The Parador of Alarcon is located about 200 km. southeast of Madrid directly below Cuenca. Twelve hundred years ago, a prince of the Visigoths was out hunting and came upon a rugged and rocky hill almost completely encircled by a river. He thought it a perfect place to build a fortress. His father, King Alaric, came back to inspect the site and did build a castle there. The town and the Parador still bear his name.

The Alarcon Parador has thick stone walls set with turrets surrounding it and the small town. One of these towers (called a coracha) is right down on the river Jucar. It was from under this one that the ancient townspeople could obtain water during a siege.

The castle was controlled by the Moors for hundreds of years. In 1184, after a long unsuccessful siege, a brave knight climbed the walls one night by using two daggers to wedge into the slits in the great stones that form the walls. He got over and opened the doors from within allowing King Alfonso VIII and his forces in to recapture the castle for the Christian re-conquest. Many years later, Queen Isabel had to put down a rebellion of sorts here by some of her powerful yet disloyal barons.

The Parador of Alarcon is the kind of place castle lovers dream of. It looks and feels like a castle, and one can literally sense the history of the place as a palpable presence. It’s setting is spectacular, and the approach is unforgettable – transporting the traveler not only to the castle, but seemingly back in time as well!

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Alarcon:

- The medieval old town of Alarcon.

- The wonderful Iglesia de Santa Maria.

- The old town hall on the main plaza.

Interesting day trips include:

- Cuenca – The city of the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses). Cuenca is a Unesco-declared World Heritage site, and should be considered a must see.

- Belmonte – Be sure and drive over to Belmonte to see the wonderful old, abandoned, yet well-preserved 15th century castle ruins there. You can climb up into the towers and walk around inside the grounds. The Belmonte castle has a rare and beautiful triangular patio. If you go on a weekday – you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

For travelers who like to visit relatively un-touristed locations that, nevertheless, exude an air of historical significance – and especially for aficionados of wonderful old castles – the Alarcon Parador is a near-perfect destination.

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

Spain has a super selection of hotels and you will surely discover something to suit all tastes and pockets.

Whilst most visitors holidaying in Spain from abroad tend to stick to the stereo-typed hotel chains for their vacations, Paradores make a fantastic alternative. Quality accommodation and food guarantee a stay that is remembered for comfort, style and value for money. And, through them, you will gain a better and deeper knowledge of Spain.

Right from their beginnings in 1928, the aim of the state established Paradores Spain was to offer high standards, at reasonable prices, in a noteworthy building or location, and to help preserve the traditions of regional cooking, by serving the best of local cuisine in the Parador restaurants.

Equally important objectives of the hotel chain were to help preserve the country?s national and artistic heritage and to promote tourism in areas which had been overlooked by the private sector.

Today, Paradores can be found in converted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other traditional buildings throughout the mainland and its islands. The group has also built new hotels in unspoiled areas of the country in magnificent locations.

The origins of Paradores go back to 1910, when the Spanish Government assigned the Marquis de la Vega Incl?n the task of creating a hotel infrastructure for vacations which would house travellers and improve Spain?s image abroad.

In 1926, through the Royal Tourism Commission established in 1911, the Marquis de la Vega Incl?n initiated the establishment of a hotel in the Gredos Mountains in Castilla La Mancha, making the wonders of the area?s landscape accessible to tourism.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain was very enthusiastic about the idea and he, personally, chose the location. Construction began in August 1926 and was completed on the evening of 9 October 1928. The hotel was inaugurated that same day and became the first establishment of the future Paradores Spain network, the Parador de Gredos.

After the opening of the Parador de Gredos, the Board of Paradores and Inns was formed and efforts were channelled into perfecting the original idea and into making use of selected historical/artistic monuments and beautiful landscapes for the establishment of new Paradores Spain.

So, why not consider making your stay in Spain rather unique by picking a Parador?

Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com Top Tour of Spain providing comprehensive information on Spain be it for travel, food, language or living.

