Lorna Roberts Holidays
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Lorna Roberts Holidays
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Explore and experience the wonders of Real Spain
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These Holidays are designed to include some of Spain's most beautiful and lesser known landscapes. This is the 'Real Spain' at its best. |
| Spanish Parador Holidays | Portuguese Pousada Holidays | Golf Holidays In Paradores | Escorted Holidays Staying In Paradores | Lorna In Ireland |
LORNA ROBERTS has worked in Ireland for the SPANISH PARADORES since 1998.
Paradores are charming, comfortable hotels in the most scenic, interesting and historic areas of Spain.
Who is Lorna Roberts?
Lorna Roberts has worked in Ireland for the Spanish Parador hotels since 1998. She is now working jointly with Keytours making reservations for Spanish Paradores and Portuguese Pousadas for clients in the UK and Ireland. She has travelled all over Spain and knows almost all the 96 Paradores – many in historic buildings, some in remote natural parks, some in idyllic coastal locations and others in cities and Medieval villages. She and the team at Keytours plan routes for fly-drive holidays, city breaks, one or two centre holidays in Paradores, or a longer break, beside the sea and with all the promotions at their fingertips they will always find the best possible rates. Lorna has also taken more than 60 groups around the Paradores in some of the most scenic, interesting and “secret” parts of ”Real Spain” and has some exciting tours planned for this year…..see “Escorted Holidays” section of this website.
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Full details of our escorted tours for 2022 are in the “Escorted Holidays” section of this website. Details and booking forms from lornaroberts13@gmail.com
095 23511 (Ireland) or 0044 1590 672959 (UK) or from Niamh at GTI Travel in Dublin niamh@gti.ie or from Keytours in London info@keytel.co.uk
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See below for ideas to help with route planning including descriptions and photographs of different types of holidays all over “Real Spain” …..ideas for driving in Spain with suggestions of Paradores to stay in close to motorways, or the alternative western route from north to south through Extremadura, coastal Paradores for winter holidays when prices are low, recently opened Paradores, golf holidays in Paradores, Lorna’s books, photographs of group holidays before the lockdown, and a section on the 5 Paradores in the Canary Islands.
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CORONAVIRUS |
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AN UPDATE ON PARADORES RE-OPENING |
Wherever you are – in Ireland, the UK or Spain stay safe, keep healthy and take care at this difficult time . There does seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel and Spain has dealt with this well so hopefully things will be back to normal before too long, and people are now booking for the Autumn and we are optimistic that a re-scheduled escorted tour will take place in Catalonia later in the year, and also escorted holidays in Galicia (Santiago, Baiona and the new Parador at Muxia) in September and Asturias - Northern Spain, staying at the Parador at Cangas de Onis in the foothills of the Picos de Europa & Gran Hotel del Sella on the coast at Ribadesella im October. The final holiday will be in October staying at Paradores at Vic and Aiguablava.
For dates, prices and flight times contact Lorna 095 23511 or UK number 01590 672959 (Int 0044 1590 672959) lornaroberts13@gmail.com or on the Irish section of www.keytel.co.uk
Spain is working regionally so things can change but most Paradors are open and dealing with Social Distancing etc. very well.
Escorted Holidays Staying In Paradores
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***NEW***
JUNE HOLIDAY IN CONNEMARA
16-23 June a week in Connemara on the Atlantic Way in the West of Ireland, staying at The Leenane Hotel overlooking Killary Harbour, and Foyles Hotel in Clifden, with excursions to all the places of interest and beaches at the loveliest time of year when the sun sets late, the sea is getting warmer and the crowds have not arrived.
***NEW***
New dates are being arranged for October 2022.
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Parador at Aiguablava |
New dates have been arranged for the holiday which was postponed from 2021 due to covid. I have now postponed this short holiday in October staying at the PARADOR AT AIGUABLAVA in a spectacular position on a headland above the Mediterranean . It has recently re-opened after extensive renovations. We shall also stay at the PARADOR AT VIC in the foothills of the Pyrenees. This will be a simpler holiday with less travelling in two country Paradores in stunning locations. |
View from Parador at Vic |
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Vall de Nuria - Pyrenees |
7 nights with an option to stay for 2 more nights at the historic Parador in the Medieval castle at CARDONA. Flying to Girona from Dublin or UK airports and returning from Girona or Barcelona. This will be a wonderful short break after a difficult Summer. I am not taking deposits until all the restrictions are lifted but it would be helpful to know how many people are interested so that I can be sure to have enough rooms reserved.
