53407SOU
Mérida walking tour of the Roman ruins with TM
Córdoba inside visit of the Mosque and walking tour of the Jewish quarter with local guide
· This can be a bit of a long day, please keep that in mind when organizing your timings.
· It is better to have lunch in Cordoba rather than on the road. There are plenty of places behind the Mosque. Service is very slow here and the bill should be ordered with their food.
Merida:
· You need cash for entrances in Merida.
· The groups usually have a local guide for Merida. If you do have a voucher for this service, please clarify details with the area office.
Cordoba:
· Call or text local guide at least 24 hours in advance to confirm your meeting time.
· The Araque envelope contains the printed entrance ticket for the mosque please take it with you along with a list of pax with to give to the local guide.
· Payment is by voucher, please sign and check the number of pax is correct.
· It is sometimes possible to drop off on the other side of the Roman bridge – check with your driver beforehand. – The views of Cordoba from the other side of the river are impressive.
· You meet your guide either around the entrance of the Mosque on Torrijos Street (see map) or by the centro de visitantes just after the Roman bridge. Take your ACIS clipboard with you as it can very crowded with different groups and your guide will be looking out for the ACIS logo.
· There are free toilets at the Centro de Visitantes and also in the shop next to the Hotel Maimonides
· Warn your group about the gypsies around the Mosque area.
Merida – visit
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 (toilets by the ticket office and also just inside the main entrance).
At this point the guide will usually have arranged the rendezvous by the main entrance. 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: 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.
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 good meeting place is in front of the entrance to the ruins. It has some shade.
A – Bus Drop Off/Pick Up Point
B – Ticket office & bathrooms
C – Entrance to Roman Ruins
D – Roman Art Museum
Cordoba walking tour with local guide.
You will generally start the tour by visiting The Mezquita – starting in the orange tree patio and then moving inside. The Mezquita is a functioning church, so make sure your group is dressed appropriately.
On arrival in Córdoba you will be dropped off by Puerta Sevilla. (see map). Arrange a rendezvous time (guided visit takes about 1.5 hours and then you need to allow time for lunch) and place with the driver (make sure you take the driver’s mobile number in case you are delayed as the bus cannot wait there indefinitely). When you get off the bus, lead your group down to the right ( following the old Alcazar wall on your left ) When you reach the roundabout at the bottom take a left and continue with your group until you reach the triumphal stone arch on your left. Go through it – the mosque is now visible in front of you. When you reach it walk to the left of it up the hill – this is Calle Torrijos.
You meet the guide at the first entrance to the orange tree patio of The Mezquita. If it is hot, sunny weather your group can wait just inside the patio in the shade..
