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Combine hands-on cooking lessons with guided visits on this 7 night cooking and culture holiday to discover the culture, gastronomy, natural beauty & history of the Spanish Aragon Pyrenees; an exciting daily activity schedule to ensure you enjoy and make the most of your time away.
2022 Dates:
20-27th April
6-13th Oct
This tranquil location sets the scene for several incredible cultural walks through the region to the historic villages and medieval towns. Then, you’ll be able to take a break from walking in the on-site, modern kitchen for three courses in traditional Spanish cooking, including how to make tapas.
Starting with several village tours, you will get a sense of the history and beauty. Tour the small village of Albella and its beautiful chapel. Walk across ancient seabeds covered in fossils to reach Janovas at the head of a dramatic gorge. Visit a 10th century monastery built directly into the rock face of a mountain, as well as its twin higher up the hill. Marvel at Romanesque cathedrals and architecture, plus enter the 9th century citadel, Alquezar.
No cultural tour of the region would be complete without picturesque views and the chance to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Picnic in a valley full of diverse fauna next to the medieval bridge of San Nicolas, and stop at the gateway to the National Park of Ordesa. Walk above the river Vero on the incredible pasarelas, and finally head to three viewing balconies offering the best view of the magnificent Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) in Europe.
On top of all of that, you will get the chance to tour a local bodega and enjoy a wine tasting before heading to a family-owned olive oil mill, where you will learn to taste olive oil like a fine glass of wine. Close encounters with the local artisans allow you to understand what life in this quiet region is truly like.
During your course, stay in a gorgeously renovated 17th-century farmhouse in any of its 7 guest rooms, complete with a wonderful view of the surrounding grounds or mountains. Each room has a private en-suite bathroom and various other modern amenities. The grounds include a vegetable patch used to cook your meals, beautiful gardens, and a courtyard leading to a library and small gym, the ideal place to unwind and immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine.
Walk to nearby cultural sites and become immersed in the local history.
Learn to cook authentic Spanish dishes alongside your hosts.
Stay in a 17th century farmhouse complete with stunning views.
English-born hosts, Simon and Lucy, moved to Spain 7 years ago and fell in love with the unspoilt corner of the Spanish Pyrenees where they found their farmhouse. They refurbished the farmhouse in 2011, and now use it as a base for a wide range of small-group activity holidays. Both Lucy and Simon are passionate about nature and the outdoors, such as hiking, mountain biking, watching wildlife, and try to pass on these passions along with their expertise in each of their holidays. Lucy is a scientist and linguist who can give nutritional advice for sport or relaxation, as well as information on geology and the local language. Simon is a creative designer by trade and takes care of all things art, photography and cookery.
– Arrive in Albella
– Check into your room anytime after 5pm and settle in
– Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and get to know Simon and Lucy, your hosts for the week
– Have your first traditional evening meal at the farmhouse
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
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– After a leisurely breakfast, start the day with a circular walk starting from the farmhouse
– Briefly tour the nearby village of Albella, taking in the gorgeous valley views
– Feast on a picnic lunch today as you traverse the beautiful countryside
– Cross ancient seabeds strewn with fossils on pathways that date from medieval times as links between local villages
– Reach Janovas, our destination, which sits at the head of a dramatic gorge and hear the intriguing story of its history
– Return to the farmhouse for your first cookery workshop in the modern catering kitchen
– Prepare and enjoy a traditional segundo plato (main course) before dinner
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– After breakfast, visit the 10th century monastery of San Juan de la Pena, built directly into the rock face of the mountain
– Dine at a local restaurant for lunch
– Descend into the garrison town of Jaca, which is actually the former capital of Aragon
– In Jaca, visit the Romanesque cathedral and Doicesano museum, which has an incredible collection of Romanesque and Gothic religious art
– Enjoy a light dinner back in Albella at the farmhouse
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– Breakfast at your leisure, then head to a local artisan producer of liqueurs and teas for an in-depth tour and tastings
– Then, wind down to the valley of Bujaruelo, which overflows with flowers, marshy meadows, mountain streams, marmots, and a variety of birds
– Picnic here for lunch, surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Rio Ara and the medieval bridge of San Nicolas
– Make your way back to the farmhouse, stopping at Torla, the gateway to the National Park of Ordesa
– Spend time wandering the narrow streets, filled with Aragonese architecture
– Return to the farmhouse for your second cookery workshop, focused on postre (desserts)
– Dine at the farmhouse for your evening meal and enjoy your earlier creation
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– Head south this morning after breakfast to explore the citadel of Alquezar, originally a 9th century Moorish fort, it perches on the rocky cliffs above the Vero river in the natural park of Sierra de Guara
– Tour the fascinating interior and marvel at unusually shaped cloisters and murals dating back to the 15th century, four centuries after the citadel was taken over by Christians
– Enjoy a picnic lunch
– Take a short walk along the pasarelas which stretch over the river Vero
– Then, head to a local bodega for a wine tasting tour
– To completely immerse you in local produce, stop at a family-owned olive oil producer on the way home and learn how to appreciate olive oil like a fine glass of wine
– Dine this evening in the medieval square of Ainsa
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading into the kitchen for your third cookery workshop, where you will tackle tapas!
– Eat your creations for lunch before heading to the medieval town of Ainsa. Voted one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, it has been an important strategic and commercial centre since the 8th century
– Visit the old fort, and take in open views of Monte Perdido
– Stroll through the village’s stunning arched plaza and learn about the history of the town, sipping a coffee from one of the local shops
– Finally, find the idyllic Romanesque church and relish in its spectacular architecture
– Return to Albella for a light dinner
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– This morning, walk to three viewing balconies overlooking the dramatic gorge of Yaga river; with breathtaking views, this is the best place in Europe to see the magnificent Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
– Enjoy lunch at the mountain restaurant before taking a short drive to your second walking location
– Rich in cultural history, this walk includes panoramic mountain views, a visit to a megalithic structure and a look at three ermitas, or hermitage, dating from the 11th century
– Call at Ainsa for a beer or coffee on the way home before dining back in Albella for the evening meal
Accommodation
The Farmhouse
– Eat a leisurely breakfast and enjoy a flexible departure time depending on your flight schedule and timing
Stay in a beautifully restored 17th century farmhouse, and wake up to stunning views of the Spanish Pyrenees and surrounding valleys, just a few hours from Barcelona or Zaragoza airports.
Features
– Located in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees in the rural hamlet of Albella
– Traditional 17th century farmhouse has been restored to a high standard
– Surrounded by extensive gardens and stunning mountain views
– Sitting room and library across the spacious courtyard from the main house
– Airy dining room with views of the valley for all breakfast and evening meals
– English, Spanish, French and Portuguese speaking hosts with a wealth of knowledge about the area
– Delicious local food and wine
Nearest airports:
Zaragoza (2 hours, 15 minutes away) or Barcelona (3 hours, 3 minutes away)