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Parador at Cardona |
OTHER AUTUMN HOLIDAYS:
Full details are on the “Escorted Holidays” section of this website
28 September – 5 October: GALICIA: 7 nights staying at Paradores at BAIONA, MUXIA & SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
A combination of spectacular coastal scenery, interesting excursions and ending in the historic city of Santiago where the Parador is located beside the Cathedral. Flying to and from Santiago.
5 – 12 October: ASTURIAS “Green Spain”: 7 nights staying at Paradores at RIBADEO and CANGAS DE ONIS and at “Gran Hotel del Sella” on the coast at RIBADESELLA. Flying to Santiago and back from Santander.
This can be extended to be a 9 night holiday from 3rd to 12th October by adding 2 nights to stay in Santiago.
14 – 21 October: CATALONIA: 7 nights staying at Paradores at VIC – SAU in the foothills of the Pyrenees and at AIGUABLAVA on the Mediterranean coast Flying to and from Girona.
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Driving to Spain?
Brittany Ferries have changed their route and are now sailing from Rosslare to Bilbao. This is an extra hour’s driving if going west to Santander but the Paradores in Cantabria (Limpias, Santillana and Fuente De) and those in Asturias (Cangas de Onis, Gijon and Corias) are still within reach. Going east from Bilbao is the lovely city of San Sebastian and the magnificent Parador at Hondarribia, in the 10th century castle overlooking the Bidasoa estuary and the French coast. South from Bilbao are the Paradores in the wine regions of Navarra (Parador at Olite) and La Rioja (Paradores at Sto Domingo de la Calzada on the Camino de Santiago, and at Calahorra).
For all the special offers and promotions
contact Lorna (Ireland) 095 23511
or
UK 01590 672959 (Int) 0044 (1)1590 672959 (UK)
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For further details please contact Lorna Roberts direct.. Lorna Roberts, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely, Co. Galway, H71 F611 Telephone................+353 (0) 95 23511 Email................ lornaroberts13@gmail.com
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Parador at Carmona, near Seville
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February 2020
our last group holiday before the lockdown
How lucky we were to have a beautiful sunny week in Spain before the lockdown. As the group flew back from Valencia to Dublin none of us had any idea of the different life we would all be living a few weeks later.
 El Saler |
We have all made many new friends in over 60 groups all over Spain and it was a pleasure to have a mixture of regular travellers as well as new people in this group. We started in the Parador in Javea from where we visited the neighbouring villages and headlands and then, after a day in Valencia ended the week at the Parador at El Saler. After relaxing days beside the Mediterranean with a temperature of 28 degrees one day, we all returned fit and well which is how I hope we can remain by staying at home and following the rules.
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 Javea |
 At Javea |
 Valencia Old |
 Sunset at Albufera Reserve near El Saler |
 and Valencia New |
On our four tours in 2017 we travelled from North to South, from East to West, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from the Picos de Europa to the Sierra de Ronda visiting so many corners of "Real Spain" and had perfect weather all the way, even in February when we had temperatures of 24 degrees when we spent a week in the lovely Parador at Javea.
In 2018 we had 3 very different tours staying in the Portuguese Algarve and the Parador in Mazagon in February, in Galicia in NW Spain , staying in Paradores at Santiago de Compostela and Baiona in early October, and in Andalucia later in October, staying at Paradores at Cordoba and Nerja and at Hotel Alhambra Palace in Granada.
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Photographs of our holidays are in the escorted holidays section of this website. |
There are photos of more than 50 different Paradores where we have stayed with groups. If you are planning a holiday these photos will help to give an idea of the variety of Paradores and their locations.
>>>> click here <<<<
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We have taken over 70 groups to every region of Spain and stayed at almost all the Paradores – on the coast, in the mountains, in historic Unesco World Heritage cities (Toledo, Segovia, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Salamanca etc), in Medieval villages, castles, palaces, restored monasteries and convents and in some of the most remote natural parks
Photographs and descriptions of our recent tours can be seen on this page.
For details of future group holidays
contact Lorna…095 23511 (Int 00353 95 23511)
or
lornaroberts13@gmail.com, www.keytel.co.uk
HOLIDAYS IN 2019
 La Caleta beach, Cadiz (where "Die Another Day" was filmed!)
