“Oh alcázar of joy! O hall of gold! With you I fulfilled my desires. If in my kingdom I only had that, I wouldn't miss anything else." This is how Abu Jaáfar al-Muqtádir, king of the Saraqusta taifa, described his recently built recreational residence, the Aljafería Palace. Get ready to discover his legacy! Despite the fact that the first construction dates back to the 11th century, it has changed owners and has had various uses over the centuries. Did you know that it was the residence of the Catholic Monarchs? And that it came to function as a court, prison of the Holy Office and even as a military barracks? Currently, this magnificent building serves as the headquarters of the Cortes de Aragón, our autonomous parliament. And we will also visit it! Little by little, we will explore the different rooms of this indispensable piece of Hispano-Muslim art, which is part of the World Heritage List. There we will appreciate its architectural style, which blends Arab and Christian influences. You are going to fall in love! The majesty of its halls, its patios full of history and the careful Mudejar ornamentation that adorns every corner, as well as the long and complex history of both the Aljafería Palace and Aragon as a whole. We will discover everything little by little and with the help of recreations, AI, sounds and smells so that you can say goodbye to the palace with a clear image of what life has been like here for more than 1,200 years.

Enjoy a tour the city of 2000 years of history and four cultures. We will begin by visiting the Roman theater, where we will discover the first steps of the city and its oldest history. We will visit the Cathedral of Zaragoza or La Seo, and its magnificent museum of tapestries. A fantastic experience of continuing to get to know the city and getting to know one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain, where the kings of Aragon came to be crowned. We will end with the majesty of the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar. One of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the world and we will discover its devotion to the Virgen del Pilar. We will finish by visiting the Roman walls and the central market of the city, where we will learn about its precious gastronomy. During the tour we will also stop at other points of interest in the city and at the end your guide will be happy to recommend activities for the remainder of your stay.

Enjoy a 6-day guided tour of Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Valencia, visiting impressive cultural and religious monuments. Enjoy accommodation in select hotels, daily breakfast, and guided tours in each location. Day 1 (Sunday) Barcelona – Zaragoza – Madrid Depart from Barcelona at 08:00, traveling through Lerida and Zaragoza on the way to Madrid. You’ll make some short stops along the way with some free time to explore. Overnight in Madrid. Day 2 (Monday) Madrid – Cordoba – Sevilla After breakfast you’ll take a drive through La Mancha country to Cordoba. Enjoy a sightseeing tour in Cordoba, and visit its famous mosque/cathedral and the old Jewish Quarter. Continue on to Sevilla, for dinner. Overnight in Sevilla. Day 3 (Tuesday) Sevilla Today you’ll enjoy half board at your Sevilla hotel. In the morning you’ll have a city tour, visiting the Park of María Luisa, Plaza de España, the exterior of the great cathedral and its tower, and the typical Barrio de Santa Cruz. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Sevilla. Day 4 (Wednesday) Sevilla – Granada After breakfast in the hotel you’ll depart for Granada. Enjoy a sightseeing tour with visits to the impressive Alhambra with its beautiful Nazari palaces and the Generalife gardens. Dinner and overnight in Granada. Optional: Visit the caves of Sacromonte and attend a typical gipsy flamenco show. Day 5 (Thursday) Granada – Valencia After breakfast you’ll head out on a drive to Valencia via Guadix, Baza, and Puerto Lumbreras. Overnight on the Mediterranean coast in Valencia. Day 6 (Friday) Valencia – Barcelona You’ll have free time after breakfast before a mid-morning departure for Barcelona. Tour departures are available on Sundays throughout the year.

Start your tour by visiting the Basílica De Nuestra Señora Del Pilar, it is located in the center of Zaragoza and comprises nine Chapels. It is one of the most important churches in Zaragoza. It is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint James in the year 40 leaving the pillar behind as testimony of her visit where a Chapel was then built. The Basilica is built in the baroque style of the 17th century. Here, you will also have the chance to see one of the finest artworks by Damián Forment who designed the alabaster retablo mayor (the main altar). You will then walk through the Plaza del Pilar, a square in the old town of Zaragoza and is amongst the largest squares in Europe. Here, you will see the Basilica of Jesus the Savior and the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar. As you continue walking, you will see many important historical buildings along the way. You will have the chance to visit an art-gallery known as the La Longa. The building dates back to the 16th century. It is currently used as an exhibition hall where exhibits from various artists from different era’s are presented. Get to see beautiful views from the Puente de Piedra, also known as the Stone bridge which is entirely made up of Ashlar stone. It spans the Ebro river and is said to date back to the 15th century. In 1991 four lions on either side of the bridge were added. These are the works of the sculptor Francisco Rallo Lahoz. Visit another cathedral, the Cathedral of the Saviour which is amongst the two in Zaragoza. It is built on the site where a basilica existed in the 1st century. The architecture consists of many different styles. It has been recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1986. Located next to the Cathedral of the savior, you will get to see the Arco del Deán (Arch and House of the Dean). Built in the 13th century, it served as the residence for the Dean of the Cathedral and connected the residence to the Cathedral. Finish your tour at the Mercado Central, the market in Zaragoza. Here you can find food products and fresh produce. The Aragonese architect Félix Navarro Pérez is known to have designed it in 1895.