Benicarló (Castellón)
Benicarló, 27.000 inhabitants, is located in the north coast of the Province of Castellón, in the county of Baix Maestrat, being an important fishing port and a touristic center of the Azahar Coast. It’s found on the shore of Mediterranean Sea and it is surrounded by irrigated vegetable gardens which define the north and south borders with the towns of Vinaroz and Peñiscola.
It emerged in Middle Age as a small Arab core and has preserved its original layout. The medieval town is full of remarkable examples of stately architecture. Together with its active fishing port, the beach extents up to the neighboring town of Peñíscola and this stretch is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.
From its long agricultural tradition, the cultivations of oranges and artichokes specifically stand out. The Artichoke of Benicarló is a Protected Designation of Origin, which was formed with municipal agreements by the towns of Benicarló, Calig, Peñiscola and Vinaroz, and defines the farming of the county of Baix Maestrat.
Vinaroz is the capital city of the county of BaixMaestrat and has almost 30.000 inhabitants. One of the particularities of this town is that its old town is right in front of the sea. We will get lost walking through the small alleys of the city center, such as Calle Mayor or Calle Socors, and we will discover all the most important monuments as the Assumption Church, the central market or the Saint Telmo Church.
Agri-food Cooperative
Benihort is the Agricultural Cooperative of Benicarló. Aside from the traditional activities of fruit and vegetables processing, the selling of supplies or the production of olive oil are developing as well the creation of other commercial areas such as the selling of seeds and the marketing of their own products in their own grocery stores: the Benihort Supermarkets.
Tour
“Artichoke from Benicarló”
This excursion is unique because we will discover everything about a vegetable with a Protected Designation of Origin: the artichoke of Benicarló.
We will be welcomed by a local farmer who will explain us all the processes, the cares and the curiosities about this cultivation.
For lunch, we will eat a menu inspired by the artichoke, and to end the excursion, we will transfer to Vinaroz and will do a cultural walking tour in its historic city center.