Escape the Costa crowds! Discover Huesca and its most beautiful villages, a hidden gem in the Spanish Pyrenees. 

Serious expressions of interest are now being sought for this 10-night trip proposed for the end of August i.e. you would book this tour subject to cost. There is no commitment at this stage. Please send an email to Angela Chantry at the address shown below.

Saturday 22nd August – Tuesday 1st September 2026 10 nights

Enjoy the magic of landscapes ranging from tall peaks, glittering waterfalls and valleys dotted with beautiful mountain villages.  With typical Pyrenean architecture, and a medieval past, Huesca is a province full of nature, magic, and contrasts. This trip is in the planning stage and further details will be published in January. Expressions of interest welcome.

PROGRAMME (subject to amendment until all elements are confirmed)

Day 1: Saturday 22nd August – Javea / Monreal del Campo / Huesca

08.30 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, Calle Bruselas, Arenal.

08.45 hrs: Departure from Interiors (opposite side of the road), Javea port.

09.05 hrs: Pick up at Mas y Mas, N332 (if required). Short refreshment break enroute.

12.30 hrs: Arrival in Monreal del Campo; visit to the Saffron Museum.

The Saffron Museum aims to safeguard the culture and tradition of this crop, which years ago was very important to the economy of Monreal del Campo and the entire Jiloca region. The building, located in the town’s main square, was originally a manor house dating from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Later, it served as a school and was renovated in the early 1980s to house the exhibition. In the exhibition, you can also see objects donated by the people of Monreal: more than 150 pieces that cover all the processes of this crop, from preparing the land for planting to selling the product, including harvesting the flower, separating the buds, roasting, and weighing them.

14.00 hrs: Free time for lunch.

15.15 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Huesca.

17.30 hrs: Check into the 4* Hotel Sancho Abarco Spa or 4* Hotel Pedro I de Aragon for 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation. Evening free.

Day 2: Sunday 23rd August

Breakfast.

FREE DAY or optional guided tour.

10.00 hrs: Optional morning guided tour of Huesca, including:

Free afternoon and evening. 2nd night in the 4* Hotel Sancho Abarco Spa or 4* Hotel Pedro I de Aragon

Day 3: Monday 24^th August- Huesca / Alquézar / Graus / Ainsa

Breakfast.

09.30 hrs: Check out and departure for Alquézar.

10.30 hrs: Optional guided walking tour through the medieval streets of Alquézar (1 hr 15 mins), in the heart of the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park. This picturesque medieval village has not only been recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, but in December 2022 it received a prestigious award from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), being included among the Best Tourist Villages in the World. Explore the Collegiate Church and the towering Castle, and Alquézar’s charming cafes, boutiques, and local artisans.

12.00 hrs: Free time for lunch.

14.00 hrs: Travel to Graus, located in the Pyrenees at the confluence of rivers Esera and Isabena. where the historic quarter has been declared an Historic-Artistic Site. The beauty of its rectangular main square with its colourful façades, or the grandeur of some of its buildings, such as the parish church of San Miguel or the Gothic temple of the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, are well worth a visit.

15.00 hrs: Arrival in Graus, free time to enjoy a café or to wander through the historic streets.

17.00 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Aínsa.

18.00 hrs: Check in to the 3* Hotel Sánchez or the 3* Hotel Mesón de L´Aínsa, for 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation.

Day 4: Tuesday 25th August

Breakfast.

A FREE DAY in Aínsa, a stunning medieval town in the Aragonese Pyrenees and one of the most beautiful villages in Huesca, invites you to explore its medieval streets, the walls of its castle, its picturesque Plaza Mayor, and the beautiful Church of Santa María de Aínsa (12th century).

2nd night in the 3* Hotel Sánchez or the 3* Hotel Mesón de L´Aínsa

Day 5: Wednesday 26th August – Aínsa / Monastery of San Juan de la Peña / Jaca

Breakfast.

09.30 hrs: Check out and travel to the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña, whose origins date back to the 10th century.

12.00 hrs: Guided visit to the old monastery – Visitors are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before the time assigned for the start of the guided tour at the entrance of the Old Monastery.

Tickets include access to three monuments:

1. Royal Monastery of San Juan de la Peña (Old Monastery, 11^th-12^th century)

2. New Monastery (17^th century)

3. Church of Santa María, located in Santa Cruz de la Serós

4. Shop

5. Interpretation Centre of Protected Landscape of San Juan de la Peña and Monte Oroel

There are no guided visits to the New Monastery and the church of Santa María, visitors are allowed to follow the tour at their own pace.

Parking and shuttle

Late afternoon: Travel to Jaca, the capital of the Aragonese Pyrenees

Check in to the 4* Eurostars Reina Felicia Spa Hotel for 5 nights’ accommodation, with breakfast, situated in one of the most beautiful locations in Jaca.

