Purest Spain: Ecotourism in Extremadura

Bienvenidos a España! Welcome to Spain!

Upon arriving in Madrid, pick up your hybrid car rental at the airport. Check-in at the Urban Green Hotel ARTIEM Madrid (or similar), located in Arturo Soria, a district of Madrid.

The first part of today can be taken at your own leisure. We suggest heading to the centre of Madrid on the Metro so you can explore the city at your own pace (without worrying about parking) and have lunch or a snack along the way. You can start at El Retiro Park, one of Madrid’s eight city parks and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Providing a green oasis in the heart of the city, you’ll find all kinds of interesting monuments and gardens. Continue on through the Palacio de los Cibeles, Gran Via, Plaza Espana, and Palacio Real before meeting your guide at an agreed-upon point for your evening activity.

Having worked up an appetite, it’s time to join a passionate foodie who will take you (with a small group) deeper inside the Madrid tapas scene. Weaving between century-old tapas bars, historic plazas, and mystery-filled streets, you’ll discover how the story of Madrid is as much a tale of kings and wars as it is one of garlic shrimp and crusty bread. The start of your Madrid tapas tour will be in a historic tavern, where you’ll sip vermouth and try a typical aperitivo bite. This traditional stop will be your introduction to what going out for tapas really means in Madrid.

You’ll start the 45-minute history walk in the oldest part of Madrid by heading towards the Royal Palace. As you explore the Habsburg neighbourhood, you’ll discover its hidden squares and secrets while hearing the story of how Madrid transformed from a small village into the capital of one of the world’s greatest empires.

The next tapas bar is best known for one thing: grilled mushrooms. Learn the surprising and fun way to eat them and sample some addictive padrón peppers. To wash it all down, you’ll try a simple wine cocktail that locals enjoy on a night out.

On your way to the third bar, you’ll pass through one of Madrid’s key squares and discover its hidden backstreets before tasting one of Madrid’s signature tapas: gambas al ajillo, or garlic shrimp. You’ll hear how this family-run bar claims to have invented this now-classic dish-  and they’ve been in business since 1906! You’ll also get to enjoy a glass of wine from their family vineyard.

For your last stop on the tour, you’ll squeeze into one of Madrid’s last remaining traditional tapas institutions, sit down, and start passing shared plates of Spanish specialities around.

After your tour of the city’s tapas haunts, return to the Urban Green Hotel. Committed to reducing its greenhouse emissions by 80% over the next 8 years, this particular hotel also has a strong focus on wellbeing and relaxation, so you’ll be sure to get a good night’s sleep in readiness for tomorrow.

Driving distance from the airport to Urban Green Hotel ARTIEM Madrid: 5.7 miles (9.2 km), approx. 13 minutes.

Prepare yourselves for the day ahead with breakfast in the hotel’s Green Restaurant, which serves only fresh, healthy, and seasonal foods. This morning, you’ll drive to the Valle del Jerte in the province of Cáceres, where your Extremadura adventure starts.

The drive from Madrid to your starting point in Extremadura will take up to three hours, and we suggest stopping off at the pretty town of Plasencia on the way to your accommodation, which is just a further 8.6 miles along the valley.

Plasencia is a medieval market town, surrounded by a double line of city walls with six gates and 68 towers! It also boasts the remains of a 16th-century aqueduct, a complex of two cathedrals known as Las Catedrales, and is a gateway to Monfragüe National Park. Please note you will be returning to Plasencia on day 5 for a guided tour, however, you may want to make time for lunch here and sample some of Plasencia’s local cuisine, such as “migas” (breadcrumbs with sausage and bacon), their casseroles, and tench – a freshwater game fish.

Your accommodation for the next three nights is the sustainability award-winning Jardin de las Delizias, situated on an ecological cherry farm. You’ll be staying in one of three Mongolian yurts, each handmade and painted by Mongolian artisans, equipped with all modern comforts and set in a private garden, the perfect spot for stargazing as well as bathing in the pool.

Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day can be spent at leisure, enjoying the beauty of the Jerte Valley in this unique accommodation. Recommendations can be given for a number of restaurants within five miles of the Jardin de las Delizias.

Driving distance between Madrid and the Jardin de las Delizias: 19 miles (30.5km), approx. 25 min.

After breakfast at the Jardin de las Delicias, you’ll drive to an agreed meeting point for a guided excursion through the Valle del Jerte to admire one of Extremadura’s most beautiful landscapes, designated a Cultural Place of Interest.

