Exciting Extremadura

This grand 15th century castle, once the residence of the Dukes of Feria, is located in the Medieval quarter of Zafra. Today, it serves as a 4-star hotel with beautiful ceilings, antique furniture, intricate ironwork and large, elegant guestrooms. The exterior is equally impressive with a spectacular façade, nine Moorish towers, well maintained gardens and an outdoor swimming pool.

Zafra is a captivating town located in southern Extremadura half way between Seville and Caceres and which is known locally as ‘Little Seville’ (La Sevilla Chica). Its main feature is the castle, formerly a Moorish fortress, that now serves as the Parador of Zafra.There is a main square ‘Plaza Grande‘ which is lined with magnificent arches where you will find many bars and cafés, and where one archway connects to ‘Plaza Chica‘, a smaller version of the larger square. This fortified town has eight entrances of which Jerez Gate is by far the most attractive. It leads onto Clavel Street, a narrow thoroughfare bordered by decorative tiles and pretty flowers adorning overhanging balconies. These and many more attractions make Zafra a place of great interest for any visitor. 

Located in the heart of the old city, this is an elegant and chic Parador in what was once a renaissance palace.  Many of the original features of the building have been kept, with vaulted ceilings, granite pillars and colonnades very much in evidence.

Room facilities here are very modern but very much in keeping with the traditional style of the palace.  The Parador has a small shaded garden to one side.  The restaurant features traditional local cuisine with Iberian lamb shank and Iberian pork loin being specialities.

It is the location of the Parador which is so special, blending perfectly into the historic centre and within reach of the many squares, restaurants, cafés and tapas bars.  The evenings are especially magical, with that sense of mystery which is always present in ancient cities with narrow streets and sympathetic lighting.

The Parador is well located in the centre of town next door to the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Rustic in style, the Parador has many appealing features including an interior courtyard filled with the scent of citrus fruits (oranges and lemons), pretty gardens with fountains and a secluded swimming pool.  There are white-washed walls, archways and cosy guestrooms, many with traditional wooden shutters. 

Guadalupe is a charming town with cobbled streets and traditional houses located in northern Extremadura. The town essentially grew around the famed monastery of Guadalupe, one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions. A statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered in a field in 1325 by a farmer and it was thought to be carved by St Luke. A shrine was built to house it as it attracted people far and wide to see it. The monastery complex consists of the Basilica, Mudejar cloister, Gothic cloister and an auditorium building.  

Set in the historic centre of Plasencia, in the northern region of Extramadura, the hotel offers the perfect location from which to explore the ancient city and its beautiful surrounding landscapes.  This splendid Parador, housed in a former 15th century convent, has retained many original architectural features including magnificent archways, vaulted ceilings, Renaissance cloisters, spacious rooms and interior courtyards.        
 
The city centre of Plasencia, declared a Cultural Heritage Site, has a wealth of historic buildings, palaces, cathedrals, an aqueduct, medieval walls and fortified towers and gates.  Visitors to this area can explore the Sierra de Gata Mountains and Jerte River Valley, with its spectacular natural springs, cherry groves that are quite spectacular in Feb-Mar and the Monfragüe National Park.  Here you will see gushing waterfalls, many nature trails, pretty historic towns and enjoy the local delicacies such as the delicious Ibérico ham and exquisite Torta del Casar cheese.  Several parks surround the city but Los Pinos is of particular interest with its variety of birdlife, outdoor sculpture museum and extensive botanical gardens.