Day 6: Thursday 27^th August

Breakfast – FREE DAY

Jaca is known as “the pearl of the Pyrenees”. It is a cosmopolitan European city, and a key stop on the St James Way (Camino de Santiago). Do not miss a visit to the Citadel, an example of military architecture from the 16th century and declared an Historical-Artistic Monument. Construction on the citadel began in 1592, and it features a pentagonal ground plan of grandiose dimensions, including a moat, and is built on flat ground.

There are other important buildings, such as its Romanesque Cathedral (11th century), declared a National Monument, the Benedictine Monastery, the Church of Santiago, the Hermitage of Sarsa, the San Miguel Bridge, the Clock Tower (15th century) and City Hall.

2^nd night at the 4* Eurostars Reina Felicia Spa Hotel.

Day 7: Friday 28^th August

Breakfast. FREE DAY OR ALTERNATIVELY, OPTIONAL DAY TRIP

10.00 hrs: Board our coach and travel to Aisa. 

10.45 hrs: Arrival in Aisa and free time. 

Surounded by beech, pine and oak forests, and with impressive panoramic views, Aisa is a typical Pyrenean village. Its streets are dominated by stone houses with steep slate roofs and large chimneys, whose facades boast beautiful wrought iron and wooden balconies. Its old town is kept in very good condition, mainly because all the renovations carried out have sought to maintain the traditional style of the popular mountain architecture.

14.00 hrs: Board our coach and travel to Canfranc International Station.

14.45 hrs: Arrival at Canfranc International Station.

A few kilometres from the French border, the Canfranc International Station, opened in 1928, is a monumental structure declared a Cultural Heritage Site for what it represented at the time: a showcase of Spain for foreign visitors crossing the Pyrenees.

Discover the Magic of the Pyrenees aboard the mythical train El Expresso de Canfranc, an historic train, which is quite an experience in itself.

15.50 hrs: Join the group and be in line ready to board the train.

16.15 hrs: The train departs for a 35-minute trip through the Pyrenees with stops at Villanúa, Castillo de Jaca and Jaca.

16.50 hrs: Our coach will be waiting to pick us up at the Jaca train station to take us back to the hotel.

3^rd night at the 4* Eurostars Reina Felicia Spa Hotel.

Day 8: Saturday 29^th August – Jaca / Lanuza

Breakfast.

09.30 hrs: Board our coach and travel to the Lacuniacha Wildlife Park.

Lacuniacha Wildlife Park is a biopark of over 30 hectares located in the heart of the La Pinosa forest in the Tena valley and surrounded by the imposing Huesca Pyrenees mountains.  Here you can learn first-hand about the bears, wolves, lynxes and the many other species who live or have lived in the Pyrenees. The park is aimed at being a sanctuary for animals who are born in captivity, come from a recovery centre or have been rescued from places where they did not receive appropriate care. There are around 120 animals of 15 different species and apart from living in their own habitat, these species coexist and interact with other animals who roam around freely and can enter and exit the park perimeter without any problem, such as moles, marmots, squirrels and birds.

In parallel with the wildlife experience, the Park also has a botanical route with the 21 main plant species in the area, where there are information panels of all the plants. There are protected species such as the boxwood, Scots pine, and birch, oak and holly trees.

10.30 hrs: Arrival at the Park which provides a 4.5-kilometre circular route through a marked trail so that you can visit all the areas where the fauna live. It takes between 2 and 3 hours and along the route, you will see how the various species eat, relax, interact with each other or breed. Furthermore, it offers an excellent opportunity for bird watching since, due to its particular characteristics and the animal species that live here, it is one of the greatest ornithological paradises in the Pyrenees, including carrion birds, which can be seen through the hide located in the feeding station belonging to the Official Network of Feeding Stations of Aragon.

In August, the Lacuniacha Wildlife Park typically offers a cool to pleasant mountain climate, acting as a relief from the heat in lower-altitude areas. Wear layers as the park is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,380 metres (about 4,528 feet) above sea level.

13.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to Lanuza.

14.00 hrs: Arrival at Lanuza; free time.

This small village, situated on the slopes of the Pyrenees, was a ghost town for many years. Its inhabitants had to abandon it in 1978 due to flooding fears after the construction of the Lanuza reservoir and were only able to return in the 90s after discovering that it was safe to live there. Stroll through the historic centre of Lanuza and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that pervades it. It’s a compact settlement of stone and slate, whose houses have undergone extensive renovation, as the town aims to become a major tourist destination within the Tena Valley.

16.00 hrs: Reboard our coach for the return journey to Jaca.

17.00 hrs: Arrival back at the hotel.

4^th night at the 4* Eurostars Reina Felicia Spa Hotel.

Day 9: Sunday 30^th August – Jaca / Ansó

Breakfast

09.30 hrs: Board our coach and travel to Ansó, declared a Site of Historical and Artistic Interest, which belongs to the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain association.

10.30 hrs: Arrival and free time.

When visiting Ansó the first thing to do is to wander through its cobbled alleyways.  The stone buildings, in harmony with the tiles, the wood and the wrought iron, make a beautiful village whose origins date back to the thirteenth century. One distinctive feature are the small spaces measuring just half a metre, known as callizos, which separate each house. Although it is small in size, Ansó boasts several restaurants where you can enjoy Pyrenean gastronomy. 

