THE FACTS ABOUT PARADOR PRINCIPE DE VIANA

Spain

In contrast with the austere melodrama of most Spanish castles, the Parador Principe de Viana has a homely elegance and friendly charm. Located in the middle of a pleasant small town, it occupies part of a late 15th-century castle with a Disneyland profile of towers, battlements and turrets. The subdued light from Gothic, stained-glass windows gives a warm feel to the surviving medieval chambers, including the wonderfully romantic rooms 106 and 107, which still have their original fireplaces. The tower chapel, which is directly above the San Jorge room, has an intimate dining room that seats 14. ROOMS Doubles from £54 CONTACT Parador de Olite, Pza. Teobaldos 2, 31390 Olite, Navarra (00 34 9 48 74 00 00; fax: 74 02 01; email:olite@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 (Libreta Cinquo Noches) deal, a booklet of five vouchers costing £260 which entitles you to five nights' accommodation (for one or two people) in one or more paradors, subject to conditions and availability.