All World Vacation Station
Paradores Home
Europe
Spain
Choose your Parador:
Exterior Views
Paradores By Region:
The Paradores of Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra and Basque Regions, Spain
Asturias - Cangas de Onís
Interior Parador de Cangas de Onis
Monastery of San Pedro de Villanueva (12th C to 18th C). Tradition has it that King Alfonso I 'The Catholic' constructed this building on 21 February 746, and the excavations carried out at the start of the refurbishing work to turn it into a Parador de Turismo confirm this idea. The current monastery was founded on this site and run by the Order of San Benito until the Desamortización de 1835 (Large-scale selling of State and Church assets).  Two rooms with archeological remains, pottery in particular, uncovered during the refurbishing work are testament to this distant past.  The monastery was declared a National Monument in 1907, and features an added wing of perfectly harmonious architectural and constructional qualities: truly a jewel set on the green banks of the River Sella, in whose waters the hotel is reflected. In the background, guests can contemplate the majestic landscape of the Picos de Europa. 
Asturias - Gijon 
Parador de Gijon, Gijon
The Parador occupies hundred-year-old mill, located in the Isabel La Católica Park, one of the most beautiful spots in the town of Gijón. It has a beautiful pond, which offers great harmony and tranquility. The closeness of San Lorenzo beach and of the Cimadevilla sailors' quarter, convert it into an ideal place to enjoy unforgettable days.  It has a spacious, friendly and bright interior which recreates the warmth of the setting in bedrooms and common rooms, while the closeness of the sea can be felt from their windows.  'Fabada' (rich stew of beans, pork, etc.) is the dining room's star dish, although beans ('fabes') are included in other preparations. The 'caldereta de marisco' (seafood stew), 'chopa a la sidra' (fish in cider), 'pote asturiano' (vegetable and pork broth) and 'merluza con cocochas' (hake) also stand out. The dessert menu includes rice pudding, 'frixuelos' (cream-filled crepes) and 'casadielles' (fried sweet with dried fruit). 
Basque Region (Pais Vasco) - Hondarribia - Guipúzcoa
Exterior Views Parador de Hondarribia, Hondarribia, Guipúzcoa
Founded by the Navarrese king Sancho Abarca in the 10th c., this Parador rises up in a beautiful castle which maintains the structure of a medieval fortress in a monumental, coastal setting. Its defensive appearance, with thick walls, conceals an interior recovered with mastery.  The immense, naked stone of the courtyard stands out, as do the beautiful views of the French coast and the sea, which the guest can contemplate from the splendid terrace or from some bedrooms. Beautiful nooks and crannies, spaces adorned with arches, wrought iron and coffered ceilings envelop the traveller in an atmosphere of indescribable beauty. Lances, cannons and armour make up the interior decoration, offering an air of elegance in a most comfortable atmosphere. The Parador does not have a restaurant, but there are many excellent places to eat nearby. Remember to ask at the Parador. We will be happy to make a recommendation ...  A buffet breakfast is served to registered guests. 
Cantabria - Fuente Dé
Exterior Views Parador Fuente Dé, Fuente Dé, Santander Province
This modern mountain refuge located on the foothills of the Picos de Europa and opening onto the fertile Liébana valley, shows nature in total freedom. It is surrounded by the dramatic slopes of the Picos de Europa, woods and hillsides, in a region which is split into modest hamlets. The building is located at the bottom of the cable car which goes up to the Áliva viewpoint, at a privileged meeting point for lovers of outdoor activities. The classical mountain style and the warm wood and leather furniture recreate the much-appreciated home warmth, to which are added the homemade dishes of traditional Cantabria cuisine.  This is an ideal shelter for mountaineers and hunters, where you will enjoy the traditional Cantabrian cuisine. With such dishes as Liébana stew, cockerel salad, sirloin steak with Tresviso cheese, venison with blueberries sauce, veal chop, and tea mousse. 
