Sintra glorious eden xxi century

Sintra is the best option of all the nearby towns. It’s a real-life “Magic Kingdom” replete with palaces, windy roads, plenty of greenage and ample opportunities for exciting, adventurous walks. The Sintra National Palace, centrally located in the middle of town, can be seen from far away because of its characteristic conical chimneys. The small shopping and restaurant district across the street from the palace is a great place for pastries and local curios. Piriquita is a local favorite for homemade pastries.

The top attraction of Sintra is literally the top attraction of Sintra: the Palácio da Pena, which sits atop the city above a garden of shrubs and trees handpicked from different regions of the world. It’s a paradise on earth. The actual palace is a hodgepodge of architectural styles and vibrant colors. There are arches, towers, battlements and guard posts all overlooking Sintra below and the Portuguese countryside in the distance. It’s great to go in the morning when the mist and clouds hang low over the palace, and finish later in the afternoon when the skies are clear.

You can enjoy Sintra by hiring a personal tour service. The Mr. Friend company is one of the best for an extensive, and reasonably priced, guided tour. Other jaunts in the area include Cascais and Estoril. Visit these more for sandy rests on the beach and views of the cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean. Other possible day trips from Lisbon include Óbidos, a walled medieval city; Alcobaça, a municipality known for its gargantuan monastery; and Fatima, the famous pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics.

In 1917, so the story goes, Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited three shepherd children several times in the countryside near Fatima. Today, Fatima continues to attract Catholic pilgrims, some of whom crawl to the spot where the visions reportedly took place. Two large basilicas sit near the spot.

No matter the belief system of the traveler in Portugal, this European enclave will inspire. There are Catholic churches throughout the country, but also many buildings influenced by the Moors, Muslims from North Africa who lived in Portugal centuries ago.

The food is divine. The sights are uniquely impressive. The people are welcoming and helpful. And, perhaps best of all, the country is cheaper than most other European getaways.