The delights of the Spanish Paradores

Road trippers and nature lovers shouldn’t leave the Spanish Paradores off their must-see travel list. The Paradores are important historic buildings across the country and are cultural and architectural remnants of the Roman Empire, Arab, and Germanic rule. Once the location of great battles and home to some of the greatest kings, today these great palaces, hospitals, and monasteries have been transformed into comfortable, even luxurious hotels for visitors from all over the world. For a feel of Spain through the ages, live in history and sleep in style in one of these fascinating and awe-inspiring structures. Here’s our pick of seven of the best!

Parador de Zafra, Extremadura

Housed in a huge castle which belonged to the Duchess of Feria in 1437 is today a flourishing 4-star hotel called Parador de Zafra. The hotel is located in the province of Badajoy, in the town center of Zafra. Near the Parador de Zafra lies the famous Santa Maria church. The luxurious interior of this huge hotel is guarded by nine crenels. The hotel still sports iron mounting, coffered ceilings, and other small decorative items which have survived the centuries.

Parador de Lerma, Castle Leon

Originally the Ducal Palace, it was built on the foundations of an old castle which dated back to the 15th century. Today this Palace, designed by Francisco de Mora and built in the early half of the 17th century by King Philipp III is the Parador de Lerma. This 4-star hotel has 70 guestrooms, of which no two rooms are alike, differing depending on their location within the castle. The stone floors, antiques and slanted wood still feel as they did five centuries ago.

Parador de Santo Estevo, Galicia

The Parador de Santo Estevo was originally called the Benedictine Monastery located in the north of Ourense in Galicia. It can be found near the Spanish town of Nogueira de Ramuín almost close to the edge of a canyon which is surrounded by lush green and wooded mountains which look like a scene out of the history books. This hotel has a total of 77 rooms of different sizes both with and without private living rooms. The rooms have been remodeled and designed to a more contemporary yet luxurious style.

Parador de Plasencia, Extremadura

The Parador de Plasencia is located in the middle of the ancient Spanish town of Plasencia. Architecturally rich, this building can be found near the Portuguese border. This 15th century monastery houses a four-star hotel with countless halls, gothic type façade, open air pool and 66 beautiful guestrooms. Each of the rooms features high ceilings and natural stone walls which create a romantic and comfortable atmosphere. Oriental carpets, baldachins and baroque sofas add to the feeling of comfort and luxury of staying here.

Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera, Extremadura

Located in the Cáceres province in an old village named Jarandilla de la Vera – which is 230 km away from the Spanish capital of Madrid – the Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera was once home to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V and the king of the Spanish Empire. This castle – dating from the 15th century – has lost none of its charm and superior presence over the centuries. Still guarded by fortified towers, wooden rafters, and huge open fireplaces, it’s a must visit for every tourist. The comfortable, beautiful and open rooms give visitors a feeling of freedom.

Parador de Oropesa, Castile La Mancha

The Parador de Oropesa was once a 14th century castle and housed nobles, dukes of Oropesa and many clergymen over the centuries. The 4 star hotel can be found in the fertile valley near the Tagus River. Today it features a romantic atmosphere with pool, stylish interior and 14th century charm. The large and impressive mosaic floors, watch tower and an underground arched cellar just adds to the unique experience. Each room has been furnished with upholstered furniture, decorative lamps, comfortable and spacious rooms. This Parador still maintains an atmosphere that resembles Castilian aristocratic tradition.

Parador de Monforte de Lemos, Galicia

Located in Galicia, the Parador Monforte de Lemos is a huge monument and consists of San Vicente del Pino monastery, fortified tower, and the Duke’s palace. This impressive piece of architecture embodies various styles of epochs from the time of the Middle Ages right down to the 18th century. Each guestroom here is unique and has a special charm which is a mix of both old and new lifestyles. The huge, bright and well decorated rooms are comfortable and inviting.

Guest contribution from Escapio.com where these historic hotels in Spain are just a handful of the luxury, boutique and design hotels perfect for a long holiday or a weekend break.

Where is Pau?

Pau is 50km from the Pyrenees in southern France and stands on a 200m elevation, making it the perfect travel destination for splendid views to the Pyrenees from the Boulevard des Pyrenees. Alphonse de Lamartine said: “Pau has the world’s most beautiful view of the earth just as Naples has the most beautiful view of the sea.”

The Chateau de Pau is located in the centre of Pau and was built during the 14th century. Here the museum of Bearnais architecture is housed where you can see architecture, furnishings and other aspects of Bearnais life.

Pau is featuring today because Stage 16 of the Tour de France is finishing here.

France (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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One Great Reason to Visit Pau

One great reason to visit this travel destination is most definitely for the stunning views to the Pyrenees and surrounding valleys.

Pau, France

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Where is Marvao?

Marvao Castle

The tiny fortress village of Marvao, sits poignantly upon a rocky outcrop on the Serra de Sao Mamede, is located in the central-eastern region of Portugal and not that far from the border with Spain.

Marvao was a natural strategic defence, with its steep slopes to the north, south and west. Access by foot is only possible from the east, which was the direction in which the town gradually spread within the castle walls.

Marvao attracts visitors from all over to enjoy the unspoiled medieval atmosphere. Its narrow lanes and whitewashed homes that lead to a magnificent 13th century castle. The 13th century church with an interesting museum of archaeological finds and local artifacts are also of interest.

Framed poster of a Sunset Over Marvao Village

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One Great Reason to Visit Marvao

One great reason to visit Marvao is for the beautiful 360 degreee view over the surrounding region from within the castle walls.

