Spain: Visiting the 3 regions of Aragon

If your family likes to be active, you need to check out the Aragon region in Northern Spain. From skiing and whitewater rafting in the Pyrenees to discovering dinosaurs in Teruel, there are so many things in Aragon to keep the whole family engaged and occupied.

Kids and adults will be fascinated by the history. Henry VIII’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon — the daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand — who was promised to Henry’s brother when she was 3. The marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand united Spain, and the couple are famous for ending the Reconquista (Muslim rule) and the financing of Christopher Columbus’s exploration of the new world.

The region is dotted with a bi-product Mudejar buildings, a bi-product of Muslim/Christian coexistence, which uses simple materials including brick, wood, plaster and ceramic tiles. Aragon also has several good example of Romanesque architecture.

Life is a bit slower in this part of the country. The weather is good and I didn’t even mention the fabulous food.

Below are some pics and tips from our press trip to Aragon. Have a read a let me know if you have any questions.

Capitol: Zaragoza

Fly into the capitol city of Zaragoza. Ryan Air has cheap flights from Stanstead Airport. 

Huesca

Huesca is the birthplace of ancient Aragon, one of the most powerful empires in Middle ages. It’s the gateway to Camino de Santiago (aka the Way of St. James) a pilgrimage route popular in the middle ages. It’s also famous for its use of Romanesque style. Situated at the base of the Pyrenees, Huesca is a good place to base yourself to take advantage of all the adventure activities the area offers. Ski resorts keep the area busy in the winter and in the Spring and Summer there’s white water river rafting, canyoning, rock climbing and hiking.

Places to visit in town:

• Gothic Cathedral built over old Mosque renaissance altarpiece designed by Damian Forment
• Town Hall, was a 16th century Renaissance Palace Museum of Huesca with Planetarium Heusca
• Old quarter church and cloister and a royal vault Migel Servet Park and Calle de Coso and modern Casino Planetarium 0.42

Where to stay:

• Abba Heusca Hotel 4*
• Murillo de Gallego – Real Posada de Linea

What to do:

• White water rafting on River Gallego (see the video!)
• Lorre Castle: This Romanesque castle stands perched high in teracotta-coloured mountains and was built between the 11th and 13th centuries. It is the best example of a Romaesque castle in Europe. Lots of secret passageways, corridors, chappels and windows.
• Riglos and los Mallos de Rigos Bird Interpretation Centre Real Posada de Linea in Murillo de Gallego

Nuevalos

Nuevalos is home to the Monasterio de Piedra, a 12th Century Cistercian monastery and the adjacent nature park, where the river has spent millions of years carving into the stone making waterfalls and caves.

What to do:

• Visit the Monastery Gardens and Monastery
• Water sports such as kayaking and exploring the local caves

 

Ready to go kayaking with @jalonactivo in Nuevalos! Just back from our #adventurearagon press trip and had so much fun! #britmumsaragon #discoveraragon #spain #kayaking #adventure #lake #travel #adventuretravel #igersaragon

A post shared by Susanna Scott ~ family travel (@amodernmother) on Jun 15, 2017 at 4:01am PDT

Where to stay:

• Montesario de Peidre Hotel 4* 
• Rio Peidra 

Turuel

Tureul is the city of love, dinosaurs and Mudejar architecture, many of which are designated UNESC World Heritage Sites. Mudejar art is of Islamic origin and characterized by its use of simple materials including brick, wood, plaster and ceramic tiles. Buildings such as El Salvador, San Martin and San Pedro towers and the Cathedral’s tower, dome and decorated roof.

What to do:

• Shop in the town center
• See the lovers statue
• Visit Dinopolis

Where to stay:

• Hotel Rio Cristina

IF YOU GO:

Spanish Tourist Board http://www.spain.info

UR Pyrenees: Rafting and Adventure A-132, Km. 38, 22808 Murillo de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain +34 974 38 30 4 https://urpirineos.es

Castle of Loarre 22809 Loarre, Province of Huesca, Spain +34 974 34 21 61 http://www.castillodeloarre.es/

Huesca Espacio 0.42 Parque Tecnologico Walqa, Paseo Oeste, s/n, 22147 Cuarte, Huesca, Spain +34 974 23 45 93 http://www.espacio042.com

Jalon Activo Camino del Baldío, 21, 50260 Morata de Jalón, Zaragoza, Spain +34 699 57 40 59 http://jalonactivo.com

Dinopolis Polígono los Planos, S/N, 44002 Teruel, Spain +34 978 61 77 15 http://www.dinopolis.com

Abba Huesca Hotel Calle Tarbes, 14, 22005 Huesca, Spain +34 974 29 29 00 https://www.abbahuescahotel.com/en/home.html

Real Posada de Liena Calle de la Virgen 10, 22808 Murillo de Gállego, Huesca, Spain +34 650 94 45 61 http://www.realposadadeliena.com

Monasterio de Piedra Hotel and Nature Park Calle Afueras, s/n, 50210 Nuévalos, Zaragoza,+34 976 87 07 00 http://monasteriopiedra.com

Río Piedra Ravesia Monasterio De Piedra, S/N, 50210 Nuévalos, Zaragoza, Spain
+34 976 84 90 07 http://www.hotelriopiedra.com

Hotel Reina Cristina Paseo del Óvalo, 1, 44001 Teruel, Spain +34 978 60 68 60 http://www.hotelreinacristinateruel.com