The garden stands out with its luxuriant plants and flowers, its secluded swimming pool, spacious common rooms on the inside with white walls, and bedrooms which recall the religious function of its origins. The simple but delicious local cooking can be seen in representative dishes: 'bacalao monacal' (cod, potatoes and spinach), 'ajo blanco extremenio' (garlic dish), 'migas extremenias' (fried breadcrumbs), 'pollo a lo padre Pedro' (chicken dish), etc. Nearby activities include big game hunting, horse riding, mountain bikes, swimming, tennis, trekking and trout fishing. The Parador is located in the cultural and historical centre of the town, next to the Royal Monastery, a world heritage site. It is 40 miles from Navalmoral de la Mata, reference point from Madrid on the A-5 road and the norther peninsula on the N-630. Access from Portugal, Badajoz and the Southern Peninsula is routed through Merida on the N-630. The Parador, built in convent style, rises up on what was the former Hospital of St. John the Baptist, a historical 15th c. building. It is a comfortable, friendly space, with whitewashed arches adorned with vegetation, an invitation to peace and quiet in the setting of a beautiful town declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.