17 U S A ( To l l - f r e e ) 1- 877- 381- 2 9 14 E m a i l inf o@the culturalexperience.com Early Periods and interesting Macheda museum. Drive to the stunning bridge over the River Tagus at Alcantara, so well-built, that until only recently articulated wagons were crossing over it. Today access is limited to lighter traffic and so we can safely walk its length and see the aedicule dedicated to Trajan. Thence to Caceres where we check in for the night at the Renaissance Palace parador located in the heart of Caceres. Day 3 – Caceres - Emerita Augusta. Just outside Caceres we find an excellent example of a Roman camp dating to the 2nd century BC, whilst in the city itself we visit the lovely Museum of Roman Art. Travel to Merida, the one-time Roman capital of Lusitania founded in the 1st century BC known as Emerita Augusta.Itboastsoneofthefinestcollections of extant Roman architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. We will spend more than a day exploring its theatre, amphitheatre, circus, bridges and water management systems, temple, many residential buildings and the superb Museum of Roman Art. Check in to our Merida parador, a former 18th century convent, for one night. Day 4 – Medellin – Emerita Augusta. We travel out to the superb Roman theatre nestled below the romantic ruins of Medellin’s medieval castle whilst at Quintana de la Serana we find a Roman watchtower and quarry. This afternoon we return to Merida to continue our discovery of this exciting Roman city. Day 5 – Proserpina Dam and Badajoz. Built to ensure a bountiful water supply to Emerita Augusta, we walk over this earth dam with its retaining wall which still serves the purpose it was designed for 2000 years ago. Thence to the Roman villa at Torre Aguila with its Octagonal and Summer rooms with their hypocaust, the thermal baths and mill and press. We continue to Badajoz where we visit its wonderful archaeological museum. We spend the night in the delightful fortified city of Elvas just inside the Portuguese border, our hotel built in to the actual walls. Day 6 – Evora and Alcacer. We spend the morning in Evora where there is the opportunity to explore this UNESCO listed town, including the wonderful Roman Temple surrounded by a host of equally magnificent medieval religious buildings and its fascinating museum. After lunch we visit the Roman Villa of Sao Cucufate ending our day at Alcacer do Sal where we find the remains of a Roman cult site and a small museum. Check in to our pousada hotel, at once both a former convent and a castle, for one night. Day 7 – Mirobriga and Troia. We drive to Santiago do Cacem with its lovely castle and the important Roman archaeological site of Mirobriga with its baths, Forum and hippodrome. Thence to the Roman remains on the Troia Peninsula which include an extant garum factory! Continue to Lisbon for our last night. Day 8 – Home. Transfer to Lisbon airport for the return flight to London. Merida Evora