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

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.

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