Paradors

The word "parador" (or stopping place) appears in many classical Spanish texts. While the posada (inn) was the place where animals were stabled for the night (travelers were not considered to be guests there), the parador was the lodging offered to persons of more respectable rank. Based on this tradition, the Marques de la Vega-Inclan who was Royal Tourist Commissioner in 1926, had the idea of establishing a chain of State Paradors, a project which was personally approved by king Alfonso XIII. The first Parador was constructed in the Gredos mountain (Madrid) range and was directly related to the sport of kings, the hunt. Later on as tourism and traveling came to the forefront, establishments were opened up at distances corresponding to one easy day's journey in the automobiles of that time. This led to the creation of the Parador of Manzanares and Bailen, Oropesa and Merida.

Currently the Parador network consist of 85 establishments. With some 5,000 bedrooms in 83 locations, the Paradores offer an enchanting window on elements of Spain that are often missed by the vacationing tourist:

The basic philosophy of the Paradors was, and continues to be, that of State providing hotel accommodation in areas where it would not be profitable for private initiative to do so. However , there is a second aspect to the Marquis de la Vega-Inclan's initial concept. It was the idea to take advantage as much as possible of ancient monuments, old hospices palaces, castles and convents for the installation of the Paradors. Thus the traveler can make the pleasantly surprising discovery that he can sleep in the same room in the Castle of Jarandilla de la Vera where Charles V is said to have stayed while waiting for his lodgings in the nearby Yuste monastery to be prepared, and he can dine in the rooms which used to belong to the Alcala de Henares University founded by Cardinal Cisneros. Or even spend a few days in the Hondarribia castle against which the Prince of Conde laid an unsuccesful siege three hundred years ago.

A trip to the Paradors is not only a trip through the territory of Spain but also through its history , from the later Middle Ages through the modern architectural styles of the twentieth century: It is a trip we recommend heartily. There's a lot more to Paradores than just spectacular scenery. Run by the Spanish Tourist Board, the hotels offer fine service, excellent accomodations at moderate prices, and special emphasis is put on providing quality regional cuisine at each and every location - roast suckling pig in Segovia, roast wild boar in the Pyrenees, baby lamb in Alarcón, or fish and seafood specialties along the coast. All of this combined with some great local wines.

Below shown just few examples of Paradores. Many others are available. Email us about location, dates and prices. Prices depend on season and include buffet breakfast and tax.

