The Italian content creator Avevo un viaggio nel cassetto visits Zaragoza for the first time and confirms what many travelers are looking for today: an authentic destination with a strong cultural identity, still far from mass tourism. In this interview, she shares her experience in the city, its heritage, its gastronomy, and the close-knit character of its inhabitants.
For those who do not know you yet, who is behind Avevo un viaggio nel cassetto?
My name is Valentina, and I am a professional travel content creator from Italy. After training at university in design and management of tourism and cultural routes, five years ago I launched a travel blog, www.avevounviaggionelcassetto.it, and started my project on social media, where every week I talk about places, destinations, accommodations, and authentic and original experiences in Italy and around the world.
My project on social media aims to guide the community toward lesser-known and less crowded destinations, promoting more sustainable tourism. This way, local communities can reap real benefits from tourism, while visitors have the opportunity to discover authentic places, away from the most traveled routes.
Was it your first time in Zaragoza?
Yes, it was my first time in Zaragoza, but the city had long been on my wish list: I had seen some videos about it, but I was particularly drawn to the Arab influences in the architecture, as I love that style, which reminds me of wonderful trips I took in the past, such as to Andalusia or Morocco.
What was your impression of the city before arriving?
I knew it would be a «niche» city, not yet overrun by tourism, and therefore much more human-scaled than other Spanish cities. In fact, once in the city, this idea was confirmed by reality, but this is not a flaw—instead, it was a joy! I thoroughly enjoyed it with calm and peace, and I would recommend it for that reason as well.
What surprised you the most once you got here?
Honestly, I did not imagine such a wealth of cultural and architectural richness: moving from Gothic to Baroque, to Mudejar, you can find ancient Roman vestiges and even more «scientific» attractions like the beautiful river aquarium. The latter was another surprise for me: normally, I do not enjoy this type of experience, but this time I was fascinated and did not want to leave.
Is there a place in Zaragoza that you particularly liked?
This is an easy question; I do not have to think much: the Palacio de la Aljafería is beautiful! As soon as I entered, my first exclamation was «WOW!» and for a moment, I felt like I was in Andalusia or in some medina in Morocco. I would dare to say it is the jewel of Zaragoza.
What experience would you undoubtedly recommend to your followers?
Apart from the main attractions, which are absolutely essential, I believe a key piece to understand an important cultural aspect of Zaragoza is the visit to the Museum of Lanterns and Crystal Rosary. It is included in the entrance fee to the cathedral, so I would recommend my followers visit it without hesitation: it is very special and allows for a better understanding of the traditional Rosary procession during the Fiestas del Pilar, a very important religious event for the city.
Let’s talk about food: what have you tried that you did not expect?
I did not expect such an identity-driven and genuine cuisine, capable of surprising with simple yet deeply local traditional dishes. From Aragonese lamb to vegetable-based dishes, every bite was a story of the territory and its history.
Is there any dish or product that captivated you?
In general, I must say that I have eaten truly delicious, flavorful meat of evident quality. Furthermore, compared to Italy, prices are a bit lower, making the quality-price ratio excellent.
How would you describe the character of the people of Zaragoza?
I have perceived an open and authentic character, proud of their traditions, but also very willing to help visitors, with a natural balance between reserve and human warmth.
Did you feel welcomed during your stay?
Of course! From the very beginning! Upon exiting the airport, I took the comfortable bus that leads to the city, and the driver was very willing to provide me with the first information to orient myself: this is important when arriving in an unknown city for the first time, where you do not yet know how to navigate or the distances between places.
In general, I found everyone to be well disposed toward tourists; they were welcoming and eager to make the visitor feel comfortable, in addition to being very proud to showcase the beauties of their city.
Do you think Zaragoza is a good destination for Italian travelers?
Yes, I believe Zaragoza is a very interesting destination for Italian travelers, especially for those seeking an authentic and less conventional experience. It is a city rich in history, art, and culture, with an extraordinary heritage that spans from Roman times to Mudejar architecture, including contemporary architecture. Moreover, it offers a more intimate and livable dimension than the major Spanish tourist destinations, allowing for more direct contact with local life, gastronomy, and traditions. Precisely for this reason, Zaragoza is a discovery capable of surprising.
If you had to convince someone to visit Zaragoza in just one sentence, what would you say?
I would definitely say that Zaragoza is proof that the less obvious destinations are often the ones that leave a deeper impression, which confirms the usefulness and good aim of my social project to promote authentic and less-traveled places.