The Jerte Valley, with its wide variety of flora and fauna, is synonymous with nature and relaxation. Oaks, chestnut, strawberry, and willow can be found in the valley, but, without doubt, the star of the show is the cherry tree. The valley reaches its pinnacle of beauty in the spring, when the blossom creates a great white mantle covering the valley, a sight never to be forgotten. However, the valley’s autumn colours are considered just as stunning, while summer is the perfect time to take a dip in the Natural Reserve of La Garganta de los Infiernos.

During this 4×4 tour through the Umbria of the Jerte Valley, you’ll visit the Calderon Waterfall, which can only be accessed by jeep and is far from the crowds and spring bustle. Then you’ll head on to the Caozo Waterfall, the best known in the valley, which you’ll access via a small mountain path (with little difficulty and just a 5 minute walk).

The excursion will end in Los Pilones, the middle section of the Garganta de los Infiernos, where you’ll see how the water has eroded the rock to create an incredible succession of giant pylons and kettles, without a doubt the best known natural landscape of the Jerte Valley! So incredible is this place that it was listed by National Geographic magazine as one of the “15 most amazing places in the world to bathe.”

After some free time for lunch, your guide will take you to Quesería Doña Francisca in Casar de Cáceres, an artisan cheese dairy where you’ll get to discover, in a very visual and educational way, the process of making cheeses and Torta del Casar. Through a commented tasting of ten different cheeses, you’ll appreciate the differences between each of them.

After the artisan cheese factory, you have free time for dinner and to drive back to your accommodation.

Driving distance from Jardin de las Delicias to Jerte Valley: 9.4 miles (15.1 km), approx. 25 mins.

Driving distance from Jerte Valley to the artisan cheese factory: 66.7 miles (107.3 km), approx. 1 hr.

After breakfast, you will drive the short distance to Monfragüe National Park, where you will meet your guide for the day. On the way, it’s recommended that you stop and buy a picnic to enjoy in the park.

The Monfragüe National Park lies in the valley of the Tagus River. Besides its natural beauty, Monfragüe is known for its exotic birdlife and abundance of wild animals. On arrival, you’ll meet an expert naturalist who will be your guide and driver, leading the way into Monfragüe in a 4WD on a guided safari.

With binoculars in hand, you’ll travel through the park, stopping as your guide points out fauna such as black vultures, Spanish imperial eagles, deer, river otters, foxes, and much more. The tour also includes stops at famous landmarks such as the Salto del Gitano, a prime viewpoint overlooking the valley, and Puente del Cardenal, a stone bridge running over the Tagus River. You’ll also stop at many other stunning viewpoints and, as a bonus, take a break for your picnic amid Monfragüe’s unspoiled nature.

After your guided safari, you’ll leave the park and drive back to your accommodation. Dinner can be taken at leisure, either at the hotel or in a local restaurant. Recommendations will be given.

Driving distance from Jardin de las Delicias to Monfragüe National Park: 20.3 miles (32.7km), approx. 35 mins.

Today, after breakfast, you will be checking out of the Jardin de las Delicias to continue your journey to Sierra de Gata.

First, you’ll return to the beautiful old town of Plasencia to discover its medieval past on a guided tour of the two cathedrals and its historic quarter, classified as one of Spain’s Asset of Cultural Interest.

Located on the bank of the Jerte River, Plasencia’s historic quarter is a consequence of the city’s strategic location along the Silver Route, or Ruta de la Plata. The medieval layout of the city can be seen in the remains of the walls, towers and gate, such as the Sol Gate and the Santa Maria postern. In Plasencia’s city centre is the main square, Plaza Mayor, a meeting point that comes alive during the celebration of Martes Mayor (Shrove Tuesday). As you stroll through the medieval streets you’ll discover stately buildings such as the Palacio de los Monroy and Casa de las Dos Torres, one of the oldest in the city. You’ll also visit a Chalcolithic archaeological site and much more…

If visiting during March to April you may also get to experience the town’s celebrations of the blossoming of its cherry trees.

Make time for lunch in one of Plasencia’s many traditional restaurants as, this afternoon, you’ll continue your journey to Sierra de Gata and the rugged yet tranquil landscapes of one of Spain’s main mountain ranges of the ‘Sistema Central’. Nestled within this picturesque region is the timeless fortress, Trevejo Castle. At sunset, you’ll get to venture into the heart of this ancient stronghold where a visit to a local wine cellar awaits. Amidst the weathered stones, you’ll get to savour the region’s finest wines alongside an exquisite array of artisanal cheeses – a perfect blend of Sierra de Gata history, wine and gastronomy!

