Today, April 23, we enter Spain.  We are staying at the Parador de Carmona

In route to Carmona we stop at Merida .  We are traversing a vast and sparsely populated farming region with medieval towns.  Merida is known as one of the most famous Roman capitals on the Iberian Peninsula and it displays this heritage in some of the best preserved Roman ruins in all of Europe.  We got to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merida, including its 6,000-seat Roman theater and adjoining amphitheater, where gladitors once battled to the death agains animals imported from Asia and Africa.  Later, we arrive in the charming Andalusian town of Carmona, just in time for dinner!