Extremadura from Parador to Parador

Extremadura is the region in the middle of Spain that does not border any ocean and that is tucked against Portugal. Its name is derived from the river Douro that runs through it, and that eventually reaches the Atlantic in Portugal. During the Roman Empire, this region was part of the Roman province with the beautiful name Lusitania.

So, why visit, what’s so special? Definitely off the beaten track, this beautiful and rugged land offers something for everyone. Consider this:

• Impressive Roman monuments, in particular in Merida, the former capital of Lusitania

• Renaissance towns such as the gorgeous old town of Caceres, a UNESCO world heritage city

• Delicious cuisine with the famous Pata Negra ham, hearty wines, and high quality olive oils

• An enormous and impressive monastery in Guadalupe

• Beautiful and intimate towns with multi-cultural influences (Moorish, Medieval, Renaissance) such as Trujillo (pictured on the left) and Zafra (pictured on the right)

• White templar towns such as Jerez de los Caballeros and Fregenal de la Sierra

• Austere natural beauty and varied wildlife, to be found in particular in the Monfrague national park

• Very attractive paradores for your overnight and dining pleasure

It is interesting to note that many Extremaduran cities have their counterpart with the same name in South or Central America because most of the conquistadores came from this area of Spain, trying their luck in the New World at the expense of the indigenous people.

Your itinerary runs for a large part along the Ruta de la Plata (silver route), an ancient route that runs from Seville in the south to Astorga in the north. Paradores -affordable luxury hotels in historic buildings- are located along the itinerary. The suggested starting point is Madrid, the capital of Spain, because of its central location and international flight connections.

Madrid and its environments are definitely worth a visit (see http://www.madrid-guide-spain.com ), but here the focus is Extremadura with the following 5-7 day itinerary:

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• Guadalupe

• Jarandilla de la Vera

• Plasencia and the Monfrague National Park

• Trujillo

• Caceres

• Merida

• Zafra

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