A
Coruña - Ferrol |
|
Ferrol
- in A Coruña
province, north west Spain, in Galicia. The naval base on the Atlantic
was built in the 18th century and is one of the most important in Spain.
Shipbuilding and ironworks are the main industries. Francisco Franco, El
Caudillo, was born there, and from 1939 to the early 1980s it was known
as El Ferrol del Caudillo. |
|
Parador
de Ferrol, Ferrol
In
the centre of Ferrol, an attractive, seafaring city, the Parador rises
up, recreating in its image the essence of a Galician mansion with glazed
galleries and a singular marine setting. The decoration displays nautical
elements, world maps and navigational instruments in the common rooms and
spaces. The main staircase has an ancient lamp from a boat and the maritime
motifs abound in the living rooms. The bedrooms are spacious and boast
ochre and dark shades; some, with viewpoints and balconies, are favoured
by magnificent views over the port. Enjoy fantastic views from the Parador
windows whilst having a delicious breakfast. The restaurant serves squid
in mugardesa sauce. Don’t miss the local Ferrol cake on the dessert menu.
Unmissable! |
A
Coruña - Santiago de Compostela |
|
Santiago de Compostela, the
"European City of Culture" for the year 2000, is located in the northwest
region of Spain in the province of A Coruña. It is the capital of
the autonomous community of Galicia. The city's cathedral is the
destination of the important medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St James
(in Spanish the Camino de Santiago), which is still walked today.
The cathedral fronts on the main Plaza of the old and well-preserved city.
Across the square is the Pazo de Raxoi (Raxoi's Palace,) the town hall
and seat of the Galician Xunta, and on the right from the cathedral steps
is the Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos, founded in 1492 by the Catholic
Kings, Isabela and Fernando, as a pilgrim's hospice (now a parador.) |
|
Parador
de Santiago de Compostela - Reis Catolicos
Royal Hospital, late 15th
century pilgrims' hostel - Combining history, art and tradition, the goal
of pilgrims and the emblem of St. James, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos,
in the Plaza do Obradoiro, forms together with the cathedral one of the
world’s most remarkable, and most visited, urban settings. The Hostal,
which first saw life as a Royal Hospital in 1499 to house the many pilgrims
arriving in Santiago, today still invites the traveller to enjoy this universal
and fascinating city. Considered the oldest hotel in the world, it is also
one of the most luxurious and beautiful. It has four extremely beautiful
cloisters, elegant public rooms, spectacular bedrooms and a luxurious dining
room offering Galician style fish and meats and the classic apple filloa
pies and crème brulee. |
Monforte
de Lemos (Lugo) |
|
Monforte de Lemos is a city
and municipality in northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo, Galicia.
It covers an area of 200 km² and lies 62 km from Lugo. As of 2005
it had a population of 19,472. It is located in a valley between the shores
of Sil River and Miño River, in the area known as "Ribeira Sacra"
(Sacred Shore), being the capital of the area. The city lies on the Cabe,
a tributary of the Sil River. |
|
Parador
de Monforte de Lemos
The
monumental group of buildings of San Vicente do Pino stands at the highest
point of the town of Monforte de Lemos: the Torre del Homenaje, the monastery
of San Vicente do Pino and the Palace of the Counts of Lemos, these last
two housing the Parador de Monforte. The origins of the monastery
date from the 9th century, although the present building, which replaced
an earlier one on the same site, was built in the 17th century in the Neoclassical
style. The Neoclassical central cloister boasts very fine stonework and
is the monument’s main point of architectural interest. The restored
monastery is now a hotel with 50 rooms, distributed around the central
cloister and an annex known as 'Casa del Monte Fuerte’, with a total capacity
of 100 guests. |
Nogueira
de Ramuin (Ourense) |
|
Ourense
- Ourense is surrounded
by mountains on all sides. These mountains have isolated the province from
the more populated coast and the fertile lands of the central meseta. Until
a modern highway was built in recent years linking Ourense with Vigo in
the west and Benavente in the east, the only viable way for people to enter
or leave the province was by railroad.
Nogueira de Ramuín
is a municipality in Ourense (province) in the Galicia region of north-west
Spain. |
|
Parador
de Santo Estevo, Nogueira de Ramuin
This Benedictine monastery
in the middle of the Ribeira Sacra, an area of outstanding natural beauty
where the rivers Miño and Sil meet, is one of Galicia’s monastic
centres and now a holiday highlight. The existence of the Monastery has
been proven in the 10th century, although its origins appear to be in the
6th and 7th centuries. In the monastery styles range from Romanesque to
Baroque, with three remarkable cloisters (Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance).
