We left Toledo on Saturday, barely recovered from Christmas, with a picnic packed. The weather report was not promising, but we were full of anticipation as we headed south west towards Merida, passports tucked in, just in case. In case of what?, I don't know, but it never hurts to have lots of identification.
We arrived in Merida with the rain. I had such high hopes for the city, with its crowds of Roman ruins, but it was our first disappointment. Although the ruins are well preserved and featured, the city itself seems to built with a distracted mind.
We left soon and started towards the Portuguese border, making sure to stop first and fill up the gas tank (oh, the horror stories of gas prices in Portugal!). We passed quickly by the ghost buildings of the former border crossing and found our hotel with the help of our new best traveling friend, our GPS.
Our four star rural hotel for 28 euros was a great value, although we would soon discover how cold it was. I woke up the next morning stiff, from the shivering and tensing of muscles to keep myself in the twin bed that Jose and I were stuffed into to try to generate body heat.
Day two was full of fun sight seeing: Elvas, fortress town built back when Spain was the enemy.
Vila Vicosa, Borba and Estremoz: three "marble" towns, with lemon and orange tree lined streets and everything made out of marble!
Evora and the dolmens: Evora was a wonderful little town, just the type of place I'd like to live (if I moved to Portugal). The dolmens were perfect. The road up to them was in the middle of a cork tree forest and it was covered in fog. Over 7000 years old, it was the perfect backdrop for a lovely stop.
Pictures!