On the last Sunday of August, Ansó becomes a living museum of traditions with the celebration of Ansó’s Traditional Costume Day. This festival, declared a National Tourist Interest event, has been celebrated for over 50 years. More than 100 residents of Ansó dress in their finest attire and showcase the daily life of yesteryear.  Locals dress in their regional costumes, made of wool dyed red and green for women and black for men, adorned with details on the shoulders, chest, and head. This attire, one of the most beautiful and unique in Aragón, has been immortalized by artists like Sorolla and is a symbol of the cultural heritage of the valley. Baptismal costumes, “periquillo” outfits, brotherhood attire, and skirts are just some of the traditional costumes that can be seen each year.

16.00 hrs: Reboard our coach for the return journey.

17.00 hrs: Arrival back at the hotel.

5^th night at the 4* Eurostars Reina Felicia Spa Hotel.

Day 10: Monday 31^st August – Jaca / Loarre Castle / Monasterio de Piedra

Breakfast

09.15 hrs: Check out and load luggage onto the coach.

11.30 hrs: Arrival at Loarre Castle for a guided tour (approx. 1 hour). Declared a National Monument in 1906, Loarre Castle is considered the best-preserved Romanesque castle in Europe. An imposing 11th-century fortress that has witnessed the history of the Kingdom of Aragon to the present day. It has been the setting for numerous films, such as Irati, The Abbess, and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven. But beyond the stone and architecture, the tour comes alive through the stories of the historical figures who lived in and shaped the castle’s destiny. Along with the guided tour, you can enjoy access to the new immersive audiovisual presentation to complete the experience. After the tour you can stroll among its walls at your leisure and enjoy the castle’s most emblematic spaces. You can also take advantage of its restaurant and shop, with locally sourced products.

14.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to the Monasterio de Piedra. Comfort stop enroute.

17.30 hrs: Check in to the 3* Hotel & Spa Monasterio de Piedra, dinner and breakfast included.

Housed within the former 13th-century Cistercian monastery, it is a listed Building of Cultural Interest which will transport you to bygone eras: the 13th-century cloister, the vaulted corridors, the Renaissance staircase, the “Library” room, all are beautiful.  The hotel also offers an outdoor pool and spa area, restaurants, several lounges, bars, and meeting rooms. In addition, the hotel boasts extensive landscaped gardens and wooded areas, parking, terraces, and spaces for strolling and relaxing.

The walk through the Historic Garden Park of the Monasterio de Piedra is full of surprises.  To the natural charm of the river, the bustle and freshness of its waterfalls must be added, as well as the peaceful stillness of its lakes, and the singing of the more than 20 different bird species that have been identified within the area. 

Before dinner, perhaps have a stroll through the extensive parkland.

20.00 hrs: Dinner for the group included.

Day 11: Tuesday 1^st September – Monasterio de Piedra / Javea

Breakfast.

Check out and leave luggage in the storage room.

Spend the morning walking through the extensive parkland. Visit the Chocolate and Wine Museums.

At the end of the 13th century, the monks of Monasterio de Piedra promoted the planting of the vine in this area, and their wineries prove its importance in the surrounding lands. Monasterio de Piedra currently houses the Wine Museum D.O. Calatayud, which is also included in the Calatayud Wine Route.

Exhibition “The History of Chocolate in Piedra”

According to history, it seems that it was a monk from Piedra whom after having tavelled to the Americas, brought cocoa to the Monastery. Here they cooked it for the first time in Europe, and started to discover its tasty flavour around the mid-16th century. It is documented that in the 18th century, cocoa was already an important ingredient of the regular diet of the monks and their guests.

On the tour of the monumental area you will discover the old cloister, around which are the different monastic rooms: the chapter house, the abbey church, the cellar and cellar, the old kitchen, the refectory and the heater. A monumental complex that brings together different styles: from gothic to baroque, through mudejar and renaissance.

Lunch at own cost.

14.30 hrs: Load luggage onto the coach for our return journey to Javea.

16.30 hrs: Refreshment break enroute.

19.30 hrs: Approximate time of arrival in Javea.

THE PROGRAMME IS PROVISIONAL AND SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT UNTIL ALL ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Coach transport

2 nights b&b accommodation at a hotel in Huesca

2 nights b&b accommodation at a hotel in Aínsa.

5 nights b&b accommodation at a hotel Jaca.

1 night dinner & breakfast accommodation at the Monasterio de Piedra.

Visit to the Saffron Museum at Monreal del Campo.

Visit to the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña complex.

Visit to the Lacuniacha Wildlife Park.

Visit to Loarre Castle.

Entry fee for the Monasterio de Piedra.

Gratuities.

€2 per person towards the Javea U3A travel fund.

Optional tours at extra cost, as described in the programme.

COST tbc

At the moment, serious expressions of interest are sought i.e. you would book this tour subject to cost. There is no commitment at this stage. Please send an email to Angela Chantry:

Angela Chantry, Group leader:

spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com