	Parador de Aiguablava. COVES, PINE TREES AND SEA ** Overlooks the sea, surrounded by pine trees, in an exceptional enclave, the Punta D'es Muts**, where the traveller can enjoy beautiful beaches, coves and natural spaces. It is an ideal location for sports and open-air activities, as well as relaxing walks through beautiful green areas. Under the special light of the Mediterranean, the building offers its guests a high level of comfort and numerous services both for the individual customer and for business meetings. There is a gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna and bedrooms with beautiful panoramic views of the sea. The coastal influence can also be felt in the typical "ampurdanesa" cooking, with dishes such as sea urchins, "caracoles a la llauna" (grilled snails) and chicken with lobster, sampled in the summer on the beach where the restaurant is located.
	Alarcon. MEDIEVAL ARAB FORTRESS ** This 8th c. castle, a genuine medieval fortress, is located on a meander of the river Júcar, on a promontory, on the boundary of La Mancha and Levante**. The setting, favourable for sports and outdoor activities, is also suitable for contemplating beautiful churches and other historical buildings. The monumental nature of the Parador can be appreciated in its keep, on the battlements and inside. With a triangular ground plan, it is decorated with military motifs such as armour, swords and standards; between its stone walls Arabic style ogival arches and inimitable bedrooms also stand out, the latter all different, some with four-poster beds. Medieval dinners are organized in the winter, and the rest of the year the cooking of La Mancha presents dishes such as "morteruelo" (game) and shoulder of young lamb.
	Avila ****, 16 Century Palace This Parador rises up on the former 'Piedras Albas' palace in the historical centre of monumental Ávila, backing onto the majestic city walls. In harmony with its surroundings, the interior conserves a warm, intimate air in a splendidly recovered atmosphere which enriches all the common rooms. Beautiful decorative elements, granite and abode floors, bright colours and spacious bedrooms, some with four-poster beds, make up a harmonious and bright whole. The garden also stands out, with archaeological remains, as does the magnificent glazed patio, the modular rooms and the cafeteria. In the dining room, which offers beautiful views of the garden and walls, it is possible to sample 'pucheretes teresianos' (vegetable and pork stew), roast suckling pig, veal steak, 'judías de El Barco' (beans) and the excellent 'yemas de la Santa' (a typical dessert made from egg-yolk).
	Cuenca **** 16 Century Convent next to the "Casas Colgadas" The former convent of San Pablo occupies a privileged position in the Hoz del Huécar gorge, a compendium of sheer walls and luxuriant vegetation on the outskirts of Cuenca, next to the 'Casas Colgadas' (Suspended Houses). The glazed cloister, and the former chapel, now an inviting café, complement an interior which combines traditional elements with more contemporary details such as wicker, leather and upholstery. The comfortable, welcoming bedrooms stand out, some of which have splendid views of the 'Casas Colgadas', in addition to the conference rooms, the bar and a wonderful dining room decorated with exquisite taste. Well-seasoned dishes make up the basis for the traditional cooking of Cuenca, such as 'morteruelo' (rich game-animal paté made with olive oil and spices ), 'pisto con lomo de orza' (tomato-based ratatouille with marinated loin), roasts and 'alajú' (dessert made from almonds, walnuts and honey).
	Jaen. EXCEPTIONAL 13TH C. ARABIC FORTRESS **** The privileged location of the Parador on Santa Catalina Hill offers it the character of defensive bastion of the horizon of Jaén. The origin and destination to discover the charm of the Andalusian Renaissance, it has a refreshing swimming pool which, along with the exterior stone, offers protection from the burning 1 which inundates the surroundings. The monumental nature is maintained on the inside, where the impressive 20 m. high crossed arches of the main living room, the dining room, with a marked Arabic character, and the comfortable and friendly bedrooms with magnificent panoramic views stand out. The ensemble, decorated in soft shades, is complemented by a varied gastronomic display: "ajo blanco" (cold garlic soup), partridge salad, "pipirrana" (mixed salad) and "morcilla en caldera" (black pudding in the pot). Prices are from $79 to $83 per person per night.
	Mojacar. OPEN TO THE MEDITERRANEAN ** This Parador is on the beaches of Mojácar**, benefitting from the best microclimate of Spain and with beautiful views over the blue Mediterranean. It is an ideal location to enjoy quiet beaches or to play numerous outdoor sports. The stay is completed with a refreshing dip in the pool, or with a working session in its magnificent conference centre, whose rooms are fully equipped. The bright bedrooms, with terraces over the sea, invite the guest to be bewitched by the beauty of the surroundings. The restaurant offers the best rice and fish dishes from the cooking of Almería: "arroz a la Garruchera" (rice dish), "gambones de Garrucha" (prawns), "amarillo de pescado en cuajadera" (fish), and, for dessert, "pastel de Vera" (cake) and "crema mojaquera" (cream).
