I spent three days here with a fabulous group of bloggers and influencers from Bristol and we had so much fun I wanted to share our exploits with my readers.
Our first day was spent in the seaside resort of Peñíscola, where we discovered amazing seafood restaurants and an imposing castle on the hill, a filming location for Game Of Thrones. We then moved to the mountain town of Morella, known for its gourmet truffles, amazing views and fabulous history.
This post is about our last day when we visited Castellón De La Plana and Benicàssim, another seaside resort with 6 kilometres of beautiful clean sand, which is known for the FIB music festival.
After checking out of our hotel in Morella we boarded our minibus to the town of Castellón De La Plana. This town is the capital of the region and is worth a visit for the great shopping and fabulous architecture. The city was founded in the 13th century but there were settlers there for hundreds of years before that.
The area is rich with wonderful architecture, just look at the tower on the left above. This is called El Fadri or Fadri Tower. It's a stand-alone bell tower of the Gothic Castellón De La Plana cathedral. Bult in the 14th century it is an octagonal building built in the Valencian Gothic style. The top photo is of Casino Antiguo, an eighteenth-century palace currently used for events. With its highly decorated windows, Casino Antiguo is a must-see for architecture lovers.
We were in Castellón De La Plana to get ingredients for a paella which we would be making later, so our guide took us to Mercado Central or central market. When we were there we checked out the stalls selling meat for the paella, all with very fresh produce.
The fruit and vegetables in the Mercado Central were exceptional too. All bursting with juiciness and vibrancy. We tried some cherries and they were some of the nicest I have ever had, not too tart just sweet and delicious.
There were also stalls selling delicacies perfect for gifts and souvenirs including local olive oils, marmalade made with Valencia oranges and traditional sweets and biscuits.
Our next stop was Mas Dels Doblons.
This traditional farm and farmhouse has been made into a museum of Spanish living and culture. While we were here we saw how oranges were traditionally picked, sorted and pressed. Did you know that Valencia is one of the top exporters of oranges in the world? We also discovered how olive oil used to be made, in a massive stone press.
The main reason we came was to see how paella was made authentically. Paella is believed to have originated from Valencia and was a labourers meal. The original recipe was made with what was on the land - rabbit, chicken, rice, green and white beans and snails as well as saffron. What, no seafood you may ask? Yes, seafood is a modern but tasty addition to a paella. Many of these farms were inland too with no access to the sea so that explains the lack of seafood in a traditional paella.
The recipe made at Mas Del Doblons was made in the traditional style but did not have snails in (thankfully!). Even though I'm quite adventurous I am not sure if I would have eaten it with snails. Of course, we had to give the paella a stir to claim we had made it, complete with oversized hats!
I asked our guide about the process of making paella in Spain and had the sense that it was the domain of men, similar to the way they take over the barbecue in the UK. Paella is a social occasion when chatting with friends and with a glass of wine or beer in hand. Made slowly and stirred gently, it's a dish to have on a Sunday with family and friends.
As well as cured meats and cheeses we also tried Spanish tortilla and other tapas. Not much room for dessert even, but I managed the chocolate fondant pudding - well I had too didn't I?
So after dinner, we boarded our bus to our next stop Benicàssim.
Our hotel was the Hotel Intur Orange, a large modern hotel with landscaped gardens and a great pool area.
The modern style in this super clean hotel was excellent and this hotel would be a great choice if you are staying in Benicàssim for the FIB Festival, as it's a short ten-minute walk. The FIB Festival is a music festival held every year in July.
I find breakfast before a day out exploring to be the best way to start the day. The hotel had an extensive breakfast buffet too which was very welcoming in the morning. I enjoyed the wide choice of hot and cold items, including pastries, cereals, fresh fruit, sausages and omelettes, and I got very excited when I spied the cake for breakfast!
That afternoon we strolled the Ruta De La Villas. This area of Benicàssim has beautiful Belle Epoque villas along the seafront promenade. Many illustrious people lived here included the writer Ernest Hemingway.
As we continued our stroll it started to get twilight but still, Voramar beach was buzzing with life, with families and couples enjoying the clean sand and each others company.
Our meal that night was at Club Palasiet, a newly-opened restaurant, overlooking Voramar Beach.
The food we had was very inventive and included octopus that melted in the mouth, tender local lamb and white bean stew and a dessert with green tea ice cream. With set menus from 25 euros and a wide range of A La Carte dishes, it's a fabulous place to go for food with a view.
