where are the most intriguing Posatas in Spain?
Oct 11th, 2000, 12:31 PM
#2
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Becca, <BR> <BR>In Spain I think you are looking for places called paradors which are the National chain of historic hotels. There was just a recent thread on this very topic which many of us already contributed to and you should be able to find by searching using the word "parador" or "paradors". You will love them and they all have wonderful dining rooms that are available to all even if you do not have a room booked. You should be able to find more than enough info on this site by searching under Spain to plan 10 trips! <BR> <BR>Maria
Oct 12th, 2000, 03:41 AM
#3
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www.parador.es <BR>they are generally very good value, some are historic buildings
Oct 17th, 2000, 07:41 AM
#5
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If you are going to be in Madrid, you would really like the Parador (Posadas are Portugese) in Toledo which is just a few miles south of Madrid. Although a modern building, it is styled like a hacienda and has the most wonderful view over the whole of Toledo. It is very popular and you may need to book. It is worth knowing that you can get discounts on stays in Paradors; if you buy a book of five "tickets" (one ticket for a double room for one night) the price is only 50,000 pesetas. Similarly, if one of you is over 60, you get a 35% discount on room and meals. Look in their websight www.parador.es. You can book online.
Oct 24th, 2000, 09:00 AM
#7
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Becca, I forgot to mention the Parador in Santiago de Compostella. I don't know if you were considering going that far from Madrid, but the Parador there is the flagship of the group. It's classed as deluxe and therefore not cheap, but in November the rates are probably at their lowest. The Parador is called Los Reyes Catolicos and is the old "hospital" (ie hostel) build by Ferdinand and Isobella (Los Reyes Catolicos) monarchs of Spain in the late 1400s for those pilgrims who had completed the walk from different points in Europe to Santiago. It has four courtyards, each one named for one of the apostles. Many of the rooms have fourposter beds. It is situated right in the centre of the medieval part of Santiago, right next to the cathedral. <BR>Santiago de Compostella is in a beautiful but not much visited part of North West Spain, called Galicia. Many of the people there speak their own language (Gallego) as well as Spanish. The scenery can be beautiful, especially around las rias bajas (sea inlets which are a bit like the fjiords). I hope you have a lovely time.
Oct 26th, 2000, 03:55 PM
#9
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The Paradors are great. We just got back after our first visit to Spain. We went from Madrid to Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Santiago De Compostela. All were great stays with great wlking areas-shopping and sights with great places to eat. We felt very safe in all places and walked with my wife a great many steps in all of the towns. Just like in the US a lot of atm machines-visa-hard to say which one was our favorite as they were all 1st class. Each offered something different. Not to much trouble with the language from spanish to english.
Oct 26th, 2000, 07:57 PM
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Becca: <BR>Our favorite paradores are in close proximitry to Madrid: Oropesa, Jarandilla,Chinchon,Cuenca(not in any preferential order.) These are in small towns which we enjoy. Each is an easy drive from Madrid or from each other. <BR>Oropesa is just west of Talavera and is in a 14th centuery castle-palace. Talavera is known for its tiles and ceramics but unfortunately the new road which bypasses it has caused a lot of the places to close. <BR>Jarandilla is a 15th century castle-palace and is further west and north of Oropesa in the Gredos mountains. <BR>Chinchon is south of Madrid in a17th century convent. The parador is a short wal to the centrl plaza which is used as a bullring during the bull fighting season. They make a licquor there called Chinchon (anise). Try the Chinchon Dulce. <BR>Cuenca is east and south of Madrid. The parador is a 16th century convent and is right across the gorge from the Casas Colgadas (hanging houses.) <BR>The parador food is quite good but look in the Fodor's Guide for other restaurants. Rec Las Brasas in Cuenca,Meson de la Virreina in Chinchon. <BR>A quaint town north of Madrid, west of Segovia is Pedraza,known for its pewter. There is no parador here but La Posada de Don Mariano is an excellent little hotel with excellent food. There is absolutely no nightlife in Pedraza. <BR>If you're going to northern Spain, the parador in Santiago de Compostela is outstanding as previously mentioned. Though we have never stayed there, I have heard that the parador in Leon is even better which is hard to image. <BR>Our favorite northern parador (again a small town) is Santillana del Mar. Request to stay in the old building. This whole town is a medieval town. This is right next to the caves at Altimira. (I'm told there is now a 2 year waiting list to tour the caves. <BR> <BR>Buen viaje <BR>DJ
Oct 27th, 2000, 06:39 PM
#11
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Some Paradores are really delightful: Ronda, Arcos, Carmona, Granada, Toledo, Cuenca, Jaen, Jarandilla, Segovia, Alarcon Sigüenza, Chinchon, Alcañiz, Santillana del Mar, León, Santiago, Fuentes Carrionas, Olite, Viella, Ribadeo, Bayona,... I remember these as the nicest in Spain, but the level is high.
Oct 28th, 2000, 03:11 AM
#12
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Last year we stayed at the paradors in Toledo and Ciudad Real. Both were very fine but we thought the one in Ciudad Real was absolutely great. It is a converted nunnery about 50 years old. <BR>Also stayed in one in Cordoba but it was a "converted hotel" and I could not recommend it. <BR>You can find a listing of all paradores on the internet. I forget the URL but it should be easy to find. <BR>We spent about a month in Spain and it was as nice a vacation as one could expect. Absolutely great! <BR>You can contact me if you have any interest in my comments about Spain. I would be happy to send you a copy of me "report" which I made for a friend. <BR> <BR>Richard <BR>
