Hi gang! Chico and I just got back from spending Semana Santa (Thurs-Sunday) in La Sierra de Francia. This beautiful part of Spain falls on the border of Extremadura and Salamanca....just a hop skip and a jump from Portugal.

Our idea was to go camping, but the cold weather (dropped to 2�C at night) suggested it better to stay in a hostal. Our center of operations was the medieval town (and national historical monument) of La Alberca. From there we explored the surrounding area... including La Pe�a de Francia (and monastery), Miranda del Casta�ar (castle), and Mogorraz.

Plenty of outdoor activities to do...many many hiking trails, mountain switchbacks full of breath taking views and dedicated cyclists... more varieties of honey than I ever knew existed... We saw pre-historic cave paintings (after a challenging hike!)... mountain goats frolicking on the mountainside with amazing agility...

It was amazing driving from one mountain valley to another and experience drastic temperature changes from 4� to 18� C in a question of minutes as we moved from one micro climate to another.

Highly highly recommended, epecially for those who love the outdoors. Rent a car... take a drive and you will find yourself in another world!