Tuesday, March 29, 2016: Sintra, Portugal

I have not written anything about Sintra, other than that it is a mountainous area.  Due to being in the mountains it is much cooler in the summer, when the temperatures are HOT down in Lisbon.  So the kings, and wealthy, built castles, palaces, mansions and chalets, up here in the cool of the mountains.  The earlier castles were actually military fortresses, but later they were to entertain and impress!

The historical village of Sintra is below one of the most impressive Palaces – Pena.  Also above the village are ruins of a Moorish castle, which we can see from our accommodations.   This morning we drove part-way up the mountain to a parking area between the entrances of the two castle.  After parking we began walking! Mostly up-hill!! There really are no flat places in this area!  We walked on paths that climbed the mountain until we reached the Palace Pena.  Wow, what a beautiful place! The views of the valley, the coastline villages, and the ocean from there were lovely! We toured the Palace. What a place!

Pena Castle

Castle Chapel

Castle Cloister

After a lunch break, we began walking to the Moorish Castle ruins, which we could see across the valley. Between the Castles are vast Castle Gardens. The Castle Gardens covers a large area, of which we only hiked a small section.  While hiking in the Gardens we basically were coming down the mountain.

At the entrance to the Moorish Castle we began climbing.  And climb we did!  This castle had more steps.  We walked along the narrow fortress walls, climbing steps from one level to the next.  By the time we came back down the mountain we were EXHAUSTED!!! But we made it to the top! 

Moorish Castle

The Castle Gardens

Back at the hotel we crashed, before going to dinner! And now back at the hotel we are catching up on electronic messages, and giving our muscles a chance to rest. 

It was a lovely day, however it was a physical day! 

A look back at the Moorish Castle from Sintra

Rachel with a Tall cold one

 

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.