U3A Denia

L to r: Graham Cromack & Chris Whitehead. Front: Ginny Whitehead & Liz Jones

Our aim is to provide our membership with a wide choice of value for money trips to suit all pockets, within the limitation of minimum numbers required to make a trip viable. As well as being friendly and fun, we endeavor to make our trips educational/cultural in line with the U3A ethos of continued learning and sharing experiences.

Here are the trips we’re planning for the rest of this year:

17 March: Albufera rice fields with lunch (this trip is now full).

12 May: Visit Elche, with lunch in a four star hotel and a visit to the Pikolinos shoe factory and museum

6 - 16 September Mediterranean cruise. We still have a few Balcony cabins left and you will need to pay €500 pp deposit to secure your booking.

October: a bodega visit with lunch.

December: day trip to Valencia for Christmas shopping, then lunch in Port Saplaya

December: Three or four day Christmas break.
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Ever wondered why paella is Spain’s national dish and where the rice comes from to make it? All your questions will be answered on this trip!

We’re visiting the rice fields and lagoon of Albufera, and we’ll stop on the way for a short comfort break. We’ll be met by our Guide for the day and, during a relaxed walk, we’ll be shown around a typical fisherman’s cottage and told all about rice cultivation.

We’ll then board a boat for an hour-long trip around the lagoon to see the wildlife.

Time for lunch, and a Valencian paella awaits us (of course!):

Ensalada, entremeses, pan con tomate y alioli
***
Paella Valenciana (pollo)
***
Poste ó cafe
***
A glass of wine, beer or water

Price is between €50 and €55pp depending on numbers.

We’ll leave Albufera at 4pm, and return to Denia by 5.30pm

For those members with walking difficulties, our comfort break stop involves walking up and down two flights of stairs and, although the walk around the fishermen’s cottages is on flat earth, it could be uneven in places.

Please remember that you, and any travelling companions, must be fully paid up (2023) members of U3A Denia to travel with us.

This trip is now full. If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please contact Ginny: travel@u3adenia.com

Pick up time from:
New Marina Denia - 10.15
McDonalds Denia - 10.30
Mas y Mas Ondara - ALSA bus stop 10.45

11 days/10 nights

MSC Orchestra was launched in 2001 and refurbished in 2021. It’s half the size of the Costa ship we cruised with last time, so not so far to walk around the ship. We depart from Alicante and call at the following ports:
Mahón, Menorca
Olbia, Sardinia
Genoa (for Portofino), Italy
Marseille (for Provence), France
Málaga
Cádiz
Portugal
Alicante
There are two ‘at sea’ days.

Our package includes:
Drinks package
Tips and gratuities
Insurance
Transport to and from the port

Facilities
On MSC Orchestra there are five restaurants and nine bars. There is a spa, a solarium, a jacuzzi, a gym, a casino, three swimming pools, a jogging track, a bowling alley, a mini-golf course, a card room and a library.

You have the option of eating in the buffet restaurant or in L’ibiscus. There are three other restaurants on board which require a surcharge, including Shanghai Chinese, Italian gourmet and La Piazzeta for the finest pizza outside of Naples!

Our drinks package includes basic spirit brands, wine by the glass, beer, popular aperitifs, water, coffee, tea and soft drinks and some cocktails.

The Covent Garden Theatre is the venue for top quality shows, which are performed twice nightly. There is live music, dancing etc in the bars and throughout the ship, and don’t forget the card room and library if you prefer some peace and quiet. On our cruise, there are two formal gala nights.

Excursions
We have decided not to involve ourselves with excursions on this cruise. They can be easily booked on board the ship on arrival.

The following prices are based on 50 travellers:
Price per person:
Inside - Double €1354 Single occupancy €2109
Ocean view - Double €1531 Single occupancy €2427
Balcony - Double €1802 Single occupancy €2916

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE ONLY BALCONY CABINS AVAILABLE NOW. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A €500 pp DEPOSIT ON BOOKING.

Payments
These will be made in three instalments: €500pp by 11 February, €500pp three months before sailing and the final payment two months before sailing.

Very important note for single travellers:
In line with many cruise companies now, MSC Cruises cannot confirm how many single cabins they will give us until we have confirmed the bookings. We will then allocate them on a first come, first served basis, so book early!

Travellers with reduced mobility
Wheelchairs are available for guests’ use for emergencies or when embarking and disembarking only.


To take our trips, you and your travelling companions must be fully paid up members of U3A Denia for 2023.

To book, contact Ginny: travel@u3adenia.com
with:
your name(s)
pick up point - Denia New Marina, McDonald’s or Ondara.
Disabled requirements
Any special dietary needs

For any other queries, please contact the Cruise Organiser direct: graham.cromack@sky.com

Pick up time from:
New Marina Denia - To be advised
McDonalds Denia - To be advised
Mas y Mas Ondara - To be advised