The itinerary goes along a major section of” via de la Plata” this way was an originally a Roman commercial route that linked the south with northern Atlantic shore. There is some travelling off the beaten path, which allows participants to come across with Extremadura municipalities that house a wealth of natural, historic, artistic, and cultural wonder to be discovered.
The second half of the tour we overnight in remote old convent from XV converted into hotel. Located in the north of Caceres province, near Portuguese border.
Recommendation of the tour:
This tour implies a considerable walking time while visiting nature reserve, archaeological site and exploring the cobbled streets of some villages, please be sure of a minimum level of fitness.
Length: 7 days
Visiting period: February. March, April, May, September, October, November
Others: Comfortable shoes, camera, notebook
THE DAY OF THE ANCIENT DOLMEN & MERIDA
Morning walk to Dolmen of Lácara, dates from 3000 -4000 years B.C. one of the best example of ancient dolmen in Extremadura, a nice walk through the lacara meadow, strewn with huge granite boulders, to discover how Agriculture was already well organized during the Neolithic period, and land was used in a sustainable manner.
In the afternoon, the Roman archaeological ensemble of Mérida, declared world heritage site by UNESCO in 1993. The main monuments are the theatre, the amphitheatre and the circus… The National Museum of Roman art, designed by the prestigious architect Rafael Monee, exposes numerous objects from the Roman archaeological site of the city.
THE DAY OF VISIGOTH RUINS
Travel to Alcuescar to start a Morning walk, throw an original Mediterranean landscapes with olive trees and cork oak trees, to “Santa Lucia church”, located four kilo metros from the roman road, a Visigoth church, almost unknown until it was taken to light in 1981 under the guise of a barn, by Professor Juan Rosco and his wife. The church is located in an area where many archaeological evidence of Paleo-Christian era are.
In the afternoon a walk around this old town UNESCO site, we find medieval walls, palaces, churches, squares and streets, which are all in the best conditions. Cáceres also shows spectacular defensive towers of the middle ages.
THE DAY OF MONFRAGUE NATIONAL PARK
A day visit to Monfrague National Park, a great treasure of biodiversity and one of the most remarkable areas for Nature in Europe. Stretching along the river Tagus is a refuge for representative species of the Mediterranean wildlife.
A nice walk up to the Castle, (of Arabic origin) which offers a spectacular view of the National Park, and a main point to watch raptors flying. Later on, picnic lunch by Villarreal de San Carlos.
THE DAY OF LOS BARRUECOS
Travel by coach for a visit to the Natural Monument of Los Barruecos, with huge granite boulders, one of the few places in Europe where white storks nest on the ground.
Long walk around the lake and a visit to Museum Vostell Malpartida.
In the afternoon we travel northern to overnight in remote old convent from XV converted into hotel, for second half of the tour
THE DAY OF CAPARRA ROMAN RUINS.
Travel by bus to Oliva de Plasencia and a morning walk throw the old road to the Romans ruins of Caparra a roman market town , thank to the its strategic situation on the silver route. The Arc of Caparra it’s the highlight, a four –fronted arch structure unique in the Iberian Peninsula.
Later on some time off to discover Plasencia, medieval walled market town and back to overnight.
THE DAY OF THE TAJO INTERNATIONAL PARK.
Morning excursion to Tagus Valley, we cross the Majestic and well preserved Roman Bridge over the Tagus, built on the Roman road that connects Caceres with Viseu in Portugal. A walk beside the river in what was once Portugal, now part of the Tajo International Natural Park, share by Spain and Portugal
Time for a stroll around Alcantara the local village of historical importance, many nobles houses dotted with coat of arms and the convent of San Benito with a gothic cloister.
Return home and end of the tour.
