European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 25, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monastery Oasis by Rosemary Sawyer staff writer about 18 Miles off the Well worn Road Between Zaragoza and Torrejon air bases hides an Oasis for the weary Driver who s ready for a break from the two Lane tedium. The Monasterio de Piedra or monastery of Stone in a Spanish Garden of Eden beckons frazzled travellers. Although the original monastery cells have been converted into a hotel and restaurant some parts of the Abbey remain As the 12th Century cistercian monks left them. Most visitors to the monastery however Don t even pause at the 800-year-old Tower of homage the Hostel chapter House and refectory. It s the Park s spectacular waterfalls that attract the Clicks from tourists shutters and draw wedding photographers like a four tiered cake. One of the cascades the Mirador de la cola de Caballo or Mare s Tail is nearly 1 74 feet High and forms the closure to an impressive Grotto. Visitors can stroll through the monastery s Cool natural tunnels and peer into its Mirror Pond. It is is Gus Schuettler the courtyard of the monastery offers a Par like setting to visitors attracting Many wedding parties. Even said that drawing from the Spring of health will relieve stomach disorders. Families can pack a lunch and easily spend an afternoon strolling along the Park s winding paths. But for those who Don t choose to bring along their own food the monastery offers a Choice of two eateries one self service spot offering Many beverages but few entrees and the other More formal hotel restaurant. The hotel restaurant which has a View onto an idyllic courtyard offers daily specials for 1,300 pesetas about $10.42. Or if you d like to try the Trout the chef prepares it in three different ways and prices Range from 550 to 850 pesetas about $4.40 to $6.82. This Price includes Only the fish. Side dishes must be ordered separately As in most Spanish restaurants. Entrance to the Park is 325 pesetas about $2.60. It s open 10 . To 1 , then 3 . To 7 . Seven Days a week. As with most tourist attractions weekdays Are less crowded than weekends. To get to the Park from Zaragoza take n-11 Southwest about 53 Miles to Calatayud. In Calatayud is Gus Schuettler you la see signs on the left for the monastery. Fee Many water a Scofea a a a Oasis like setting. Driving to Spain driving from Germany to Spain via superhighways will undoubtedly take its toll on you. The flip Side of the Coin is that you can expect relatively traffic free travel on France and Spain s High priced tollway. Round trip tolls for a Volkswagen passant travelling to Spain via the Mulhouse France crossing South to Bare Elona Spain then West to the Highway s end at a ird Goza Spain will slice about $120 from your travel budget. French tolls total 498 francs about $77while tolls Lor the 575 Miles in Spain Cost 5205 pesetas about $42. Despite the Price however you might find the driving ease afforded by the toll highways is Worth your wad. As soon As you leave the German freeways behind and enter France you la think a giant car Magnet pulled two thirds of the cars off the Road. And upon crossing into Spain you la wonder if they have cars. The locals simply Are not willing to pay for the luxury of Highway travel. An agreement Between the United states and Spain prohibits Leisure time travellers from using Many facilities at the . Bases there. The prohibition includes use of the Gas stations and Gas coupons so plan on forking out a lot of Money for Gas while there and along the Way. Unleaded Gas is still very difficult to find in Spain and France. One Man travelling from Frankfurt to Torrejon a outside Madrid said driving around looking for Lead free fuel added about six hours to the trip. Diesel is readily available in Spain and costs about 65 pesetas per liter about $1.98 per gallon. Super leaded will Cost you More at 74 pesetas per liter about $2.25 per gallon. Gas prices Are especially High in France. If you re Lucky enough to find an unleaded pump plan to spend about 6.20 francs per liter about $3.67 per gallon. Diesel fuel runs 3.52 francs per liter about $2.09 per gallon and you la pay 4.97 francs for a liter of super leaded about $2.95 per gallon. Unfortunately flying to Spain and renting a car there might not end up saving you much Money. Even if you Are Lucky enough to Fly space available on a military Airlift come aircraft car rental prices Are exorbitant. The army and air Force Exchange service s car rental Concession at Torrejon a offers prices As Good As any. A Ford fiesta so which seats five costs 2,625 pesetas about $21 per Day plus a 24 peseta per Kilometre charge about 73 cents a mile. The per Day Price for the same car with unlimited mileage is 5,300 pesetas about $42 and must be rented fora minimum of seven Days. A daily insurance charge of 420 pesetas about $3.36 must also be paid on All cars. Only Standard transmission cars can be rented from the on base Concession. Lastly to drive in Spain you la need to obtain an International Driver s License. Is bus Tours for first time visitors to Spain who would rather leave the driving to someone else tour buses await them at Zaragoza and Torrejon air bases. Zaragoza s Viva and Torrejon s venture tour offices located in the base recreation centers offer a variety of inexpensive Beach and sightseeing Tours. Benny Nieves venture assistant director says the favorite at Torrejon is a Friday night sightseeing and bar hopping tour of Madrid called Viva Madrid. The tour bus sets out from the base at 6 . There is about two hours of through the window sightseeing and narrative with one Stop for taking pictures at the Christopher Columbus Plaza. The tour guide also Points out the air Force shuttle bus stops for visitors who might venture into the City on their own some other time. The group then proceeds to the Plaza mayor Madrid s nightlife Hub. There it wends its Way through the cafe filled Plaza to neighbouring Grotto to indulge in tasty hours d oeuvre like snacks called  nowadays the Spanish refer to the bar to bar search for tapas As bar hopping rather than the traditional Tasca hopping says Isidro Sid Ramirez part time venture tour guide. Ramirez one of several Viva Madrid guides grew up in Spain and studied in the United states. He provides the group with Many inside tips on How to see Madrid like Madrilejo. Along with the popular Viva Madrid Day trips to Toledo and Segovia and Beach trips to Ben dorm also rank High on the list of favourites Nieves says. Zaragoza recreation Center program director Billie Sadorra says their most popular excursions Are Beach Tours to the Costa brava and ski trips in the Winter. They also offer numerous shopping Tours and can arrange special Tours. September Tours from Torrejon include sept. 2-5 Beach weekend in Ben dorm $129. Sept. 2-5 bus to coast overnight in Venia Early boat to Ibiza. Two meals a Day included $280. Sept. 3 Valley of the fallen and monastery of escorial $16.50. Sept. 10 afternoon tour to Segovia $16.50. Sept. 17 Belmonte s Star shaped Castle and Sogo Briga s roman ruins,$16.50. Sept. 17-18 Cuenca s hanging houses Cathedral and the enchanted Roc City $75. Sept. 24 afternoon tour to Toledo $16.50. Sept. 24-26 Llandro factory shopping tour with overnight in five Star hotel in a medieval Village. Two meals a Day included $159. Sept. 30-oct. 2 camping weekend to Valencia coast $39. September Tours from Zaragoza include sept. 2-6 Beach weekend in Lloret de mar full pension $91. Sept. 24 one Day sweater shopping trip to Morella $18. Is 10 stripes Magazine August 25, 1988