Colliding Continents

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

10 of the Most Beautiful Paradors in Spain

Generally I don't like staying in hotels when I travel. There is something about them that makes me feel so separate from the country that I am visiting. When I do stay in a hotel, I like to indulge in hospitality establishments with either a great degree of personality, history or amazing location. When I first heard of Paradors in Spain, I was blown away. Paradors are essentially historic sites that have been converted into hotels. So, I picked ten Paradors that have a lot of history, a lot of character and generally in amazing locations.

Parador Hotel Ronda

Ronda, Andalusia

If seeing the 120-meter drop into the Guadalevín River outside of your window doesn't give you goose bumps, the site of the Puente Nuevo basking in the sun over the Guadalevín will. This parador, a former town hall, sits at the edge of the rocky gorge right next to the historic bridge built in 1751.

Parador Hotel Caceres

Caceres, Extremadura

Formerly the Palace of Torreoraz, built in the 14th century. The palace was built for Diego Garcia de Uloa, a knight of the Order of Santiago. His family's coat of arms is still displayed proudly along with several full knights armor. Although the interior has been redone there are still elements of the original palace.

Parador Cangas de Onis

Cangas de Onis, Asturias

Easily one of the best places to fully enjoy the stunning Asturian landscape, Parador Cangas de Onis is a former monastary situated over the river Sella. The monastary was named awarded a National Monument status in 1907.

Hotel Casa de Baron

Pontevedra, Galicia

This 16th century Renaissance palace was the former residence of the Counts of Maceda. The interior of this palace boasts nobility and the garden is not anything short of royal. If staying in history is not enough, you should also know that this palace is located in the historic part of Pontevedra.

Parador Jarandilla de la Vera

Jarandilla de la Vera, Caceres

Positioned in the middle of the La Vera orchard with flowing streams and ravines surrounding it, this former Imperial home of Emperor Charles V has a setting that embraces the old parador. Instead of standing out, the parador's turrets fit in nicely with the olive and orange trees encircling it.

Parador Zafra

Zafra, Badajoz

There are nine towers that surround this castle, and elements from its time still exist within it such as the ironwork and large chests. Construction on this castle began in 1437 and was once the residence of the Dukes of Feria. Lounging in the courtyard and staring up to the sky alone will transport you back to 1437.

Parador Alacron

Alacron, La Mancha

8th Century Arab castle. What else is there to say really, oh yeah - it overlooks the river Jucar and is gorgeous. This castle was built on a ravine making it easier to defend in addition to the battlements that surround it but that wasn't enough to stop King Alfonso VIII to capture this castle in the 12th century. This castle has been the home of the Marquises de Villena and also Don Juan Manuel.

Parador Jaen

Jaen, Andalusia

There are four things you need to know about this Parador:
1. It was around since the time of Christ during which it was called Aurigis due to the surrounding silver mines
2. It has an unobstructed 180-degree view of the Guadalquivir River, the hills of the Sierra Morena and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada
3. The only other thing more impressive is the drive up to the Parador
4. This castle was taken by the Moors by Ferdinand III in 1246 and remained so even during attacks that spanned two hundred years.

Parador Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela, Galicia

This Parador has been accommodating guests since 1499. According to the founding documents the building was to be focused as a "hostelry for pilgrims and to house comfortably and suitably all devout people, both sick and in good health, who come to the city." Immediately across the Plaza do Obradorio is the Cathedral Del Apostol.

Parador Hotel Siguenza
Siguenza, Castile

Built in the fifth century, improved in 712 by the Moors and retaken by Fernando I and El Cid then turned into a Bishop's Palace, this Parador has seen a lot of growth. In fact one hundred and sixty four years later it would be redone again and later opened into its present form. The rooms in this castle are so large that it makes the furniture look like it were built for a dollhouse.

Labels: Alacron, Andalusia, Asturias, Badajoz, Caceres, Cangas de Onis, Extremadura, Galicia, Jaen, Jarandilla Vera, La Mancha, Pontevedra, Ronda, Spain, Zafra