Almeria

Day 8 Valencia continued:

We found the show, Reel ro Reel featuring music from British films the best yet: good choice of songs mainly well performed.

Day 9 Almeria sunny and 29C, but cooler in a nice light breeze in the afternoon – PERFECT!

A new port for IB and IG like Valencia yesterday. Billed as a pretty and largely modern city. Situated in the middle of the bay facing the Mediterranean Sea with sandy beaches and coves. Atop of the mountain, more of a hill, behind the city is the Alcazaba or Arab Fortress. Built in 995, it commands some magnificent views.

View of Almeria and Fort Alcazaba from ship

P & O seem to be curtailing the amount of port time (to save fuel as we don't need to steam so fast and port fees?) and we do not arrive in Almeria until 9 30am. So plenty of time for breakfast before going on deck to see us into harbour. There are 2,000 passengers on board and about 10 of them are on deck: we really enjoy this, especially in new ports.

IG's pre cruise research found that all to see in Almeria is within an easy walk from where we berth. However a shuttle bus to the city centre is provided so we take that. The P & O supplied map is pretty useless but we manage to find the modern two floor food market with its impressive stalls of fruit, fish and meat.

Central Food Market

We then wander down the main harbour front tree-lined Boulevard

Parque de Nicholas Salmeron – harbour front

On the ship the Fort looked a fair walk and climb so we did not intend to climb up in the predicted 32C heat.

Fort Alcazaba

However as we strolled the back streets we happened on the Fort entrance and decided to have a look. It was an easy climb up to the top where there were some super views of the city and harbour.

Arcadia in Almeria Harbiur

Well worth the effort and by now the temperature was dropping slightly. Back to the ship for a late, for us,lunch and lazing by the pool before watching the sail out at 4pm.

Playa Zapillo Beach, Almeria

Pass the impressive beaches as we set sail for our final port, Cadiz.