Mapping out a driving tour through Spain

Q. We are going to be traveling in Spain next year, and some friends of ours said we should rent a car and drive from Madrid to the Costa del Sol. They were also excited about staying in what they called paradors.

Now we're excited about such a trip. Can you give us some general advice? Any hints would be appreciated. Thank you.

A. On a drive from Madrid to the Costa del Sol you will follow the route of Don Quixote, where windmills and castles dot the horizon and colorful tiles are used in functional as well as decorative construction. One can almost see the figure of Quixote jousting at the windmills as his horse gallops across the flat plains of La Mancha.

Take time for a leisurely stop in Cordoba and visit La Mezquita (the mosque), construction on which began in the eighth century and was finally completed in the 10th. You will marvel at the size of the mosque, which includes a Christian cathedral within its walls. The city is famous for its Cordovan leather. You can find leather workers plying their trade in their workshops.

A few miles to the southwest is Seville, another "must see" on your drive. Here you'll find art treasures such as the Giralda, a Moorish tower; the Alcazar, a palace rich in medieval legends; and the Cathedral, third largest in the Christian world.

From Seville you can head south to Gibraltar and view its famous rock, then drive back northeast to Granada, a city that is half Moorish and half Christian. Be sure to visit the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace. From there you can get a fine view of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Construction of the Alhambra began in 1238 and over the years was enlarged to the structure that exists today. Three sectors make up the Alhambra: the palaces and landscaped gardens of the Partal; the Secano Gardens and Towers; and the Alhambra itself. Allow four hours if you want to see it all.

Before you leave Madrid -- or after you return -- allow time to visit the Prado, one of the world's foremost art museums where you will see masterpieces by El Greco, Velasquez and Goya.

And now a word about the paradors. They are a network of government-owned inns, many of which are in historic buildings, such as castles, palaces and monasteries, while others are of regional architecture or striking modern design. They are situated in areas of great interest and scenic beauty and help bring the essence of Spain's rich heritage to the traveler.

Information on Spain and its paradors is available by calling the Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago, (312) 642-1992, or viewing the Web site www.okspain.org.