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Published: July 25th 2022
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Yes, we went back to Sintra. We all decided that we really wanted to see the Quinta da Regaleira and the initiation portal that we didn't get to see on our visit a few days ago since it was crazy busy after the forest fires and closures. We decided to change up our plans and head to Sintra again after packing up before going to Aveiro for a 7:30pm Check-in deadline time. It was going to be close but we were going to make it happen.
When we pulled into the parking lot, we were pleasantly surprised to see way fewer cars than on the previous visit. A good omen! After a mad dash for a washroom for the kids (the worst part about being a tourist), we jumped on a bus and were at the grounds in no time. There was hardly a line to get in which was amazing. We rushed to the initiation portal to be sure we wouldn't miss it and almost had the place to ourselves. Such a cool thing to see and worth the visit. We had time to spare so we wandered around the grounds checking out the other features and when we
passed the portal again and there was a huge line to get in. I guess we got lucky!
Video of going down portal:
Video of unfinished portal:
https://youtube.com/shorts/QLmP2ckBUdM?feature=share
Video walking around the grounds:
We grabbed a quick bite (yummy mini chicken pies and bacalhau) and went to the bus stop to go back to the car and we waited, and waited and no bus. It was starting to get a bit close to our last check-in time so we were starting to panic a bit. Do we walk, do we keep waiting, try uber?! We even tried asking taxis and they wouldn't take us there because they came from Lisbon or other towns. So frustrating. It was literally a 6 minute drive. We finally caved and payed 20 euro for a tuk tuk ride, and it was worth it. The girl was super friendly and had studied in Mississauga, is only here to save money to go back, amd dropped us off at our car. Sweet service. We asked her about tue price to buy a tuk tuk as Camille wants one to drive at home instead of a car lol but she said
map of Regeleira palace grounds
Quinta de Ribafria is a 16th century property located in Várzea de Sintra. It comprises a magnificent Renaissance-style manor house with an impressive medieval-inspired turret topped by the coat of arms of the Ribafria family, the former governors of Sintra.
Around the manor house there is a formal boxwood garden, in parterre, adorned with an original staircase, water features and beautiful classical inspired statuary. Crossed by the Colares River, the property also has 13 hectares of gardens and woods, where one can contemplate centennial sequoias and other notable specimens of trees and bushes. it’s 15 thousand euros. It has 6 batteries to help it run for the day. It’s 5 euros a person no matter where you go and the driver gets to keep half and give half to the company. Average monthly salary here is 800 euros so 1100$ can.
In the car we went and hit the road for Aveiro. 2.5 hours through the countryside and on toll roads. Kaching kaching! They're worth it though as they save time and are in great shape. We had to stop and get gas and it was 2.05€/L! It cost us 65€ for 3/4 of a tank. The pineapple popsicles at the station were a nice treat though!
We arrived in Aveiro and it seems like a nice small town and the directions for our airbnb Ponto da Abrigo took us right into the center of the old part of the town. We were real Europeans driving om those roads!
Checked into a shared lodging, which has a hostel vibe to it, for one night as we thought it would be a food experience for the kids. It also exposes us to the local staff more too to get insight on the
town.
We got settled in and went for supper across the street at a busy restaurant. We ordered the local specialty Serra cheese, which didn't smell great but spread on like warm butter and tasted great. Cameron said it smelled like Reese poo! Anne and Cameron got grilled shrimp and Camille had cod cakes and potato wedges, and I had cod and corn bread with tomatoe rice. Everything was good so we ordered pork cheeks and that was even better. Cant wait to have more tomorrow.
Finished off the night wandering around and eating more Pasteis de Nata. Tomorrow is more of Aveiro, then off to Porto.
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