The latest news from Paradores

The centuries-old castle and fortress that is now home to Parador Cardona in Catalonia has seen more than its fair share of suffering over the course of Spanish history. Built in 886, making it one of the oldest of Paradores luxury hotels in Spain, the 62,000-square meter building has borne witness to bloody war and brutal conflict, feeding many of the legends and ghost stories associated with the Parador today.

We may be in the midst of autumn, but the season of freezing rain, cold wind, and snow is just around the corner. While many parts of Spain do experience brisk winter weather, there are certain areas of the country that provide an escape from the dreary cold, with sunny skies and warm sea breezes year-round.

One of the best parts about travelling is discovering new customs and traditions. In Spain, with its rich culture, history, and cuisine, you are sure to do just that! From the late lunches and dinners to the kiss-kiss greetings, you will notice some surprising cultural differences on your Spanish holiday. We've compiled a list of 10 Spanish customs that guests often notice during their stay at one of Paradores many luxury hotels in Spain.

The Bajo Aragón Turolense region is one of Spain's best-kept secrets, a land of lush valleys and enormous mountains topped by ancient castles. The most stunning of these is located in Alcañiz, and today is the home of Parador Alcañiz. This majestic fortress, which boasts commanding views of the surrounding landscape, offers guests a taste of Aragonese culture with an exquisite menu of regional Spanish cuisine.

Far from the hustle and bustle of Madrid and Barcelona lies the region of Navarre at the lush green foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. Where this rocky terrain and the rich Riojan plains meet sits the charming medieval city of Estella-Lizarra - located only a short distance from nearby luxury hotel Parador Olite - which celebrates its annual San Andrés Fair each autumn.

Spain's Castile-La Mancha region — made famous by Miguel de Cervantes' masterpiece Don Quixote — is the proud home of Manchego cheese. Manchego, easily the most well known Spanish cheese throughout the world, is beloved for its rich, buttery taste and compact consistency.

The changing colours of autumn can be a spectacular sight in many parts of Spain. As green gives way to shades of red, orange and yellow, the once verdant Spanish landscape becomes awash with fiery beauty.

For fans of the autumn season, there are many forests throughout the Iberian Peninsula not far from Parador luxury hotels where you can watch the leaves turn, including Soto de Sajambre, Castañar de El Tiemblo and Hayedo de Montejo.

Galicia, home to several Parador luxury hotels, is a scenic region known for its coastal views, delicious seafood, and Celtic heritage. Its rainy climate lends the region a lush, green landscape much different than the sprawling, sun-baked land found in the south of Spain.

Besides stunning locations and world-class service, Paradores also treat their guests to something not often found in other luxury hotels in Spain: vegetable gardening. From the tropical Canary Islands and sun-kissed Andalusia in the south, to the mountainous Basque Country in the north, many Paradores have their own gardens that grow fresh fruits and vegetables, which guests can enjoy in the hotel restaurants.

This winter, why not escape the cold, dreary weather on a Christmas holiday in Spain with luxury hotel chain Paradores? Not only do many parts of Spain enjoy warm, mild weather during the winter months, but this lively country is also rich in holiday traditions that will surely make your holiday season a memorable one.

The New Year's holidays in Spain is a magical time celebrated with great gusto. To mark the occasion, luxury hotel chain Paradores is offering special packages that include a banquet of traditional Spanish cuisine along with music and dance to start the New Year right.

For a glimpse of Spain at its liveliest, why not plan a getaway with Paradores and ring in the New Year Spanish-style?

A trip to Córdoba, an ancient city in the sun-baked Spanish region of Andalusia, is a trip through the ages. The city has served as the crossroads of Spanish history, and among the narrow, whitewashed streets of modern Córdoba, visitors will find Roman ruins and Moorish architecture left behind by the past rulers of Spain.