#MAGICALVILLAGES - PATH TO THE SIERRA DE FRANCIA BETWEEN THE FORDS OF THE TAJO AND JERTE

3:00 p.m. – Arrival in Alcántara: check-in and visit to the Tourist Office.

3:30 p.m. – Walk through the historic center (duration: 1 hour):

• Meeting point: Plaza de España.
• Discover the Roman Bridge and cobbled streets with a local guide.

4:30 p.m. – Guided visit to the Convent of San Benito (duration: 1 hour):

• Former headquarters of the Military Order of Alcántara.

8:30 p.m. – Dinner at the hotel:

• Specialty: Extremaduran caldereta (meat stew).
• Wine pairing: red wine from D.O. Ribera del Guadiana.

Accommodation: overnight stay in Alcántara.

08:30 a.m. – Breakfast at the accommodation: toasted candeal bread with extra virgin olive oil and honey from Las Hurdes.

09:00 a.m. – Guided walk around the Alcántara Bridge (duration: 1 hour).

• Meeting point: main gate of the bridge.
• Learn about its history, Roman engineering, and Latin inscriptions with a local guide.

10:30 a.m. – Guided visit to an artisan sausage workshop (duration: 1 hour).

• Learn how chorizo and morcilla from Extremadura are made.
• Tasting with freshly baked bread and explanations by a local expert.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch at a traditional eatery.

• Specialty: migas from Extremadura.
• Pairing: young white wine from the Ribera del Guadiana Designation of Origin.

1:30 p.m. – Transfer to Garrovillas de Alconétar (20 km – 30 minutes).

• Upon arrival: check-in and visit to the tourist office.

3:00 p.m. – Guided spiritual experience at the Monastery of Yuste (duration: 1 hour).

• Walk through gardens and courtyards, with reflection time in the main chapel.
• Learn about the life of Charles V during his retirement.

4:30 p.m. – Snack at a traditional bakery.

• Typical products: perrunillas and floretas.
• Served with acorn liqueur or herbal infusion.

8:00 p.m. – Dinner at the hotel.

• Specialty: golden cod.
• Pairing: cava from Extremadura.

9:30 p.m. – Guided Starlight astronomical observation.

• From a nearby hill, identification of constellations, stars, and planets with a specialized astronomical guide in the borderlands of the Extremaduran Alentejo.

08:30 a.m. – Breakfast

• Menu: stuffed rolls, goat cheese from La Vera, and coffee with milk.

09:00 a.m. – Guided tour of the Roman ruins (duration: 1 hour)

• Meeting point: entrance of the archaeological park.
• Description: learn about the Roman origins of the area, ancient roads, and their agricultural legacy.

10:30 a.m. – Guided visit to a historic cave (duration: 1 hour)

• Description: explore a cave once used as a shepherds' refuge and hear local legends from a guide.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch at a traditional restaurant

• Specialty: Extremaduran gazpacho.
• Pairing: rosé wine from the region.

1:30 p.m. – Transfer to Cabezuela del Valle (50 km – 1 hour)

• Upon arrival: check-in and visit to the tourist office.

3:00 p.m. – Walk through the old town and cherry fields (duration: 1 hour)

• Meeting point: main square.
• Description: stroll among wooden balconies and, if in season, enjoy cherry blossoms or harvest with a local guide.

5:00 p.m. – Snack at a rustic café

• Typical product: cherry jam and pastries.
• Description: taste freshly baked cherry treats with a sour cherry liqueur or herbal infusion.

8:00 p.m. – Dinner at the hotel

• Specialty: trout with ham.
• Pairing: white wine from the Sierra de Gata.
• Accommodation: Cabezuela del Valle.

08:30 a.m. – Breakfast

• Menu: rustic bread with grated tomato and extra virgin olive oil.

09:00 a.m. – Guided route through the gorges (duration: 1 hour)

• Meeting point: old bridge of Cabezuela.
• Description: follow the riverside paths, small waterfalls and discover local flora and fauna with a specialized guide.

10:30 a.m. – Guided experience with Jabugo ham (duration: 1 hour)

• Description: visit a small farm where the ham is cured traditionally. Learn the process and taste freshly cut slices with bread and red wine from Extremadura, explained by a master ham carver.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch at a traditional eatery

• Specialty: kid goat stew (caldereta).
• Pairing: reserva red wine from La Vera.

1:30 p.m. – Transfer to Cepeda (40 km – 50 minutes)

• Upon arrival: check-in and visit to the tourist office.

3:00 p.m. – Guided walk through the historic center of Cepeda (duration: 1 hour)

• Meeting point: main square of Cepeda.
• Description: explore rural churches, traditional homes, and cobbled streets with stories and facts from a local guide.

5:00 p.m. – Snack at a traditional bakery

• Typical product: fried roscas and mountain tea.
• Description: enjoy these local pastries with a herbal tea made from wild herbs.

8:00 p.m. – Dinner at the hotel

• Specialty: Iberian pork with mushrooms.
• Pairing: cava from Extremadura.

9:30 p.m. – Guided Starlight observation

• Location: hilltop in the village.
• Description: observe constellations and learn how shepherds used them for orientation during the night.

08:30 a.m. – Breakfast

• Menu: slices of rustic bread with honey from Las Hurdes and aged sheep cheese.

09:00 a.m. – Farewell activity: artisanal bread workshop in a wood-fired oven (duration: 1 hour)

• Location: traditional village bakery.
• Description: learn traditional kneading and baking techniques and enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread, served with extra virgin olive oil.

10:00 a.m. – End of the trip