Any breakout will do, I have used PMDX122 and it is a nice board and reasonably priced. Also have a CNC Building blocks one in the lathe I am presently retrofitting, its a bit dearer but has some very nice functions but they may not be of use to you.
As for parallel ports you only need 1 for up to 4 axis but can add another if you require more inputs/outputs for other functions.
Hood