Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Monday, March 28, 2015: Lisbon to Sintra, Portugal


We finally were leaving Lisbon around 11:00 with a rental car. We are going west toward the Atlantic Ocean.  Our first of many stops along the way today was to see the Mouth of Hell near Cascais. The sea rushes into clefts and caves in the rocks making a booming sound and sending up spectacular towers of spray. A rock formation of an arch is also at this location. The waves come crashing through the opening - “Mouth of Hell”. We stopped at beaches, cliffs and other pull-outs as we continued driving along the Atlantic coastline of Portugal.


Mouth of Hell


















Another stop was Cabo Roca. This is the westward most point of the European Continent.  There is a light house and monument marking this location. The views of the ocean waves & cliffs were stunning.  We continued along the coast stopping at pull-outs to see another view – more wild waves and cliffs.  We enjoyed the views, walked on beaches, climbed over rocks, had snacks with coffee at a seaside café, and took lots of photos. 




Boca Roca - Western most point of Continental Europe


































By late afternoon we were in Sintra.  We have reservations in a guest house/hotel, but where in the world was it located?  Sintra is located in the mountains, and there are no straight streets, and many of the narrow streets are one-way.  Thank goodness for GPS on phones. 
Hotel Sintra Jardim






Castle above looking down on Sintra

National Palace

Hotel Sintra Jardim is a large Estate home with lovely gardens, patios and a veranda.  After checking in we ordered a cup of tea to sip on the veranda.  The sun was trying to shine through – it was lovely.  Later in the evening we walked 10 minutes downhill to the center of town where we found a restaurant for dinner.

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