Hi QB,

Welcome to The Nonrev Network.

I'm glad you liked that. I believe that they have these in Spain as well. Coyne tells about them in her Spain article at <a href="http://nonrev.net/articles/spain/index.htm" target="_blank">http://nonrev.net/articles/spain/index.htm</A> and there is a link to the Spain Paradore site from there.

I love to stay in places like this that are unique to the area. I think you get a better chance of actually experiencing the culture of the place that your visiting - at least a lot more than if you just stay at a big chain place or US based resort.

You might enjoy www.ricksteves.com . You can also stay in convents in Italy or in Light House Inns around the US. And of course there's hostelling - a whole different style of travel with it's unique challenges and rewards.