Overview
DAY 1 | Sintra – Cascais – Queluz
Today is a superb day of sightseeing in the quaint and aristocratic, World Heritage by UNESCO, town of Sintra – where Lord Byron lived and considered it to be “Paradise in Earth”. You’ll see castles, fortresses, forests, and beautiful scenery.
Sintra and its mystical hills dotted with fairytale palaces and extravagant villas have bewitched visitors for centuries. The Romans made it a place of cult moon worshiping and named it “Cynthia” after the goddess of the moon. They were followed by the Moors who also fell in love with the lush vegetation and built a hilltop castle, a palace, and several fountains around the town. Later it became the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family and attracted a number of wealthy aristocrats who built huge mansions and villas.
Indulge on a private panoramic tour throughout Sintra remarkable monuments. You’ll first visit the 19th century Pena Palace, one of Europe’s most fantastic palaces. It includes a drawbridge, a conglomeration of turrets, ramparts, and domes, and a gargoyle above a Neo-Manueline arch, all washed in an array of pastel shades. The extravagant interior is decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian furnishings, rich ornaments, paintings, and priceless porcelain preserved just as the royal family left them.
Drive towards Lisbon following the coastline. En-route stop in Cascais, a lovely fishermen village. For lunch (not included), one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. The low-lying seafront building sports a trussed wooden ceiling and large windows that take in views of the occasionally treacherous surf.
After lunch venture on a relaxing walking tour to the Cascais center, enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
En-route to Lisbon enjoy a private visit to the beautiful XVIII century Queluz Palace, reminiscent of Versailles.
