We came here from Pamplona and had a good time spending a few days in Olite.
Read more: A few days in OliteThe Parador
The Parador of Olite was the old palace. The staff were friendly and helpful, and it was comfortable. Our room overlooked the old gardens of the Palace and the countryside, and we could just make out Ujue on the far hillside. The window allowed us some wonderful views, particularly on a stormy evening.
And on our last evening we enjoyed a real treat, here in the lounge. A group of guests had a guitar and gathered to sind Basque folksongs – it was absoutely wonderful, something I will never forget, a real gift.
The Castle
The Castle adjoined the Parador and it was fascinating to walk round. It dominates the town, and with all its towers and turrets looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Walking around the town
It is easy to wander round Olite at any time of the day, and there are surprises around all the corners: little shops, small squares, towers, churches, and many coats of arms on the mansions.
Artajona and Ujue
We used Olite as a base for visiting Artajona and Ujue. I had seen frescoes from the church of Cerco de Arjunto in the Museum of Navarre in Pamplona, and then read about a Medieaval hilltop town, so we had to visit.
After a coffee stop in Tafalla at the incredible cafe/restaurant Tubal we drove to Ujue, stopping short of the town to take in the views towards the Pyrenees. This photograph doesn’t being to do justice to the sight, which we will never forget.
And at the church we met another of those incredibly kind people who understand and respond to your reactions. We loved the church and when we told her she put in 1€ to light it up – we had ony paid 2€ each. We sat there for quit a while. This was the church to which the receptionist in the Parador made a pilgrimage every year – 20kms there and back from her village outside Olite.
Estella
We also visited Estella, a far more important town than we realised at the time. Again it was a Wow!! day.
Olite at night
These old towns have a special magic at night…
And then the few days in Olite were over and it was time to move on. It will never be forgotten.