Marvão, Portugal 3D in Google Earth

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Where is Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Castle

This guest post is by Graham Spence who recently spent a few days in Edinburgh which is situated some 80km east of Glasgow.

While having a short visit to Edinburgh by far my favourite part of the day was taking a stroll down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace Of Hollyroodhouse. Standing high above the city, Edinburgh Castle is a magnificent sight. Not only is it a historic monument but also a working military establishment where the Scottish Division headquarters are based.

Throughout the ages the castle was continually besieged, held by the English as well as the Scottish, Badly damaged many times this is why the castle now hosts such a mix of architectural styles.

Not only was the castle of great importance during Scotland’s Wars of Independence but it was also the seat of the Scottish Kings. You can still see the little room in the Royal Apartments where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James who would eventually become James VI of Scotland and James I of England.

The castle offers a spectacular view of Edinburgh city and the surrounding area. As we walked from the castle courtyard where preparations were being made for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I realised that there were so many interesting things around me, that we really hadn’t left ourselves enough time to take everything in. Just outside the castle is Witches Well, a cast iron wall fountain commemorating the place where over three hundred women were burned at the stake accused of being witches. It is situated at the entrance to the Castle esplanade on the west wall of the Tartan Weaving Mill and is quite easy to miss. During the 16th Century more witch burnings were carried out at Castlehill than anywhere else in the country. The victims often suffered brutal torture before being put to death at the stake.

Just across the street is an attraction called Camera Obscurra, Built in the 19th century, Camera Obscura has been in operation for more than 150 years. A mirror and a lens project a ‘live’ image of the surrounding area onto a large concaved dish in a darkened room. The panoramic views show Edinburgh in amazing detail. During 1945 the original mirror and lens were replaced. Camera Obscura also contains the largest display of holograms in Europe as well a fascinating exhibition of optical illusions, pin-hole photography and early photographs of Old Edinburgh.

Two things that struck me that day was the amount of American and Australian Tourists that were on the mile, today’s technology enabling the American businessman standing next to me to be in touch with his office catching up on the days’ news whilst entering the Whiskey Heritage Centre, which was once Castlehill School.

Scotland has been producing whisky for more than 300 years, and the Whisky Heritage Centre is a fun and interesting way to learn about the history of Scotland’s national drink. The whisky barrel ride brings this story to life using sound, smell and life-like figures, and you can also meet the resident ghost who used to be a master blender. The second thing that amazed me was the amount of pubs and inns on the mile, my favourite pub is The Worlds End, a really lively establishment situated at Worlds End Close. So called because this literally was, the end of most people’s world.

Military Tattoo

Situated just inside the Netherbow Gate, poorer residents who couldn’t afford the entrance fee back into the city stayed there whole lives within the confines of the City Walls.

On the opposite side of the road is Mary Kings Close, the name of Mary King’s Close is thought to have originated from the property owner and advocate to Mary Queen of Scots Alexander King whose daughter was also called Mary.

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit this most famous Close where you will experience the sights, sounds and maybe even smells of an amazing street that time forgot. Where everyday people went about their day to day lives and where you can now walk in their footsteps. Perhaps you’ll even get to meet them…

During 1645 life of the Close was shattered forever. The plague struck this little community and there is a myth that the local council decided to contain the plague by incarcerating the victims, bricking up the close for several years and leaving them inside to die. It is likely that this is why the close was nicknamed ‘street of sorrows’ with the Palace in sight at the bottom of the hill there was so many interesting things to see that my watch was beating me, I had no idea it would be so time consuming, I would recommend at least a full day to complete that mile, and we had only given ourselves the afternoon.

Just time to visit the Tollbooth Inn, part of the Cannon Gate Tollbooth, The Tolbooth was built in 1591, it was here that the tolls or public dues were collected. It also served as the council house, courtroom and prison. The People’s story museum is situated in the old Canongate Tolbooth. This fascinating museum tells the history of Edinburgh’s people, across the street the Museum of Edinburgh traces the history of the capital from prehistoric times to the present day. So much to see and so much to learn, I really need to go back with more time to take it all in.

The centre pieces of the mile obviously the castle at the top of the mile and the Palace at the bottom, The Palace of Holyroodhouse has played a central role in Scotland’s history ever since its foundation as an Augustian monastery by King David I of Scotland nearly 900 years ago.

One of the many Pubs

Rebuilt by James V of Scotland, the Palace was to become the home of his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots and the scene for many of the most dramatic and tragic events of her reign, culminating in the murder in the palace of her secretary, David Rizzio in 1566. Today Holyroodhouse is The Queen’s official residence whilst in Scotland.

The palace now also houses a significant part of the Royal Collection, with paintings and works of art on display both within the palace itself and in the Queens Gallery next door. But so many places to see in between, and so much atmosphere in the area, many tales of witchcraft and ghost stories, the perfect end to the day for the not faint hearted is the Murder and Mystery Tour, Venture through the darkened alleyways of the old town with Adam Lyal (deceased), a highwayman executed in Edinburgh’s grass market for his crimes in 1811, or if you prefer the Ghosts and Gore Tour of the Royal Miles closes and courtyards, led by Alexander Clapper ton (deceased), Merchant, philanthropist, and Cemetery Director.

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One Great Reason to Visit Edinburgh

One great reason to visit Edinburgh is not only to see Edinburgh Castle but to enjoy the magnificent view of Edinburgh from the castle top.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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