The four-star Parador Ronda occupies an absolutely awesome location. It sits right on the edge of one of the deepest gorges in Spain – the Tajo. The views are stunning. If you aren’t timid of heights, walk out across the puente nuevo – the new bridge (that was built in 1761!?) just outside the Parador grounds, and you can look straight down 500 ft. to the river below! There are scenic footpaths through the Parador gardens and grounds that will lead you to lookouts with incredible vistas.

The Ronda Parador building is the former town hall. It has a very modern appearance inside, presents the traveler with every amenity, and all of it in very good taste. The Parador of Ronda is famous for the quality of the service they provide, and for the attentiveness of the staff.

Ronda itself is a fascinating city with an equally fascinating history. A moorish stronghold for centuries, it later became essentially a haven for bandits. They would loot the surrounding countryside and then return to their nearly impregnable location in Ronda and dare the authorities to try and get them out.

Modern bullfighting was invented here, and Ronda’s bullring is said to be the oldest in Spain. Wander the old town to your hearts content. You’ll get pleasantly lost – a few times – but it’s great fun exploring and you’re never far from the way back.

From here, you could drive out to some of Spain’s most typical white villages – Setenil, Grazalema, Gaucin, Olvera, Ubrique, Zahara de la Sierra, – and many others – each a dazzling drop of ancient culture in these rugged sierras.

Interesting excursions from the Parador:

- The Ba?os Arabe: these public baths which were already in use in the 13th century – are still functioning!

- Plaza de Toros: this is reputed to be the oldest bullring in Spain. There is also a fine museum dedicated to the history of bullfighting there.

- Casa del Rey Moro (House of the Moorish King): Parts of this are now closed, but an unusual walk will take you down 365 steps – through a kind of ‘mine’ – to the river below. This is how the city accessed the water during times of seige.

Interesting day trips include:

- The Parque de Grazalema: Wildly beautiful natural surroundings amidst the rugged mountains of the area. Lots of great hiking opportunities.

- A drive in any direction will bring you to wonderful white villages so typical of this part of Andalucia. Stop and walk around. Have a glass of wine and a tapa on the main plaza – this is as close as you’ll get to what Spain was like 3 or 4 centuries ago.

- Drive down to the little town of Gaucin – called, the balcony of Europe, because of the views you can have there. On a clear day, you can see across the straits of Gibraltar all the way to Africa!

- The Costa Del Sol is near enough for a day trip. Estepona is nice, and a bit less built up than the towns and cities further along the coast.

The Parador of Ronda is a wonderful place to stay while touring around the south of Spain. It has a fascinating history that is still alive today, and the ruggedly beautiful mountains form an incomparable backdrop for a visit that will fulfill many travelers’ vision of Spain.

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 Carmona played a big part in one of Spain’s interesting historical epochs. King Pedro the Cruel (known as Pedro The Just by some) built this fortified pleasure palace during his contested reign. He was later killed in a fight with his illegitimate brother, who was contesting the throne.

Pedro, who once said, A single loaf of bread would be enough to fill the bellies of all those who are loyal to me, has this castle built next to the ruins of an older Moorish fortress – to house his favorite consort and their daughter. He hired the same Moorish master builders who had built the Alcazar in Sevilla. They achieved a pleasing mix of Gothic and Moorish styles. Later kings and queens appreciated the ambience of the place and stayed here – including Ferdinand and Isabella.

The Parador Carmona is located on the highest hill in the area and commands panoramic views stretching for endless miles out over the plains below. The oldest parts of the building date to the 12th and 13th centuries during the times of Moorish occupation. This really is a sumptuous place to stay. It is peaceful and has one of the most elegant patios you’ll ever encounter.

You’ll enter via the Mudejar courtyard with its gurgling fountain, columns, arches, and Cuenca tiles. A more captivating courtyard you’d be hard-pressed to find. The Parador has inlaid walls and ceilings. In the many halls of the castle, hang medieval swords, banners, and other antiquities of a bygone era. The bedrooms are all large and have wonderful views to the plains of the river Corbones. Your accomodations will be filled with the unique light of Andalucia and fitted-out in fine classical decoration.

