CAMINO, DAY OFF: CARRION DE LOS CONDES
Hotel Real Monasterio San Zoilo, Carrion de los Condes.
When I got to this oasis, a hotel that might as well be a museum, I decided I just had to stay an extra night and rest my feet. I'm kinda in heaven. It's a 16th century monastery converted into a hotel. It still has its active chapel (more like a grand church), several courtyards, a crypt, and a small museum housing capitals and other artifacts recovered during the renovation. And it's quiet, peaceful, and timeless, a perfect place to lie around and do nothing. And to my amazement, including a lavish buffet breakfast it's less than $65 a night. I'm getting very spoiled. Only slight drawback is it's over a km into town each way so I'll make that trip a couple of times. Dinner here would actually cost more than the night's stay.