53401POR
The 8:00 departure is set so you can make it to Merida in time to see the ruins properly. Check with the hotel in advance to see if they can provide an early breakfast. For more information about the Roman site in Merida and opening hours, see http://www.consorciomerida.org/conjunto/
Merida visit of the Theatre/Amphitheatre
· Whilst passports are not required for the Spain/Portugal border, it is advisable to carry them in hand luggage.
· Warn the group that it is quite a long day with lots of driving, but also lots of stops.
· Remind the group that there is an hour time difference – and language difference – between Spain and Portugal.
· As the border crossing is easy to miss, let the group know when crossing the border (good time for commentary on the EU, etc).
· After crossing the border there are several cafes in Montemor-O-Novo.
· On arrival in Lisbon, prepare the group for the crossing of the bridge over the Tagus (same River that runs through Toledo).
Merida:
· You need cash for entrances in Merida.
· Most groups have a local guide for Merida. If you do have a voucher for this service, please clarify details with the area office.
The coach will set you down behind the Roman ruins. Arrange a rendezvous with your driver, but make sure you have their number as well. Lead your group around to the ticket office and point out where the toilets are if they need them (there are toilets by the ticket office and also just inside the main entrance).
At this point the local guide will usually meet you. If not, follow the information below.
Lead the group over to the entrance and walk them down the main path. At this stage, it is up to you to decide what to show them first – the amphitheater or the theatre. The theatre is much better preserved and seeing this first often enables them to envision what the amphitheater was like in its original splendor.
After you have shown them both, and depending on your schedule, you can give them time to look around or lead them across the street to the Roman Museum. At this point, you can either arrange a time to meet or explain where they can find good lunch places and arrange a final meeting time and place. Be warned, if you are having lunch here. There are several restaurant “hawks” that stand at the entrance of the ruins advertising overpriced menus. Before entering the Ruins, point out, the Roman museum and possible lunch places (lots of places on the same street as the Roman museum). There are
also plenty of places for snacks and tapas here on the roads a bit further away from the Roman site.
A good meeting place is in front of the entrance to the ruins. It has some shade.
Warn the group that punctuality is very important today as there is still a lot to see. Ask the bus driver for the most interesting route in and out of Mérida to see as many Roman monuments as possible.
A – Bus Drop Off/Pick Up Point
B – Ticket office & bathrooms
C – Entrance to Roman Ruins
D – Roman Art Museum
Badajoz:
· Badajoz is a large city, but if the group is just visiting the Moorish castle (Alcazaba), this is actually on a hill overlooking the city.
· If travelling with a large group, call in advance to facilitate entry and make the voucher hand over easier.
In Badajoz, parking is provided at the Alcazaba Moorish ruins. There are also bathrooms and maps at the entrance. It is a large site, so pick up maps for the group and stick together if the group contains many younger members. The Puerta del Capitel and Torre de Espantaperros are especially worthwhile seeing and are justifiably the most famous, but plan a rough route to avoid getting lost. A good place for a group photo is in the gardens overlooking the river. Have a clear meeting point near the entrance if the group are old enough to explore by themselves.
You are now ready to cross the border into Portugal! Don’t forget to explain to the group that they are crossing an international border: due to the lack of customs or passport control, it is easy to forget that you have crossed into a different time zone where Portuguese is spoken instead of Spanish!
Borba / Montemor-o-Novo:
· Borba is a pretty and small town which makes a good stop off point for a coffee, bathroom break and to stretch the legs. There is ample parking.
· Any of the towns nearby also have pretty church squares and whitewashed buildings, so if the driver would prefer to go to a nearby town (such as Vila Viçosa), make the suggestion to the group.
· Montemor-o-Novo is a similarly pretty small town just over an hour’s drive away and closer to Lisbon. This is a more important stop as the traffic leading into Lisbon can be very bad during Portuguese rush hour (6:30 – 8:30am and 5:30 – 8:30pm).