Sidenote: Madonna and her family live in Sintra. We didn't see her but we did see some houses where she could potentially live. Because of this our son knows more about Madonna than your average 10 year old. #proudparents
Prior to our trip L bought a book entitled "Wild Portugal". It is a fantastic book full of hidden gems and roads less traveled. This hike was was part of that book. Not a long hike but starting up here and ending at a "wild" beach. Wild meaning no food/drinks available, no way to get there other than hiking, no bathroom, but what the book failed to mention is that it also meant wild in that those who ventured to make the trek there needn't wear any clothes on arrival. HA! Let's just say we were in the minority because we had bathing suits on. Wild indeed.
So worth the hike....it always is!
We stopped here briefly before our hike to document that we were indeed at the western most point of continental Europe!
This was the beginning with a beautiful path...all downhill from here. :-)
Taking the lead
My adventuring partner...thank you for leading us down so many memory making paths. I love you!
Probably discussing how brave they are feeling to get in the COLD water
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean"
Pena Palace in the background! A vacation home to the monarchy of Portugal from the early 1800s through the early/mid 1900s. Now, apparently I wore the same exact outfit on our other Sintra day. Except that one day I wore a hat and the other I didn't. If I am wearing a hat we are at Pena and its grounds. Luke has on dark gray shorts at Pena, blue shorts at the Moorish Castle/Quinta da Regaleira. Sorry for the confusion.
My sweet kiddo capturing this sweet photo!
Team Tully at Pena Palace
I thought the vibrant colors were awesome and probably very unique for that time period.
Sintra and Sintra countryside in the background
The Pena Palace itself was gorgeous, so ornate and detailed and amazing....HOWEVER, the Pena Palace grounds were where we spent 95% of our day. We logged over 14 miles on this day just wandering the GORGEOUS grounds. Seriously, you should see our Pena Park map with all its highlighted trails. Beyond beautiful, this is outside one of the greenhouses, near the stables.
Such varied plants and trees all in one area!
This was my favorite little spot...a Chalet built for King Ferdinand II's second wife, Edna. Gorgeous inside and out and such a stark contrast to the palace itself. She was an opera singer and very artistic, a bit of an artist's escape chalet, I guess.
Real life...shenanigans outside the bathrooms :-)
No Hat and Blue Shorts - This is us standing at one of the ends of the Castle of the Moors with the Pena Palace in the background. As the crow flies they are fairly close to each other. However, the Moorish Castle was built in the 10th Century by the Muslim populations that occupied the Iberian Peninsula. The 10th Century!!! crazy
Back to Pena
Hidden grottos and tunnels had this kid so happy!!! He is his father's son...the road less traveled always wins, off the beaten path we go!
This is a photo of the "Initiation Well" at Quinta da Regaleira. A palace and grounds built by an eccentric billionaire named Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. Such a strange and interesting man that used his wealth to create this amazing palace and surrounding "playground" of gardens, tunnels, mazes, grottoes, and pathways. Just Gorgeous, and kind of weird. We LOVED it!
We started at the top of the Initiation Well and spiraled our way down. The owner of this property was a well known freemason and apparently this well was used to in the initiation of others into the society. It was never intended for water. At the base of the well are tunnels that lead into a maze. I think I can imagine the initiation process from there.
The tunnel at the base of the well led us here!
How we got out!
This is a cork tree! Portugal is the leading exporter of cork in the world!
Again with the hydrangeas but they were a part of our wedding flowers so L humored me with this cheesy photo.
The architecture of the Quinta da Regaleira is phenomenal, combining so many different styles!
Walking from Quinta da Regaleira to the Moorish Castle
Moorish Castle
Just massive! It was used as a control tower for the Atlantic coast and land to the north. It also served as an outpost for the city of Lisbon.
Sintra and the Atlantic
Team Tully making our way to the other end of the castle...we did the whole thing!
I honestly cannot get over the history...10th century!
As far as the eye can see!
This kid! Love him! We had a hard time deciding which castle of the three was our favorite...I loved the quirk and architecture of the Quinta, the grounds of Pena, and the history of the Castle of the Moors.
Back to Pena Palace, the gardener's "shed"
Inside Edna's chalet. So charming!
Pena Palace grounds, searching for grottoes.
The details, amazing!
Sitting and reflecting...such a good skill to have
We took a Tuk Tuk ride! In Luke's words "we got ripped off". HA! He isn't wrong.
Sintra's narrow shopping streets.
Maze tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira
Just the coolest things! And to have someone commission these to be built in the late 19th century...what a cool and odd man!
Pena grounds
This is where one of the tunnels led...looks like carpet, actually duckweed. Luke and I figured at least 5 tourists a day step in this!
Not solid ground!
Our Sintra days were fantastic! From the beach and Cabo da Roca to reliving history with the Moors. Such varied experiences in a beautiful part of Portugal!
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