One of the most attractive of all the paradores: a rambling fotl convent with 14 small galleried courtyards, each with a fountain, super little town on the plain of La Mancha. `Quality and age a from the walls, says one fan. There are huge amphorae in the i handsome dark chests and tables, pictures and tapestries in 1 lounges. The spacious villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms), `relatively sparsely furnished, befits a former monastery, but pleasant and comfortable, look a the gardens or swimming pool. Reception may be soulless effective and the food average, but he peace of the courtyards, 1 night-time quiet and the all-pervading scent of honeysuckle maim for any drawbacks'. Vast Bali villa breakfast buffet. Some coach parties Almagro has some fine old houses with heraldic facades. On its Splendid main square is a Renaissance theatre (Spain’s oldest), where asummer drama festival is held.

A great find, this former monastery, amid the open plains and spaces Extremadura, is nominated by a regular correspondent: `Converted kb care and devotion, it has location, style and ambience, plus an outstanding restaurant: dinner a culinary masterpiece, seven courses carefully blended flavours; superbly presented' (Michelin star). dining area is a former chapel. Open hearths, vaulted ceilings, fabrics, hand-painted tiles, wafer-bricking abound. Most accomation is in small suites: Ours had small monastic windows, a writing room, a separate lounge (great views of the countryside), enormous bathroom.