Following up to The Reid <[email protected]> wrote:

>>Thanks for the speedy response and many good suggestions. We're no
>>sure exactly where we want to go and are in the early stages of
>>planning. We will have spent a week or so in souuthern France and
>>know we'd like to see Madrid

(We use Hotel Tryp Reina Victoria, Madrid
Plaza De Santa Ana 14, Madrid, Spain) moderate for Madrid, good
location near Old Quarter, more character than the flashy hotels.
Exciting capital city with full range of museums galleries and
shopping.

Is it possible for you to fly to Sevilla and return from Santiago?
(Iberia serve both, have a look at deals including internal flights)
Driving virtually the central west side of Spain will give you the
opportunity to see the varied countryside. Presumably you want to
spend 2 nights in each parador?

I recommend you select from our favourite places:-
Sevilla -
hotel "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/juderia.htm"
Moorish palace, massive cathedral, eating and drinking (tapas) on
banks of the Guadalquivir
Cordoba -
remarkable ancient mosque with 16C catholic cathedral inside, wide
range of excellent restaurants, modern parador outside town (taxi
ride, dont think of driving in Cordoba) or use "Alfaros".
Granada -
the beautiful Alhambra, gypsy old town, big modern city. Perfect
parador with its own part of Alhambra.
Merida -
A must for lovers of Roman antiquities
"http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/meridathumb.htm#merida"
charming parador.
Toledo -
parador has lovely view across the city, walking back up from the city
not recommended if hot. Alcazar, cathedral.
Segovia -
modern parador with impressive interior, again with good views over
the town, again might need taxi back, has similarities to Toledo and I
prefer it. Cathedral, alcazar, Romanesque churches, fine roman
aqueduct. The place for suckling lamb and pig.
Salamanca -
modern parador, quite a stroll to the town or taxi. Probably one of
the most beautiful towns full of elegant old sandstone buildings, one
of the oldest universities in the world. Two cathedrals.
Baiona -
unspoilt classic Spanish seaside town, superb seafood, beautiful bay,
beautiful castle parador.
Luinta monastery (remote, difficult navigation) -
the most beautifully restored parador dating from 6C. Home of ribera
sacra wine.
Santiago de Compostela (parador 5 star Grand Lux, former pilgrim
hostal circa 900AD)-
a wonderful combination of a university city and one of the three
Christian holy cities,where there are still constant pilgrimages to
the relics of St James, beautiful main square, wonderful seafood.
Wandering around the four parador cloisters makes it worthwhile on its
own.

Other historic paradors worth visiting in less significant locations
in the west.
Guadeloupe, Plasencia, Caceres, Carmona (near Sevilla) Zafra, Monforte
de Lemos. Cuidad Rodrigo

In the east - Lerma, Sigueñza, Alarcon, Cuenca, Almagro, Alcaniz,
Santillana del Mar. Zamora.
--
Carol Reid

In article <[email protected]>,
Sheila Page <[email protected]> wrote:

> In message <[email protected]>, The Reid
> <[email protected]> writes
> >Following up to [email protected] wrote:
> >
> >>There are many "parador sites" on the Internet but we cannot tell
> >>which are best or more reliable.
> >>
> >>We're in our 60's and are not looking for the "cheapest" but rather
> >>comfort and convenience but certainly cost is an issue. We'll be
> >>driving.
> >
> >we have been to all the historic ones, our photos are here.
> >"www.fell-walker.co.uk/paradorpics.htm"
> >
> >We dont bother with all those reseller parador sites , we book direct
> >with the parador web site
> >
> >let me know which you like the look of and ask more questions if you
> >want to.
>
>
> Most have special rates, except at peak times, for over 60s; check their
> website for these. I agree that you should use their own website.

Did a Google search and checked out paradores-spain.com.

How do the rates look there compared to the direct sites?

Are they really equivalent to 4-star hotels as the descriptions indicate?

Following up to poldy <[email protected]> wrote:

>Are they really equivalent to 4-star hotels as the descriptions indicate?

if you value historic buildings, calm and character. If you want glitz
or swish, hairdressers and stuff, no. One or two are in need of
refurbishment and one needs the restro staff retraining, while many
are superb.
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)

Following up to poldy <[email protected]> wrote:

>Are they really equivalent to 4-star hotels as the descriptions indicate?

to be honest, if people are concerned about stars, the paradors
probably aren't what they are looking for
--
Carol Reid