The latest news from Paradores

Whether on a beach as the sun sets, or in a lush forest, horseback riding is a guaranteed adventure or the perfect romantic date, sometimes both. The luxury hotel chain Paradores is waiting to help you discover the thrilling experience of harnessing the power of a strong steed and exploring the natural beauty of Spain.

Spain's heritage is rich with religious festivals. Filled with traditional food, music and ceremonial rituals, the festivities are both joyful and solemn. The Spanish know how to throw a party, so here are three festivals not to be missed!

The Road to the Shrine of El Rocio

The freedom that comes from letting a car blast down the open road as fast as possible is a pleasure most people long to experience. Can you imagine the horsepower of a race car beneath your feet? The lucky few who are paid to live this adrenaline rush allow the rest of us to live vicariously through them as we watch from the sidelines.

The Need for Speed

Grand Prix racing, which was originally a French term meaning great prize, was started in 1906. By the 1920?s, Grand Prix racing had evolved into Formula One.

Ana Lía and Adrián held their wedding at Parador Baiona. Their wedding was held on a sunny Saturday afternoon in July 2012, and it went off without a hitch. They couldn't be more pleased with their decision. The summer weather was a perfect mix of hot sun and cool breeze, which contributed to making their special day even more magical.

There is a magical quality about summer. The sun, the beach, the sea. And of course, the refreshments. Every culture has a typical refreshing alcoholic beverage to sip at barbecues and afternoons sitting on the beach. The English have Pimms, the French have Pastis, the Argentinians have Pisco. Here in Spain, we have Sangria.

Sangria. The sound of the word fills you with the hopes and promises of long summer nights. A sweet blend of wine and brandy with fresh fruit thrown in, the drink is evocative of a day on the beach.

This summer the latest trend for weddings, for both brides and guests, is the headdress. What used to be a rare sighting at a Spanish weddings is now all the rage. Perhaps inspired by Kate Middleton, or by Sarah Jessica Parker, many guests and brides have chosen to adorn themselves with lovely decorative hats.

The soft sand, the bright sun, the salty sea and a thousand other things call us to the beach every summer. For all the joy that comes with a beach holiday, you definitely do not want to miss out on one of the most exciting parts: under the waves. There is a whole world just waiting for you to dive down and discover.

Scuba diving: the perfect holiday sport

The natural landscapes in Spain are absolutely breathtaking. You can find everything from coastline, to lush valleys, river-filled gorges, and cloud-piercing mountains. Perhaps the most famous mountain range, aptly named the Peaks of Europe (Picos de Europa), majestically awaits your visit in Northern Spain.

Famous Spanish Mountains

The luxury hotel chain Paradores strives to bring the best the local gastronomy has to offer to its clients. There is constant brainstorming for new and improved food concepts. The dedicated staff works hard to renovate and premiere new restaurants using those cutting edge ideas.

Throughout the region of Catalonia, there are hundreds of ancient castles dotting the landscape. Tortosa, Cardona, Montclar and Vicfred are just a few examples of the proud structures that have withstood the test of time. The citizens are naturally very proud of these landmarks, and in their festivals, they have found a way to pay homage to the stone fortresses.

The call of the wild is a feeling that many have tried to capture with words and paint. The urge to explore nature leads people to adventure into the great outdoors in search of discovery.

Yolanda and Alberto tied the knot on September 22 in Parador Mérida. To say that their day was special would be an understatement, as it was so much more than that. Their Spanish wedding was their own personal fairy tale, all made possible due to the luxury hotel chain, Paradores.

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