Honeymoon special - Basque and Wine country

Your two "luxury nights" can be in either Parador Hondarribia, or Parador Olite.

Parador Honarribia:

The Parador Hondarribia (official name is Parador El Emperador) is near the French border just a short distance from San Sebastian, and within easy visiting distance of Bilbao and the wonderful Guggenheim museum.

The Parador is a 10th century castle built by the King of Navarre in the early days of the Christian re-conquest.  The powerful Caliph, Al-Mansur, was a constant threat to the area in the those times, but King Sancho Abarca and the castle at Hondarribia were spared because the King had given one of his daughters in marriage to the Caliph - there have always been advantages to "keeping it all in the family!"

The castle was remodeled in the 16th century by Emperor Charles the Fifth.  Napoleon stayed here for some time during the wars between Spain and France and many other notable figures in the history of Spain and Europe have stayed here as well.

The Hondarribia Parador is situated on the banks of the Bidasoa estuary and provides beautiful views out to the sea.  This is every bit the castle people imagine castles to be with its monolithic stone walls (still pockmarked by cannon-fire from old wars), and interior decorations of medieval armor, weaponry and tapestries.  The Parador contains many charming nooks and corners perfect for quiet sitting, reading and intimate conversation. 

             

 

your room :

The Reina Maria Cristina Room is the Parador de Hondarribia's largest and most representative room. The suite features a 2x2-meter bed with canopy. The expansive stone vaulted ceiling gives the room a touch of majesty which, together with the marvelous views of Hondarribia and the mouth of the Bidasoa River, make a stay here an unforgettable experience of reliving the history of this 10^th-century building. Its height enables the room to house a cozy living room in the upper section, where guests can enjoy a bit of calm. Such important guests as Admiral Oquendo, the Duke of Alba, Garcilarso de la Vega, the Marquis of Spínola, Sophia Loren and Natalia Figueroa testify to the fact that the walls of this palace converted into a Parador fairly creak with history.

 

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador of Hondarribia:

-  The fishermen's area of the waterfront, and the La Marina quarter.

- The wonderful castle at San Telmo. 

- Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y Manzano parish church, Gothic 15-16th c.

- Calle Mayor and Plaza de Guipúzcoa (admire the many stately houses).

- There are nearby golf courses, and plenty of opportunities for diving, sailing, surfing and fishing. 

Interesting day trips from the Hondarribia Parador include:

- Pamplona - Parador Hondarribia is a good place to find accommodations during the Fiesta San Fermin (running of the bulls) when they are nearly impossible to get in Pamplona itself.

- Bilbao - the Guggenheim museum is a "must see."

- Rioja wine country - visit the wineries and vinyards along the Ebro river near Logroño.

- Biarritz and Bayonne - just across the border in France - wonderful beaches, casinos and nightlife.
 

The Parador Hondarribia does not have a restaurant, but there are fine restaurants within a short distance, and the cuisine of this area of Spain is renowned.  As well, the fascinating city of San Sebastian is only a few miles away, and it has some of the finest restaurants in all of Spain.  The Parador does serve a buffet breakfast in a wonderful little dining room overlooking the water.

For intrepid travelers visiting north central Spain or Southwestern France - the Parador of Hondarribia makes a historically fascinating and culturally interesting place to stay for a night - or for a week of nights!

 

Parador Olite:

The Parador Olite (official name is Parador Principe De Viana) is approximately 45 Km directly south of Pamplona.  It is housed in a wonderful 15th century fortified Gothic Palace much influenced by the French style of the era.   The Olite Parador is a 3-star hotel that provides a level of comfort and service far above it actual star rating. 

Some type of structure was founded here as far back as 620 A.D. by the Visigoths and their king, Suintla.  Through the centuries, the various Kings of Navarre fortified and added to it, and by the 13th century it was a major fortress of the area.  It was remodeled and given the stylish touches of the Gothic French in the 15th century.  The building was severely damaged by fire in the 18th century, and most of what is to be experienced at Parador today is thanks to the incredible restoration work of the Spain Parador system.

The Parador of Olite has an assuredly medieval feel with it's stained glass, concealed corners, parapets, arcades and four-poster beds.  This is a proper castle, and one of the prettiest in the Parador chain.  The interior is tastefully decorated with tapestries, wrought-iron chandeliers, and red tile floors. 

         

 

your room :

    

From the time of her marriage to Carlos III the Noble, Queen Leonor de Trastámara lived in the Old Palace of Olite until completion of construction work on the New Palace. This room is divided into two areas, crossed by a large original beam, which runs to the palace wall. Here there is a window which affords views of the Monastery of San Francisco and the Ujué Mountains. The room has two canopy beds and an original fireplace (presently without a functional flue) of granite masonry and brick. These give the room a truly medieval feel, with all the comforts of the 21^st century.

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Rey Carlos III, known as the Noble, lived, like his predecessors, at the Royal Palace of Olite. He later ordered the New Palace built, and this houses today's castle. Of the rooms which have been preserved, this one located on the building's second floor is among the most outstanding. Its large window set in the masonry walls affords views of the Monastery of San Francisco and the Ujué Mountains. The room holds two canopy beds, an original fireplace (presently without a functional flue) of granite masonry and clay bricks. These give it a medieval feel, making a night's stay here well worth the while.

