Parador experiences

Yes, the paradores are usually a solid option, with good onsite restaurants, but some of them do disappoint (due to price, or overdue remodellings). Of the ones you quote, I've only been to La Granja, and too long ago to be relevant, but I'll let others come in.
Reminder: they offer good discounts for folks under thirty or above à certain age (sixty or sixty-five, can't remember).

If you are leaving from Bilbao, you might want to consider the Parador Fuente Dé in the Picos de Europa. The Parador was wonderful and has a very good restaurant. It’s about a 2 3/4 hour drive from Bilbao but well worth the trip. The experience of driving through the gorge cut by the river is wonderful. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain for fantastic views. For me taking a break from the cities and reveling in the “alps” of Spain was great. A very nice museum/nature center about the Picos on N-621 is worth a visit.

Thank you for suggesting Fuente De. I had not looked into that location and it seems like a stunning sight. We will only be stopping for a couple of hours in Bilbao and could probably get to Fuente De around 5:00pm. This is a drive through the mountains as I see
It. We are familiar with that sort of drive.

The drive to fuente Dé is not particularly hairy, first at the bottom of a gorge to Potes, then up a wider valley to Fuente Dé. Very scenic place indeed.

I also second Fuente Dé Parador, really amazing place with stunning Alps-like scenery. Nearby is the quaint medieval town of Potes, which makes for a nice place to explore and have dinners. The food at Fuente Dé Parador was so-so, but close by is a rustic tavern/hotel called Mesón del Oso, which has fantastic local cuisine of the region, one of the best restaurants I ever ate.

Alternatively, if you go the eastern route from the Basque Country to Madrid, you could also stop at the Olite Parador, located in the Royal Palace of Olite, the seat of the old Kingdom of Navarre. The Royal Place is surrounded by the medieval walled town of Olite.

Their website in English: https://www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-olite

I haven't been to any of the three Paradors you mentioned, but overall we’ve been very pleased with Paradors and try to stay at them whenever we visit Spain. Some, are in need of some renovations. However, we generally try to eat at local restaurants for dinner. We think the Parador restaurants are generally overpriced. We do like the breakfast buffet and get them. If you plan on staying at Paradors, join its free program. With your first reservation made from its site, you’ll get a free breakfast your first stay. You also get a free beverage upon arrival, and that’s at every Parador you stay at. If you’re over 55 it has special rates.

I am reviewing our itinerary for the time we are on the wine and food tour and I see that we will be stopping in Segovia and Burgos as we head to Rioja. Since we probably won’t find ourselves in northern Spain again soon, the stop in Fuente De is looking good. So heading toward Madrid what would make sense. I see that we will have had a guided tour of the Alcazar and luncheon in Segovia the previous week. Should we reroute and see Salamanca? Or someplace else before going to Madrid.

Yes, I wondered about the over 55 and the Amigos membership. I will sign us up before I book anything and certainly thank you for this hint! Good to hear about the personal experiences. A very casual conversation with a newly introduced dining partner led to his recommendations about the Paradores.
So here we are!

Salamanca is worthwhile but also a big detour, and it deserves a full day of sightseeing (ideally two nights). I'd suggest Pedraza near Segovia, a beautiful old village (haven't been myself but I saw this place suggested in another thread and it looks great!), or Ávila, a walled city.

We have stayed at many Paradors throughout Spain over many years and were only disappointed in one. If you travel to Portugal, stay at the Pousadas which are similar but even of a higher quality.

Thanks to several helpful suggestions here, I have booked the Parador Fuente De, the Parador de Lerma, and the Parador de Avila. We joined the Amigos and also took advantage of the discounts and breakfast benefits that are offered for the “over 55” travelers. I’m hoping that we can turn the rental car in before we get all the way into Madrid, and take the train into the city. We have a car reservation with Enterprise, but would consider another agency for convenience since their drop off is not in our last Parador, Avila.