Hi everyone!

We 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.

Our idea was to go camping, but the cold weather (dropped to 2ºC 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 Peña de Francia (and monastery), Miranda del Castañar (castle), 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 4º to 18º 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!