Bright Extremadura

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 : ARRIVAL SEVILLE

Stop At: Seville Airport, A-4, Km. 532, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
Arrive in beautiful Seville, meet with the rent-a-car representative, pick up your car, and drive to your hotel for check-in. Explore the charming capital of Andalusia. Visit some of its top attractions such as the Royal Alcazar palace and the cathedral – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites – as well as Santa Cruz, its most picturesque inner-city neighbourhood. The Royal Alcazar traces its origins to the 10th century when it became the palace of a Moorish caliph. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, whose glorious Giralda belfry is Seville’s most iconic symbol. It started as a mosque in the 12th century and has since grown to become the third-largest church in the world. Explore lively Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter and today the most traditional neighbourhood in the old town.
Overnight in Seville.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Catalonia Giralda or similar 4*

Day 2: Day 2 : SEVILLE – ZAFRA (145 Km – 1.5 hrs)

Stop At: Parador de Zafra, Plaza Corazón de María, 7, 06300 Zafra, Badajoz, Spain
Bid farewell to Seville after a delicious breakfast at the hotel, departing for Zafra, also known as Little Seville. Situated at the foot of the steep rocky mountains of Sierra de Castellar, the town is dominated by the 15th-century fortress with a military appearance. The medieval quarter stretches around the fortress, in a network of narrow streets that form a peculiar pattern that resembles the shell of a turtle. Plaza Grande (Big Square), lined with arches, is at the heart of the town and it is connected to Plaza Chica (Small square) through the popular "Arquillo del Pan" (the small arch of bread). Zafra's monumental heritage is very rich, with great buildings such as the sumptuous collegiate church of La Candelaria, the parish church of San José, several convents, most of which date from the 16th century, and the hospital of Santiago, founded in the 15th century. As for the civil architecture, there are numerous ancestral homes from the 16th-18th centuries, as well as middle-class homes from the 19th century.
Overnight in Zafra.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Zafra or similar 4*

Day 3: Day 3 : ZAFRA – BADAJOZ – CACERES (170 Km – 2.5 hrs)

Stop At: Parador de Cáceres, Calle Ancha, 6, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before leaving for Badajoz, which is situated just at the border with Portugal. The city has great treasures from the era of Moslem domination. The Alcazaba, or fortress, from the 12th century, the largest which remains in Spain and the Espantaperros Tower, one of the symbols of the city which is located next to the Puerta de Palmas Door, as well as the Plaza Alta (High Square) and La Soledad Hermitage. After exploring this city continue towards Caceres. The medieval walled old town of Caceres is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with fortified homes, Renaissance palaces and historic churches. The walled area is compact and there are two main clusters of monuments. In the Santa Maria-Golfines area one can find the Renaissance Toledo-Moctezuma Palace as well as the Co-cathedral of St Mary, while the area around the Plaza de las Veletas-Plaza San Mateo is dominated by the 15th century Cigüeñas Palace.
Overnight in Caceres.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Caceres or similar 4*

Day 4: Day 4 : CACERES – PLASENCIA – JARANDILLA DE LA VERA (130 Km – 2 hrs)

Stop At: Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera, Av. Antonio García Prieto, 1, 10450 Jarandilla de la Vera, Cáceres, Spain
Depart after breakfast at the hotel, heading to Plasencia. Surrounded by the city walls since its foundation by Alfonso VIII of Castile, Plasencia's city centre has been declared to be a Cultural Heritage Site. After exploring the medieval old town and main attractions, continue to Jarandilla de la Vera. This is famous for being one of the best paprika production areas and there is even a museum devoted to it. One important place in La Vera is the Monastery of Yuste, a National Heritage site, located in Cuacos de Yuste. This was the place where Emperor Carlos V spent his final days.
Overnight in Jarandilla de la Vera.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category =Parador Jarandilla de la Vera or similar 4*

Day 5: Day 5 : JARANDILLA DE LA VERA – GUADALUPE - TRUJILLO (180 Km – 3 hrs)

Stop At: Parador de Turismo de Trujillo, Calle Sta. Beatriz de Silva, 1, 10200 Trujillo, Cáceres, Spain
Take the road after breakfast at the hotel and head towards sensational Guadalupe. This typical mountain village is set on the foothill of Sierra de Altamira and has a remarkable monumental patrimony. It is known for the Monastery of Guadalupe, declared World Heritage Site. After exploring this area continue to Trujillo. Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews and Christians have defined their identity here for centuries. The Plaza Mayor and the historic centre have magnificent palatial architecture, having been built with the fortunes from America. The city is birthplace to important figures from the Age of Discovery, such as Pizarro, explorer of Peru, and Orellana, discoverer of the Amazon River.
Overnight in Trujillo.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Trujillo or similar 4*

Day 6: Day 6 : TRUJILLO – MERIDA (90 Km – 1 hr)

Stop At: Parador de Mérida, Calle Almendralejo, 56, 06800 Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
Depart from Trujillo to Merida after breakfast at the hotel. Merida is a beautiful city with an impressive monumental legacy from Roman times. The archaeological site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Impressive landmarks are the Roman amphitheatre and theatre, which hosts the Classical International Theater Festival each summer, the bridge, the Temple of Diana and the Circus, prooving this city´s glorious past.To get an idea of what Hispania was like in the times of the Roman Empire, it is recommendable to visit the National Museum of Roman Art, which is the only one in Spain.
Overnight in Merida.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Parador Merida or similar 4*

Day 7: Day 7 : MERIDA – SEVILLA (200 Km – 2 hrs)

Pass By: Hotel Catalonia Giralda, Callejón Sierra Nevada, 3, 41003 Sevilla, Spain
Indulge in a delicious breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Seville and take the opportunity to visit and enjoy this wonderful city again.
Overnight in Seville.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Catalonia Giralda or similar 4*

Day 8: Day 8 : DEPART SEVILLE

Pass By: Seville Airport, A-4, Km. 532, 41020 Sevilla, Spain
Begin your last day in Seville with a tasty breakfast. Then, at the appropriate time, head towards the rental company to return the vehicle. The rent-a-car shuttle service will transfer you to the terminal to catch your flight back home.
Breakfast included.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.