Paradors in Spain
It is possible to visit castles and palaces anywhere in Europe and expect to pay an admission fee for entrance and perhaps a short tour. Spain is unique in that it is possible to actually stay in such a place. Spain is bristling with castles (castillos) and fortresses (alcazárs) and while many of them are well-preserved ruins, others are maintained in pristine condition. Some of the castle-hotels, known as Paradors cater for visitors who wish to experience something a little different. The mainly foreign visitors have the opportunity to bathe in the atmosphere of a different era. The attraction also lies in the fact that some of these establishments are located in attractive locations that originally had a militarily strategic importance. The locations may no coincide with modern tourist centres and so a visitor may relax in quieter surroundings. Paradors are aimed primarily at the tourist market and families are well catered for. Prices tend to be reasonable and these often historic buildings make a good jumping off point for exploring surrounding regions. There are around a hundred Paradors spread throughout the country, which means that there should be something in every region to suit the prospective visitor.
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