The paradors are great places to stay. We went on this trip in 2013 and stayed in paradors in Leon and Santiago de Compostela. They are beautiful historical buildings ideally located. The one in Santiago de Compostela is on the square next to the church where the pilgrims end the Camino. You get the full experience of the Camino.
This is an old forum post started two years ago.
Beautifultrip, the Paradors has been changed and modified, I think two different tours to choose from. We are taking the Northern Spain Rioja Valley and Madrid in October. I think that has again been changed for next year. To be honest, I never noticed the hotels we are staying in as it is the places I want to see that we are focused on.
We stayed in a Parador in Northern Spain and it was very nice. But one is not a very big sample. The Paradors are owned by the Government and, to my knowledge, they keep them up well. Here's a Wikipedia article on the Paradors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parador
We have stayed in numerous Paradores in Spain. They are absolutely great places to stay and we were not disappointed in any one of them. Some were far nicer than others but overall it was a great experience. In the past Paradores were castles, monasteries and convents. You will enjoy them.
When we took this trip we had the good fortune of witnessing the Botafumeiro at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. It is a giant thurible that is raised then swung back and forth as it releases the incense. It weighs > 50 kg (~ 120 lbs) and requires many men to operate and control. As it begins to swing, it is slowly raised and swung back and forth by a system of pulleys controlled by the men. I am not doing any justice here to this grand religious event; if interested I'm sure there are videos of it online.
It is only performed during certain religious holidays and it is not performed for tourists. Our remarkable tour director was able to gain access for our small group—I suspect he had to make a substantial donation in order for us to be allowed in. We were escorted in, seated in the back and escorted out immediately afterwards and before the service began. It was an experience I will never forget.
Choc - Can you point me to where you read that the thurible is currently not in use? Most of the sites I'm coming across are generic and not current information. My husband has personal experience with this and I'm trying to find current information for him. If you can reply, I would be most appreciative.
I was on this trip in May 2024. We saw it on display in the museum and our docent explained that it had been removed from use because of the danger it presented to visitors. Originally it is thought that its use was to cover the stench from parishioners in the Middle Ages since they bathed very little. The movie “The Way “with Martin Sheen shows it being used.
We were given the opportunity to walk the last 5.3 km of the Camino. 11 of us did. I was glad I did because it gave me an appreciation for those who do the pilgrimage.
We got to see it too and it is very memorable. We were told that Tauck makes a donation to be sure their groups get to see it. Another reason to use Tauck.
Comments
Are the paradors nice places to stay in northern Spain?
The paradors are great places to stay. We went on this trip in 2013 and stayed in paradors in Leon and Santiago de Compostela. They are beautiful historical buildings ideally located. The one in Santiago de Compostela is on the square next to the church where the pilgrims end the Camino. You get the full experience of the Camino.
This is a picture of the outside of the parador.
This is an old forum post started two years ago.
Beautifultrip, the Paradors has been changed and modified, I think two different tours to choose from. We are taking the Northern Spain Rioja Valley and Madrid in October. I think that has again been changed for next year. To be honest, I never noticed the hotels we are staying in as it is the places I want to see that we are focused on.
We stayed in a Parador in Northern Spain and it was very nice. But one is not a very big sample. The Paradors are owned by the Government and, to my knowledge, they keep them up well. Here's a Wikipedia article on the Paradors - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parador
One more link - https://www.totallyspain.com/paradores-in-spain-and-portugal/
We have stayed in numerous Paradores in Spain. They are absolutely great places to stay and we were not disappointed in any one of them. Some were far nicer than others but overall it was a great experience. In the past Paradores were castles, monasteries and convents. You will enjoy them.
When we took this trip we had the good fortune of witnessing the Botafumeiro at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. It is a giant thurible that is raised then swung back and forth as it releases the incense. It weighs > 50 kg (~ 120 lbs) and requires many men to operate and control. As it begins to swing, it is slowly raised and swung back and forth by a system of pulleys controlled by the men. I am not doing any justice here to this grand religious event; if interested I'm sure there are videos of it online.
It is only performed during certain religious holidays and it is not performed for tourists. Our remarkable tour director was able to gain access for our small group—I suspect he had to make a substantial donation in order for us to be allowed in. We were escorted in, seated in the back and escorted out immediately afterwards and before the service began. It was an experience I will never forget.
The thurible is now in the museum because of a broken pulley and the difficulty obtaining parts. It’s a huge piece .
Oh, no. I'll have to research that. Thanks for sharing, Choc.
The research I did about the thurible indicates it's still being used. https://caminoways.com/botafumeiro-santiago-de-compostela
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botafumeiro
In one of the website I sent to, it indicates that you can book the use of the Thurible for a group. I'm sure there's a charge for that.
Choc - Can you point me to where you read that the thurible is currently not in use? Most of the sites I'm coming across are generic and not current information. My husband has personal experience with this and I'm trying to find current information for him. If you can reply, I would be most appreciative.
I am sure that Tuck arranged the thurible when we visited, so we paid. It was very impressive.
I was on this trip in May 2024. We saw it on display in the museum and our docent explained that it had been removed from use because of the danger it presented to visitors. Originally it is thought that its use was to cover the stench from parishioners in the Middle Ages since they bathed very little. The movie “The Way “with Martin Sheen shows it being used.
We were given the opportunity to walk the last 5.3 km of the Camino. 11 of us did. I was glad I did because it gave me an appreciation for those who do the pilgrimage.
Thank you, Choc. I'll keep digging.
We got to see it too and it is very memorable. We were told that Tauck makes a donation to be sure their groups get to see it. Another reason to use Tauck.
I'm so glad others were able to experience it. And to think that the ceremony has been performed since the Middle Ages!