Rest Days on the VDLP

[SMBHNL]

Other than Salamanca, what are some good cities/towns for rest days on the VDLP?

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Merida and Zamora, of course!

 

[Robo]

Yes, I had a day in each of those. Merida, Salamanca and Zamora.
Lots to see, lovely cities, great food.

Went North via Astorga (Not Sanabres) and had one in Ponferrada too, prior to starting the Invierno.
That one I needed! After the descent into Molinaseca.

 

[WildPlace]

In 2022 @Shona and I had rest days in Zafra, Caceres, Salamanca and Ourense, I would do the same if I walked again

 

[Corned Beef]

Seville?

 

[MesaWalker]

Besides Sevilla, we took days off in Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca (2 - there is so much to see), Zamora, Puebla de Sanabria, and Ourense. Of those, Puebla de Sanabria was more of a pure rest day, although it has a pretty, but small, old part of the city. The others were to combine rest and seeing the magnificent sights.

In my opinion, the "can't miss" places would be Mérida, Salamanca, Zamora and Ourense (if you like hot baths).

 

[peregrina2000]

I agree with all of these recommendations. The Vdlp goes through more monumental Spanish cities than any other route I know of. So much history, art, architecture, it’s just amazing.

If you are lucky enough to be in Salamanca right after a rain when the sun comes out, high tail it to the Plaza Mayor. It will just be glowing and sparkling. Late afternoon sun produces much of that effect as well, but after the rain it’s incredible.

And my Mérida tip is that if you are going to see more than just the ampitheater, you should buy an “entrada conjunta” (a ticket that lets you into the amphitheater, Moorish castle, a romanesque crypt, and many other sites - it’s 8€ for over 65). The beautify of it is not so much the cheap price as the fact that you can buy this ticket at any of the sites, and then when you get to the Amphitheater, where they may be a very long ticket line, as much as an hour, you can jump the line and go right to the entrance with your ticket. I bought my ticket at the Alcazaba, where there was no one in line, and enjoyed it a lot, definitely worth a visit. Lots of visigothic carvings there.

Edited to add: Thanks to a correction from a forum member, I see that the special 8€ price for over 65 is available only to EU citizens. It’s 17€, but still a good deal, since entry to the theater alone is 13 and the castle complex 6.

If Cáceres were in Tuscany, it would be mobbed, because its Renaissance core is just as beautiful. It’s small, so a long afternoon stroll is likely to give you a good sense of the town, but if you have extra days to play with, it would be a very enjoyable one. Another beautiful plaza mayor that is well-loved by its residents!

 

[el-pe]

Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and Ourense - full or half days for some.

 

[Miguel de Flandes]

May I add Baños de Montemayor to the list

Buen Camino, Miguel

 

[SMBHNL]

Seville?

Haha!

 

[SMBHNL]

I agree with all of these recommendations. The Vdlp goes through more monumental Spanish cities than any other route I know of. So much history, art, architecture, it’s just amazing.

If you are lucky enough to be in Salamanca right after a rain when the sun comes out, high tail it to the Plaza Mayor. It will just be glowing and sparkling. Late afternoon sun produces much of that effect as well, but after the rain it’s incredible.

And my Mérida tip is that if you are going to see more than just the ampitheater, you should buy an “entrada conjunta” (a ticket that lets you into the amphitheater, Moorish castle, a romanesque crypt, and many other sites - it’s 8€ for over 65). The beautify of it is not so much the cheap price as the fact that you can buy this ticket at any of the sites, and then when you get to the Amphitheater, where they may be a very long ticket line, as much as an hour, you can jump the line and go right to the entrance with your ticket. I bought my ticket at the Alcazaba, where there was no one in line, and enjoyed it a lot, definitely worth a visit. Lots of visigothic carvings there.

If Cáceres were in Tuscany, it would be mobbed, because its Renaissance core is just as beautiful. It’s small, so a long afternoon stroll is likely to give you a good sense of the town, but if you have extra days to play with, it would be a very enjoyable one. Another beautiful plaza mayor that is well-loved by its residents!

Great information. Thank you very much!

 

[Sandra Riordan]

Other than Salamanca, what are some good cities/towns for rest days on the VDLP?

Merida, Salamanca, Zamora & Ourense

Other than Salamanca, what are some good cities/towns for rest days on the VDLP?

 

[robert hailwood]

Other than Salamanca, what are some good cities/towns for rest days on the VDLP?

I went on VDLP this April/May and did the following rest days. Seville 3 nights, Cacares 2 nights, Merida 2 nights , Salamanca 3 nights, train to Avilla 2 nights, Zamora 2 nights and Ourense 1 night but needed 2 really. Those places were so rich in old Spain. I realised what a great nation the Spanish are and have been in European history. Go curiously.

 

[Rita Flower]

All the places mentioned- you will find what suits you best in terms of interest and energy levels.
Puebla de Sanabria is worth a good half day - wonderful old castle fort town - interesting history- beautifully restored with English as well as Spanish explanations.
I loved Cáceres so much I took a bus back from Casar de Cáseres for another look.

 

[SMBHNL]

Great help, everyone! Mahalo.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Echoing Merida

 

[RodlaRob]

For Laurie