The Hotel has a total of 77 rooms distributed around three cloisters of
different styles and periods. The rooms are particularly interesting as
they are all different, some with impressive views over the landscape and
the valleys of the river Sil. The Hotel has a restaurant with terrace
by the chestnut forest, a café with terrace in the entrance cloister,
lounges and beautiful gardens. The hotel also has a relaxing spa.
The restaurant offers river products, thanks to its position, and traditional
Galician dishes, with the local wines taking a starring role. |
Pontevedra |
|
Pontevedra is a provincial
capital of the Pontevreda province. The province is composed of the city
of Pontevedra and of fifteen rural parishes. Like much of the western
coast of Galicia, Pontevedra has a temperate, rainy climate, but with peculiarities
stemming from its location surrounded by mountains and the ría.
Temperatures are pleasant for most of the year (mild winters and summers).
An ancient town and medieval port, Pontevedra has been described as a "definitive
old gallego town". Sights include the pilgrim chapel in the Praza da Peregrina,
the historic Zona Monumental (old city), the Praza de Leña, the
market, and the Alameda, a promenade along the ría. One of Christopher
Columbus' ships (the "Santa María") was built in Pontevedra. |
|
Parador
de Pontevedra, Pontevedra
16th century renaissance
palace - The Parador occupies a palace which was formerly the residence
of the Counts of Maceda. In the historic centre of the city, it combines
regal, noble lines with countless references to rural retreat in surroundings
which invite one to explore the many coves and beaches. Distinguished,
lordly and illustrious are three definitions of the interior, with a plethora
of fine details, antiques and regal furnishings, and relaxing garden views.
The carved stone staircase is noteworthy, leading to welcoming rooms and
accentuating the aristocratic character of the Parador. Let us come into
the restaurant, decorated with regal furniture, suited to the rest of the
common areas. The menu is very varied, giving us the chance to taste the
meats, fishes and shellfishes of the region, everything accompanied by
the excellent Albariño, Ribeiro or Mencía wines. |
Pontevedra
- Baiona |
|
Baiona -
located southwest
of Vigo lies the city of Baiona, a small but interesting place, especially
in summer, when all the tourist facilities are fully offered to all visitors.
Some of the interest points of Baiona are its old beautiful buildings,
sculptures, cultural places, etc. The Fortress is the most appreciable
construction, walled and surrounded by the sea. Some of the more visible
facilities are the sailing port and the Monte Real yacht club. |
|
Parador
de Baiona, Pontevedra Province
Situated on the Monterreal
peninsula, this is one of the most unique Paradors; the building is mid-way
between a medieval fortress and seigniorial Gallegan architecture. It commands
an impressive viewpoint above the ocean within a walled enclosure. It is
protected by the sea and has a beautiful pine forest on either side.
The hotel has magnificent, stylish rooms full of decorative features from
different eras. Manorial rooms and spacious bedrooms, many boasting spectacular
sea views, make up a grandiose interior along with its outstanding stone
staircase in the entrance hall. Specialities and traditional dishes
- Excellent Moaña Veal - You have to try the fantastic Gallegan
cuisine offered by the Parador. Sea bass with razor clams in rapini sauce,
shell fish dishes, tarta de Santiago (Galician almond tart), filloas (Galician
pancakes), and Moaña veal. A total delight for the palate. |
Pontevedra
- Cambados |
|
Cambados
- in the heart of
Albariño wine country. This town offers a lot of possibilities of
finding out about its past and its tradition. View the noble stately home
of Figueroa, with several shields and original balconies in the tower,
and the neo-classical church of San Bieito. |
|
Parador
de Cambados, Cambados, Pontevedra Province
The former, Pazo de Bazán,
was an ancestral mansion built in the 17th Century; it is located on the
green landscapes of the Rías Baixas, on the Ría de Arousa.
The Gallegan coast is dotted with leafy pine trees, beaches and numerous
country houses. The Parador is in the centre of the small village
of Cambados, only a short distance from the Isla de la Toxa. It has a pretty
interior courtyard with and outstanding arcade and fountain, as well as
a slender palm tree. It also has pleasant and light bedrooms with
accommodating furniture. The other rooms feature stone columns, wooden
ceilings and beams, as well as the gardens and an inviting swimming pool.
There are many types of empanadas (breaded dishes). But none like the Gallegan
variety. The best of all is the breaded cockles. You can also enjoy delicious
seafood and fish dishes such as lenguado al Albariño (sole cooked
in Albariño wine). |
Pontevedra
- Tui |
|
Tui
- The frontier town of
Tui lies close to the river Miño and is one of the most attractive
and picturesque places in Galicia. Tui also has one of the richest,
most varied and surprising historical and artistic heritages in Galicia.
