The Spanish teachers escorted us to our hotel, and shortly afterwards we went to meet the rest of the partners, who had arrived earlier, at a restaurant in the city center of Dénia. Although the weather was unusually bad for the region, it did not dampen our spirits or our enthusiasm.

On Monday morning, we went to school starting with the welcoming ceremony. The headmistress of the Spanish institution welcomed students and teachers and the customary exchange of gifts and photographs followed. 

Later, teachers and students were divided in groups and Spanish people gave us a tour of the school. We explored all the facilities and saw how big and well-organized it was, with separate classrooms for each activity, and thematic cornes which impressed us a lot.

While, the students had fun, Greek teachers took the opportunity to visit Alicante, a big city one hour by bus from Denia. They strolled around the old part of the city center, and took the lift and went up to the castle. The view was marvelous!

On Tuesday, the day started at the city hall of Denia, in a very special way with a theatrical tour of Dénia led by an actor- guide called “Márquez de Denia”. The tour was not only informative but also extremely funny, as he brought the history of the city to life through stories, humor, and acting. We learned about Dénia’s rich past, from its ancient roots and medieval times to its importance as a coastal city. Walking through the streets felt like traveling back in time, and the stories made the city even more fascinating.

After the tour, we visited the local fresh market. It was full of colors, smells, and energy. There were many different stalls selling fresh fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, and local products. It was a great chance to see how locals shop and to experience everyday life in Dénia. The tour was ended in the old part center of Denia with the customary group photo.

On Wednesday, we started our day by meeting at school early in the morning and then getting on the bus for our trip to the beautiful city of Valencia. The excitement was high as we left Dénia and headed toward one of the most historic and lively cities in Spain.

Our first stop was the historical center of Valencia. We walked through narrow streets full of history, surrounded by impressive old buildings, churches, and plazas that showed the city’s rich past. We saw famous landmarks and learned interesting facts about them while participating in a fun quiz about everything we observed, which made the tour even more engaging and interactive.

After exploring the old town, the group was divided in smaller teams each one had its own experience. The Greek team visited the legendary stadium of Valencia C.F., Mestalla. The stadium was truly impressive, full of history, passion, and football spirit. We learned about the club’s long tradition and imagined how incredible it must feel to watch a match there, surrounded by thousands of cheering fans. Most of the girls went to the mall along with some teachers while the rest of the participants preferred to stroll around the modern city of Valencia.

Next, we got back on the bus and headed to an horchata factory. There, separated in two groups each one with a tour guide, we discovered how horchata is produced, starting from the cultivation of tiger nuts (chufa) to the final refreshing drink. It was very interesting to see the whole process and understand how this traditional Valencian product is made.

Of course, the best part was tasting it! We tried fresh horchata accompanied by fartons, and it was delicious. We loved the unique flavor and found it very refreshing.

After the lesson, we visited Hort Obert, an open garden where we learned about a wide variety of garbage and lettuce, vegetables and plants, some of them were local varieties. We were informed about how these vegetables are grown, how they are cared for, and how they are divided according to the seasons of the year. The visit was very informative, and we also had the chance to taste some fresh vegetables, which helped us better understand their quality and use in everyday life.

On Friday, we had a very busy and enjoyable day full of activities. In the morning, we worked together on a project, where we shared ideas, cooperated as a team, and learned new things. 

While students work in the computer lab, teachers were called to give an interview about their experience of the mobility on podcast. 

Later, we presented our work and explained the steps we followed and the results we achieved. After the presentations, we had lunch at school, where we relaxed and spent time talking with the friends we made.

In the afternoon, our teachers had a long walk at the new part of the sea side of Denia.

At night, all students went together to a club. There was music, and we danced and had a great time. Everyone was happy, and the atmosphere was very positive. It was a memorable experience and a great way to end the mobility. We had a nice time at this week that I believe anybody can forget.

Departure day arrived with mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. In the morning, we packed our bags and said goodbye to our host families, who had made us feel welcome and comfortable from the very first day. The goodbyes were emotional, as in such a short time we had created strong bonds, shared unforgettable moments, and felt like part of one big family.

Afterwards, we gathered together for the last time, exchanging hugs, smiles, and promises to stay in touch. Although we were excited to return home and share our experiences, it was hard to leave Dénia and the friends we had made during this mobility.