Autorondreis Spaanse Pyreneeën

About the destination: Orleans is the capital of the Centre-Val de Loire region of north-central France, located some 120 km south-west of the French capital Paris. The main reason to travel here is not the city itself, but the many castles in the area. Some of the most famous and beautiful 'Chateaux' in the Loire Valley are: the 'Chateau de Chinon', the 'Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau', the 'Chateau de Langeais', the 'Chateau de Villandry', the 'Chateau de Chenonceau', the 'Chateau d'Amboise', the 'Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire', the 'Chateau de Blois', the 'Chateau de Cheverny' and last, but definitely not least, the 'Chateau Royal de Chambord'. This latter one, probably, is the most famous Castle in France. Visiting it, is not only recommended, but compulsory. A visit to Orleans would not be complete without a visit to the Cathedral. With a similar design to Notre Dame in Paris, the Cathedral can been seen above the buildings from most of the town. Another major attraction of the city is the House of Joan of Arc, the heroine of the city. The best way to get to know Orleans is to walk around the center of town, or along the banks of the river Loire and visiting some of the city's great boulangeries.

About the destination: San Sebastian is the capital of the province of Guipuzcoa. It became a popular touristic destination in the late XIX century thanks to Queen Christina of Austria, who spent her summers there. The beauty of the city and its gastronomy are two of its main tourist attractions. La Concha Bay presides over the city flanked by the Monte Igeldo and Monte Urgull. Facing La Concha is the Island of Santa Clara, where the lighthouse is located and it is accessible by boat from El Puerto. To the left of La Concha we find Ondarreta beach and at the far end of it, we have the set of sculptures “Comb of the Wind" by Eduardo Chillida. The old town, located at the foot of Monte Urgull between the port and the mouth of the Urumea, comes alive each evening when tapas and Basque specialities such as shellfish, seafood and squid specialities, can be enjoyed in local bars. The old town displays a Belle Époque splendour that will amaze all visitors. The city is home to the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the Quincena Musical, among other important events, that attract spectators coming from all over the world. Elegant, sophisticated and with a fin-de-siècle feel to it, San Sebastian is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.

About the destination: The ancient capital of Navarra, a medieval kingdom with Basque roots, performs a quick-change act for the Fiesta de San Fermín or the Running of the Bulls, Spain’s most wildly celebrated festival and Pamplona’s irresistible attraction. But Pamplona has many other interesting things to do and explore in Pamplona for the traveller since it is the first main city on the route of the St. James's Trail. Pamplona has a beautiful medieval city centre, an impressive citadel, several museums, great wines and gastronomy and lots of green spaces. Pamplona’s citadel is very well kept and one of the best examples of a Renaissance's fortification in Europe. Surrounded by a massive park, nowadays its interior holds art exhibitions and occasional cultural events, especially during the summer months. The Plaza del Castillo is the principal square in the centre of the city where you will find lots of bars and cafés, the Teatro Principal and the seat of the council of Navarra. Located in the old town area of Santo Domingo, near the start of the famous bull run, is the interesting Museo de Navarra, displaying a collection of altarpieces and religious artwork from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria La Real is the main religious building of the city. The Cathedral combines a neoclassical façade with a Gothic interior. Pamplona's history and monuments make it a very attractive city. The city has two universities, which help keep the city vibrant and cultural.

About the destination: Olite is a town and municipality located in Navarre. The sleek and harmonious silhouette of the Castle-Palace stands out against the skyline of Olite, declared a national monument in 1925, it is the best example of civil Gothic architecture in Navarre and one of the most notable in Europe.

About the destination: Panticosa is a municipality located in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. During the late 19th century and early 20th century, it was a successful spa town, famous for its pure mountain waters, that supposedly cured from liver diseases and herpes. Its belle-epoque spa buildings are well kept and still in use.

About the destination: Aínsa is the main town in the Aínsa-Sobrarbe municipal term, Aragon. The historic quarter of the village of Ainsa, declared a Historic-Artistic site, is formed by a group of houses that are packed together in the most harmonious and uniform of ways, among which the slender tower of the collegiate church stands out, as well as the enormous premises of the castle, almost as big as the rest of the town. The walls that surrounded the town centuries ago remain almost intact today, the town itself being filled with monuments that bring us back to the Middle Ages.

About the destination: Andorra la Vella is the capital of the Principality of Andorra. Andorra La Vella, a city small enough to traverse on foot, yet offering a bustling main street boasting many shops and dining opportunities. It's also a place of superb old medieval churches, many of them untouched by time.

About the destination: Orleans is the capital of the Centre-Val de Loire region of north-central France, located some 120 km south-west of the French capital Paris. The main reason to travel here is not the city itself, but the many castles in the area. Some of the most famous and beautiful 'Chateaux' in the Loire Valley are: the 'Chateau de Chinon', the 'Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau', the 'Chateau de Langeais', the 'Chateau de Villandry', the 'Chateau de Chenonceau', the 'Chateau d'Amboise', the 'Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire', the 'Chateau de Blois', the 'Chateau de Cheverny' and last, but definitely not least, the 'Chateau Royal de Chambord'. This latter one, probably, is the most famous Castle in France. Visiting it, is not only recommended, but compulsory. A visit to Orleans would not be complete without a visit to the Cathedral. With a similar design to Notre Dame in Paris, the Cathedral can been seen above the buildings from most of the town. Another major attraction of the city is the House of Joan of Arc, the heroine of the city. The best way to get to know Orleans is to walk around the center of town, or along the banks of the river Loire and visiting some of the city's great boulangeries.

About the destination: Utrecht is both the geographical centre of Holland, and one of its major university towns as well as one of one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, with a compact medieval centre set out around canals unique to the Netherlands. National demonstrations often start here, book and print shops dot tiny streets throughout the old tonw, and in summer, people sit near the Oude Gracht, the old canal. The Old Town of Utrecht really is a pleasant place to wander with its varying architecture and its uniquely-structured canals. As to be expected there are some magnificent churches, the most interesting being the Dom Tower and the remains of its church. In the 17th century, a hurricane separated the Domtoren, an imposing tower, from its cathedral. Don’t let the 465 steps to the tower put you off, the view is splendid. The cathedral’s chapel and enormous clocks are fascinating. Across the street is the Kloostergang, part of the cathedral’s Gothic cloister, a perfect place to sit down and relax, and listen to a Saturday morning carillon concert. The city has a fine number of museums, most of them situated in the Museum Quarter at 10 minutes walking distance from Central Station. Utrecht is known as a student city with a large population of single young people. This results in a booming nightlife with many places to have a quick meal, some drinks or a dance.