Category: Europe 2019

Salamanca to Avila

Sunday morning we walked across the Roman bridge from our Parador into Salamanca. When we were in the old town Saturday night the place was packed with people. Sunday morning it was almost empty which allowed us to appreciate the buildings.

About half way through our back roads drive to Avila we came upon Ermita de las Fuentes, a wonderful old church near the ridge top a long way from the nearest habitation. They had picnic tables so we had a wonderful picnic.

We found our Parador in Avila fairly easily. After our welcome drinks and the obligatory Duke vs Butch cribbage game we went out to walk the wall surrounding Avila. The wall is quite amazing. It is more than three kilometers long and very tall and formidable.

Casa de Insua, Portugal to Salamanca, Spain

Saturday morning we went through the museum at Casa de Insua before starting our travels for the day. Luis de Albuquerque built the Casa de Insua estate using his earnings from when he was Governor General of northern Brazil in the latter 1700s. His maps and artifacts are fascinating. All the tools and wine and olive oil making equipment were also fun to see. His electrical plant was one of the first in Portugal.

We did get off the main road and drive a few backroads on our way to Salamanca. I finally got some pictures of pigs grazing under the oak trees on their way to becoming Spain’s iconic Jamon Iberico.

In Salamanca we walked into the old town from our Parador and explored a bit.

Ciudad Rodrigo to Parador Casa de Insua, Portugal

Friday morning in Ciudad Rodrigo we walked around the town a bit.

I mailed some post cards.

Then we headed towards Portugal. At the border we headed north on a back road to the town and fortifications of Almeida. The walls are in a hexagonal shape and consist of six bulwarks each with its own raveling. The massive fortification is difficult to appreciate from ground level.

There were sheep grazing beside one of the walls.

I totally enjoyed the military history museum.

Down the road a bit we stopped at the small village of Castelo Mendo and had coffee.

We are staying at the only Parador in Portugal. Duke and stayed at Casa Insua in February of 2016. The Parador is in a gorgeous country mansion surrounded by gardens. We had our welcome drink on the patio while Duke beat Butch playing cribbage.

Then we went for a walk in the gardens.

For dinner we beautifully presented and equally tasty.

Plasencia to Ciudad Rodrigo

Before leaving Plasencia Thursday morning we walked around the historic center checking out the churches and historic buildings.

Next we stopped at an Aldi grocery store to buy food for our planned picnic dinner.

When we left Plasencia Thursday morning our first stop was the lookout Mirador Monte Valcorchero. It gives a panoramic view of Plasencia and all the surrounding countryside and the fields surrounding the lookout are covered with cork trees. In the picture below you can see where the cork bark has been stripped of the lower trunk of the tree.

We took backroads to Ciudad Rodrigo driving through thinly populated mountains.

Our Parador in Ciudad Rodrigo is in a former castle. We checked in then climbed to the top of the tower and walked around the wall.

For dinner we had a picnic in our room.

Cáceres to Plasencia

In Cáceres the Staue of the Virgin of the Mountain is brought from the mountain down to the main church before Easter. Then during the first week in May she is carried back to the mountain. This morning after breakfast we went to see the Virgin.

Next we visited the nearby museum and climbed the tower of the Church of San Francisco de Javier.

The crypt of the church has an interesting display about the procession that brings the Virgin down from the mountain

Soon after leaving Cáceres we saw a sign for a Roman Villa. We drove down a dirt road for a couple of miles and came upon the ruins of the villa.

It was a warm day and the sun was intense. We got a few burs in our socks but it was interesting to explore.

We got back on the road and next came to Monfragüe National Park. The terrain and vegetation in this area reminds me of California.

Parador Plasencia is in a former convent. Our dinner was in a beautiful old convent room.

Duke had smoked trout with tomato ice cream as a starter.

My main course was fish and Duke had suckling pig.

Our deserts were wonderful too.