth century, Valencia Cathedral sits at the heart of the old town of Valencia, and links two iconic plazas: Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen. The Cathedral itself is an impressive structure that spans a variety of architecture styles, including baroque, Romanesque and Gothic. We recommend climbing the 207 steps to the Miguelete Tower, where your students will be treated to magnificent views across the city.

A great example of 14th-century Gothic architecture, Valencia’s Bell Tower took four centuries to reach its present appearance, but remains unfinished to this day. An octagonal-shaped tower that rises up over the rooftops, El Miguelete also boasts a huge spiral staircase, where students can enjoy breathtaking views of the city. 

The Mercado Central or Central Market of Valencia is one of the largest markets in Europe and one of the oldest markets still in use today. Here, students can practise their language skills as they discover Spanish gastronomy, pick up souvenirs, and enjoy the design of the building as one of the main works of the Valencian Art Nouveau.

The Turia Gardens is one of the largest urban parks in Spain, running through Valencia along nine kilometres of green space. Inside, you'll see the incredible neo-futuristic City of Arts and Sciences – Valencia’s best attraction and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. A must-see for science students, the ‘city’ features a planetarium, oceanographic park and sculpture garden, among other sights.

In the northwest corner of Valencia’s old town, you’ll find the city’s oldest quarter, full of bohemian local character and some excellent museums. El Carmen is a well-known spot for its culinary scene, and is a great medieval spot for grabbing a bite to eat while your students learn about the history of this 1,000-year-old neighbourhood.

Watch Valencian life at play in the Plaza de la Reina, which sits in the heart of the city’s Old Town. Here, students can observe locals as they go about their day, explore the area’s many cafes and restaurants, and spot grand historic buildings – such as the cathedral and bell tower, ‘El Miguelete’.

Home of the beautiful Turia Fountain, the Plaza de la Virgen is a large and lively square, spread across the site that was once the forum of Roman Valencia. Students can compare the square’s history to present day as they explore the surrounding iconic buildings, such as the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados and Gothic Palau de la Generalitat.