We're planning a trip to Spain in early July. We plan on driving from Barcelona to Toledo during one segment of the trip. We want to spend one night somewhere between the two cities. I've thought of two options:<BR><BR>1. Take the northern route through Zaragoza then down toward Madrid, spending the night in Siguenza.<BR><BR>2. Drive the coastal route toward Valencia then up to Alarcon.<BR><BR>We want to spend the night in the Parador in whichever city we chose. Has anyone driven either of these routes or stayed in either of the Paradors?<BR><BR>We really are torn on this. Alarcon offers a coastal drive and a more relaxed/intimate evening. Siguenza seems like it will be a less stressful drive and have a little more going on at night. Any recommendations on this would be appreciated.

Chad,<BR>You've chosen two great Paradors for your possible overnight. Alarcon is one of my top 5, and Siguenza's Parador is magnificent too and certainly deserves a stop at some point in your Spanish wanderings someday for a meal in the splendidly baronial dining rm. or a night, but the town itself is small and very sleepy. Siguenza comes alive during the day on wkds with daytrippers from Madrid, but at night it's dead-you won't find any nightlife, just folks strolling during the evening paseo. <BR>But the route itself from Toldeo to Barcelona through Zaragoza will be far quicker, easier, less stressful-you're absolutely right on that.<BR>But for scenery and a romantic evening at a beautiful castle parador (lots of weddings held here) in the heart of la Mancha, I'd choose the overnight in Alarcon then the coastal route from Valencia to Barcelona, but I'd personally add another overnight on the coast before BCN.<BR><BR>

Thanks, Maribel. We have planned an overnight on the coast. We are spending one night in Sitges after our stay in Barcelona. <BR><BR>If we do take the coastal route, do you have any recommendations on towns or restaurants along the way? Since the drive from Sitges to Siguenza is fairly lengthy, I'm planning on sticking to the autopista and only exiting to see the more interesting places. I also plan on skirting Valencia this trip.

Chad,<BR>You mean I can't talk you into stopping in Valencia for a beachside paella or to see the new City of Arts and Sciences, designed by native son Calatrava?? Just kidding,actually <BR>I haven't seen it yet either and don't know when I'll get around to it. They're engaged a flurry of urban reconstruction to Valencia to make it the new Bilbao.<BR><BR>Glad you're spending a night in lively Sitges-it'll really be rocking in July. Hope you already have your rm booked (suspect you do...if not, please call now!)<BR><BR>On the interior route from Siguenza to Sitges, I'd just stick to the superhighway, but with a short detour down to Nuevalos to the Monasterio de Piedra, a Cistercian Monastery, part of which has been made into a lux hotel, sitting in beautiful park-like gardens with gorgeous waterfalls and a grotto-the site of many weddings-water, water everywhere. There's an admission fee to the park. You can take two walking routes through it. It's about a 12 mile detour down the A202 from the NII/E 90, just south of Calatayud.<BR><BR>Maybe another stop in Zaragoza, if you're interested and up to city traffic, to tour the huge, ornate 18th c Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar(can't miss it-right across the Ebro river, backing on to it, standing on an immense square. Takes its name from a pillar where the Virgin appeared before St. James to ask him to build a church in her name, now a shrine that attracts pilgrims from all over.<BR><BR>If you decide on the Alarcon to Valencia route, I'd stop in Peniscola, perched on a dramatic rock promontory, and take a tour of the Old Town with its whitewashed houses within the ramparts and walk up to the Knights Templars Castle-part of "El Cid" was filmed there-nice photo ops.<BR>And then there are the impressive Roman ruins in Tarragona...<BR><BR>Have a great journey!

Thanks again, Maribel!<BR><BR>I am also curious to see Valencia after this latest fit of urban renewal. It has been over ten years since my last (and only) visit there. Maybe next time.<BR><BR>Thanks for the great suggestions on both drives. I really need to decide which route we'll take so I can book the parador. That is the only reservation I still have to make.