Parador de Tui

Spain – Galicia – Pontevedra – Tui

Traditional Galician manor house

4-star

Located south of Vigo on the Portuguese border near the mouth of the River Miño, the ancient Galician town of Tui (Tuy in Spanish) was known to Greek geographers even before the Romans arrived, and in the early Middle Ages it was in the buffer zone between Christians and Moors. The most notable building is the cathedral (11th–13th century), which has both Romanesque and Gothic elements. The Parador de Tui, about 1 km from the town centre, combines an impressive, granite-walled and castellated tower with a more modern wing, and is set in a beautiful garden with a swimming pool, tennis court and children’s play area. Chestnut wood floors, ceilings and beams recreate the decoration of the typical local country houses. Locally caught fish is much in evidence on the menu in the restaurant, for example in the Empanada de Zoubas o bacalao (pastry filled with fried onions and sardines or cod). Other dishes on offer include Caldo gallego (a stew of broad beans, potato, greens and cabbage) and Tarta San Ero (a chocolate sponge cake).