▲ Zaragoza: The history of Zaragoza dates back over 2,000 years and still has many traces of the past. Inhabited since the bronze age, it has Iberian origins dating from the third century and throughout the centuries it has been home to Romans, Muslims, and almost all civilisations that have occupied the Iberian Peninsula.  It was the capital during the Aragon reign (which upon joining the Kingdom of Castille gave rise to the current Spain) and the headquarters where they crowned all of the kings of Aragón for hundreds of years.

Today Zaragoza is the fifth most populated city in Spainand it joins modernity, tradition and history with elegance and pride. It is situated along the river Ebro in Spain which calm waters reflects the beauty of the two cathedrals (the Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, and the Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza) and the city. It is a group of Muslim monuments that are part of the World Heritage Site. The impressive Catedral del Pilar, home to one of our most famous and well-known painters: Goya and ” La Plaza de la Hispanidad”  (Hispanidad Square) is a place immortalized through photographs and paintings. It will be a very special day!

▲ Zaragoza  is considered as one of the most religious cities in Spain, because they has the most bigger faith to the virgin Pilar and make a super big celebration about this virgin ” Las fiestas del Pilar“

You will be impressed by the Cathedral of Pilar nestled in the gigantic and wonderful square with the same name. It’s enormous and elegant but at the same time light and delicate. Its eleven domes and four bell towers make it seem even larger. It’s Baroque style and the Marian shrine (dedicated to the virgin Mary) is the oldest in Spain and possibly in the world. Inside you can see real paitings of  Goya, as many from his early days as his more mature work.

The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of Pilar, who is the patron of Spain. In fact, on October  12th is the ” El día de la Hispanidad” (Columbus day in America) and we dedicate3this same day to the Virgin of Pilar. Make a note of this day in your diary because there are celebrations throughout Spain and no classes! The tradition is that the Virgin (when she was still alive) was presented to the apostle James who was preaching in these lands. The Virgin, next to a column (a pillar) asked him to build a church in the same place. The first dates of this church are from the fourth century. Today it is home to this pillar and near it you will find a statue of the Virgin and which is shockingly only 38cm! It’s cloak covers almost the whole pillar. It’s tradition in Spain for parents to bring their children to Zaragoza, to the basilica, to walk below the cape of the Virgin to protect them. This basilica is a symbol of Spain. Almost all Spanish people have been the children that visit Zaragoza and walk under the cloak of the Virgin. And it’s free entry! Although you will see many tourists taking photos with their phones, you’re technically not allowed to photograph the inside of the basilica, which supposedly protects the Goya paintings from the damage of camera flashes. In times of mass, the basilica asks for respect for worship and silence.

During the walking tour we will see many Mudejar monuments which are sure to impress because some are World Heritage sites. Mudejar art is a medieval architectural style that comes from the coexistence of Muslims and Christians in the Iberian Peninsula, so it’s likely that this is the first time you will have seen it. You will be amazed for example by the Palace of Aljafería, built in the eleventh century by the Muslims, and passed over to the Christians in the twelfth century when it was completed with this Mudejar style and housed the majestic throne room of the kings of the Crown of Aragon. Nowadays this palace is the headquarters of the Aragón government. Some other mudéjar buildings are the Catedral del Salvador, (la Seo) which harmoniously combines the gothic and Mudejar style, and the Casa y el Arco del Deán, the Zuda tower and much more…

It is the city that borders the wide river Ebro. The rivers in Spain are not usually very big, so we are always impressed by the width and majesticity of this river. There are various bridges crossing the river such as the Puente de Piedra from the fifteenth century with seven beautiful arches and the current and modern Puente del Tercer Milenio which leads to the most fururistic part of the city.

Throughout the day we will enjoy the famous Aragón cuisine. If you like trying new dishes you will have the opportunity to try the ham from the nearby Teruel, and a huge number of different tapas dishes that we don’t have in Valencia, such as las migas (made using leftover bread with spices and meat), el ternasco (the best cuts of lamb from a local breed of Aragón), and el chilindrón (a rich tomato and pepper sauce on chicken). The pork dishes such as the cold meats or pork loin are typical of the area but if you don’t like meat then you can try bacalao a la baturra or bacalao al ajoarriero, two cod dishes which are also typical of the area and delicious! The wine sold here is only available in Zaragoza so it’s a good idea to get some as a souvenir, either a Cariñena or a Somontano.

If you want to spend an incredible day with your friends, come with us to live this exciting adventure that you will never forget !!

Are you ready to enjoy Zaragoza?

 Price Excludes: 

• Everything that is not mentioned in "Included"
• Ticket Entrance to Cathedral: 2€/person
• Meals and dinners
• Public transport ticket in the city: Taxi / Bus, etc.

📅 SCHEDULE:

📍06:45 AM: Meeting Point - Mestalla Stadium OR Plaza de España! Stay tuned in the whatsapp group we will confirm it soon! 

🚌 07:00 AM: Bus to Zaragoza

🕔 11:15 AM: Arrival in Zaragoza

🕔 11:30 AM - 20:30 PM: Free time in Zaragoza

🚌 21:00 PM - 01:00 AM: Bus to Valencia

📍 01:00 AM: Arrival in Valencia