The capital of the Bajo Aragon district of eastern Aragon, the town of Alcaniz stands on the banks of the Guadalope river, some 430 kilometres from the countries capital Madrid. Overlooked by its castle which was formerly the HQ of the Order of Calatrava, Alcaniz has a population of 16,392, and a history going back to the Moorish occupation. It suffered various conflicts before finally being taken from muslim control in 1179, by Alfonso II of Aragon. Places to visit in Alcaniz include the Santa Maria la Mayor church, the town hall, the Lonja and the castle which has now been turned into a parador (hotel). Alcaniz can be reached from the N-232, between Hijar and Monroyo, 120 km from Zaragoza, the regional capital.
October 25, 2010
October 22, 2010
Daroca Aragon
Located to the south of Zaragoza, the town of Daroca has a population of around 2,000 and is mostly famous for its medieval walls, which stretch for over four kilometres and formerly has a staggering 114 fortified towers. You still enter the town through its 2 ancient portals, and inside you will find some fine Mudejar architecture. Places worth visiting in Daroca include the Iglesia de Santa Maria, the Iglesia de San Miguel, the Puerta Alta and Puerta Baja gateways, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and the Fountain of Twenty Pipes. Daroca is about thirty eight kilometres from Calatayud.
Tarazona Aragon
Situated in the valley of the River Queiles at a distance of 86 kilometres from the city of Zaragoza, the town of Tarazona lies in the foothills of the Moncayo, at a crossroads between the Spanish regions of Aragon, Navarre, Castilla and La Rioja. Accessible only by road, as it has no railway connections, Tarazona has a population of about 11,000 and a history going back to before the Roman invasion of Spain. The earliest remains date from the 1st century BC, and the Romans called the town Turiaso, at which time it was a thriving city. Later controlled by the Moors it was reconquered for the Christians by Alfonso I in 1119. An interesting place to visit, especially if you are interested in Mudejar architecture, Tarazona now relies a great deal on tourism for its survival though it has been important for textiles and matches. Tarazona is to the north-west of Zaragoza.
October 1, 2010
Hotel Candanchu Huesca Aragon
A great choice for your accommodation in the skiing resort of Candanchu, in Aragon, Spain, is the Hotel Candanchu, which is centrally located and handy for local tourist attractions, ski shops and ski runs. A comfortable modern hotel with rooms offering bathroom and television, the Hotel Candanchu also has restaurant, gym, massage, bar, lounge, disabled facilities and business centre. Rooms are offered from around 38 euros per night (£32). Candanchu is located in the Huesca province of Aragon, close to the border with France, it is in the western Pyrenees and has a neighbouring ski resort called Astun, the two resorts share a ski pass for chair lifts and ski pulls, and between them offer a large number of skiing runs of varying difficulty, though the area is more recommended for experienced skiers. Candanchu is approximately 60 miles drive from Huesca and 105 miles drive from Zaragoza, the airport at Zaragoza is 114 miles a journey which should take about 2 hours 44 minutes.
September 24, 2010
Teruel Aragon Alpino Hotel
For your accommodation in the historic city of Teruel, why not stay at the Alpino Hotel, one of the best value establishments in this city in the Aragon region of Spain. Rooms in the Alpino Teruel offer bathroom, shower, television and internet access, hotel facilities include restaurant, bar, café, wi-fi internet access, city tours etc. Teruel is an ancient city which traces its history back to the Arab occupation of Spain, it is a mountainous region and there are some skiing resorts such as Valdelinares nearby which would be ideal if you are visiting during the winter time, this lesser known ski location will make a nice change from the usual crowded ski resorts. There are also some pretty villages nearby, a good example is Alcala de la Selva, which is a charming place to visit. Rooms in the Alpino Teruel are offered from around 25 euros per night (approx £21). Teruel is in the southern part of Aragon and is about 140 kilometres drive from Valencia on the coast.
September 2, 2009
Travel on the Costa Brava Spain
Boasting some of the most attractive coastline in the whole of the Spain, the Costa Brava region is located in the extreme north-east of the country within the region of Catalonia. The Costa Brava borders France to the north, Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south and was one of the first regions of Spain to attract mass tourism as cheaper package holidays and flights took off during the 1960’s, from then on Costa Brava travel was a popular option for those seeking a bit of guaranteed sunshine and a holiday abroad. Obviously the excellent summer time climate was one of the biggest draws for the region but the many beautiful Costa Brava beach resorts and the fine beaches which service them was an additional attraction. Amongst the best known resorts there are some real gems, and many have an interesting history along with their appeal as pure holiday resorts. Places such as Roses, Blanes and Estartit are among the best known while inland towns such as Girona, Figueres and Begur also have much to offer. Those wishing to get the most from a visit to the region should purchase a decent Costa Brava guide book, which will advice of the best and most interesting places to visit. Costa Brava Map.