Does anyone have any thoughts about a day trip from Madrid to Trujillo? I heard it was about a 2 hour bus trip, the home of Conquistadores and has some interesting Moorish structures.

If it's in Estramadura I wouldn't think it would be all that prosperous, but if it's worthwhile I'd like to hit it in a couple of weeks.

Thyglow

It's alright, I liked it. We walked a lot, great plaza, cute little church, lots of steep cobblestone hills, you know...typical! I liked it though, Joy

I liked it. It is really nice and it has a lot of nice cities close by (merida, etc). If you go, you really should stay the night in the parador, which is lovely and gives you the change to flavour the food of the region in their restaurant. For lunch I would go to the town square where there is a restaurant which is always full, but has great food...it worth waiting for a table. I don't remeber the name, but its hard 2 miss!

have fun,
serge

The name of the restaurant is "La Casa de la Troya".
Pls note that Caceres is 50 kms from Trujillo
other nice medieval town.

Payno

I'm a confessed nut for Extremadura, and Trujillo is one of those places I can see myself settling down in someday...if I happen to hit the lottery before then.

An elderly sister and brother sell churros y chocolate out the kitchen window every morning, out on the Madrid highway on the edge of town near the bull ring. It's in a house painted turquoise inside with a Franco portrait still prominently displayed. Just look for where all the trucks are parked; it's a truck-drivin' hangout. They keep fighting roosters out back, and I'm pretty sure they sell numbers, too.

The parador is great, especially the "tres gazpachos" in the restaurant, but the convent just across the callejon is even better. The sisters are enclosed, but they sing matins and nones wonderfully well, and you can go into the chapel to listen. All the convents in town sell very nice dulces via the "turntable" system (just pass on those yemas! eeeugh!)

Trujillo is totally Spanish, totally laid-back.

Walk to the top of the hill, to the ruined castle, and look out over a hundred miles of breathtaking countryside. Visit the house where Pizarro (I think) grew up. And check out the huge mansions on the square, falling to bits, just waiting for a nutty gringa to blow all her lottery winnings/retirement money on a palacio!

Barring that, check out the Finca Santa Marta, about 5k east of town. It's an old ranch now owned by a Dutch/Spanish couple, done over into a truly fab inn. If you're lucky there will be a local wedding party going on when you're there, and you can learn some wonderful sensual dances and hear some fine harmonica.

It would be a waste to make it a day trip. Can you tell I am utterly charmed by the place?

Rebekah

Thanx for the help there Payno!!

quote:

If it's in Extremadura I wouldn't think it would be all that prosperous, but if it's worthwhile I'd like to hit it in a couple of weeks.

I visited Extremadura with my school group years ago and LOVED IT, mostly because it WASN'T "prosperous" (in this sense meaning overrun by tourists and rampant development).

One thing I did find a little sad while traveling through the Pueblos Blancos two weeks ago is seeing all the construction going on, the buildings obviously for holiday homes for city dwellers...hope it won't turn into a Torremolinos or Benidorm...or Santa Fe, New Mexico for that matter...

Thanks for the info........I also try to avoid crowds, and like to be off the beaten path. Probably why I spend so much time canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Don't have time to stay at the parador in Trujillo this time, but did stay at the one in Chinchon a couple of years back. Was a former convent (I think) and was a great deal.

Thyglow

Hi just to add my 2 cents worth. I just got back a few days ago from 2 weeks of travelling the back roads of Spain. Extremadura was high on my list since I had never been there. I travelled through (and shopped) in Trujillo but continued north for about 15 km more to the village of Torrejon el rubio where we spent a few days as we explored monfrague park. We also toured the rest of Extremadura but places visited were not even on most maps! It was very enjoyable, but I share your concerns about the construction going on. I believe they call it progress.
Joe