 |
PARADOR DE CHINCHÓN |
|
NR. MADRID, SPAIN
|
|
 | | | |
|
Exciting though it is to sleep in a castle or palace, there's nothing quite so relaxing as to stay in a former monastery or convent, where you can experience the simple pleasures of monastic life without renouncing modern luxury. Two of the finest places to do so are only a short distance from Madrid. The nearest is the Parador de Chinchón, a 17th-century Augustinian convent hidden behind one of central Spain's most famous town squares. Cypress-shaded cloisters and gardens are among the external attractions; inside is a staircase adorned with murals of amusing, naively drawn cherubs. The bedrooms, with their painted wooden furniture, are a decidedly unspartan attempt to imitate the former cells. Suite 8 has its own terrace.
ROOMS
Doubles from £67
CONTACT
Parador de Chinchón, Avda. Generalísimo 1, 28370 Chinchón, Madrid (00 34 9 18 94 08 36; fax: 94 09 08; email:chinchon@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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
