THE FACTS ABOUT CASTILLO SANTA CATALINA

Spain

The Castillo Santa Catalina lacks the architectural interest of the paradors in Alarcón and Sigüenza, but it makes up for this with one of the most spectacular settings of any Spanish hotel. Built on the site of a 13th-century Islamic fortress, the parador is a modern medieval fantasy, with vaulted, darkly lit public rooms. The most appealing features are the tapestry-decorated bedrooms, where double-glazed doors open onto balconies with incomparable panoramas of mountains and olive trees. General de Gaulle profited from the splendid isolation while writing his memoirs. ROOMS Doubles from £65 CONTACT Parador de Jaén, Castillo de Santa Catalina 23001, Jaén (00 34 9 53 23 00 00; fax: 23 09 30; email: jaen@parador.es; www.parador.es) WHO TO GO WITH To book from the UK call Keytel International (020 7 402 8182). Other tour operators offering parador trips include Castaways (01737 812255), Magic of Spain (020 8939 5452), Abreu Travel (020 7 229 9905) and Traveller's Way (01527 559000). It is worth asking about special offers such as the Go As You Please (Tarjeta Cinquo Noches) deal, a booklet of five vouchers costing £240 which entitles you to five nights' accommodation (for two people sharing) in one or more paradors, subject to conditions and availability.