After your visit to Trevejo Castle, you’ll drive the short distance to the Rural Hotel A Velha Fábrica in the town of Valverde del Fresno, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. This beautiful, award-winning hotel is set in a well-preserved house on the remains of an old textile, olive oil and soap factory. Leading by example, it was one of the first to be powered by photovoltaic panels and in 2019, won the Award for Best Rural Hotel in Spain. You’ll be able to sample plenty of local delicacies in its restaurants, including the high-quality 100% Manzanilla Cacereña extra virgin olive oil the area is famous for.

Driving distance from Plasencia to Sierra de Gata: 56.9 miles (91.6 km), approx. 1 hr.

Driving distance from Trevejo Castle to Rural Hotel A Velha Fábrica Hotel: 12.9 miles (21 km), approx. 20 mins.

Today, you become a shepherd for the day! After an early breakfast in the hotel, you’ll drive to La Frondosa Cheesery where you’ll meet your guide. First, you’ll help milk the goats from which the well-known goat’s milk cheeses of the Sierra de Gata are made, before learning how to make the cheese (if required, a translator can be hired for this part of the day).

You’ll then head out on an excursion with the goats and the farm dogs. This cheesery has a strong focus on animal welfare and every day the herds go out to a grazing field where they have a diverse diet of flowers, bushes and grasses, which is strongly reflected in the flavour of the cheeses.

After your day of shepherding and cheese making, you have the rest of the day at leisure. You can stop on your way to have dinner, or enjoy dinner back at the hotel.

Driving distance from Rural Hotel A Velha Fábrica Hotel to La Frondosa: 34 miles (55km), approx. 28mins.

After breakfast in the hotel, you’ll check out and drive to the historic town of Trujillo where you’ll meet an expert guide for a walk. Trujillo dates back to Roman times and, as you walk the cobbled streets with your guide, you’ll learn all about the town’s rich historical legacy (the conquistador Francisco Pizarro was born here) and marvel at the mix of Gothic, Moorish, Jewish and Christian influences in its medieval and renaissance buildings.

As you visit the major sites in town, you’ll come to the central Plaza Mayor, a throwback to medieval times surrounded by buildings and churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Up from the plaza is the Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor, the most important church in town and where, from the top of its two towers, you can enjoy splendid views of the town and surrounding countryside. The walk also includes a visit to Trujillo Castle, the 9th century fortress perched on a hill overlooking the town.

Make time for lunch in Trujillo, as, after your guided walk, you’ll continue your drive to your next destination, Mérida, the capital of Extremadura, where you’ll check into the Rural Hotel Cerro Principe (for the next two nights).

Preserving the original charm of an old farmhouse, this rural casa has done its utmost to conserve the monument in which it is set, preserving its mud brick vaults, masonry walls and stone floors. With a strong musical heritage, during the summer months, you can enjoy live jazz concerts on the patio.

Dinner can be taken at leisure either at the hotel or in a local restaurant. Recommendations will be given.

Driving distance from Sierra de Gata to Trujillo: 102 miles (164 km), approx. 2 hrs.

Driving distance Trujillo to Merida 62.2 miles (100.1 km), approx. 55 mins.

Today, after breakfast, you’ll be meeting a local expert guide who will lead you on a walk through the city, taking you through Mérida’s historic centre which features more extensive Roman ruins than anywhere else in Spain, hence it’s nickname “Little Rome”. Because of the sheer number of Roman archaeological sites, Mérida was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986.

Mérida was founded as a Roman colony in 25CE by Emperor Octavio Augustus and, as the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, it featured all the architectural hallmarks of a great city. Your guide will lead you to many of these landmarks including the open-air Roman Theatre, the Puente Romano (stone bridge of the River Guadiana), the Circo Romano (ancient hippodrome) and, just outside the Roman city walls, the Casa del Mitreo. This Roman house was decorated with high quality frescoes and mosaics, the most important being the Cosmological Mosaic representing Heaven, Earth and the Sea.

After the barbarians invaded in the 5th century, Mérida became the capital of the Visigoth Kingdom of Hispania. In 713, the city fell into Muslim hands where it remained until the Christian re-conquest in 1230.

