Artlover,

The tarjeta 5 noches is not accepted at all paradores all of the time. Some of them like Zamora and Cangas de Onis did not accept it during the month of July. Leon accepted it but charged a supplement. Even with the supplement if was more advantegeous for us to use the card rather than paying the rack rate.
If you go to the paradores website they give you the calendar that shows by parador and by month when is the 5 noches card accepted or not.

Thanks for the report to date. Looking forwatrd to the continuation, especially your impression of the Hoyuela in Santander, as I am in the process of trying to find a hotel in Santander for a small group of people.

Hi Cooter,

I have been away from my computer for days since my hard drive died and I just replaced it.
As mentioned above the Hotel Hoyuela was my least favorite of all the hotels I stayed in. The hotel itself was fine and very well located in Sardinero beac, but for being a "new" hotel( I think it opened in the 90's) it badly needs some refurbishment. The room and bathroom were very standard and smalish, no charm there. Also,because I went in the high season this was the most expensive hotel in my trip.
Santander is beautiful. What a gorgeous beach! But during the summer it seems like a big family reunion, where everybody seemed to know everybody . In all honesty, since I was traveling by myself I felt a little out of place. It was very difficult to get service in the cafes/ restaurants, it was that crowded. While in Santander I visited Santillana del Mar( 35 mins. by bus) which I enjoyed tremendously.

Sorry to hear about your computer. Yes, Santander in the summer is a zoo, especially the Sardinero. Thanks for the update on the Hoyuela as well. Given the rate they are offering (guest rooms combined with a wedding reception) it may be worthwhile, but does not seemt o be worth the list price.

To cruisluv. A fascinating report. Could you comment on these: 1. Were any of the bus trips over mountain roads (white nuckles?)? 2. How was the handling of your luggage getting on the different buses? Any problems? 3. Were all your hotel stays made in advance so that you were expected at each stop?

Hi Thomas,

No, there were no "white nuckles" moments( at least that I rememeber). We were in roads over mountains between Leon and Oviedo and there were cliffs on the sides at times but these were very good wide roads. It's amazing how as you go from Leon to Oviedo the landscape changes from the drab dry Castilla landscape to the Green Spain landscape. Beautiful! Specially beautiful were the landscapes in the trip from Cangas de Onis to Santander and Santander to Bilbao. I was so happy that I was not driving and could view all of it from high on the coach bus.

The handling of the lugagge is what I like so much of traveling by bus. They travel in the "belly" of the bus and you put it in and take it out yourself. Sometimes the driver would take pity on me and help me with it. Much more convenient than having to haul a big suitcase aboard a train!
I had made reservations in all the hotels in advance.
I'm still planning to write a short review of my stay at the Parador of Cangas de Onis, Picos de Europa( my favorite!!!) and my last stop in Bilbao, which I also liked a lot .
If there are specific q's on these sites please ask!

Great trip report. We love Spain. First trip was Barcelona and the Basque coast from Hondarribia to Santillana del Mar & then Comillas, which was a charming town, with beautiful beach & a lovely Gaudi casa ( Cappricio(?) del Gaudi) that is now a delicious restaurant. On our most recent trip we visited Madrid & surrounding areas & then Granada. Loved Salamanca & the Alhambra in Granada. We also stayed at the Palacio Castellana in Salamanca & really enjoyed the hotel & the location. Our room, with king size bed I think, was very comfortable and not too small at all. One night we were extremely tired & had dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. It turned out to be the surprise dinner treat of the trip--wonderful experience.

Cruiseluv, I am eagerly waiting for the end of your report!!!

There are other promotions in Paradores:
2 nights or mores, breakfast & dinner (no drink included): 20% discount.

I think this promotion in November has grown up to 25% discount in some places as León. The best rooms in this Parador are in the old wing, third floor, where the "real" suits are: the balcony over the main entrance belongs to Royal Suit. The little tower in the left corner of the fachade is the "Suit Nupcial", the one for just married couples.

Viñedos y Bodegas de Prestigio, fundadores de Vinoteca Barbechera no pasa por buen momento. La sociedad madre de la franquicia no puede hacer frente al arrendamiento de uno de sus locales. MUCHO CUIDADO
La situacion no debe ser muy clara puesto que no encuentra a ningun banco que avale dicho arrendamiento. Hay más de un mes de arrendamiento SIN PAGAR, POSIBLE DESAUCIO.
Vinoteca Terrabacus puede ser una buena alternativa. Parece una empresa seria y está muy recomendada en distintas guias en internet.