The most outstanding construction without a doubt is the Cathedral, located
in the highest area of the town. |
|
Parador
de Tui, Tui, Pontevedra
This hotel in the historic
city of Tui, on the Portuguese border, is a faithful reproduction of a
pazo or Galician country house, in a setting of mountains and rivers.
This establishment is ideal for sports and activities in natural surroundings.
With its granite walls and floors, ceilings, beams and staircases of local
chestnut wood, it recreates the typical pazo of the area. The gentle
colours and rustic furnitire create a welcoming, soothing atmosphere in
the comfortable bedrooms. There is also a splendid swimming pool and a
beautiful garden. The food offered in the Parador is a treat for
the most adventurous palates. Beef from Galicia, fish, rice with lobster,
hake with Albariño wine, exquisite lampreys Tudense style, angulas
al ajillo (eels, in season only), and San Ero cake are just a few of the
delightful dishes we recommend. Albariños are the stars of the wine
list, as the Parador is close to many of the most important producers of
this denomination. |
Ribadeo
- Lugo Province |
|
Ribadeo
- The Ribadeo estuary
forms a natural link between Galician territory and the neighbouring lands
of Asturias on the opposite bank. On this deep estuary, formed by the river
Eo, the main town is Ribadeo. Ribadeo is an attractive town with
a castle and many colonial style buildings. It is also an early stop
on one of the Caminos, or pilgrim routes. Located just over 100 kms
from Lugo. |
|
Parador
de Ribadeo, Ribadeo
The Hotel occupies a traditional
Galician country house on the Ribadeo estuary, a centre for sailing and
holidaymaking, next to the coast of Asturias. Its magnificent location,
on the border between Galicia and Asturias, offers the possibility of enjoying
unique views of the landscape of Galicia, the Ribadeo estuary and the little
villages of the Asturias bank of the river, an extraordinary panorama which
can be seen from the dining room. A graceful, elegant seaside style predominates
in the hotel interior. The rooms are welcoming and comfortable, some with
splendid views. Come into the Parador dining room and enjoy local
Galicia cookery with dishes such as empanada (pie), lacón (ham)
or soups. The local seafood is particularly good. Make a point of trying
it. |
Verín
- Ourense |
|
Verín
- Verín
is a town of services with declining agricultural activity. There is a
denominated wine region - Monterrey - located in the surrounding area.
Carnival here is one of the most original in Spain with masked figures
running through the streets brandishing whips and making an interesting
sound caused by cowbells tied to their waists. Everything has a medieval
air, with little influence from the Brazilian-style carnival, which has
become popular in other Spanish and Portuguese cities. Verín
has one major tourist sight, which is Monterrey Castle, a huge complex
looming over the rather non-descript urban area. |
|
Parador
de Verín, Verín - Ourense
Opposite the medieval fortress
of Monterrei, the structure is like a pazo, the typical country house of
Galicia, with a crenellated tower, lovely views of the castle, Verín
and the prestigious vineyards of the valley. Some of the hotel bedrooms
have views of the swimming pool and gardens. The cooking of Galicia is
full of delicious treats - A few examples: posta de bacalao (cod), beef
Galician style, lacón con grelos (boiled ham and greens) and of
course, caldeirada de merluza (fish stew), all accompanied by the exquisite
fogaciños (a local kind of bread). And to finish, delicious filloas
a la crema flavoured with eau-de-vie. These must be tasted. |
Vilalba
- Lugo |
|
Vilalba
- famous for its
tower, the "Torre de los Andrade en Vilalba. The town is approximately
35 kms from the provincial capital of Lugo. |
|
Parador
de Vilalba, Vilalba - Lugo
This impressive tower from
medieval Galicia, now converted into a hotel, dominates the landscape of
this town, centre of the "Terra Chá" area, which originated from
this fortress, home of the Andrades, the counts of Vilalba. The hotel
offers cosy, welcoming spaces with a medieval air; in the tower, 6 bedrooms
share this medieval style with the Salón de los Andrade, with frescos
and coats of arms. In the shadow of the tower, the new stone building
is in the style of a pazo, the Galician country house, housing the remaining
42 bedrooms, the restaurant and bar. Lacón con grelos (ham
stew with greens), Raxo pie, beef kebab Don Nuño, roscón
de Vilalba (local cake), San Simón cheese... And at Christmas
time, the star of the table is a Vilalba capon, roast in the medieval style.
Hungry yet? |
Top
|