Last September, we accompanied the candidates for Fallera Mayor of Valencia 2027 on a trip aimed at strengthening ties between two regions linked by the shipping company Trasmed.
The seventy-three candidates and the Fallera Mayor of Valencia 2026, Carmen Prades, together with her Court of Honour and accompanied by a large group of journalists, executives from Trasmed and the Grimaldi Group in Spain, as well as members of the Fallas Central Board, set off from the company’s terminal at the Port of Valencia.
We crossed the Mediterranean aboard the Ciudad de Granada, a ferry 172 metres long with 191 cabins and 551 seats, with a capacity for 1,252 passengers and 725 cars. A vessel offering passengers a full range of amenities and services: self-service facilities, a beer bar, a café, an à la carte restaurant, outdoor areas for pets, a swimming pool with a bar and sun deck, a play area for young children, free Wi-Fi, a shop and entertainment.
The Grimaldi Group’s acquisition of the routes between the mainland and the Balearic Islands, which until then had belonged to Transmediterránea, culminated in the creation of Trasmed in 2021. Specialising in passenger and freight transport, the company operates five vessels: the Ciudad de Palma, the Ciudad de Granada, the Ciudad de Sóller, the Ciudad de Barcelona and the Gubal Trader –the latter, intended for the carriage of goods– serving routes from Barcelona and Valencia to Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza.
The trip began with a party
This was the third edition of this trip for the candidates – the previous two had visited Ibiza and Mallorca – and it began on Saturday with a reception and a welcome address by Captain Iván Uranga Sánchez, who, as one might expect, ended his speech by wishing us a pleasant voyage. We then enjoyed a delicious gala cocktail reception on the Nit del Foc terrace, where, as well as savouring the culinary delights on offer, we were able to enjoy the pleasant temperature that accompanied us during those early evening hours. A fun night that ended with a DJ.
A visit to Ciutadella of Menorca
At around ten o’clock on Sunday morning, we disembarked at the port of Son Blanc, where we were greeted by a wonderful horse show from Binisebani. From there, we carried on to the town centre, where we learnt about some of the key aspects of Ciutadella’s culture, traditions and cuisine. On their arrival in the town, the delegation was welcomed by the mayor, María Jesús Bagur.
In the Praça des Born, we were treated to a performance of traditional dances by the Grup Folklòric Sant Isidre, dressed in regional costumes. This was followed by an official reception at Cas Comte, and once it had finished, we walked through the beautiful historic centre to the Ciutadella Municipal Museum, housed in the Can Saura Palace, which, amongst other rooms, has one dedicated to the Sant Joan festivities. Our visit to this stately palace concluded with a tasting of Menorcan cuisine.
The final stop on this day’s itinerary was Monte Toro, which, at 357 metres, is the highest point on the island. A wonderful view takes in the entire coastline: the tranquil bay of Fornells, the Artrutx lighthouse, the vast white sandy beach at Son Bou… We brought the visit to a close by visiting the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu del Toro, run by a small community of Franciscan nuns, doing a bit of shopping in the gift shop and having a drink at the restaurant.
The way back
At around 6.00 pm on Sunday, the ferry set off on its return journey. Some took the opportunity to rest or work, whilst others enjoyed the sea breeze; however, unlike on the outward journey, we travelled with a light breeze at our backs.
The candidates spent the whole afternoon taking part in various activities. A relaxed get-together with Carmen Prades, Fallera Mayor 2026, and her Court of Honour, who shared their experiences and feelings with the candidates, both regarding the selection process and their time in office. They also attended a talk on Valencian traditional dress with Empar del Remei and María Isabel Parras from the Guild of Tailors and Dressmakers of Valencia and Sergio Ortiz from Artesanía Ortiz. There was also a workshop on handmade cakes led by Pepina Pastel, a company based in Alzira which has become a leading name in the world of patisserie in recent years.
A brief but intense experience during which we were able to enjoy a range of events and activities aimed at sharing the traditions and culture of both sides of the Mediterranean. A cultural and festive exchange between Valencia and Ciutadella which has served to strengthen the ties between the two cities and raise awareness of cultural traditions much cherished by the people of Valencia and Ciutadella, such as the Fallas and the Fiestas de Sant Joan.