 

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Teobaldo I and II completed work on the first defensive castle, which had been begun by King Sancho VII the Strong. Built around a core dating from the Roman era, the building is now known as the Old Palace, and this is the location of today's Parador de Olite. The room is located on the second floor in one of the corners of the Old Palace. To reach it from the second floor, it is necessary to climb two narrow flights of stairs, with a total of 22 steps. In the first room we find the bedroom, with two beds under the wooden beams of the ceiling, above which, in a second room accessed via another staircase, is a small living room
 

 

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Agnes de Cleves, wife of the Prince of Viana, gives her name to this room, located in one of the vertices of the palace. It is next to the cloister and Santa María Church, and the only room on the third floor. Although small in size, it was one of the palace’s finest rooms. To the right of the entrance is a bedroom with two beds. To the left is a small living room in which we can see the stone walls and an original brick arch, which defined the hearth of an impressive fireplace whose chimney (no longer functional), can be admired from inside, or outside in its entirety from Teobaldos Square.

The town of Olite is a as if frozen in the past, and has not been discovered by the tourists crowds.  It is nearly completely surrounded by the original medieval walls that are marked by 15 towers - the grandest of which is appropriately named, Gran Torre, and can be explored and climbed.  This area of the province of Navarre is delightful - very near the magnificent Pyrenees Mountains in an area of unspoiled and little-touristed villages.

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Olite:

- Be sure and visit the Gothic Santa Maria la Real  -which was formerly the royal chapel and has a marvelous 14th century facade.

- The Romanesque Iglesia de San Pedro.

- The La Oliva Monastery.

 

Interesting day trips from the Olite Parador include:

- A nice day trip is to drive up to Pamplona where there is much to see and do.

- The medieval town of Sos del Rey Catholico is worthy of a visit

- Rioja wine country near Logroño is a great day trip. Stop for wine tasting and vineyard visits.

As you roam around on your excursions from the Parador of Olite, keep an eye peeled for the baxajaun - little elfish creatures who, local legend says, come up from the underworld now and then to help good folks and play practical jokes on the others.

Parador Santo Domingo De La Calzada:

The Parador Santo Domingo De La Calzada occupies a former 12th century hospital built to serve the pilgrims on the Road To Santiago.  The first known pilgrim, the French Bishop of Le Puy, stopped in this city on his traverse of what was later to become know as the Way of St. James.

Both the city of Santo Domingo, and the Parador have been inextricably bound up in the history of this famous pilgrimage route - the Road to Santiago.  The founder of this city, a priest named Domingo, was instrumental in establishing the route to Santiago.  He was given money with which to purchase lands through which the route ran, and he built bridges over impassable rivers along the way.  He also built, in the 11 century, a hospice for pilgrims - on which site the later hospital (now the Parador) was eventually built.

 

             

The Parador is in the heart of the compact old quarter, in an area steeped in history.  Directly adjacent to the Parador Santo Domingo is the cathedral with its wonderful bell tower.  The Albergue del Peregrinos and it Jacobean museum is also right next to the hotel.

The gastronomy of the region is renowned, and many travel here from afar expressly for that reason.  As well as being in the heart one of the world's most famous wine regions - La Rioja - this fertile land along the Ebro river  has hundreds of small farms and large vegetable gardens that yield, perhaps, the highest quality produce in Spain. These provide the raw ingredients for unforgettable dining experiences.  A meal in the Parador restaurant should not be missed!

Neither should the traveler miss the opportunity to visit a few of the Rioja wineries and vineyards.  Sample some of Spain's most famous wines - see how it is made - visit the big (and small) Bodegas and maybe a wine museum  or two - learn the history and workings of the craft - all this will make your visit a memorable one indeed.

 

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Santo Domingo De La Calzada:

-  The old quarter of the city is right outside your bedroom window, and makes for very interesting rambling.
 

Interesting day trips from the Santo Domingo De La Calzada Parador include:

This city is perfectly situated to serve as a base for day trips into the Rioja wine district and points further afield.

- Logroño and Haro -  these are the two wine centers of the Rioja area where many of the well-known Bodegas have their outlets (especially in the Barrio de la Estacion near the train station in Haro).

- La Guardia is a fascinating hilltop village whose inhabitants have tunneled out miles of underground passages through the centuries - in which they age their beloved Rioja wine.

- Burgos and its awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral is well worth a visit - about 45 min drive.

- Bilbao and its Guggenheim museum are only about an hour and 45 minutes drive north (fast freeway from Haro).

Staying at the Parador Santo Domingo De La Calzada is to stay in a place literally dripping with history (and wine!).  It is an experience not to be missed by any aficionado of Spain.

 

The 5-night rate of $1,658 to $2,144 (varying by which "luxury rooms" are chosen) includes;

- Two mornings of breakfast and newspaper in your room at your "luxury choice" Parador -
  either Chinchon or Oropesa.
- Bottle of champagne and fruit basket in your room - 2 days at your luxury choice Parador.
- Dinner for two - two nights at your luxury choice Parador.
- Superior double at your other Paradors.
- All taxes