Hotel reviews

The Parador of Caceres is located in one of the great monumental cities of Europe. UNESCO has declared Caceres a World Heritage Site. Here in the historic section is concentrated the most impressive remaining example of medieval stonemasonry in the world. The perfectly preserved old town sits on top of a large hill rising above Plaza Mayor, and situated very near the center of the old town is the Parador Caceres.

This impressive hotel is the result of the creative refurbishment and joining of five contiguous buildings; the former palace of the Marquis of Torreorgaz and four ancestral homes of former nobles. The palace part was built around 1488 by a knight of Saint James, Don Diego Garcia de Ulloa. The other ancestral homes were built later and they’ve all been combined into a labyrinthine, yet pleasing whole.

The Parador is located on a very quiet street and provides the traveler with modern accommodations that still blend harmoniously with the medieval city beyond its walls.Try to have an evening meal at the Caceres Parador. Dining in the outside patio among orange trees on a warm summer night is a true pleasure. The cuisine here is superb, and of a variety you won’t encounter elsewhere. Try the venison with Casar cheese, or the roast kid with rosemary - both very representative of typical Extremaduran fare.

The Romans founded the city in the 1st century B.C. as Norba Caesarina. Its present name is derive from the Arabic “alcazares” meaning “fortified castles.” The old part of Caceres is encircled by an ancient stone wall. This old section of the city - the “barrio antiguo” - is definitely for walking. A car would only inhibit your explorations and present a parking nightmare.

Walking around Caceres Viejo from the Parador:

- Wandering “el casco” (the old quarter) at night is especially pleasing. It’s easy to let the mind slip into the very real illusion that you’ve stepped back five centuries in time.

- See Plaza de Santa Maria - Surrounded by old noble mansions.
- Iglesia de San Mateo

- Plaza de las Veletas - Stop into the archaeological museum there.

- The “ferias de Caceres” is a fun time to visit. It usually starts during the last week of May and for seven days, the city puts on a continuous and action-packed series of events, bullfights, parties and fireworks. Be sure to arrange accommodations at the Parador well in advance.

Interesting day trips include:

- Trujillo - Another city that is a wonderful slice out of history.

- Guadalupe - With its historically fascinating Real Monasterio de Santa Maria de Guadalupe.

- Merida - With its many Roman ruins.

The Parador of Caceres can well serve as a base for exploring Extremadura if you choose. It is no more than a couple of hours drive to any of the other captivating cities mentioned above. This is the area of Spain perhaps most reminiscent of the era of the conquistadores and the Golden Age of Spain. Stay for awhile - experience the history and ambience of one of Spain’s finest cities and most interesting hotels.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty - the wonderful Paradors of Spain. www.SpainParador.com

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A Google search of the word ‘Colorado‘ reveals a list of websites ranging from the website of the Government of Colorado to the websites of various educational institutions and universities. Among the diverse tourism websites mentioned, the one that catches your eye is visitcolorado4less. A click on the link fills your screen with beautiful ice capped peaks of Colorado. A brief overview of the website further assures the browser that he is at the right web link. The website offers exhaustive information about the State which is vaguely situated in Central USA.

The name Colorado traces its genesis to Spanish‘ color red. The Centennial State or Colorful Colorado, as it is commonly called, has Denver as its capital.

Colorado is essentially famous for its winter sports, but it seems to cater to everyone’s hobbies. Fishing, skiing, rafting, rock climbing, camping, hiking, museums, historic sites - you find it all here. Apart from its scenic beauty Colorado has much more to offer.

The state has numerous mountains, the highest peak being Mt. Elbert. It is also the home of the Rocky Mountains. Mountaineering becomes especially delightful during spring season when wild flowers are in full bloom. There is also a Colorado Mountain Club which is dedicated solely to the mountain activities. Colorado also has 8000 miles of rivers, offering water activities all over the state. As a result the first water garden society in the world has been founded here. The scenic beauty of Colorado is enhanced by the fact that water is virtually present everywhere. The best way to appreciate this beauty is through camping and horse riding.

Leaving out the adventurers, Colorado offers a lot to the historians and the philosophers. There is a Colorado Shakespeare Festival organized annually in which hundreds of people gather together to produce the various Shakespeare classics. Dotted with ghost towns and mining sites, the state has enough history available to satisfy everyone’s intellectual appetite. Other attractions include the Colorado Brewer’s Festivals and numerous happening casinos.

If one is on a holiday with the entire family, he may visit the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center which is an artificial shelter of numerous insects like centipedes and beautiful butterflies. Other venues can be the Cave of Winds in which one can see the stalactite and stalagmite formation, Colorado Gators which homes alligators, Krabloonik - a kennel of sled dogs and Rock Canyon Water Slide which is a mini water park.. Tiny Town and Railroad are especially liked by children. Started in 1915, this children attraction includes 100 of miniature buildings which includes a toy store, a bank and a church. An open steam train gives a tour of this Tiny Town.

Shopping is the ultimate activity which completes a holiday. And so we have Denver and Aspen the shopping hubs of Colorado. While both are known for its antiques, there are other avenues to indulge in as well.
Colorado is also saturated with boarding houses and lodges, each famous for its own experiences. Accommodation is available of every cost, class and style. The Cottonwood Cove ranch is a cozy niche that offers a variety of outdoor activities and is good for fishing. Snowmass Village is a world class ski resort which offers plenty of summer activities as well. Another unique experience is the Vista Verde which is set in wilderness.

With all these activities to do teamed with a comfortable stay, Colorado is the decisive destination where you should head to.

Mansi aggarwal writes about colorado travel guide. Learn more at http://www.visitcolorado4less.com

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The Parador Argomaniz is located 12 km from Vitoria/Gasteiz - approximately midway between Bilbao and Pamplona. This noble stone building was formerly the Larrea palace - whose family coat-of-arms is emblazoned prominently above the main entrance door. Parador Argomaniz is a rare find. It is a perfectly preserved 17th century palace. It has a somewhat plain exterior, but its interior is a delight. The entrance is framed by majestic stone columns. This leads you to an interior that is decorated with various Renaissance ornaments. The bedrooms contain antique wooden chests and furniture and fine polished wooden floors.

All the public rooms are tastefully done. There are many cozy “sitting nooks” with nice views out to the countryside. Perfect places for sitting with a good book and a cup of coffee. This is a splendid Renaissance palace in all respects and the perfect place to stop if you are traveling through this part of Spain.

An interesting historical note - and one you can contemplate during your stay: Napoleon stayed here for a time while he regained his strength before attacking the town of Vitoria.

The Parador of Argomaniz dominates the surrounding natural beauty of the Plains of

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