Absolutely stunning Basilica in the beautiful town of Zaragoza…read more I honestly was making a pit stop here and heard via word of mouth about the beautiful architecture and infectious city vibe and I can say they were 100% correct. It is honestly hard to miss this Basilica from any direction as it towers of the city, instantly drawing you towards it. Quick parking job and a walk to what I would call the center of town and again you immediately find yourself drawn towards this beautiful structure. No cost associated with the entrance fee, but donations are welcome. Based off the size and grandeur of the outside, expect even more inside, as this really brings forward the Roman Catholic church vibe. I'd suggest spending at least an hour quietly wandering the large halls admiring the beautiful baroque architecture. I was told there were not photos allowed, but most inside were just snapping away, so I cannot say with certainty that this is correct. Definitely something to throw on the list whether making a pit stop or staying in the city for vacation.

I had a solo weekend in Zaragoza, and included a visit to the Basilica Del Pilar. Definitely put it…read moreon your list of to-do's if you are in the area. I love visiting cathedrals in different countries. This is a Roman Catholic church which supposedly is the first church placed in Mary's name. The entrance is free but you can make donations if you light a candle for someone or if you just feel like it. I will usually light a candle for my grandparents, since they were/are Catholic. Lots of locals and tourists stop in. Regardless of your religious standing, the Baroque architecture is worth the time for admiration and several photos to keep as memories. There are various chapels within the basilica to view. I was fortunate to be visiting during October when they were having the Fiestas del Pilar in honor of the patron saint of the city, the Virgen del Pilar. The weather was perfect this time of year, as well. During the fiesta, there is a pyramid structure covered in floral arrangements. You can line up, take the stairs to the top of the pyramid, and have your photo taken with the Virgen del Pilar behind you. It only costed 5 Euros for the photo which can be retrieved once you get to the booth below. Across a short walkway, you can sit in the square outdoors at one of many restaurants and admire the Basilica and statues while you people watch and relax with a beer, coffee, and/or tapas. It was just lovely. Take a walk as there is also a museum and shops (including souvenir shops) nearby in the square. Hopefully they are open during your visit! I bought my grandmother something at the souvenir shop which she absolutely loved because her Church is also a church del Pilar. I was happy to bring her some joy. :-) On the other side of the Basilica is the river, but it's not very pretty and smelled odd in certain areas. There is a ferris wheel nearby on the Ebro river.

"I Just Paid 5 Bucks to See A Chicken In A Church!"…read more So said Gayle and as we wandered around the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. You can't miss it. It's in the Center of Town (on the Calle Mayor) and right on the Camino De Santiago. And since historical buildings don't take care of themselves, there's a 3.5 Euro admission fee. I also paid an extra Euro to climb the nearby Tower for a neat view of the Camino and the surrounding medieval quarter. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is dedicated to Saint Dominic de la Calzada. He built roads and bridges for Pilgrims and founded the Hospital that is now the Town's Central Parador. The Cathedral is a Romanesque-Gothic pile containing the Saint's tomb (accessible below), choir murals, and a cool walnut alter piece. The live hen and rooster in a stone chicken coop commemorate a legendary local miracle in which a pair of roasted fowl come back to life to protest (crow) the innocence of a Pilgrim hanged for theft. In the Cathedral itself were the Chickens, a young Priest enthusiastically explaining aspects of his Church (and in Spanish I understood), and a cool "Museum" area that was heavy on Nativity Scenes. There is also a nice gift shop, where I should have picked up a chicken tchotchke, and ended up with a Camino de Santiago Pilgrim Shell. At that point, Gayle half expected that I was going to leave and continue down the Camino de Santiago.

Pamplona! A beautiful city, full of history. This is part of the route for the Running of the Bulls…read moreand a major Basque city on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. The Cathedral is right on the Camino, and don't forget to stamp your credential on your way out. Our visit to to the Cathedral was cut a little short, since it was Sunday and Mass was starting soon, we enjoyed the church view and bells from the outside, and a nice look inside at the main altar. One interesting aspect of this stunning Cathedral is that the Mediaeval kings of Navarre were crowned and some also buried there. The Navarrese Cortes (Parliament) was also held here during the early modern ages. In those times, the Church was the State.

The reoccurring theme on this trip was being humbled. Humbled inside a thousand year old cave,…read morehumbled that human breath could destroy another thousand year old cave and humbled in a dim, quiet, Spanish church. After a reverently hushed walk through the sanctuary we made our way to the staircase. It was amazing. There are a few wonderful things about this church but most of them seemed to be on the second floor and the staircase was the beautiful introduction to that splendor. It is sinuous and symmetrical and asymmetrical at the same time and because it's inside the tile work has been protected from the elements and it is just lovely. The second floor offers a near endless number of options for a good photographer. The little alcoves, the moss crusted roof tiles, the gently fading, ornately painted interior..... And if you pause for a moment and look at the floor you realize that the white dust is nothing like the original design. A little water and a gentle scrub and suddenly a green bird emerges from the floor. And then a flower. And then a colorful geometric design. And you stand up and squint and imagine the vividness of the colors when the tiles had first been laid and the paint was just drying on floor to ceiling ornamentation and you hold on to that for a moment and you are stunned at what a thing of wonder this used to be. And you are humbled.

While visiting Zaragoza this is a must see! It's definitely no Alhambra but it's still a beautiful…read moresight to see. It is only 5 euros to enter and there are lots of great things to see. My favorite aspect were the white pillars. They reminded me of the ones at the Mezquita in Cordoba. Some rooms felt empty and unmemorable but overall I didn't regret coming here. Be sure to reserve your spot online before you arrive.

Aljaferia Palace was my favorite stop in Zaragoza, Spain! And, after research it came to no…read moresurprise! I uncovered the structure's roots, including four specific aspects that totally align with my interests. Aljaferia Palace is an (1) 11th Century/Moorish (2) fortified (3) medieval (4) Islamic palace! I want ALL of its detail in my own home!! Absolutely stunning! We might be able to design by computer, build fast & efficient, and sustain costs with alternative materials these days, but for what?? Obviously not for charm. I'd take this ANY DAY over today's buildings! For those interested in visiting the palace, note that it is a bit off the beaten track in comparison to the Basilica, but definitely worth a visit. You buy tickets at the entrance, cross the mote, and head for the front door where you're greeted by a security guard. One of the only manned, security detectors in the city's attractions we visited. You have the option of exploring the space on your own, or taking a group tour to navigate the interior. We loved exploring on our own. There are many rooms/spaces inside the structure - all of which are designed in breathtaking detail (and history)! I honestly could spend countless hours at the palace taking the most random pictures. I loved the interior garden/courtyard the most! It's a must see people!!