In one hour driving you can be in the bimillennial town of Zaragoza (approaching 1 million inhabitants) (WEATHER). If you decide to go there, from Casa "El Molino" you have to drive down Barranco de Valdeolivo St to the road (A1505). There turn left and drive for 6 Km. to Santa Cruz de Grío. Just before arriving in the village, turn right into road A2302 which goes to the motorway more easily. Go past road N II direction Morata de Jalón and after 2 Km. take the motorway direction Zaragoza. On the way you'll find La Almunia de Doña Godina and La Muela which hosts a big eolic farm and also a Wind Museum and an Oil Museum.

         The best way to get to the city centre is the one which is indicated in the following map, following the green dots.

1.- Take motorway A2-E90 direction Zaragoza in La Almunia or Morata de Jalón.

2.- When you arrive in the town ring road, go ahead direction Zaragoza-Barcelona.

3.- Use exit 317 A - Zaragoza El Portillo and follow direction Zaragoza Centro..

4.- Past the Intermodal railway station on your right (big white building with multipyramidal roof, tehn turn left in the first traffic light, direction Barrio de La Almozara - Plaza de Europa. Go part the round about.

5.- Go straight along Francia road and turn right into Pablo Gargallo Avenue.

6.- Go past the round about and straignt on, cross Plaza Europa (obelisc in its centre) into Paseo Echegaray parallel to Ebro river.

7.- Just before the Pilar basilic, on your right hand side, it's the antrance to the underground car park. You can leave your car there and walk to see the main monuments in the old town.

8.- There's a zone where you can park for free on the other side of the river (blue dots). If you choose this option, you must turn left in plaza de Europa, and cross Almozara Bridge. Once on the other bank of the river turn right. A bit before getting to the other bridge turn right toward Complejo Polideportivo Helios. At both sides of the bridge there's usually parking space. Once there, you only have to cross the river along Puente de Santiago and you're next to the Roman ramparts where the old town starts.

A and B.- You can also find free parking in the sopping centres Augusta (A) and Grandcasa (B), a bit further from the tourist area.

        Once in Zaragoza, you can spend a day visiting its important monuments (Romans, Muslim, Mudejar, Renaissance, Baroque, ...) or shopping in its abundant shops, department stores and shopping centers. (WEB) The following are some of the most important historic monuments in town.

Carmen Gate, bullring and Pilar basilica.

Roman theatre and ramparts

Muslim-Christian palace of La Aljafería

Mudejar churches

Renaissance monuments

        In Zaragoza you can observe the first preserved paintings by Goya, in several frescoes in Pilar Basilica and Aula Dei monastery.

        Very near the basilica, Camón Aznar museum offers a permanent exhibition of its famous etchings (Series Caprichos, Disparates, Tauromaquia and Desastres de la Guerra) with such a big influence have had internationally in the world of art.

       After so much strolling, Zaragoza is a good place to try the famous Spanish tapas. There's an amazing varietyTras las caminatas de rigor, Zaragoza es un buen punto para probar las afamadas tapas de nuestro país. La variedad ofrecida es incomparable,but you must know that the prices have gone up at the same time as their quality, even in very ybpretencious bars. There are many bars where you can eat tapas, but I'll concentrate in a few in the old town within eay reach on foot. There are many in Estebanes St, in El Tubo area (between Plaza España and Plaza del Pilar) or in Plaza Santa Marta (behind La Seo Cathedral) or bar "La Sidrería" in Plaza España (Don't forget to leave your toothpicks on the plate once you've eaten your tapa as you'll be charged according to their number) and finally bar "Cervino" in Ainzón St. in La Almozara area (between La Aljafería and the river Ebro.

        You must know that during Fiestas del Pilar (around 12 October) there's a tapas contest and you're offered an unexpensive 10-tapas ticket which entitles you to try any 10 tapas in any bar in the old town. ¡Bon appetit!

        If you're a regular pub goer, in Zaragoza you can find a hectic night life with the abundant pubs, restaurants, cinemas or theatres throughout the city.

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