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Refreshed after a good nights sleep ready to move on to Zaragoza, after that delicious buffet brekkie! Wandered around near the hotel before checking out and hitting the road again. Thanks to our reliable GPS and the incredible Spanish road system it was no time before we were out of the city. We have covered about 4400kms and can not fault the roads at all.
And once again the scenery didn’t disappoint either! Mountains all around us as we climbed to 1200m above sea level. Views were continually spectacular- ranging from something reminiscent of Arizona with sparse vegetation, to rolling hills with some totally barren and others fringed with trees, to elevated plateaus that were virtual fruit bowls. Orchards, bodegas and mixed farming. Amazed at how this all occurs with no apparent water around - no lakes, rivers, dams! Pockets of mining, wind farms and other industry. A pleasant three hour drive with a coffee stop off the motorway at the little backwater village of Arcos de Jalon.
Arrived into the metropolis of Zaragoza at around 2.30pm thinking with our experience would be a breeze to find our little hotel. Surprise, surprise not the case! Too many one way streets and altered traffic situations- but we finally made it. Then had to do a short circuit to our hotel parking .... the first time I’ve even been in a lift with the car! Weird experience! Thank goodness yet again for a small vehicle and for Raymo’s expertise in parking!
Easy walk through to our little 2 x star hotel (Hotel Paris Centro) which we’ve already nicknamed Faulty Towers”! It’s quirky, old style and interesting to say the least!
We chilled for a while before walking further into the old town, past the central market (currently being demolished with a temporary one nearby) and the statue of Caesar Augustus. We continued to Plaza del
Pilar which was amazing ! The Basilica de Pilar is the centrepiece- quite astounding inside and out, plus various other churches, monuments and statues- including Goya.
We wandered through various roads and lanes ending up in the main Plaza de Espana for a beer and to watch the passing life of Zaragoza’s pedestrians, trams, bikes and cars. Was enjoyable until a massive storm hit. Was a real downpour with lightning etc but at least the temperature dropped significantly. Had a drink in an upstairs bar while it passed. We then wandered aimlessly trying to find somewhere to eat but several sections of the town were blacked out as a result of the storm. Finally found a lovely cafe for a Rose or two, some Pintxos and a rice dish. All good! Managed to catch the first half of England vs Croatia in the soccer - back to the bar next to our hotel for the second half. Well done Croatia!
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