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 * Aragon, Catalonia & the Spanish Pyrenees**

The Following Itinerary is designed for outdoor enthusiasts interested in seeing first hand the rich beauty of the spanish pyrenees. However, the trip also makes a closed circut to and from Barcelona making it easily accessible via it´s international airport and providing a glimpse of some of Spain´s many cultural centers.

The trip may also be customized to fit the groups needs, with possible side excursions to Andurra, Southern France, or Valencia. One example of tailoring the trip to our customers need could be an interest in Salvador Dali; perhaps a trip to the casa-museu is in order? If so the trip could start from Barcelona, head north to the Dali house, and proceede onto Andorra, Aiguestortes I Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, saving Lerida and Sitges for the end, rather than starting the trip with them as shown in this sample itinerary.

Finally, buses can be taken via Alsa, or a car could be rented for groups seeking added convenience and flexability.


 * Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona**


 * Day 2: Barcelona**

Barcelona is a wonderful city abuzz with an international population and vibrant nightlife. The city can also be characterized by its impressive modern architecture including numerous examples of the work by Antoni Gaudi. Of these one must be sure not to miss Park Guell and la Sangrada de Familia which are some of the pinnacles of Gaudi's work. In fact, la Sangrada de Familia is such an intensive project that despite being started a century ago, it has still yet to be completed. Moreover, from the top hill in Gaudi's Park Guell one can see the sweeping expanse of the city including the outline of Barcelona's infamous fallic shaped office building. Continuing in the line of art, Barcelona houses numerous other museums including one of Picasso that is of particular note. Finally, if one is a surrealist affecionado one might consider a side trip to the Dali House/Museum which is, to say the least, a step into another world. A final must see in Barcelona is the massive street known as Las Ramblas. Filled with street entertainers, artists, and a huge crowd of people, Las Ramblas is one of the most crowded areas in the metropolis. As is common in Spain, the street is of utmost chaos after siesta between 5 and 9 o'clock; if you want to be stampeded by the herd but experience a completely jubilant culture, go sometime around seven. Sitges is a beautiful beach town just south of Barcelona with sweeping cliffs and a considerable gay population in the summer. Home to a whopping seventeen beaches, there is a niche for everyone who comes for a visit. Aside from this, the town is rather quaint with a relaxed atmosphere sprinkled with numerous cafes and mini-restaurants to escape the sun and sit for a cold drink with lunch. Along these lines, one may also take a break and wander some of the various shops filled with hand-crafts, trinkets and of course, souvenirs. Also, don't worry about coming too prepared to the small town, once you arrive there is two grocery stores right across the street from the train station.
 * Day 3: Sitges**


 * Day 4: Lerida / Lleida**

Lleida is the capital of the catalonian province of the same name. Rich with history, holding one of the largest universities in Spain, started during the crown of Aragon. As such, any good tour of the town will include a trip to the university and sitting in the area, taking a tapa, and enjoying the relaxed student atmosphere. To continue, the city is filled with numerous small museums including the recently opened (as of 2008) Museum of Lleida, displaying artifacts from the city's history. Possibly the most notable museum of Lleida is the Institut d'Estudis Ilerdencs which exhibits of variety of art spanning ancient to modern.

Finally, if nightlife is on the list of Lleida, El Vins and El Vins Nuevo are the two best areas of town to go out exploring bars and clubs.

Here, the masses of tourism and luxuries of tapas will quickly come to an end. But don't be worried. In their place you will witness some of the most striking and varied natural geography known to man. Here, the Spanish Pyrenees are known for their high mountains, great hiking, wildlife, lakes, and so much more. Simply take the bus from Lleida to the park and start your way. There is an information center located in the park as well as 10 refugees scattered throughout the park which can ease accommodation if you choose to travel out of season or lack the proper camping equipment for the excursion. For more information, see some of the numerous links of the refugees to get started.
 * Day 5: The Spanish Pyrenees-** **Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park**

Night accomodation-refuge/camping: [] [] []


 * Day 6: Hiking**

Day 6 will be filled with continued hiking and viewing the many wonders the Pyrenees have to offer outdoor enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

Vall de boi is a number of cathedrals in the area, historic for the romanesque architecture and art. With the various churches, the area is the densest concentration of romanesque architecture in all of Europe! The reason for this is for while the rest of Spain was once ruled under Islam, the Pyrenees remained isolated in the Christian traditions and most money at the time was put towards the construction of these churches. Finally to end the day, Torla is a quaint village in the mountains with barely over 300 inhabitants, making it perfect to relax after a long day, get some food, and experience some of the traditional culture of the area before retiring for the night.
 * Day 7: Vall de Boí & Torla**

Yes San Juan del la Pena is another Monastery, however the site is unique and worthy of a visit. The Church itself is partially constructed into the side of a mountain, with one wall carved out of the rock itself. The rest of the church is built with stone and sits underneath the rest of the cliff which looms overhead. Much of the original monestary (built in 920) was destroyed in a fire in 1625 before being rebuilt soon afterward. As such, much of the church which stands today is again built in the traditional Romanesque style.
 * Day 8: Jaca & Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña**

Riglos is ideal for rockclimbing if thats up your alley; there are literrally cliffs hundreds of feet high that drop straight down to the earth below. For this reason, even if you are not a rock climbing affecionado, a trip to Riglos can be just as breathtaking from the ground itself. Moreover, a mere kilometers away is the Loarre Castle, dating from the 11th and 12th Centuary.
 * Day 9: Riglos & Loarre Castle**

**Day 10: Huesca** Huesca is a small city despite being the capital of the province with the same name. Nonetheless, after days of hiking through the mountains and visiting cathedrals and ancient ruins, returning to society for a relaxing day may be a much needed experience. Again, like much of Spain, Huesca's top sites include its churches, most notably its gothic cathedral, the Cathedral of Huesca. Aside from this however, it would be of particular note to sit and have a cup of coffee here. Why you may ask? It is not that Huesca is known for outstanding cappuccinos but rather that there was a running joke during the spanish civil war of “Tomorrow we'll have a coffee in Huesca” a ignorant comment made by a republican general of the time, thinking that conquering the city would be no problem at all. Other legends originating from Huesca include the Bell of Huesca, which describes how a monk cut off the heads of twelve noble-men who did not obey him, and is depicted by a famous painting of the same name by José Casado del Alisal. Although again a center for romanesque architecture, the most prominent feature of the city is its Baroque church with its towers that stand high above the rest of the skyline. What's more, the Catheral is home to a variety of art including many of Goya's frescos. If you want even more works by the master, proceed onto the Museo Provincial which holds more of his works. Other top sites in Zaragoza not to miss are the Expo Grounds from the 2008 Universal Expo on water and sustainability which houses Europe's largest aquarium, a water park and other modern architecture. Finally, if all that isn't enough to satisfy you before the return to Barcelona, La Aljaferia, a muslim palace from the 11th century which has also been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its amazing architecture reminiscent of the Taifa Kingdoms. **Day 12: Return to Barcelona & Flight Home**
 * Day 11: Zaragoza**