The Parador Ubeda sits majestically on one side of the Plaza de Vasquez Molina – a plaza with as much character as any in Spain. It is shaped rather like an L. Adjacent to the Parador is the wonderful chapel of El Salvador. The Palacio de Vasquez de Molina – today acting as city hall – is on one side, and the Renaissance church of Santa Maria de los Reales Alcazares is at the far end of the plaza. In other words, the Parador Ubeda sits in the exact center of the most historically important section of the city.

In addition to a marvelous main plaza, Ubeda is the town in Andalucia with perhaps the largest number of Renaissance palaces. The town has been called the Florence of Andalucia. Wander through the old parts of town and admire the many centuries-old structures still standing and in fine shape. The Parador is the former palace of Don Fernando Ortega Salido. Originally a Moorish palace – he had it rebuilt to his liking – then had the chapel built right next to it. Hemingway, Pio Baroja, Garcia Lorca, and Paul Bowles have all stayed here at the Parador, so it has attracted a particularly literary crowd!

Interesting excursions from Parador Ubeda into the city:

- Don’t miss the Hospital De Santiago.

- The Isabelline style Iglesia de Santiago is well worth a visit.

- The grand Iglesia El Salvador.

- The 17th century Convento de Santa Teresa.

- The chapel of San Juan de la Cruz contains relics of Saint John of the Cross.

Interesting day trips include:

- Driving over to the twin town of Baeza makes for a pleasant half-day trip. For a special treat, ask around for directions to the olive press of Nunez De Prado. There are two brothers here that produce the finest hand-crafted varietal and blended olive oil in all of Spain.

- Cordoba is an easy day trip, and its many wonders are far too numerous to list here – don’t miss the awesome Mezquita, and the Barrio Juderia. – The Cazorla Nature Preserve is very near and presents great opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.

- Jaen is an interesting town with another great Parador that sits atop a massive rocky hill. Drive over and have lunch – the views from the Parador are incredible.

Ubeda is one of those cities that most tourists pass by. For those that do visit, a very appealing blend of the 16th century and modern times awaits – as does the magnificent Parador of Ubeda.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty – the wonderful Paradors of Spain. http://www.SpainParador.com

The Parador of Merida is another of the Paradores that is located on the ruta de la plata – which may be the oldest road in Europe. Built by the Romans, the road got it’s name (plata) from the type of stones with which it was paved – called balatha.

The Merida Parador is housed in a building that has a very long history. It has been controlled by Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians, and has gone through times of being a Roman forum and temple, a mosque, a church, a hospital, a jail – and now a very fine Parador hotel.

Most of the ancient vestiges that remain in the Parador of Merida are from the monastery built by the Franciscans in the 15th century. It has a very lovely patio surrounded by arches supported by marble columns. The lounge is the former chapel and has an extraordinarily beautiful ceiling. The Parador of Merida has a serene air and really is one of the prettiest in the Parador chain.

The city of Merida has a fascinating history. Founded around 25 B.C. by the Romans, it was at one time one of the most splendid cities in all of Iberia and was actually the capital of Lusitania (the Roman name for what we now call Portugal). There are more Roman ruins here than anywhere else in Spain, and they make for appealing site-seeing.

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Merida into the city and nearby environs:

- The Roman Bridge: at a half-mile in length, this was the longest Roman-built bridge in Spain. It has now been closed to car traffic, so you can stroll leisurely and peacefully out across the river Guadiana and take in the views back to the city.

- The Roman Amphitheater: When it was operating in the 1st century B.C. – this grand place seated 15 thousand – who came to watch gladiators and chariot races and fake sea battles (they actually flooded the arena so mock ships could float inside the amphitheater!).

- The Roman Aqueduct: Aqueducto de los Milagros isn’t nearly as well preserved as the one in Segovia, but it has a haunting feel to it and harkens back to pre-Biblical times.

- The Alcazaba: This fairly well preserved Moorish castle-fortress was later used by the Knights of Santiago.

- The National Museum of Roman Art: Well worth a visit – it contains all manner of archeologically interesting remains from Roman times.

- There are many other wonderful things to see in Merida – try to stay a few days in order to do this magnificent city justice.

Interesting day trips from the Parador of Merida include:

- Caceres: 68 kilometers to the north is one of the finest monumental towns in Spain and has been declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO.

- Trujillo: 90 kilometers away – Trujillo is a simple treasure . . . Spain as it once was, and with a plaza to rival any other in Spain.

- Zafra: 60 kilometers to the south – Zafra is a pleasant town to visit (and there is a Parador there for you to stay at if you prefer).

The Parador Merida is a fine place to stay, and it is located in one of the most interesting cities you’ll ever visit. Don’t hesitate to enjoy this unique combinations of experiences if you are ever traveling in this out-back area of Spain – the far west of Extremadura.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty – the wonderful Paradors of Spain.

Located in the far reaches of Aragon, Spain, the Parador of Sos del Rey Catolico is kind of in the middle of nowhere. The result of this is that relatively few tourists ever find their way here to this sleepy little village of less than a thousand inhabitants. When you enter, you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped back several centuries in time. The village has a distinctly medieval feel.

The Parador Sos is of a typical Aragonese character. The building conserves and fits congruously with the monumental and historical atmosphere of the town of Sos del Rey Cat?lico. Though by looking at it one would never realize – the Parador here is a modern building. Because the whole town has been declared a National Historic Monument, none of the standing buildings could be changed or altered. The government of Spain hired one of the most renowned architects to create a building that would completely blend in with the historical ambience and appearance of the town. He succeeded completely.

The regal and elegant interior offers beautiful views of the town from some of the rooms. There are wooden interior columns and the furniture is predominately of a Castilian style. The bedrooms are spacious, and because each has it’s own balcony with double doors, and large windows – they fill with light. From those windows can be seen the Aragonese and Navarrese foothills of the Pyrenees in the far distance.

The town of Sos del Rey Catolico has been declared a National Monument. It was the birthplace of influential nobles and of the great Catholic King Ferdinand (who married the equally famous Isabella). From the Parador, a few steps takes you directly into the old quarter of the town.

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Sos del Rey Catolico:

- As stated earlier, the entire town has been declared a National Historic Monument. It’s great to just meander around with out any special agenda. The town is very small and you can’t get lost.

- See the Sada palace.

- Visit the monastery of Nuestra Se?ora de Valentu?ana.

Interesting day trips from the Olite Parador include:

- Javier Castle (19 km)

- Uncastillo (17 km)

- Yesa Reservoir (25 km)

- Leyre Monastery (28 km)

- Valles de Hecho (89 km)

- Roncesvalles (96 km)

Interesting festivals during the year:

- Local summer festivities in Sos during the 2nd two weeks in August.

- Romer?a Valentu?ana (Procession) Easter.

Sos del Rey Catolico is a very special kind of place. This is not your usual tourist destination – it has none of the hustle and bustle, garrish attractions, or fine restaurants and museums of those places. However; the whole town is like a museum and the Parador serves as fine a cuisine as you’ll find in Spain. Sos is one of my personal favorite places in Spain. Come here for the tranquility and the medieval ambience – you’ll add it your list of favorites as well.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty – the wonderful Paradors of Spain. http://www.SpainParador.com