Culture & Cuisine
7 night guided history, culture and gastronomy tour
- 7 night guided holiday
- Cultural and historical tours
- Wine tastings and local cuisine
- Wonderful tranquil 4* hotel
A holiday focusing on the fascinating culture and history of the Pyrenees and the kingdom of Aragon as well as the superb food and wine of the region. This is NOT a hiking holiday. A couple of the trips involve short walks but these will be very gentle!
We’ll visit 10th century monasteries and churches, explore abandoned villages and take guided tours of Jaca – the original capital of Aragon and Aínsa one of the most important medieval towns in the area.
As well as the history we’ll be visiting Bodega Bal Minuta the highest vineyard in Spain, spending an evening wine tasting and sample some of the regions produce – especially the local cheeses.
The hotel is wonderful and relaxing on the terrace of this chalet style hotel with a glass of “vino tinto” is the perfect way to get away from it all. The hotel has gardens, pool, jacuzzi and sauna. The evening meals are exceptional and we’ll try all of the local specialities during the holiday all paired with Spanish wines.
Sunday – arriving in Larrede
Arrive in Hotel Viñas de Larrede from Zaragoza. Short briefing about the week ahead with a wine and cheese tasting before your evening meal.
Monday – Churches of the Serrablo
The 10th century churches of the Serrablo surrounding the hotel are some of the best preserved Romanesque churches in Spain. We’ll visit the churches, explaining their architecture and take a short walk to the abandoned village of Susin whose final inhabitant, Angelina, died in 2013.
Tuesday – Aínsa – medieval town and raptor rescue centre
A visit to Ainsa where we’ll take a tour this historic town with its medieval castle and 11th century church. We’ll visit the raptor rescue centre viewing rescued lammergeier, eagle owls and kites. The centre is also the headquarters of the Lammergeier Foundation and we’ll learn about the conservation program for these beautiful and rare vultures. Lunch will be taken in the wonderful 12th century plaza.
Wednesday – Bodega Bal Minuta
A day of wine! A visit to Bodega Bal Minuta which has the highest vineyards in Spain. We’ll get shown around the village and vines by the villages only residents – Pilar and Ernesto. We’ll also try local cheeses and honey made in Biescas. Evening wine tasting and tour of the village of Sardas where we’ll visit old blacksmiths,village washing area and the 11th century church. We’ll have the wine tasting in the village hall.
Thursday – San Juan de la Peña & Jaca
The early kings of Aragon are buried in this fascinating 10th century monastery built into a cave under high cliffs. The area also has a large vulture colony that we’ll see. Evening history and tapas tour of Jaca – the original capital of Aragon.
Friday – Canfranc station and surrounds
A valley full of history. The train station was the largest indoor space in Europe when it was inaugurated in 1928 and was the main connection in the region between France and Spain. The line was closed in 1970 after a runaway train took out a bridge and has never reopened. The tunnel now houses a dark matter detection facility.
Saturday – Santa Elena and La Línea P
We’ll discover the legends and secrets of Santa Elena which lies on an old pagan worship site. The zone around the church was heavily fortified with defences from the Napoleonic era and the more recent ‘La Linea P’ – a series of defences constructed by Franco to prevent invasion by the Allies from France after WW2.
Sunday
Free morning before leaving for a drop off at Zaragoza train station or airport.
Culture & Cuisine
2018 Dates
Sun 20 – 27 May – Fully booked
Sun 30 September – 7 October
Price
1249 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room).
180 € single room supplement
Included
7 nights accommodation:
7 x 4* Hotel Viñas de Larrede – in premium room with terrace or balcony
Breakfast each morning
Lunches each day – split picnics/restaurants
3 course evening meals each night – meals taken at the hotel
All tours and entrance fees
Transfers to and from either Zaragoza airport or train station.
Transport to the visits each day.
Not included
Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meal
Getting to the Pyrenees
From the UK
There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza. You can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid and can catch the AVE fast train to Zaragoza. We pick up at both the train station and the airport.
From outside Europe
Most of our guests from outside of Europe fly via Barcelona or Madrid, combing a stay in one of these two excellent cities with their walking holiday. From either city there are excellent rail links to Zaragoza.
See more travel options and details on our getting here page.
4* Hotel Viñas de Lárrede
From Hotel Viñas you’ll see the spectacular views of the Pyrenees with it 3000 m peaks. The hotel is situated in front of the 10th century romansque church, San Pedro de Lárrede.
The chalet style hotel provides a tranquil atmosfere were spend the afternoons relaxing in its gardens and terrace with a glass of wine or a tea.
Read more about Hotel Viñas de Larrede
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up from?
Which meals are included in the price?