Jetsettersblog

10TH CENTURY MONASTERY TURNED PARADOR

May 13, 2008 on 9:47 am | In Cabinweb, Spain |

GALICIA, Spain,– A state-of-the-art spa opened recently in a 10th century monastery in Galicia, part of Green Spain. Nestled in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra, or Sacred River Bank, a major monastic center, the 4-star Parador de Santo Estevo lies in an area of lush forests and mountains. A former Benedictine monastery, the Romanesque-Baroque building contains 77 rooms and several restaurants along with three striking cloisters in Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The parador, with its charming gardens, overlooks a chestnut forest and the valley where the Rivers Sil and Miño meet.

While the former monastery dates back 1000 years, its new spa offers the latest modern facilities. About $2.2 million (1.4 million euros) was invested in this 9,600-square-foot spa which includes: a heated indoor pool, cold plunge pool, saunas and steam rooms, an outdoor hydromassage bath and a relaxation zone. The spa offers the following treatments: showers (Vichy, bi-thermal Scottish), massages (Celtic with hot stones and essential oils, Flotation Massage in a warm waterbed), wraps (mud or seaweed) and a variety of facials.

Around 2,500 years ago, the Celts settled in Galicia. Today, throughout this misty green land, Celtic influences remain from the playing of the gaita, bagpipes, to the consumption of sidra, a fermented cider. When the Romans colonized most of the country in the first century B.C., they brought with them their culture of bathing. Ourense was known for its thermal springs and the fountains in the main square still spout 150° F water. Throughout Spain there are 2000 thermal springs ¡Todos los vuelos baratos a un solo clic! and about 120 spa resorts.

This is the fourth spa to open in Spain’s network of 93 paradors. The parador system was born 100 years ago this year, when King Alfonso XIII inaugurated a former royal hunting lodge in the Gredos Mountains. Since then, the Spanish government has identified and converted many of its historic buildings, castles, convents and monasteries to lodgings, to preserve them as well as to encourage travel to less-visited parts of the country.

Declared a Historical Artistic Monument in 1923, the Parador of Santo Estevo is located in Nogueira de Ramuín near Ourense. Double rooms range from about $235 to $270 (148-170 euros). Through December 31, there is a package that includes accommodations, breakfast, the spa circuit and VAT that starts at $143 per person, double occupancy, in low season (April through June and October to December, except holidays) to $175 per person, double in high season (July through September.) For more information or to book one of the paradors, call: 011-34-902-54-79-79 or go to www.parador.es

For further information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7195) or go to www.spain.info