Merida
you will be surprised how green what is , the culture that lives its streets, the exquisiteness of its gastronomy, the care of its hotels and above all the hospitality of its people . But above all you will be surprised that it has not surprised you before.
1) IF YOU LIKE THAT THE PLANS GO WELL
He stars in an escapist and sybaritic plan and reserves a room at Finca el Cortiñal. In the province of Caceres and a few minutes from Portuguese Alentejo you will find an Extremaduran farmhouse rehabilitated according to the aesthetics of the Tuscany . First surprise. Then let the landscape of olive trees and cork oaks calm you down, take a walk around its spectacular artificial lake and reserve a treatment in its exclusive spa without forgetting about hamman . The next day you can ask them to prepare a picnic , they will do it with great detail, blanket to sit on included.
An Extremaduran farmhouse according to the aesthetics of Tuscany
Then you can make a route by car and get to the border, to Valencia de Alcantara , where you can visit its megalithic complex and the Portuguese towns of Marvao Y Castle of Vide , two white villages of medieval aesthetics to which the passage of time has hardly paid attention.
To complete the excursion, do not miss visiting the Vostell Museum in bad luck . Built in an old wool laundry from the 17th century in the middle of the landscape of The Berruecos . Its founder, the German Wolf Vostell was the initiator of flux group , father of Happening in Europe.
Castelo de Vide, a white village with medieval aesthetics
2) IF YOU LIKE TO EAT YOU ARE IN CONGRATULATIONS
from the tasty goat meat even the blunt soups, the crumbs Y desserts . Everything is delicious, but there are three unavoidable treatments for your palate.
Atrium Restaurant
A must if you are a good foodie. In the heart of Caceres old town , in the wonderful San Mateo Square , Atrio surprises with its eclectic decoration and thanks to its chef Tony Perez , get you to take a walk through the best gastronomic essences of the region. Do not stop visit your winery and book one dinner on your terrace with views to bring you an excellent taste in your mouth.
Atrio Restaurant: one of the best collections of sweet wines in the world
Jamon
The pigs that are raised in the peaceful Dehesas of Extremadura offer some hams that are well they deserve a tribute . Marbled and juicy, they are an essential delicatessen. In Albuquerque, Badajoz , you will find the most expensive ham in the world . It is manufactured by the Maldonado house and can cost 1500 euros the piece . In case you did not count on that outlay, they have other "more normal" ones that will also make you salivate with pleasure.
The cheese
The cakes of the Serena, of Badajoz Y of Marry , of Caceres They leave no one indifferent. Two sheep cheeses ranging from fatty to extra fatty and that impose, yes or yes, the healthy habit of spreading …and enjoy. It is also convenient for you to know that Extremaduran shepherds, faithful to an ancient Mediterranean tradition, use the natural rennet from thistle flowers to curdle milk . An extra point of flavor.
Melted pleasure from Extremadura
3) IF YOU LIKE MUSEUMS
** National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida, by Rafael Moneo**
Thanks to its construction in 1986 Mérida became a thematic city where you can breathe the essence of Roman empire . In addition to the atmosphere of the building, be sure to admire its extremely careful pieces and its fantastic mosaics.
If you want to complete the experience, make a reservation to see a function in its classical theater . Despite the warmth of the summer nights, you will not be able to prevent a shiver from running through your body.
** The MEIAC, Extremeño and Ibero-American Museum of Contemporary Art (Badajoz) **
The quantity and quality of the spanish works, Portuguese and Iberoamerican that the Museum keeps, as well as its temporary collections . If you want to be part of the emotion of art, do not deprive yourself of participating in one of its many workshops. And get ready for the surprise, in this museum surprises both the content and the continent.
Extremeño and Iberoamerican Museum of Contemporary Art
4) IF YOU LIKE NATURE
You are in the domain of stormy rivers , of the infinite parks and meadows that blend with the horizon. But you are also very well located if you want to get started in the birdwatching.
Natural Park of Monfragüe and Meadows of Monfragüe
The place you cannot miss if you want to get in touch with your most natural self . Here you can stroll at will, alone or on a guided tour, to ride a horse or do kayak . It is also the place to start observing the birds from the hands of the best experts.
** Hells Gorge **.
If you want to be part of one of the most shared photos of Extremadura you have to take a steep walk up the course of the Jerte River . The route to the pylons hard 17 kilometers and it is circular but certainly worth every step.
The most natural contact in Dehesas de Monfragüe
5) IF YOU LIKE MONASTERIES
If you want to put a little spirituality in your world and it makes you curious to know where our most popular emperor wanted to spend the last days of his life. Don't deprive yourself. Here are two essential suggestions.
Guadalupe Monastery
The Guadalupe's Virgin is the Patron Saint of Extremadura so get ready for the media rollout. A unique monastery that mixes as if inadvertently the gothic styles, Mudejar, Renaissance, baroque Y neoclassic and that since 1993 is World Heritage . If the mystical vein attacks you strongly, you should know that it has a 47-room hostel. Perfect plan to meditate.
Yuste Monastery
Let yourself be captivated by the magic that emanates from the black velvet lined walls of the room Charles I of Spain , when in 1557 he changed the course of history and retired to this enclave to live in peace his last days . Stone and green nature that will make you feel precisely like this: in peace.
The Virgin of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of Extremadura
6) IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE MOST HIPSTER BADAJOZ
Take a tour of the essential Tusitala Bookstore, sign up for any of its interesting gatherings and see who comes as a guest character. The list is usually large and of quality. By the way, Tusitala is the name they gave the natives of the island of Samoa to Robert Louis Stevenson and means " the one who tells stories ”
A complete declaration of intentions that together with its philosophy slow-life will leave you more than ready to enter with full honors in the Dada Coffee . A gastronomic and cultural space located in the Solitude Square , in the center of the city, serving about organic breakfasts unforgettable and where you can eat dishes of the day with names as suggestive as Miles Davies lentils either black rice with Barry White . Yes, they also have a gin and tonic menu, more than 25 reference gins in total.
To end the night, take a walk around the aphtasi , one of the best kept secrets of the old town, a concert hall, theaters Y shows between the avant-garde and the burlesque where the best of the national and international music in concert.
Zafra, in Badajoz
7) IF THE ETHNIC MUSIC PLAYS YOU
You cannot miss the WOMAD in Cáceres, firstly because you will also enjoy a privileged environment, the fantastic medieval old town from the city. Second, because its streets will become one party of all the embassies of the world and third, because, if you like music from all corners of the world, here you will find it on every corner and you can go scheduling which groups to follow around the planet.