Just because I am out on the road doesn't excuse me from my monthly column in INland magazine. The magazine is aimed at foreigners who live in Andalucia, mostly the Province of Malaga, who would rather not have anything to do with the Costa Del Sol, other than essential shopping expeditions to buy Marmite and Branston Pickle. Anyway here is my Christmas article:
WALKSPAIN DECEMBER 09
Why is it that we always find something when we aren't looking for it? As you may remember I am on pilgrimage at the moment, having already walked, some 230Km, from Sevilla to Merida, sadly only about a quarter of the way to my final destination of Santiago de Compstela. You can read more about the pilgrimage, and see some photos of the passing countryside, at my blog which is at rutadeplata09.blogspot.com Tonight I am lodged in a tiny village, in Extramadura, called Aljucén. The pilgrim's hostal here is not provided by the municipality but is a private business. These are vital, as it would not be possible to walk the camino without these privately run albergues. There is normally a trusting, and charming, method of getting the key for these places. Something like: Speak to the bar staff in Bar Sergio, or Manuela in number 22 has a key, or look under the blue flowerpots, or if all else fails give the Policia Local a ring and they will let you in! It was during one of these key searches that I found myself looking for a lady called Noeme and knocked on some large, iron studded, wooden doors set in a portal of local granite. It was when she invited me in that I discovered that, not only was the large house, complete with courtyard garden, being lovingly restored in a traditional style but that it contained a Roman Spa! She offers Roman Spa breaks, with optional massage, in this traditional village setting just North of Merida, the former Roman capital of Spain, and possibly in possession of more Roman buildings than Rome itself! Her website is www.aqualibera.com and she has an attractive studio apartment so that guests stay on site and mere paces away from the hot pools. The main focus of course is the Roman bath, in the photo, which is as authentic as modern hygiene regulations allow. Given it's isolated setting why not combine a wonderful historic visit to Merida, and it’s Christmas shopping, with some traditional Roman bathing and massage. Go on, you deserve it, there is even a discount if you come dressed as a Roman, and it is so nice that, despite it's totally anonymous possibilities, that you might even want to bring your own wife! Happy Christmas!
David Johnston is an international walking guide living in the Sierra De Las Nieves Natural Park. He offers a range of walking and cultural activities from day trips to holidays. He has a website at http://www.walkspain.com/ and can be reached at 619732245.
David Johnston is an international walking guide living in the Sierra De Las Nieves Natural Park. He offers a range of walking and cultural activities from day trips to holidays. He has a website at http://www.walkspain.com/ and can be reached at 619732245.
