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Sintra Travel Blogs

Background: Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

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By RobertoandJim
July 2nd 2009

sintra, almada, lisbon Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

P7020121

today we went to sintra. parked illegally as usual outside the town hall. we walked everywhere to find a cash machine and eventually found the biggest one ever!ha....my card was blocked so had to ring up and kick off! had some steak and a good egg. everyone got the same! we had a few games of pool with ronaldo, tried one of his chocolate cigarettes, checked our facebook then headed for almada we crossed the 2nd famous bridge in portugal and saw jesus on the other side. we drove up to him but we were about 45mins too late as it [View Full Entry]

By Krunch
April 17th 2009

Sintra; a hike through a park... Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

more statues

On 11 April, 2009 is a Saturday. On this day me and Liz and Dad go to Sinatra. We sleep in until about 9 or so then we get ready to go to our cafe for breakfast.. I have a cod fish sandwich again and split it with dad. Liz has a chicken sandwich but wishes she got a cheese and ham toastie which she enjoyed a lot on the first day. After breaky we make our way to the train station. It’s not clearly marked and we end up walking around in circles for a little bit before realising the [View Full Entry]

By Axxion
December 26th 2008

Discovering Sintra and Cascais Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

Magical castle

We had a much earlier start the next day. We had reserved a tour guide who could take us to Sintra and Lisbon’s western coast. Sintra is located roughly half hour northwest of Lisbon, on the slopes of the granite Serra. The town was a summer retreat for the kings of Portugal and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Our guide, Pedro (a redhead in Portugal?) picked us up at the hotel before 9:30am. Our first destination was Palacio da Pena (the Palace of Pena), located on the peak of the Serra de Sintra. Renovated and rebuilt [View Full Entry]

By LJ
April 29th 2008

A day trip to Sintra Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

Palácio da Pena

Went on a day trip to Sintra today. Sintra is a town about 30kms away. We got the train which was a bargain €1.65 each way. Why aren't trains at home this cheap? We visited a really cool castle when we were here. It is Palácio da Pena which is this brightly coloured castle high above the town. The architecture was a little bizarre in places (think cartoon castle) but I really liked it. We also explored the town, ate another custard tart and visited the National Palace. This is a medieval palace with 2 of the largest chimneys you have [View Full Entry]

By Tiju
April 27th 2008

Queijadas de Sintra Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

Went to Sintra yesterday. A 35 Mins train journey from the Rossio station took me to the Sintra station. From the Sintra station we took a 2 way hop ticket for the bus #434, which took us to the Pena park and palace. The palace is on a hill and park around the palace. After visiting the palace we had long walk inside the park. The map given at the entrance was helpful. You just need to follow the map. The walk inside the park is so good. Lot of trees and quite surroundings. You can have perfect romantic walk. The [View Full Entry]

By SlimBlue
March 25th 2008

A day trip to Sintra Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

In Sintra

Hi Friends and Family, We were going on a day trip to Sintra. Sintra is the former summer residence of Portuguese royalty and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. It boasts two extraordinary palaces, a semi-tropical garden and a Moorish castle with views over Lisbon! We took a train from the Rossio station in Lisbon and 45 minutes later, we were in Sintra. Apparantly, its a common commuter route as trains leave every 15-20 minutes! We bought a Day Rover ticket for €9 as we wanted to go to a few places including the famous Caba da Roca. We waited [View Full Entry]

By Keith and Pete
January 28th 2008

Lisbon "Are you with the feeling?" Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

Sintra street steps

"Are you with the feeling that you will return?" That's the question the receptionist asked me when I checked us out of the hotel, just outside Lisbon. My answer "yes. of course!" And that was before we had actually been into Lisbon. Before we had seen the wide Tegas River, and watched young sailors in their little boats manuver tight cirlces, while a tanker passed under the bridge. Before we walked down narrow cobbled streets passing little ladies in their bathrobes on their way to the neighborhood bath, before we had stood by the most dramatic coast line we had ever [View Full Entry]

By Keith and Pete
January 28th 2008

Lisbon postcard #2_____The Palace of Pena Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

from one watch tower to another

After the rugged walk through the Moorish Castle we get to the fairyland atmosphere of the Palace of Pena! The artist king consort Don Fernando II completed contruction of this fanciful palace around 1852, on the site of monastery. Convent of Our Lady of Pena 1503. Earthquake of 1755 did serious damage to the monastery and it falls into decline, Don Fernando purchases it and it becomes the beautiful palace it is today. Royal families lived here from Fernando's reign thru Don Manuel II in 1910. The rooms are furnished as they were at that time. Cozy arched ceilings, rooms with [View Full Entry]

By capritsioza
January 26th 2008

LISBON - SINTRA Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

SINDRA TOUR BUS

SINTRA-UNESCO'S SECRET GARDEN I've always wanted to go to Portugal...I don't know why, but something always drew me to this country. Maybe it's because of it's heritage and history, of all the travellers that have gone through it, maybe it's the combination and just perfect mixture or cultures and races, maybe all of the above, anyway I always knew I'll find in Lisbon a home away from home. The first thing that gained my attention was similarity. Of all the places I've been to and all the people I met, the Portuguese are the most similar and compatible to Greeks. Easygoing, [View Full Entry]

By Greenwoods
December 27th 2007

Sintra Europe » Portugal » Lisbon & Tagus Valley » Sintra

Pena Longha Hotel

After a late morning, we got to see our beautiful hotel during the daylight. After a brief walk around the grounds (includes a monastery and golf course) we started off to Sintra. We started off with some croissants and hot chocolate at a cafe on the main square. We then toured the Palacio Nacionale which was a residence for Portugal monarchs. There were some beautiful rooms with painted tiled walls and painted or engraved ceilings. Deb then shopped for azuelos (painted tiles) while the boys grabbed more croissants and bread from a pastry shop. While in Sintra, it's hard not to [View Full Entry]

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