Speaker - Helen Salisbury, Spanish Paradors

As I hope you agree the restored castles, fortresses, monasteries, cathedrals, etc provided stunning views with amazing facilities and a show you a fantastic history of Spain.  I knew Spain had a history but nothing like I learned on this trip. 

Many of the Paradores were originally an establishment where travellers could seek lodging and usually food and drink – a bit similar to an Inn.

Cáceres was the first stop and this parador was a 14^th century stone palace with cobbled medieval streets and fortified houses.  This town was encircled by a 12th century Moorish walls.

León was a much larger parador with 210 rooms and dated from the 16^th century and is the oldest hotel in the world with part Medieval and part Gothic structures.  The city has a 13^th century Gothic cathedral with towers and flying buttresses.  There is also an area of Romanesque 10^th century frescoes and a royal tomb – all worth a visit.

Santiago de Compostela   This parador was one of the oldest luxurious hotels in Spain with 137 rooms.  It is famous for being the end of a pilgrimage walk daily throughout the year from people from all over the world.  They are there to see the tomb of the apostle of St James.

We visited another 5 paradores that I can bring you up to date as a  “Part Two” to my presentation which may crop into the schedule some time in 2024.

Thanks.

Rtn Helen Salisbury