Disconnecting in these times of hyper-connection at all levels is no easy task. We are overexposed to constant stimuli and the more we are bombarded with attractive content, facilities, fashions or convenience, the more it gets our attention.
But really, the more discreet, quiet and humble a destination is, the more likely it is, in our opinion, to really get us to disconnect from our day-to-day lives.
If it is called Extremadura, it must be for a reason: extreme and hard. But this is where its challenge comes from. In autumn Extremadura offers an almost wild nature, between stones and shoots of green grass, yellow flowers and an infinite population of holm oaks and cork oaks.
We will be devoting more articles to this fascinating community, which offers a genuine tourismdifferent from the most common options, based on routes of thermalism, culture, livestock, gastronomy and hiking through villages and postcard trails.
Although the capital is Mérida and the most important logistic-industrial centre is Badajoz, we decided to focus our getaway in Cáceres, which is home to a culture, architecture and an astonishing silence in its old town.
Cáceres is a UNESCO World Heritage City since 1986 and has the third best preserved historic centre in Europe. The history of the city dates back to Roman times, when the Romans founded the colonia Norba Caesarina. Cáceres remained Roman until it was destroyed by the Visigoths and was forgotten until the Middle Ages, when first the Muslims and then the Portuguese (although they agreed to hand the city over to the Kingdom of León) conquered the city. All these periods of history have left their mark on Cáceres, on its historic quarter and its artistic, cultural and architectural heritage.
Plaza Mayor de Cáceres (Extremadura, Spain)next to the stairs of the Arch of the Star and the Municipal Tourist Office (look for the person dressed in pink). On this visit we will enter the monuments in Cáceres most visited.
In the same square we will go up to the Bujaco Tower and we will have the opportunity to walk along the stretch of wall that is available. We will pass through the Arch of the Star. You won't leave Cáceres without taking a selfie with this particular arch.
We will enter the Procathedralwhere we will dare to see the size of the Black Christthe most famous image of the Easter Week in Cáceres and the one with the most superstitions.
We will go up to the upper part of the city and enter the Provincial Museum, where we will find the jewel in the crown of Cáceres (the Muslim Cistern). We will stroll through the Jewish quarter and enter the bastion of Los Pozos.
If walking around Cáceres gives you the feeling of déjà vu, it is because so many films and period series have been filmed here. Possibly the best known in recent years are Game of Thrones and its prequel and Isabel, where the city was used for scenes that made you believe it was León, Burgos and many others.
But over the years, Cáceres has been the set of many more productions, such as La Catedral del Mar, Romeo and Juliet, Teresa el cuerpo de Cristo and many more.
If you don't want to take the car during your stay, stay at the Gran Hotel Don Manuel is ideal, for its fantastic location, spacious and very comfortable rooms, for having a huge car park at a competitive price and for having an excellent gastronomy and a small Spa, which is great for relaxing at any time of the day.
When we need to escape the noise of the city to nourish our eyes with beauty, our brain with culture and our body with well-being, it is ideal to find a destination that can combine all these aspects in an easy and satisfying way.
Although at this time of the year there is a lot of group and senior tourism, as Cáceres is an internationally recognised cultural destination, we also find many young people, travelling as a couple or with friends, which means that the hotel is prepared to cater for all kinds of requirements.
As of buffet breakfast which offers, in addition to the classic options, various local products and dishes, such as Iberian pork sausages, typical cheeses (Torta del Casar), migas and a chef who cooks on demand and on the spot according to the customer's requests.
The hotel has a small, well-equipped gymnasium and an indoor swimming pool. Spa circuit which are also open to the outside public, not only to guests staying at the hotel.
The Spa consists of a water area, with different jets and heights, a relaxation area, a steam bath and a contrast shower and has a massage cabin for all kinds of massages, although it is focused on wood therapy.
And as the palate also demands its share, the restaurant Origin is the ideal place to enjoy lunch or dinner with typical dishes from Extremadura in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which is included in the hotel, but with access and terrace to the outside, being open to all kinds of public.
Ana García, the commercial director of the Gran Hotel Don Manuel, tells us that all the hotel's spaces are designed to offer global experiences of relaxation and wellbeing to any client target, especially from autumn to spring, which is when the tourist destination of Cáceres is most appreciated.
And to reaffirm its commitment to the city's culture, the hotel offers a frequently changing exhibition of works of art in its corridor, which motivates tourists and residents to visit the hotel on several occasions to enjoy culture, art and gastronomy at street level.
There are several experiences that the hotel offers to its guests: on the website https://www.granhoteldonmanuel.com/experiencias/ you can choose the one that best suits your profile and your availability and the hotel staff will be happy to guide you in discovering all the treasures of Cáceres and its surroundings.
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