"Medieval Castles&Bardenas Reales" Experience

Medieval villages and nature in the Aragon and Navarre Pyrenees Piedmont

The experience "Medieval Castles & Bardenas Reales" is a trip to unveil a magical area, with an incredible natural and historical heritage. Medieval villages magnificently preserved, Romanesque Art and unique natural spaces such as the Bárdenas Reales or Foz de Lumbier. Gastronomy is the perfect complement to this experience, followed by tastings of the best local wines. There is an original proposal in this circuit, you will use an electric bicycle on your route from Uncastillo to Sos del Rey Católico. It is impressing in Leyre, the private visit to every corner of the Monastery. Olite is another highlight of the tour, with a guided tour to admire its palaces and medieval constructions.

INSPIRATION

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT UNCASTILLO

First destination: Uncastillo, a village north of the Zaragoza province, on the border with the old Kingdom of Navarre. Uncastillo, as per its name, has "One Castle"....... and many other things. It amazes the visitor how magnificently preserved the town is, a good reason for having been officially declared "Historical-Artistic" setting. Its Jewish quarter is extremely interesting, as are its Romanesque features. Posada la Pastora is the first accommodation of this experience. A superior room awaits you, and also the best Rusticae hospitality at Posada la Pastora

INSPIRATION

DAY 2: BARDENAS REALES

The second day of the route begins with a spectacular breakfast at Posada la Pastora, serving homemade pastries, warm bread and freshly squeezed natural juices. Better gather energy for your visit to Bardenas Reales, with private guide. Bardenas Reales is a Natural Park located in Navarre’s southeast, very close to Tudela. For its spectacular beauty, UNESCO declared it official Biosphere Reserve. It is a semi-desert landscape of more than 40,000 hectares, which hides great natural values. Erosion has created original and surprising forms in these soils of clays, plasters and sandstones. You will find ravines, plateaus, hills in an almost lunar landscape that has served as an inspiration and settings for series such as "Game of Thrones" and films like "Pride and Passion" or "The world is never enough". Do not forget to bring comfortable sportswear for this route, hat and sun protection. After an intense day, the best accommodation at Posada la Pastora (Uncastillo) awaits you again.

INSPIRATION

DAY 3: FROM UNCASTILLO TO SOS

On the third day, after breakfast, you will ride an electric bike to the village of Sos del Rey Católico. This original way of moving around, puts you in touch with a new landscape. Enjoy the tour and the pure air. In Sos del Rey Católico, a guide will escort you on a private tour of these historic town narrow streets, famous for being the birthplace of King Ferdinand the Catholic. Lunch will take place in the restaurant El Principal, where you will gather strength for pedalling your way back to Uncastillo, but no worries, the electric bike makes you barely feel the effort. The entire historic centre of Sos, part of the famous Cinco Villas Region together with Uncastillo, is very well preserved and a Historic-Artistic Site. Walking through its stone paved streets is like going back in time, discovering some of its most emblematic monuments such as the Plaza de la Villa, Palace of the Sada (where Ferdinand the Catholic was born in 1452), walls and churches. Back to Uncastillo, enjoy a quiet and delicious dinner at Posada la Pastora.

INSPIRATION

DAY 4: JEWELRY OF UNCASTILLO AND MONASTERY OF LEYRE

In the fourth day of this trip, we will say goodbye to Uncastillo and set course for Navarre. Before, you will take a guided tour of Uncastillo, paying special attention to both Jewish and Christian quarters. On your way to the Navarrese Piedmont Pyrenees, the next hotel is Heredad de Beragu, in the village of Gallipenzo. It is a renovated building in a small hamlet, surrounded by a magnificent green landscape. After settling in, one of the most exclusive moments of this experience awaits you: a private visit to the Benedictine Leyre Monastery, with local Liquor and Txantxigorri cake tasting. At the end of that tour, you will be able to enjoy the secluded monks Gregorian chants: a delight within reach of the very few. San Salvador Monastery is one of the most important religious ensembles in Spain, due to its historical and architectural importance. It has remnants of earlier Romanesque art and there are documented references about Leyre from the ninth century already. The site contains the pantheon of the very first Navarre kings of Pamplona. Back to the hotel, enjoy a superb gourmet dinner with regional specialties and wines. And finally, rest in one of the hotel's mini suites.

INSPIRATION

DAY 5: GASTRONOMY, WINES AND PROMENADE THROUGH THE FOZ DE LUMBIER

The fifth day of this trip starts with a great breakfast. For today, we have reserved a great gourmand lunch with tasting of organic Navarre wines at Bodega Azpea, a family winery of Villa de Lumbier. After that copious meal, it is advisable to take a walk through the Foz de Lumbier, which can be accessed only 200m away from the winery. Foz de Lumbier is a canyon excavated by the Irati River, in the vicinity of Sierra de Leyre. It is about 1 km long, going across almost vertical walls of 150 to 400 m in height. It has been declared Natural Reserve, as protection for an important colony of raptors in which the griffon vulture and the Egyptian vulture stand out. In the evening, rest at your Heredad de Beragu hotel suite.

INSPIRATION

DAY 6: OLITE

Another day, another great breakfast at the Rusticae hotel. Then, you will move on to the town of Olite, for a 2 hour guided group tour through its streets and corners. The visit is lead by a local guide, who takes pride in explaining the city’s history, anecdotes and curiosities. The visit ends at the top of the Spire Tower, with breathtaking views. In Olite’s skyline, stands out its Castle-Palace, which was the royal seat during the Middle Ages and is a magnificent example of Navarre's civil Gothic. Only 11 km from Olite, you will take a guided visit of Bodegas Pagos de Araiz, a winery surrounded by its own magnificent vineyards. This tour includes access to the processing and aging area, as well as its Japanese terrace with views and the VIP halls that keep works of art from the Masaveu family collection. A tasting of 3 different wines is also part of the visit, which lasts for 1h and 45 minutes. In the evening, enjoy your last stay at the fantastic Heredad de Beragu hotel.

INSPIRATION

DAY7: END OF THE TRIP

It is time for the last breakfast of this trip, before your departure. You will have a lot to talk about, while contemplating the incredible views from this hotel. Do not forget the farewell gift that the owners of Heredad de Beragu have prepared for you.

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