Cantabria - Limpias
Parador de Limpias (Cantabria)
The new Parador in Limpias is located in the Palace of Eguilior estate, which was the summer headquarters of King Alfonso XIII's Council. The palace belonged to Don Manuel de Eguilior, the Count of Albox, and is attributed to the architect Emilio de la Torriente.  Rooms are large in size, decorated in a classical way, not forgetting any details of modern facilities.  Restaurant is well decorated in a classical style.  Dishes such as marmita de bonito (stew made with bonito tuna) cocido montanes (traditional white bean and pork sausage stew), other white and red bean stews, plus a variety of cheeses, and sweets such as the famous Corbatas de Unquera, sobaos pasiegos, or Pantortillas de Reinosa are just a few of the delights diners will enjoy.  The palace is a large square building with four pseudo-towers at each corner, none of which is very high.
Cantabria - Santillana del Mar
Dining Parador de Santillana, Santillana del Mar
This newly built manor house conserves the typical architecture of the area, blending in perfectly with the architectural surroundings of this beautiful locale. Comfortable rooms with a pleasant atmosphere help the guest to find peacefulness and rest.  The restaurant and bar, located in the Parador Santillana Gil Blas offer guests the opportunity to sample Cantabrian cuisine's most traditional dishes.  We strongly recommend you the 'cocido montañés': a dish of boiled white beans, vegetables, bacon and sausages... Also enjoy the grilled sirloin steak with Tresviso sauce, Cantabrian hakefish with green asparagus, 'sorropotún', and 'quesada' (kind of pudding). 
Parador de Santillana Gil Blas Santander Province
The Parador is installed in the beautiful Barreda-Bracho ancestral home, in the Santillana del Mar plaza, a town declared a National Monument, whose origins date back to the 8th century. The main entrance precedes diaphanous, friendly rooms, with wooden floors and traditional decoration for the furniture and the ornamental details.  The bedrooms are comfortable and in harmony with the Parador's overall atmosphere.  The dining room serves highland and Liébana stews, grilled baby beef sirloin, hake from the Cantabrian Sea over green asparagus, the famous 'sorropotún' (bonito and vegetable stew), and the typical dessert 'quesada pasiega' (cheese pastry). 
Navarra - Alava - Argomaniz
Exterior Views Parador de Argomaniz, Alava - Argomaniz
The Parador occupies a splendid Renaissance palace, from which it dominates the natural beauty of the Plains of Álava, the Gorbea mountain range and the Ullibarri Gamboa reservoir. The surroundings invite you to wander around the small, pleasant village of Argómaniz, also ideal for enjoying the beautiful natural spaces. The palace, where Napoleon regained his strength before attacking the town of Vitoria, boasts the Larrea family coat of arms on the façade of the building and a wonderful interior atmosphere, with the spacious living rooms standing out. The rest of the common rooms, floors, furniture, large chests and other details are enhanced by the charm of its wood, a noble material which is also present in its unequalled dining room. It offers traditional recipes, including dishes such as 'perretxikos' (mushrooms), snails and 'goxua', a sponge cake with cream, whipped cream and caramel.
Navarra (Navarre) - Olite
Exterior Views Parador de Olite, Olite, Navarra
Parador de Olite  The Parador occupies one of the wings of the majestic 15th C. palace-castle, declared a National Monument, on which the towers and battlements stand out. In keeping with its medieval setting, it rises up on solid stone walls and offers a glimpse of the numerous historical adventures it lived through in other times, such as the holding of parliament under the government of the Noble King. The medieval spirit is maintained on the inside, with very beautiful stained glass windows on the staircase and in the dining room, arcades and ornamental details such as armour, rugs, wrought iron lamps and wooden coffered ceilings. The restaurant offers an excellent display of local products: the fresh asparagus and 'piquillo' peppers stand out.

[ Andalucía ][ Aragón ][ Asturias ]]  Basque Region ][ Canary Islands ][ Cantabria ][ Castilla La Mancha ][ Castilla y Leon ]
[ Cataluña ][ Extremadura ][ Galicia ][ La Rioja][ Madrid ][ Murcia ][ Navarra ]
[ Spanish North Africa ][ Valencian Community ]



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Copyright © All World Vacation Station
Home
Europe
Spain
Top