W A C R A '99 In Spain

Spain - a fascinating country to visit! Its splendid beauty and an absolutely privileged geogr aphic and strategic setting, has made Spain since antiquity a crossroads, a point of encounter between east and west. The diverse peoples, races and civilizations that have come here and found it an irresistible place to settle, have left behind a unique, original culture that has proven to be an admirable experiment in synthesis.

Widely known for Flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine. But, Spain has much more to offer. It is - as has been for thousands of years - one of the cultural centers of Europe. It has beautiful cities and towns, offering old monuments as well as futuristic architecture. Its various regions are all different one to each other, geographically, climatically and even in personality. In fact, it is not rare to find references to the "different Spain's", due to the climatic, natural and culture diversity of its regions. In general, one can distinguish between Northern Spain - humid and green; Inland Spain - sparsely populated and infinitely flat; Mediterranean Spain - fertile and luminous; Southern Spain - the most famous, hot and dry and as bright as the white wash of its homes.

Extremadura

This is one of the most beautiful, and perhaps least known, regions of Interior Spain. It's beautiful cities, first Roman and Moorish, then medieval and aristocratic, gave birth to many of the conquistadors. This community is constituted of two provinces, Cáceres and Badajoz, its capital being Merida, certainly worth a visit thanks to its fantastic Roman ruins. Romans put Extremadura on the stage of history, and Merida was one of the most important cities in the whole Roman Empire.

Extremadura's landscapes are characterized by the mountain ranges Cordillera Central, Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena, the plains and fertile valleys of the rivers Tajo and Guadiana, and the plain lands of Low Extremadura. Its climate is continental, with warm summers and temperatures well over 30ºC, and quite cold winters. Extremadura has several natural parks and preserves, specially the valleys of its two chief rivers are important ecological reserves.

The region has yet not been discovered by mass tourism, but it has plenty to offer if you are looking for something off the beaten track: it's original popular customs and traditions, typical dresses, great artisany of ceramics, metal works (those of Guadalupe are of high reputation) and embroideries, and outstanding gastronomy: trout, game, sausages, cheeses, as well as excellent wines.

Cáceres

The old town of Cáceres, a city of Extremadura, lies on a hill and is characterized by its constant evolution in history from Roman times until the present day. Within its medieval walls, Cáceres encloses a group of Gothic and Renaissance seigniorial mansions, which in their identity and historic atmosphere, have no equal in all of Spain. Once inside the walls flanked by towers, now heavily restored, you are in a quarter rapt in dreams of past glories. No ostentation, no decorative flourishes demean the appearance of these residences of the noblemen of the 15^th and 16^th century, for the mansions were built in the semblance of their owners. A walk through the old walled town takes visitors back to the Middle Ages.

Toledo

Toledo stands out dramatically against the often luminously blue Castillian sky: a golden city rising from a granite eminence, encircled by a steep ravine filled by the green waters of the Tajo (Tagus). It is as spectacular as it is rich in history, buildings, and art. Every corner has a tale to be told, every aspect reflects a brilliant period of Spanish history when the cultures of east and west flourished and fused:

Toledo is without doubt one of the densest monumental cities in the world. Nearly all the different stages of Spanish art are represented in Toledo, which has Moorish-Mudejar-Jewish buildings, such as the Transito and Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogues - gothic structures, such as the splendid Cathedral and Renaissance buildings. In the 16^th century the city became home to El Greco, and Toledo has many of his paintings. Among its many museums, of special note is the one located in the old Santa Cruz Hospital.

With its unique situation, its picturesque townscape and its magnificent old buildings, Toledo is one of the great tourist cities of Spain - an essential goal for every visitor interested in art and history.