Spain’s Silver Route Walk

Upon arrival in Madrid, transfer to Guadalupe and check in to our hotel, located within the complex of the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe and set amid lush gardens and courtyards in exquisitely restored buildings from the 15th century.

Begin with a visit to the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe where we see the Virgin of Guadalupe, the most beloved devotional figure of the Spanish conquistadors, as well as the magnificent Zurbarán paintings in the sacristy. This afternoon, walk down from the town towards the village of Cañameros before returning to our parador hotel.

This morning, depart Guadalupe and travel to the ancient city of Mérida. Explore its theater, amphitheater, and 64-arch granite bridge—considered some of the greatest Roman ruins outside of Italy. Mérida is also the start of the ruta de la plata, the famous “silver route” that provided access to the Castilian cities of the north. After lunch, take a short walk in the Sierra de Montánchez before continuing by road to the medieval town of Trujillo.

Drive to the provincial capital of Cáceres, where magnificent fortified houses and palaces, paid for by gold and silver from the New World, line its cobbled streets. Take a walking tour of the medieval old town, then spend the afternoon at leisure.

Today’s walk begins in Torrejón el Rubio, the jumping off point for our exploration of Monfragüe National Park. Walk across classic Extremaduran countryside, stopping for a picnic lunch in the grassland dotted with oaks. Afterward, continue to the medieval town of Plasencia, where we spend the next two nights in a newly converted convent from the 15th century. 

Venture to the nearby Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste, site of the burial of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Our walk leads us towards the Castle of Jarandilla, which was home to the Emperor while he awaited the completion of his apartments in the nearby monastery. This is one of the gastronomic centers of Spain, especially noted for its red peppers.

Take the Roman road to the Béjar pass for a walk through the mountains down to a Roman bridge. We continue our walk in the afternoon before driving to the town of La Alberca, hidden in the Sierra de Francia. This is the region of Las Hurdes, made famous by a short documentary film by the great Luís Buñuel that highlighted the remoteness of the area.

Gaze at the stunning mountain scenery as we walk high above La Alberca. Our walk descends slowly to the lovely town, where we have time at leisure to stroll the colonnaded arcades before driving back to our hotel.

This morning, we leave the mountains of the Sierra de Francia and walk along a beautiful river valley. After lunch, continue by road to the city of Salamanca and check in to our hotel, built on the site of a 16th-century palace. Dine in the old quarter near the main square, perhaps sampling the famous suckling pig or lamb.

Spend a full day exploring this great Castilian city. Take in the magnificent Plaza Mayor, considered one of Spain’s finest central squares. Marvel at the late-Gothic Salamanca Cathedral and its Romanesque predecessor, the Cathedral of Santa María. Then, wander among the sandstone buildings of Spain’s oldest university, founded in 1218.

Depart this morning by road for Madrid. Check in to our hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure for independent pursuits. Tonight, gather to toast our journey at a farewell dinner.

This morning, transfer to Madrid airport to catch flights returning home.