Calle Larios, Malaga |
ANDALUCIA - February 2019. We had a good week with
perfect weather staying in 2 very different Paradores at CADIZ and MALAGA
GIBRALFARO. We also visited Sanlucar de la Barrameda at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, Conil de la Frontera, and Tarifa, three places in the wonderful province of Cadiz. We ended the holiday with a snack at the Parador at Malaga Golf before going to the airport, just 10 minutes from the Parador. Some sensible people stayed on at Malaga Golf for a few extra days! |
AND AUTUMN HOLIDAYS IN NORTHERN SPAIN - 2019
ASTURIAS “Green Spain” we stayed at Gran Hotel del Sella at RiIBADESELLA on the coast and at the Parador at CANGAS DE ONIS in the foothills of the Picos de Europa mountains
CANTABRIA & LA RIOJA we stayed at Paradores at LIMPIAS and STO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA including the famous visit and lunch at the bodegas of “Marques de Caceres” and some walked along along the Camino de Santiago after a visit to the World Hertitage city of Burgos.
Blue skies all the way on our holidays in Galicia and Andalucia in 2018
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Parador at Mazagon Spain |
Parador at Cordoba
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Beach below Holiday Inn at Armacao de Pera, Portugal |
 Santiago Cathedral |
View from Parador at Nerja
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 View from Parador at Baiona |
Photographs of our previous holidays are on the escorted holidays section of this website. (Click Here)
For details of prices, flights and excursions for this year's holidays contact.....
lornaroberts13@gmail.com 095 23511
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>>>> Click here <<<<
Lorna has travelled extensively all over Europe, has written books about her travels and plans routes and itineraries for her clients as well as taking small escorted groups around the Paradores.
There are 96 Paradores in Spain (including 5 in the Canary Islands, 4 in The Pyrenees, 2 with their own Golf Courses at Malaga Golf and El Saler, and 2 in North Africa). Many are located in castles, palaces and monasteries, some in Medieval villages, others in historic cities and coastal ones, generally in modern buildings in the unspoilt areas of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
Lorna can tell you virtually everything there is to know about the Paradores and is happy to arrange routes and itineraries and make reservations for you at the best possible rates, availing of the various promotions offered at different times of year.
In the Spring and Autumn Lorna escorts small groups on holidays staying in Paradores in the hidden corners of "Real Spain".
SO MANY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE & ENJOY THE SPANISH PARADORES
Fly & Drive - Take Your Own Car - Short City Break - One Centre Holiday Beside The Sea
Play Golf at a Parador - Stay in a National Park - 0r Maybe Join One of our Escorted Tours
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Parador at Arcos de la Frontera |
Lorna Knows 93 of the 96 Paradores and can help with route planning and advising which Paradores are most suitable, as there is such a variety of hotels and different ones appeal to different people. Lorna is also able to work out a route to take advantage of special promotions. For the Latest Directory, with descriptions and photographs of all the Paradores, a map showing the locations and a price list... call Lorna on 095 23511
Lorna's book "Discover Real Spain & the Paradores" describes her own personal journeys across Spain and can be helpful when planning routes. See below.
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View from the Parador at Aiguablava
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BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC PARADORES CLOSE TO MOTORWAYS ARE PERFECT STOPPING PLACES (the meaning of the word Parador, as they were originally stopping places for weary travellers to break their journey) DRIVING IN SPAIN is such a pleasure on uncrowded motorways through spectacular scenery. Many of the finest historic Paradores are very close to the motorways so if you are planning a fly-drive holiday or taking your own car to Spain here are a few suggestions of wonderful places to stay en-route, and we can find the best rates by checking all the offers and promotions.
Three Paradores where Lorna stayed recently were all very close to Autovias (A roads with no tolls)
***Pools in Paradores are seasonal and not necessarily open between mid-October and mid-June but all these Paradores are beside the sea which is usually warmer than the pools*** For more details contact Lorna Tel: 095 23511 Email: lornaroberts13@gmail.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
New Paradores Recently Opened
The new Parador at Lorca opened in July 2012. The stunning modern building has been built within the castle walls on a hill above the town, which is 30 Km inland from the Murcia coast. During the excavations the remains of Muslim and Jewish settllements were discovered, including a 15th century Jewish synagogue. These have been preserved and showcased around the Parador. There is also a magnificent spa and indoor pool. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< PARADOR IN CADIZ - OPENED ON 1st SEPTEMBER 2012.
I was invited to spend a few days in the new Parador in Cadiz before it was officially opened on 1st September. The old Parador closed in October 2009 and although a very different building the new one is a most impressive construction on the same magnificent site beside the sea and yet only a short walk from the Cathedral and historic city centre. All rooms have balconies and sea views, most of the same staff are working there and many furnishings, paintings etc from the old Parador are featured keeping a connection with the past. The whole Parador is spacious and light - this is "La Costa de la Luz". The pool area and spa are one of the main attractions overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and sunsets for which this coast is so famous.
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