Sintra, Portugal
Dear Sintra,
You stole my heart and so get your own blog.
While in Portugal, we took a day trip to Sintra and it was simply my favorite day. We booked an all day guided trip with Rui on Air B&B and he had the most gentle demeanor that set the tone for the day. He picked us up from out hotel for a private van ride out of the city and swept us away into the beautiful country side.
This was my favorite place in Portugal. We were in nature, surrounded by old buildings, quiet, and cool air. One of the most notable things about Sintra is the mysterious mist that lingers in the area, but for some reason on this day we went, it was super clear and so the suspense that came with the mist was lifted and it just felt like an enchanting place where kings and queens hung out.
Our first stop was a gorgeous garden and walking path that led to the national Palace of Pena. This garden walk was my favorite thing we did in Sintra and it was filled a large variety of plants and trees from around the world with the purpose for you to get lost and discover yourself again. So poetic.
The palace, was built by an amazing designer who brought romanticism to Portugal. He had a grand vision for his wife, the Queen, who sadly never got to sleep in it. We learned on our slow walk that she died at the age of 34. And that was her third marriage. The young lady had her first marriage at age 16, had 11 children, and died while giving birth to the last one. Hearing these stories from history made me pause to ponder my own life and the blessings in it.
The National Palace of Pena was breathtaking. So many architectural influences all in one spot. It looked like something straight out of a movie. We didn’t go inside because we spent so much time outside and was perfectly content walking around the palace, stopping for photos, taking in the views, visiting the chapel, and having a cup of espresso from on high.
We did swing by the gift shop though and that was really great place for some cute gifts.
Next, Rui took us to Quinta Da Regaleira. I think it’s basically a huge property where a very wealthy etymologist and free mason, Carvalho Monteiro, aka “Money Bags” lived. Basically everything on his property was over the top, grand, and full of art and mystery.
The most popular place on his property is this Initiation Well. It is believed to be some sort of portal or invitation for you to die and go to “hell.” You walk down the 9 levels of Dante’s furnace and experience the 4 elements, then look for light to come out and be reborn. A bit creepy if you ask me, but when this place normally has a hour plus long line and not a person in-site, we had to see what it was all about. The walk down was dark, wet, and eerily quiet leading into tunnels and questions about the rumors that this place is somehow tied to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. Thankfully we made it out to more beautiful views of the property.
This property was so picturesque with beautiful gardens, fountains, outdoor theatres, and this castle. There was so much to see in so little time.
It was clear that Sintra was a destination that tourists had to come see for themselves. We saw people from all over the world in this area and they looked just as happy as we were to be swept away by the romanticism in Portugal.
Oh and here’s a glimpse of the famous Moorish Castle we didn’t stop by to see because there was just too much to do in this one area. Just have to come back!
Our last stop was “the end of the world.” Sagres is an area that is the most south-western point in Europe so in the ancient world, it was the last explored point. From here we could only see ocean and was a place from long ago, that people would look out and wonder if the world was flat. Kind of surreal!
Sintra was breathtaking and my favorite spot in Portugal. I highly recommend booking a tour out to this area and most definitely recommend Rui. He was an amazing tour guide, so passionate about his country, his people, its history, and really encouraged you to take your time and wander, dream, get lost, and come back again.
finding peace by piece
Finding someone who knows the area and is passionate about the history, brings beautiful buildings to life, appreciation to the art and scenery, and uncovers stories from long ago that really make you appreciate today.