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Carmona:

- ?Carmona is a very interesting town that provides the visitor with a chance to explore both Roman and Almohad (Moorish) ruins as well as an appealing old town.

Interesting day trips from the Carmona Parador include:

This city is perfectly situated to serve as a base for day trips.

- Sevilla is one-of-a-kind and not to be missed. Many travelers return again and again.

- Cordoba and its awe-inspiring Mezquita and beautiful flower-filled patios.

- Drive out to typical Andalusian towns like Marchena, Utrera, Osuna and others.

There is no place that embodies the feeling of Andalucia more than the Parador at Carmona. Come here and drink in the romance and sweetness of another age. You won’t want to ever leave!

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 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

Madrid is the capital city of Spain. It is the country?s largest city with a population of over 3 million. It is rich in history and offers a range of rich cultural and artistic experiences. It is also the financial and political center of the country. The south of the city is the industrial center.

Modern Madrid developed after the fall of Franco and his Fascist regime in the mid 1970s. Following the isolation brought about as a result of the Franco government the country underwent a period of rebuilding and re-establishing itself on the international stage. It is now a modern metropolis with a bustling tourist trade offering the visitor a host of interesting places to see and things to do.

Madrid is located in the interior of Spain on the Castillian plain. The optimum time to visit Madrid is during the spring and fall. It does get hot during the summer months and the tourist trade is brisk. It can get very chilly in winter.

Madrid is famous for its paella, tapas and seafood. There are many restaurants featuring Spanish delicacies influenced by different Spanish regional cooking. There are also many international influenced restaurants including North Africa and France influences. There is a large variety of local wines and spirits.

Hotels in Madrid range from budget hotels to hotels offering five-star opulence. And of course all types in between this range. Be aware, however, that some of the discount hotels are located in the noisier inner city areas.

Three of the world?s most important art galleries are located in Madrid at the Prado Museum hosting works by Vel?zquez and Goya. The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum which features modern art.

A night out in Madrid for locals can last the whole night long! The city is a hotbed for flamenco, salsa and jazz. Whether it is dancing to listening that interested in you, there is large variety of music, bars and theaters. The Teatro Real is Madrid?s home for opera.

Shopping opportunities abound in Madrid. Stores range from hand made crafts and art objects to large department stores and fashion and shoe houses.

Madrid is home to one of the world?s most famous soccer teams Real Madrid and their home ?Estadio Santiago Bernab?u? is well worth a visit.

The world?s largest bullfighting arena is the ?Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas.? The main bullfighting events take place in May and June with smaller events taking place during the spring and summer months.

Visitors come to Spain for many different reasons whether its the museums and art treasures, the shopping and fashion, the nightlife and discotheques, the variety of fine restaurants and cafes, or the sporting events. Whatever the reason for the visit they rarely leave disappointed.

Stan Smith writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/ES–Madrid which offers hotels in cities around the world including hotels located in Madrid.

Situated in the centre of the country, Madrid is the capital. It is a city of over 3 million people and a crossroads for rail, road and air travel. Its altitude of 660 meters gives rise to a classic temperature profile of cold winters and hot summers, making spring and autumn the best times to visit. Those who can get away from Madrid during August make for the cooler north or south to the Med.

Despite the climate the capital city has its own individual personality. It holds the Paruqe del Retiro, a world famous area of paths and avenues, a royal palace and grand public squares. Its museums are brimming with Spain?s historic treasures. Madrid is a city that has the best in shopping facilities. The latest designer clothes are sold in classy upmarket stores. There are food markets throughout the city and the centuries-old Rastro, open every Sunday, is one of the world?s greatest flea markets.

The central plateau is covered in dry plains and massive rolling fields. Given the attractions of the Costas and the Islands it is not an area where many Europeans call home. It is a place to work. Long straight roads and huge fields with wheat, sunflowers and grape overwhelm the region. It is deserted and of real beauty, suitable for those endangered in agriculture or for those who want to get off the beaten track, going back to the roots in old rural Spain.

Contributed by S.Fry of http://www.spainlog.co.uk, see more of her work at Spain family holidays

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