Left around 7:30, arrived at Leon around 10:30 (13 km). Not a very pleasant walk, lots of noisy traffic and sometimes you really had to pay attention not to get hit.
Took my time walking through Leon. Went to the Cathedral, which was suppose to be incredible, but didn´t feel anything so kept going. Ran into Jolinda & Al and chatted for a bit.
Had planned on going at least another 7 km today, however, while in Spain I wanted to stay in at least at one Parador. On the way out of Leon, walked passed Parador de San Marcos. Mass had just started in the chapel, so I went in. After mass I walked around the Cloister, It is so beautiful and peaceful. It is so quiet, I don´t want to leave.
It used to be called The Hospital de San Marcos and it was a hospice from the 12th to 15th centuries and served as a monastery and head quarters of the Knights of Santiago. It is now a luxury parador and much of the furniture is antique.
I really wanted to stay here so I asked how much (Paradors are usually really expensive). This one was 110 €, so I thought, I may never be this way again, so I am staying here. (It is without a doubt the most luxurious place I have ever stayed). I checked in about 1:00 and did not leave the grounds. There was so much to explore. This truly is an amazing place. Again, I feel like I have stepped back in time by about 500 years. I wish I had the words to explain how, as I sit in the garden in the Cloister, you can feel the presence of the people who have been here hundreds of years ago.
http://www.parador.es/en/cargarFichaParador.do;jsessionid=2F8E16F6987ACE61AF61406AE455412F?parador=102&LANG=en&SM=true&fechaDesde=&fechaHasta=
pdf about the Parador in Leon http://www.parador.es/recursos/doc/Fichas_paradores/Descripcion/Ingles/2119690185_392007111150.pdf
Although I didn't have the chance to stay in this parador, I did get a walk through. It is beautiful! I hope you enjoyed your stay!
ReplyDeleteKeep on walking.