Celebrity APEX. Day 5 - 8 Sea Day, Valencia, Barcelona, & Ibiza .
Day 5-9 - Sea Day, Valencia, Barcelona and Ibiza.
The sea day was impressive! - lovely weather and time for a morning swim for mum and Celeste. I got up really early and went to the gym on board which was fantastic and also got a very expensive hair cut (captive audience) however I cant stress thats not a complaint. The guy who done my hair was super friendly and mad it a bit of an experience outside of a normal chuck you in the chair quick cut and out the door. He took real care and we had a great conversation and it was lovely to hear about his life at home and his children.
He also managed to book me in for a facial the next day something I would normally have no interest in but now have a serious interest in….. Dont judge me 😂
This i’m pleased to say he also done with absolute profession and managed to upsell me some hair products and facial wash - all with no pressure i’m just an easy target with these things 👀
Sunny start to the day, on top deck in the swimming pool.
I managed to get some great footage and pictures with my GoPro, I wasn’t sure if I was going to use that or my actual camera - I decided to use the GoPro as it was so hot I didn’t want to take my backpack and the GoPro fitted into my pocket nice and easily with no trouble, this also made it extremely easy to just pull out and snap away or record when needed.
Day 6 - Valencia
I had been to Valencia before, but not into the city - in to the hills for the motocross MXGP of Spain so I was looking forward to seeing what Valencia had to offer outside of this. I was pretty disappointed when we were dropped off and started to wished I stayed on the ship! -
Celeste has walking challenges due to drop foot obtained during a battle with Sepsis - I will save that for a whole new blog post on anther day…. That could be a 2 or even 3 parter too 🤦🏻♂️.
Whilst where we were dropped in Valencia didn’t feel me with much excitement, a short walk across a bridge over a park area you came to these lovely wooden doors where you entered the city/town area and what a different place this was.
Not only the amazing building, architecture and friendly people but the whole area was clean and the shops and markets were awesome.
I managed to get my hands on Pan Con Tomate - lovely with that beautiful Spanish roasted coffee.
We didn’t stop too long as I said where ever we go Celeste’s legs do end up causing her a lot of grief and pain. Im so immensely proud of how she just digs in and gets on with it with very little complaints and always pushes herself to do that bit more - my hero, my wife x
Day 7 - Barcelona
Segrada Familia - The main reason I got off the ship!
Aside from Ibiza this was probably the place I was looking forward to the least - don’t hate me for saying it! I knew it would be busy and difficult to get around and my worry for Celeste etc - however I was soon corrected (see there is a trend to this) A beautiful city full of unbelievable buildings.
We done a tour on a bus which took us round 2 routes, the red route and the blue route - we began on the red route and need to switch to the blue to get too Familia Segrada - the actual operational part of this trip was incredibly straight forward and as long as you go to bus posts with the blue or red circle on it you can just jump on and off.
We then went and visited loads of sights while on the bus and it was fantastic - I will need to re-visit Barcelona one day to complete the blue route as we ran out of time.
It was very hot this day and part of Celeste’s health issues (due to kidney transplant) she has to be very careful in the sun due to the anti rejection tablets she take.
Getting back to the ship with ice cold towel and fresh fruit flavoured water was most welcomed followed by a lovely late lunch.
DAY 8 - IBIZA
Ibiza is often hailed as a paradise on Earth, and after spending some time there, it’s easy to see why. The island’s stunning beaches, with their crystal-clear turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs, create a postcard-perfect backdrop that feels almost surreal. Sunsets here are legendary, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape that draws everyone to the shoreline, creating a communal moment of awe.
What truly captured my heart were the charming street-side restaurants that dot the island. From casual tapas bars to more upscale dining experiences, these eateries offer a taste of the local culture.
However, despite the island’s beauty and charm, I found that Ibiza wasn’t quite the place for me. The lively nightlife and party atmosphere, while exhilarating for many, is not my scene. The constant buzz of energy left me longing to get back on to the Celebrity APEX. While I appreciated the vibrant culture and stunning scenery, my heart ultimately belongs to places where I can connect with locals at a much more relaxed pace.
In the end, Ibiza is undeniably breathtaking, filled with experiences that many dream of. For those who thrive in its lively embrace, it’s a slice of heaven. For me, though, it served as a beautiful reminder of what I truly seek in my travels—a deeper connection to “the locals, seeing how they live, enjoying proper local cuisine and disappearing into the mountains or heading where the locals relax.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, my recent journey through Valencia, Barcelona, and Ibiza turned out to be a delightful surprise. While I initially expected Barcelona to be my least favorite, it ended up stealing the show with its vibrant culture and stunning architecture. Valencia, a city I’d previously visited, offered a refreshing experience as I explored new areas and uncovered hidden gems. Ibiza, although beautiful, didn't quite resonate with me like the other two. Overall, these few days off the Celebrity APEX were a fantastic adventure, filled with unexpected highlights and cherished memories. As I return to the comfort of the ship, I'm grateful for the experiences and excited for what lies ahead in the place im most looking forward to visit - Cadiz.
