15 days in Catalonia, Andorra la Vella & Aragon Itinerary

Proud of its distinct culture and heritage, Catalonia is an autonomous region within Spain. The fierce spirit of this region and its inhabitants has shaped the history of Spain and, often, the rest of Europe. Its diverse land is home to the metropolis of Barcelona and numerous smaller urban centers, villages, and resorts, many of which are packed with sightseeing possibilities and tourists all year long. Despite seemingly unstoppable commercialization and urbanization, much of Catalonia has managed to retain the wild, unblemished beauty that drew visitors to Spain in the first place. Its main geographical feature is the mighty Pyrenees range, dominating a landscape of green valleys dotted with sleepy rural communities, ancient monasteries, and working vineyards ideal for day trips.

The heart of what was once a sprawling medieval kingdom, Aragón is relatively sparsely populated despite its large size. The region’s main attraction is the diverse terrain, from glaciers and arid steppe plains to rich pastures and thriving orchards. Home to numerous rivers, Aragón notably features the Ebro, the country’s largest river by volume, running west-east across the entire region and offering some of the best locations for a canyoneering holiday in Europe. The area is famous for offering some of the country’s finest wines and gourmet dishes peculiar to this part of the world, including various crab pastes and steamed fish delicacies.