Merida to Toledo

Monday 7 May 2012  - A day exploring two interesting cities; Merida and Toledo

Day 24 and 133 to go

The barnyard animals were up long before us but we joined them just after 8. Paul was keen to get moving. I was still feeling crappy, but once I got up and had tablets I felt brighter. We had breakfast and showered before heading to the office to check the map of Merida. The receptionist was terrific and in her Spanish sent us on our way with written directions and a map to campervan parking in town that we followed easily. 

We made our way to the Anfiteatro Romano and Teatro Romano. Both buildings occupy the same site and were uncovered by archaeologists in the 1900’s and restored it in the 1960’s. 

We then walked the streets to the Templo de Diana; a temple that has Roman, Arab, Jewish, Visigoth and Christian influences as new groups came to the city and conquered the people. 

Our next stop was the alcazaba. Much of the building has been destroyed but the outer walls remain with views over the Puente Romano (a, ancient roman bridge). There was also a building that lead below to the cistern where they would have collected water from the river. There was still water in it. 

Being conscious of time we decided to head back to the van where we had lunch before getting back on the open road for Toledo 300km down the road.

The weather was coming in and we met rain on a few occasions. The landscape flashed before us. Green fields dotted with red poppies. The drive was quick and easy. The autovias flow so much easier than freeways back home.

We followed the GPS to our campground in Toledo. It was quite upmarket a nice way to spend our last night in the van and on the road.

We set up before heading to the main road and a bus into Toledo at 5pm.

The drive in took 10min but we saw so many interesting buildings along the way. The city is up on a hill surrounded by the city walls. The roads are narrow and cobbled. I was glad we were on the citybus as I would not want to bring the van through.

We got off and meandered past the Alcazar before retracing the bus route back past the interesting buildings and a great view over Toledo and the river Rio Tajo. 

We walked past the Puerta del Sol, Iglesia De Santiago Del Arrabal and the Puera de Bisagra before following outside the city walls and back up an escalator to the top of the hill again.

Paul stopped at a small shop to buy a litre of beer for 1euro 40c about $2. He had it stashed in his jacket so he could drink as we wandered.

Winding our way through the tiny streets we made it to the Catedral Primada de Toledo and while it was closed we were able to admire the outer architecture and Paul got to kick a soccer ball with some local kids in the square.

We continued the meander through the old streets ending back at the Plaza de Zocodover. We picked up OJ and croissants for breakfast before walking back to the bus stop to wait for the bus and our return to the campground at 7.15pm.

Merida and Toledo will be two towns we will return to to spend more time exploring. A couple of hours in each city did not do them justice. They were both quite different to the other Spanish cities we have visited and have a lot to offer. We loved the old-world feel, the winding, narrow lanes and the history they oozed.

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