THE FACTS ABOUT PARADOR DE JARANDILLA DE LA VERA

Spain

If you rent a car in Madrid, you can be in the lush La Vera valley in about three hours. Once the 15th-century summer palace of the Count of Oropesa, the Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera has been brilliantly restored and is one of the most beautiful and best-run paradors in Spain. The town of Jarandilla de la Vera is very quiet, but the best bar-restaurant, Cueva de Puta Parió (00 34 27 56 01 32), is well worth a visit. The food is typically Extremaduran: lots of cured pork, picadillo (stewed pork) and other hearty dishes. ROOMS Doubles from £56 CONTACT Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera, Avda. García Prieto 1, 10450 Jarandilla de la Vera, Cáceres (00 34 9 27 56 01 17; fax: 56 00 88; email:jarandilla@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.