European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 24, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Bado Dispain an inn secret Story and photos by Tony Nauroth staff writer in his rambling autobiographical account of a journey through Spain in the 60s, author James a. Michener called the Spanish paradoxes ". The Best system of inns in the that s understatement. Michener s Book Iberia Spanish travels and reflections delves further into these strange Way stations of wonder. Paradox comes from the Spanish verb Para meaning to the Paradox idea began bearing fruit about 50 years ago when Spain began reaping huge profits in the tourist Industry after the end of the Spanish civil War. The problem they faced however was a shortage of hotels in some of the most Beautiful and historically significant parts of the country. These were places where tourists would like to visit but where private capital could not or would not build. We re talking boonies Here. The government moved into old castles monasteries convents and palaces and with Loving care restored them to their original grandeur adding modern conveniences with minimal change. Decorators followed along with some of the most skilled Art connoisseurs in Spain. As a result each Paradox contains handsome centuries old furnishings and is embellished with Fine paintings. The government intended from the Start to turn the paradoxes Over to private operators once they got on their feet. This has met with spotty Success. The 1984 edition of the Fisher annotated travel guide to Spain and Portugal describes the paradoxes As exquisitely Beautiful Sites at heart thumping romantic understatement again. There Are four types of paradoxes classified according to the Type of Structure housing them castles monasteries palaces convents a fifth Type which is a hybrid More like a traditional luxury hotel than a Paradox is the modern design. The Atlantico hotel in Cadiz is of this genre see accompanying Story. Paradoxes have Well appointed dining rooms serving regional specialities. The dinners Are reputed to never disappoint. There Are More than 90 paradoxes that Pepper the country from the pyrenees mountains separating Spain and France to the Costa Del sol on the Mediterranean sea and beyond. There Are paradoxes in the Canary islands As Well As Majorca and its surrounding Ballares Island group. There s even one in Melilla a tiny Spanish resort enclave on the North african coast of Morocco. A few hints. The Symbol of the Paradox on a window of the Atlantic hotel in Cadiz. Paradoxes Are extremely popular and reservations Are a must especially in particularly attractive area s. Paradox de san Francisco in Granada for example requires reservations More than six months in Advance. A Central office in Madrid can arrange reservations for any Paradox. The Telephone number is 0034-1-435-9700. Paradoxes usually run Between one half and two thirds the Cost of a Good Spanish hotel luxury and Romance on the cheap. Once you have your reservations and you re bouncing along a Spanish Road in your rental car How do you find your Paradox when you re within 20 Kilometres 12 Miles of your destination you la Start seeing Small signs bearing a Blue outline of a House with the letter in it. Take note however that similar Blue housed signs Bear other letters that May Lead you astray. There Are other National stopovers similar to the Paradox but of lesser prestige and satisfaction. An a indicates an Alberque de Carretero literally High Road it s simply furnished and is meant to be a one or two Day Stopover on the Way to somewhere else. It s a Spanish Motel. Many however do have pools. An a indicates a Refugio a Retreat or rustic Lodge usually in the mountains where Hunting fishing and hiking Are available. To travel across Spain by halting each night at a Paradox is to know travel at its Best and most reasonable Michener wrote in Iberia. That s not overstating it one bit. Old men of Alarcon and one of their Many dogs Anchor the Walls of the town. Stripes Magazine april 24,1986