I had a great time in the Castellón region of Spain. It's an area of beautiful beaches, wonderful history, and amazing food. With a flight time of under two hours from Bristol airport to Castellón (Valencia) with Ryanair, you can be on the beach in no time enjoying the Spanish sun.
Thanks to Heather from Heather On Her Travels, Emma from Ladies What Travel, Jenni from Travel To Recovery and Jane from Practically Perfect Mums for their company, humour, and lust for life.
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I was hosted by the Castellon tourist board, all activities, hotels, flights, and food were on a complimentary basis. Many thanks to them.
Would you visit this area of Spain? What do you think of the activities we did?
You took some lovely photos of the food and the places. It sounds like you had a great trip with some great people! Going to go check out the other blogs now!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely time. x
Thank you for your kind comments Olivia, I did have a lovely time. It's a great area and so easy to take lovely photos of.
DeleteWow what an absolutely amazing looking place to get to explore, the food looks delicious and your hotel seems lovely.
ReplyDeleteThat is the most wonderful thing about living in Europe,you can be almost anywhere in 5 hours or less via air travel. This looks like a perfect place to escape for a vacation!
ReplyDeleteI do love living in Europe!
DeleteThat's interesting that paella wasn't traditionally made with seafood. This must have been a real foodie treat and with a great group of bloggers, some of whom I've had the pleasure to meet
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun trip wasn't it, I enjoyed the evening stroll along the beach promenade to see all the old villas.
ReplyDeleteYes it was and the villas along the prom were lovely.
DeleteWow what an amazing place to visit! The food looks AMAZING!!! I would love visit here, gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteThe food really was. You should see all the fresh seafood we had on our visit the Peniscola too.
DeleteYou had me at architecture and Game of Thrones. The Kingdom of Dorn is being filmed in Seville, Spain. I loved this post and how much fun was it to do this with a few bloggers/influencers!
ReplyDeleteSpain is lovely I've been there loads of times. I bet you loved the seafood it's so fresh isn't it x
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a good tome. I haven't been to this part of Spain
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an amazing time! I've not been to that part of Spain before but it looks beautiful x
ReplyDeleteYes this part of Spain is relatively unknown in the UK.
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip to go on! I had no idea some of GoT was filmed there, I thought it was all done in Croatia
ReplyDeleteWow! Just look at the size of this paella! I bet it was delicious!
ReplyDeleteTotally Agata.
DeleteThat sounds a fun and exciting adventure. I totally like those photos. The paella looks so tasty and delicious!
ReplyDeletedinner by the beach, how beautiful! I love Spanish markets. the produce is exceptional
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed.
DeleteLook at that Paella! I've just got back from Mallorca and miss the food so much. Love the look of this place.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to be that person and say I'M SO JEALOUS! It looks like you visited some of the most beautiful places and had some of the best foods and experiences on your trip! I can imagine how relaxing and interesting it must have been for you. I'm so glad you guys had a brilliant time!
ReplyDeleteDon't be jealous, go yourself :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity. I love attending in person influencer events. it's a perk of being a blogger.
ReplyDeleteIts funny that this is North of Valencia as I am actually going there in October and how lovely that you were invited on the trip! I love that it is only a 2 hour flight and the paella is huge but looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteYes the flight was relatively quick. Enjoy your trip in October!
DeleteOh my God those tasty things!!! I've always dreamed of visiting Spain and I hope one day I will. Thank you for sharing your journey and that gorgeous place, I will keep it in mind!
ReplyDeleteThere is no other place like Spain. I am glad I come across this post and discovered Castellon de la Plana with you.
ReplyDeleteI visited Valencia but I now wish I had travelled north a bit and seen the surrounding area too as it looks fantastic in your post. More travelling is definitely needed!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure Valencia was fantastic too.
DeleteBeautiful architecture! And the food! They just made my mouth water :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an fantastic trip and a lovely part of Spain! I would need to try out that Paella! And Club Palasiet at Voramar Beach! They both look amazing!
ReplyDeleteHad never heard of this place before! Is it like a hidden gem? The food and local markets looks so lovely :)
ReplyDeleteYes it is exactly a hidden gem. Saying that, it's actually popular with the Spanish, but we, in the UK don't travel to this area, other than Benicassim for the music festival.
DeleteThis looks like such a delicious trip to Spain!
ReplyDeleteI understand there is a heated discussion, actually, about whether Paella is really from Valencia and what should be in it (though everyone seems to agree it was a peasants meal with any ingredient available). Either way, nothing beats a great Paella made from scratch :-)
Happy continued travels!