Entrance fees to all archaeological sites, plus the National Roman Art Museum of Mérida, are included in your tour. You’ll have time to take lunch in the town (at own expense) and the rest of the day and evening will be at leisure. Recommendations for dinner will be given.

All of today is self-guided and there is a possibility of going on a hot air balloon ride with Extremadura en Globo very early in the morning. Taking you over the ancient buildings and Roman ruins of Mérida, the views you’ll get on this one hour experience will be spectacular. However, as always, ballooning is very dependent on the weather and conditions are monitored closely in the days leading up to the planned event.

If it’s not possible, we recommend a leisurely breakfast before checking out of the hotel and spending the day exploring the towns and castles of the area at your own pace. With a 60 to 70km radius, there are many towns worth visiting, such as Fregenal de la Sierra, Zafra, Segura de Leon, Calera de Leon and Monasterio de Tentudia.

Later today, you’ll arrive at your accommodation for the next three nights – the e-EyE entre Encinas y Estrellas, just 7.5km from Fregenal de la Sierra. Located in an area with some of the best quality dark skies (i.e. no light pollution) in Europe, the e-EyE offers a truly unique astronomical experience. As a social enterprise, the e-EyE was launched to serve a special cause – enabling people to discover the universe! You can also totally immerse yourself in nature by exploring the beautiful surroundings and discover the local birds and wildlife. And on top of all that, the e-EyE has received awards for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector.

There are plenty of nearby options for dinner in the nearby town of Fregenal de la Sierra, just a 10 minute drive from the e-Eye. Recommendations can be given.

Driving distance from Mérida to e-EyE entre Encinas y Estrellas: 62.3 miles (100 km), approx. 1 hr 15 mins.

Today, after breakfast, you’ll head to a livestock farm in the Province of Badajoz for a gastronomic experience. Your guided visit to the farm includes explanations on the integration of livestock in the ecosystem and includes a cooking demonstration and a tasting menu.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure and you may want to continue exploring the beautiful towns of the region.

Tonight, back at the e-EyE, you’ll have a guided astronomy experience, learning about the constellations, how to orient yourself and satisfy your curiosities about the stars. Using one of the e-EyE’s six 16-inch telescopes, you’ll see the most representative astronomical objects depending on the time of year: galaxies, globular clusters, double stars, planetary nebulae and of course the rings of Saturn or Jupiter. You’ll feel like you can almost touch the moon! You may also have the opportunity to use the e-EyE’s mini observation tower, R2D2.

Dinner can be taken in a local restaurant in Fregenal de la Sierra. Recommendations can be given.

Driving distance from the e-EyE to the livestock farm: 15 miles (24km), approx. 20 mins.

Today is all about Iberian Ham! After breakfast, you will meet your guide for the day at the agreed meeting point towards the Comarcas (counties) of Sierra Suroeste or Los Baldíos where you will see the entire process of raising the Iberian pig.

You will pass through La Dehesa, where the Iberico pigs fatten on an acorn rich diet during la Montanera (the autumn season of acorn foraging in this part of Spain) until the moment in which they become part of one of the most representative delicacies that identify the Province of Badajoz.

The safari begins with a visit to a farm where you will see all stages of the process of raising, drying and curing the pig, learning how to correctly cut the ham. All of which is followed by ham tastings. You will be provided with a road map, details of the 4×4 route, entrance to the farm, a picnic lunch, the guided tour and information on the area.

After your ham safari, a visit to Jerez de los Caballeros is suggested. This beautiful old town is the capital and largest city of the Comarca of Sierra Suroeste, situated on two hills affording panoramic views of the area and overlooking the River Ardila. It is surrounded by a Moorish wall with six gates and can easily be walked to discover its towers, fortress, church and temple. You’ll also note the many orange and other fruit trees!

Enjoy dinner here, at your own leisure, before returning to your hotel. Head to Santa Maria for traditional dishes, or La Ermita, located in an old chapel, or any of the restaurants you find just by wandering through the town.

Driving distance between the hotel and the Dehesa: 19 miles (30.5km), approx. 25mins.

After a leisurely breakfast, say farewell to this beautiful, unknown region of Spain, as it’s time to drive to Madrid where you will return to spend your last night at the Urban Green Hotel (or similar).

Drive from Plasencia to Madrid: 272 miles (438 km), approx. 4hrs 30mins.

Sadly, this concludes your great Spanish adventure and it’s time to say farewell. After a leisurely breakfast, drop off your car at the airport where you’ll catch your flight home.

Adiós, que tengas un buen viaje!