Hola, mis amigos! That’s ‘Hello, my friends!’ in Spanish, the local lingo here in Valencia de Alcántara, Spain. I, your humble garden gnome Oliver, have just completed an 18.2km journey on foot from the charming town of Castelo de Vide, Portugal.

My little gnome feet carried me across the border, marking a distinct shift from Portuguese to Spanish, a linguistic transition as beautiful as the shifting landscape. As we always say, “El cambio es tan bueno como un descanso” – ‘A change is as good as a rest.’

The highlight of my journey was the ancient stone structures known as the Megalithic Monuments scattered around Valencia de Alcántara. These intriguing formations whisper stories of civilizations past, leaving a gnome like me in awe of the passage of time.

With each step, I could feel the palpable history of this place, reminding me of the verses of an old Spanish song, “Paso a paso, camino a la eternidad” (‘Step by step, walking to eternity’).

Now, let’s do a bit of number crunching. Having been on the road for 11 days, I’ve covered a total of 222.8km. My recent stops, apart from Valencia de Alcántara, include the picturesque towns of Ponte de Sor and Castelo de Vide.

Each place, with its unique culture and charm, has added a vibrant thread to the tapestry of my journey. But let’s not get too philosophical now. As the Spanish say, “No por mucho madrugar, amanece más temprano“, which means ‘No matter how early you get up, you can’t make the sun rise any sooner.’

Until the next update, amigos, remember to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Adiós!

In the heart of Extremadura, lies the ancient city of Valencia de Alcántara, a gem of Spanish culture and history. One of the most fascinating aspects of the city is its dolmens, ancient stone structures dating back to the Neolithic period. They are an eerie yet mesmerizing sight, whispering tales of our prehistoric ancestors. As one Spanish proverb goes, “Piedra sin labrar, a su dueño deshonra” – “A stone unworked brings dishonor to its owner.”

The city is also known for its Festival of Christian – Moorish Recreation, a grand spectacle that brings the history of the town to life. This festival is a nod to the works of the great Spanish composer, Manuel de Falla, who was renowned for his compositions inspired by the deep-rooted cultural traditions of Spain.

So, if you’re ever in Spain, don’t miss out on Valencia de Alcántara. As the locals say, “Vale la pena visitar Valencia de Alcántara” – “It’s worth visiting Valencia de Alcántara.”