Have a last romantic week-end to plan. Leaving friends early Saturday morning in Barcelona, renting a car and dropping it off at Barajas airport late Monday morning. First thing we're doing is scooting up to Figueres (Dali Museum).

Looking to book these Paradores: Saturday night in Cardona and Sunday night in Siguenze. Has anyone stayed at either of these? Driven between the two?

Any other romantic (rural) suggestions, avoiding time spent either in Madrid or Barcelona? Thanks!

Parador at Siguenza is a winner in my book. Very old, picturesque castle. I stayed there and then dropped car at Barajas the next am. Works well!

dianeg, I haven't stayed there yet, but plan to stay at Cardona in September.

We're also staying a night at Aguiablava on the coast...friends have stayed in that parador and raved about the views, the service and the drive along the coast.

Happy travels!

dianeg,
I haven't done an overnight in the Cardona Parador, but for dramatic setting and out of the way seclusion/romance you probably won't beat it for your first night on the Figueres-Lleida-Zaragoza-Madrid route.
(Although you might want to look at the Hotel Urbisol at Calders, east of Cardona.
See it at www.innsofspain.com or
www.rusticae.es We like the unique Rusticae properties, but this one doesn't seem as fine a value as the terrific deals that one gets at most all the paradors, but the Urbisol does have a pool).

Sigüenza is tops in my book too. Plus you'll dine in regal splendor in the beautiful, baronial, supremely comfortable dining room, one of the prettiest in the parador system, I think. A pre-dinner glass of sherry, chorizo and olives are complimentary.
The charming but very sleepy town only comes alive on wkds. with Madrid day trippers, but they'll be long gone Sunday night, making your stay even more relaxing. And as lweber says, you can make it to Barajas easily from there. The town has an enormous cathedral (you'll wonder why such a gigantic edifice for such a small burg) with its famed, beautiful, alabaster reclining statue of Martín Vázquez de Arce, just known as "El Doncel", Queen Isabellla's page, who died in battle with the Moors. Statue is found in the right side chapel. To enter the chapel, one needs to go in with the offficial guard or guide, but please don't miss this exquisite piece of art! Other than the cathedral, there's a small Sacred Art museum across the square and a handful of artisans' shops, where you can buy handcrafted modern designed jewelry (at Vega), a black J.J. leather wine (bota) bag, honey from the Alcarria, handcarved wood items, etc. We try always to make Sigüenza a late lunch stop when driving down from Pamplona. And neighboring Medinacelli to the north right of the N III is also worth a look.

Check driving times/distance from Cardona to Sigüenza at www.viamichelin.com or
www.campsa.es Maybe 4 1/2 hrs.?

Hope this helps.

Thank you all!

You've confirmed that, indeed, this will be a special week-end with which to end my husband's trip to Spain
(I'll have another week of bumming around by myself before I have to go back, kicking and screaming of course!)

Maribel, as usual, a special thank you for the detailed info - especially about the statue of "El Doncel".

When I checked Via Michelin to plan this route, I was allowing about 6 hours or so, with a few stops to stretch the legs. Any suggestions as to where a slight detour would be worth a walk along the Cardona - Sigüenza route?

Hi dianeg,
For a pretty stop on the Cardona-Sigüenza drive, I'd choose
the Monasterio de Piedra in Nuévalos, a short detour down the C202 south from Catalayud. Water, water everywhere! Part of the Cistercian Monastery, a 12th c. structure, is now a hotel (lots of weddings there) but the surrounding park would be a lovely spot for a long walk, and there's a 150 ft. waterfall along the river. You can visit part of the Monastery, the chapter house, cloister, church, the Wine Museum and the park for 9 euros, and it's open daily. See www.monasteriopiedra.com/

Wow Maribel! That would be exactly the kind of stop that we would thoroughly enjoy! Where DO you store all these gems of information?! Thank you!!