	Toledo. TOLEDAN COUNTRY HOUSE, VIEWPOINT OF THE CITY ** Located on the Cerro del Emperador by a meander of the river Tagus, this Parador offers an incomparable panoramic view of the monumental profile of Toledo, with its most precious jewels, such as the cathedral, the Alcázar** (fortress) and the synagogues. The Parador also offers the possibility to enjoy its refreshing swimming pool and to plan outdoor activities. From the bedrooms, living rooms, terrace and swimming pool can be seen beautiful views of the Imperial City, while the interior stands out for its spaciousness and luxurious facilities. Comfortable furniture is included with wooden beams, staircases and banisters and Mudejar elements on rugs and tiling. Typical dishes from Castile and La Mancha are offered in the dining room, such as stewed partridge "a la toledana", "duelos y quebrantos" (egg dish) and "ponche toledano" (marzipan sweet).
	Arcos De La Frontere. HISTORICAL PALACE * Located on the banks of the Guadalete, this Parador, formerly the Casa del Corregidor,** has an impressive panoramic view of the fertile plain of the river and of the old part of Arcos de la Frontera. It is an ideal starting point to begin the so-called Wine and White Villages Routes, especially Jerez de la Frontera and the fighting bull ranches. The bedrooms with terraces offer magnificent views of Arcos and inside the typical Andalusian courtyard is joined by traditional decorative elements such as latticework and ceramic tiles. Wooden beams, rugs and round arches complete the decoration of the Parador. In a friendly atmosphere the restaurant offers the characteristic "pescaítos fritos" (small fried fish) from Cádiz, the fish dish "urta roteña", bull's tail or the tempting menu allowing you to sample eleven dishes.
	Cazorla Parador * This Parador is located In the heart of the Cazorla** Nature Reserve, at the spot known as Sacejo. Its height offers it unsurpassable panoramic views of the surroundings, in which hillsides covered with pine trees native to these mountains abound. The atmosphere of tranquillity and beauty of enclaves like the Cañada de las Fuentes, or the "Salto de Linarejos", makes it a meeting point for lovers of nature. The building follows in the tradition of the typical Andalusian country houses, which is a distinguishing feature of the exterior. Its swimming pool, with impressive views of the Nature Reserve, and the interior, with a pleasant living room with chimney, is characterized by the brightness offered by its large windows. Game in season and Andalusian dishes, such as "gachamiga" (flour, breadcrumbs and bacon dish), "pisto" (fried vegetables) and "pipirrana" (mixed salad) make up the gastronomic display of the restaurant.
	Málaga Gibralfaro ****. This Parador rises up surrounded by pine trees on the Gibralfaro mount and facing the "Alcazaba" citadel, from where the Bay and the city of Málaga can be viewed, from a unique perspective. Built from stone next to the Gibralfaro castle, its position allows easy visits of Málaga and it is suitable for numerous sporting activities: golf, tennis, etc., in the closeby facilities of the Parador del Golf. The common spaces, in addition to the bedrooms and the swimming pool on the top floor, enjoy beautiful views of the city and the sea, also offering an excellent level of comfort. A magnificent display of Andalusian gastronomy, the restaurant offers, among other dishes, "fritura de pescaítos a la malagueña" (fried small fish).
	Málaga del Golf. **** The sea, the enormous hedges of flowers, golf and Andalusian enchantment define the space in which this Parador rises up, concentrating all the charms of the Costa del Sol in its setting. Playing golf as a sport and a continuous challenge, along with all the leisure activities which the Parador offers, converts it into an ideal place to offer yourself an unforgettable break. The spacious and bright bedrooms offer beautiful views of the sea, the large swimming pool and the golf course. The living rooms, the lobby and the dining room acquire the light tones characteristic of the Costa del Sol. Among the most famous dishes of the restaurant are "sopa de rape malagueña" (anglerfish soup), "borrachuelos" and the "pescaítos fritos" (small fried fish), the maximum expression of Andalusia.
	Jávea **** The Parador is located in the beautiful town of Jávea, to the north of the Costa Blanca, bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean. Ideal for water sports, an immense sea surrounds it and competes in beauty with its garden, a real orchard of palm trees, bougainvilleas and other tropical species around its magnificent swimming pool. Green is the protagonist here, not just because it shapes the colour, but because it brings the freshness necessary to enjoy sunny summer evenings. The interior offers the traveller the opportunity to rest in spacious, comfortable bedrooms with balconies over the Mediterranean. The living rooms are spacious, bright and welcoming; hand-made rugs cover its cream coloured marble floors, on which plants and pots with flowers abound. Its restaurant is ideal to sample rices, fish dishes and "fideuás" (noodle paellas).

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