Marquis of Villena Parador
**CORIAS PARADOR (ASTURIAS)**
can you imagine a spa in an old 11th century monastery ? What would the monks of that time think that it has now become a hostel? the hostel of corias , known as the "Asturian Escorial "In the beautiful town of Cangas de Narcea , is an impressive monastery of Benedictine monks declared a monument National Historic-Artistic . Its basements are a beautiful museum of archaeological remains from the first construction; Suddenly, we are teleported to the 11th century.
From the windows of the rooms you can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape. But not everything is going to be a Parador: one of the star walks offered by Corias is the one that passes through its Roman-style bridge, which invites you to forget about everything and relax. Those same trails lead to beautiful places like the Sources Natural Park , the Reserve Muniellos or the Reserve The Cuetu d'Arbas , where he bear and grouse leave their mark in beautiful green blankets of vegetation. That is, an extraordinary wealth of fauna.
A Spa in an old 11th century monastery
**PARADOR ALMAGRO (REAL CITY) **
Was a renaissance convent , a shelter for many pilgrims , was also used as a comedy corral and even became a hospital. But don't worry, no bad vibes: we are in full nature and plain of La Mancha, with the windmills in the background (as if we were remembering the invented world of E Don Quixote ) . Here is the Almagro Hostel which still preserves many elements of the original 17th century construction: the sober brick Mudejar cloister convent with double semicircular arches, the church, and the monks' cells, converted into comfortable rooms.
In his restaurant, nestled in the former Franciscan convent of Saint Catherine of the 16th century , the key is to taste Manchego stews , the popular aubergines from Almagro, delicious roast lamb, suckling lamb chops and magnificent DO La Mancha cheeses . It is important to point out, in the case of Almagro, his International Festival of Classical Theater which is held every year in July.
The Parador de Almagro in the heart of the La Mancha plain
**ALCALÁ DE HENARES, AN OLD PRISON (MADRID) **
The old prison of Alcalá de Henares has been converted into a parador where the avant-garde architecture and design coexist with history . Yes, where before there were cells there are now large rooms where the clients of this very modern hotel have breakfast and dinner. Where once were the workshops in which the prisoners worked, now there are comfortable rooms exquisitely decorated in white and gray tones . where once was the chapel, today there is a delicious spa.
But the best thing is that all this network of modernity grows wrapped in harmony under the structure of the old cloisters, of the old centuries-old rooms full of stories . what would i say the Lute if a day passes by here again? I'm sure she wouldn't recognize anything from his old abode. Or maybe yes? Perhaps the renovated walls of the Parador still hide something of that cloudy and gray past that only those who have seen the building in its previous stage are capable of perceiving.
An old prison in Alcalá de Henares.
**PARADOR DE ZAFRA (BADAJOZ) **
The parador occupies the grounds of the historic fortified palace of the fair dukes (15th century), located in the majestic Hispano-Muslim fortress , restored by Lorenzo Suarez de Figaroa . Its interior is gradiloquent, with beautiful coffered ceilings, chests, fittings, handrails and decorative elements belonging to the old palace.
An essential walk is the Feria Duchy Route in which to discover the main enclaves linked to this aristocratic family, such as Salvatierra de Barros Y the vine . The jewel? Zafra , a land of Templars and Lordships , of charming people, rich in culture and wise in a gastronomy based on farm produce.
The Hotel de Zafra stands on a majestic castle from the 16th century
**SANTO ESTEVO PARADOR (OURENSE)**
The monastic enclosure that houses the Santo Estevo parador is a monumental complex of great importance. Its rooms are distributed around its three cloisters , one of them Roman and the other two Renaissance . Your wonderful situation on a hill that dominates the Sil canyons , its calm atmosphere, the spirituality that its stones give off and above all the quality of the services provided, make it one of the most valued inns in Spain . Boredom has no place here: how about sailing a catamaran through the Ribeira Sacra and give you some gratifying toilets in burgas , the warm jets of thermal water of Roman origin?
San Estevo one of the most valued inns in Spain
**HOTEL OF SAN MARCOS (LEON)**
A pilgrim asylum, an old hospital, a convent and now a **beautiful five-star hotel**. Suddenly, we find ourselves in a living museum of stately halls , a cloister, spacious and elegant rooms and an essential restaurant. Its menu is traditional but it does not lose the innovative touch like the peppers of the Bierzo , frog legs La Baneza , beef jerky The Cabrera, cooked Maragato ...and I could say much more, but try it for yourself.
A living museum of stately halls in P. de San Marcos
**PARADOR DE MARQUÉS DE VILLENA (ALARCÓN, CUENCA) **
With more than thirteen centuries of history , the Marqués de Villena parador is one of the establishments that has best taken advantage of its proud medieval culture in its purest form, taking travelers back to the original times of the castle. The parador is located in the magnificent fortress that stands on a hill surrounded by a meander of the Jucar River , where a few years ago the Marquis of Villena took refuge there in his conflict with the Catholic Monarchs that faced with the impossibility of taking the fortress, they resigned themselves to signing a treaty with him. The parador, an authentic haven of peace with only fourteen rooms , is surrounded by a careful garden and its elegant red and orange textiles . Legend has it that in room 104, Don Juan Manuel, sitting at the window, he spent whole afternoons writing books such as the Count Lucanor . Perhaps this is a place of inspiration; it certainly is.
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Marquis of Villena Parador