Day 13 Aldea del Cano to Caceres

Last day for this phase of the VdlP. The self service breakfast at the Casa Rural didn't look great so stopped at the ambitiously-named Restaurante Las Vegas for coffee, tostada and sumo.

Las Vegas, Extremadura-style. Actually a really nice breakfast stop.

And then into Caceres. I had done no real research other than to check I could catch a train back to Madrid from Caceres the next day. Certainly, approaching from the south the town looks rather disappointing. Lots of industrial estates, some in poor condition.

And then - one turns a corner and one finds oneself in a magical part of Spain. The centre of Caceres is a Unesco World Heritage City - a medieval walled city with very few signs of the modern world. Apparently it is a favourite location for film-makers for that very reason. It's a mix of Roman, Visigoth, Moorish and Italian styles, with some 30 towers still standing.

A truly lovely town. I managed to get hold of a tourist map, despite the fact that the information office had just closed. A young guy opened the office up just so he could get me a map. Can't imagine any tourist office in Britain ever being so friendly and helpful.

After dinner, I realised that there was some procession being held in the Plaza Mayor. Took a while to get going but it was impressive. The traditional clothing, the children not behaving that well, the giant statue of Mary being carried by a team of men...this is a delightful and unspoilt part of Spain.

I'll be back for the next stage up to Salamanca as soon as I can.