Page 307 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Great Places to Stay in Europe

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CENTRAL SP AIN 30 7

CENTRAL SPAIN
CASTILLA Y LEON • CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
EXTREMADURA • MADRID

m
OWNSAND SLEEPY monumental castle parador
a
villages dot Central at Sigüenza. But for
TSpain’s unspoilt romance, few places can
landscape of mountains, compare with the former
lakes, olive trees, orchardss m
monastery at Chichón with
and almond groves. As in its beaut tiful courtyard – a feature
the North, old buildings of so many y Spanish buildings. The
such as mills and castles, capital, Mad rid, is set at the heart of
townhouses and country the country. The city’s hotels rangecountry
the
posadas, have been skilfully converted from the gloriously restored Ritz to a
to hotels and paradors. For sheer peaceful 1930s villa with a pretty
size, there is little that can equal the garden setting.

ALAMEDA DEL VALLEVV ALARCÓN

La Posada de Alameda A popular refuge for the Parador Marqués de Villena One half expects
city-weary, this new posada has an incomparable to see Don Quixote’s horse Rocinante tethered by
setting in the Lozoya Valley, 90km (55 miles) the courtyard well of this hilltop Moorish fortress.
north of Madrid. The large bedrooms have views Behind the thick walls lie a vaulted dining
over a varied, unspoilt landscape, encompassing chamber, a great hall which now doubles as
mountains, lakes and almond groves. The walls sitting room and cafeteria, and bedrooms which
are adorned with interesting modern pictures. echo the medieval theme.
N Grande 34, 28749 Alameda del Valle, Madrid. N Avenida Amigos del Castillo, 16213 Alarcón,
Map p287 E4. § (91) 8691337. ` (91) 8690163. $ Cuenca. Map p291 E1. § (969) 330315.
laposada@laposadadealameda.com 0 b,l,d. Rooms 22. ` (969) 330303. $ alarcon@parador.es 0 b,l,d.
∂¢ Never. / MC, V. ¡¡ Rooms 14. ∂¢ Never. / AE, DC, MC, V. ¡¡¡

AVILA
LA ALBERCA A A
Las Batuecas The chestnut and cherry trees of Hostería de Bracamonte The walls of the
the Sierra de Francia surround this impressive cheerful bar are lined with photographs of the
stone house. Covered terrace and grassy garden. glitterati fans of this typical Castillian hotel, with
N Avda Las Batuecas 6, 37624 La Alberca, Salamanca. its natural stonework and tapestry wallhangings.
Map p286 C5. § (923) 415188. ` (923) 415055. N Bracamonte 6, 05001 Avila. Map p287 E5. § (920)
$ lasbatuecas@teleline.es 0 b,l,d. Rooms 38. ¡ 251280. ` (920) 253838. 0 b,l,d. Rooms 24. ¡
A A A A
AVILA
AVILA
Gran Hotel Palacio Valderrábanos Through the Sancho de Estrada A medieval castle with thick
important entrance, every beam and arch reeks of stone walls, towers, coats of arms and an interior
the past. Try for a room with a cathedral view. to match. Simple bedrooms but fabulous views.
N Plaza Catedral 9, 05001 Avila. Map p287 E5. N Castillo de Villaviciosa, 05130 Avila. Map p287 E5.
§ (920) 211023. ` (920) 251691. $ reservas@ § (920) 291082. ` (920) 293460. $ hotelesmajora@
palaciovalderrabanoshotel.com 0 b,l,d.Rooms 73. ¡¡ hotelesmajora.com 0 b,l,d. Rooms 14. ¡¡
For key to symbols see backflap. For price categories see p285