Catalonia and Teruel

One of the easiest ways to arrive in Spain from outside Europe is to fly into Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Many of our guests stay a few days in Barcelona, and then have breakfast on the fast “Ave” train from Barcelona to Zaragoza, which is a perfect starting point for a journey to the Central Pyrenees.

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in Europe, featuring beach, mountains, culture, a good public transport system, and a centre for the arts (Pablo Picasso and Juan Miró spent time here). Barcelona is most known for its architecture with many examples or structures designed by Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, including the enormous Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

North of Barcelona is the spectacular Costa Brava or rugged coast. The eastern Pyrenees form its boundary with France, and the range includes the picturesque Cerdanya and Aran Valleys. The Principality of Andorra is situated between the two.

The Catalan region of Tarragona lies to the south of Barcelona, and further west and inland is the Aragonese region of Teruel. Both these regions have a lot to offer.

During the Roman Empire the city of Tarragona was the administrative capital of one of Rome´s largest provinces called Tarraconensis. It consisted of more than half of the Iberian peninsula. The ruins in Tarragona today are a testament to its significance then.  A little further south of Tarragona the Ebro River Delta is a haven for birdlife.

Inland in Aragon, Teruel presents a different landscape – a high, arid terrain dotted with charming, isolated villages that seem frozen in time. This is a high plateau of extremes, cold in winter and warm in summer.

This area welcomes visitors with its diverse range of charming hotels and outstanding restaurants. Nature lovers can explore scenic trails on foot or cycle quieter roads, while birdwatchers will benefit from visiting habitats as varied as the marshes of the Ebro Delta to the rugged inland cliff faces in Teruel. For those drawn to culture, the area’s museums, historic sites, and art galleries provide endless opportunities for discovery.