C
I didn't know this Carole, that is interesting!
DeleteAmazing photos - I love the look of the hotel and the scenery is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat has to be the largest paella pan I have ever seen (and I love seeing you guys in the big hats getting ready to stir). I'd love to see Fadri Tower, and I'm dreaming of walking the sands of Benicassim right now. Looks like you had a great trip!
ReplyDeleteIt was the largest paella pan I had ever seen too.
DeleteWhat a great introduction to a place I'd never heard of. The El Fadri does indeed look beautiful, so does the entire Castellón De La Plana Cathedral from what I can see, and Paella is sooo delicious. How fun to have that experience. Glad you made room for the dessert.
ReplyDeleteI always make room for dessert :)
DeleteWow! Lovely photos, looks like you had a fantastic time.
ReplyDeleteI do like fine sandy beaches, natural parks, historic old towns, gastronomic food and mountainous castles! So the Castellón province sounds great! I love the architecture around Castellón De La Plana – I love gothic buildings. And your trip to trip to Mas Dels Doblon looks like a great way to experience the local culture. It sounds like there’s an incredible food scene – will have to organize a trip to the Castellón region of Spain – thanks for sharing details of your trip!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed reading Megan.
DeleteI love the culinary heritage of Spain! One of my favorites. The experience of making a paella must have been amazing, to add buying the ingredients at the local market to make it. Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteMe too Jessica.
DeleteSpain is beautiful. I can't wait to go back and explore more. The food looks so good. Wish I had some of that right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place. My husband would love that it was a filming place for game of thrones, he loves it. The food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing food, and gorgeous locations and accommodation! Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteit looked amazing,all that food has made me hungry,fabulous post,ive never been there but i think i will now
ReplyDeletesunshine, good food and a wander round an old town, ideal holiday for me
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous scenery and gorgeous food!
ReplyDeleteHazel Rea - @beachrambler
Beautiful scenery and delicious food! I would love to visit Spain and make great memories!
ReplyDeleteI've never considered visiting this area of Spain but it looks as if you had a more authentic spanish experience than offered in parts of the country more familiar to those of us in UK.
ReplyDeleteYes the whole trip felt very authentic and true to the Spanish culture. Morella and Peniscola were totally different but amazing in their own way too.
DeleteWhat a great trip. I wish we could have seen more of Castellón city - it looked such an interesting place. The beachfront villas were fascinating - I never would have noticed if we didn't have that brilliant tour!
ReplyDeleteSo much to see and so little time!
DeleteLooks beautiful
ReplyDeleteI flew to the airport there last year in order to visit my brother-in-law in Valencia. I didn't know there was anything but an airport there!!! So this has certainly opened my eyes and we'll have a look next time we visit.
ReplyDeleteI can highly recommend the area Caroline.
DeleteA lovely treat and lovely pics. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely place, with great food and things to do.
ReplyDeleteLooks so amazing! And wow look at that pan - it's huge!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a big pan of paella!
DeleteReally want to go to Spain. The architecture is stunning and the food looks delicious. Dream would be to go and see the football in Madrid or Barcelona but the above looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSpain is so varied, with amazing beaches, excellent cuisine and lovely architecture.
DeleteThis loks totally amazing! The great thing with Blogs like these they give you ideas and inspiration on were to go next!.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you Sarah!
DeleteCake for breakfast! Sounds like my sort of place!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to go on holiday. I love Spain, especially the food x
ReplyDeleteMargaret Clarkson
ReplyDeleteLovely article, thank you.
The paella looks delicious
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful place to visit
ReplyDeleteThe food looks and sounds really good, and really interesting buildings too.
ReplyDeleteLooks a nice place the food looks great
ReplyDeletewow it looks amazing and the food look so yummy too
ReplyDeleteI love Spain. The white buildings against the blue sky are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSoooo jealous! It looks like you had an incredible time!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fabulous trip - I would love to visit this region (and sample all the food too!) :)
ReplyDeleteI have been to La Plana, it is a fantasic place
ReplyDeleteI love Spain - but not the snails ! glad you did not have to experience that. I'm looking to explore that area so very interesting thank you
ReplyDeleteThe food looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! Great post 😁
ReplyDeleteSpain is amazing. The food, the people, the cities, the small towns, very nice story.
ReplyDeleteOh these are fab photos, only place i have been is florida, that was this yr when i took my 3 kids on our first plane ride abroad
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful trip
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of a lovely place.
ReplyDelete