Sintra (30km north west of Lisbon)

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Geo: 38.7988, -9.38775

Met our driver/guide at 9am and spent the day visiting the sights of Lisbon and Sintra. Michael had portable Wi-Fi in his posh BMW, which worked a whole lot better than the free Wi-Fi provided by the hotel.

Highlights were the panoromas of Lisbon, the National Palace of Queluz, Sintra town, Pena Palace, Roca Cape (the westernmost point of the European continent), seaside Cascais and the Belem Tower. Our misgivings about Lisbon were mostly confirmed, but we did drive through some lovely areas and the out-of-town sights were terrific.

Had roast goat, and cod fish for lunch. Goat was good but the fish too salty for our taste. We were warned that the dishes were so big that one between two would be more than adequate. As it was we had two between three and we were very full.

Drove back to Madrid on the 19th. Went via the Vasco da Gama bridge, the longest bridge in Europe at 17km long. It was completed just in time for Lisbon's hosting of Expo 98.

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Photos

Lisbon panorama
The red bridge, coincidently named "25 de Abril" was modelled on the Golden Gate Bridge. The indistinct skyline tower to the left of the bridge is a huge statue of Christ - similar to the one overlooking Rio.

National Palace of Queluz
Home of the Potugese royal family before their retreat to Brazil in the face of Napoleon's advancing armies. As always, richly decorated inside, but to me this was a more intimate palace and easier to imagine it being someone's home.

Palace stables
Two of the venue's attractions were a falconry exhibition and these Lusitano (dancing) horses. Local rock paintings from pre-history "prove" that this area is where the world's first saddle horses appeared. The horses are also used in the bull ring.

Pena Palace
19th© royal summer palace, overlooking an 11th© Moorish fort and the pretty hillside town of Sintra. Pretty wierd colours and architecture, but festive. Helen, my AmaVerde cap got blown away while we were on the battlements! Very sad.

Cabo da Roca & Guincho Beach
The westernmost point of continental Europe. Good looking beaches around Lisbon - unexpected!

Padreo dos Descobrimentos
This "Monument to the Discoveries" celebrates the Age of Discovery, exemplified by Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan at the end of the 15th and early 16th©. Interestingly these were all students of Henry the Navigator, an enlightened royal who greatly influenced new ship building styles and methods of navigation.
A lit Christ statue in the far background.

Comments

[Angela & Stef]

Hi Sel and Robyn - enjoying reading about your trip and looking forward to hearing all about it in person! xo

[robselclark]

Thanks Angela. We've still got a week to go and I confess that relaxing at home is gathering appeal. Talk to you about Christmas soon...