27.8.10

Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais...

Some more illustrations from our family holidays (see previous posts about Bilbao, Salamanca, Lisbon).


In a very decent distance from Lisbon there are a number of places that you just must visit. We made only a few of them, as the major purpose with the holidays was to rest and enjoy the house and the swimming-pool that we had rented.

These are the places we concentrated on during a day trip.


SINTRA
Sintra, situated high up on hills, offers a comparatively cool climate and was during centuries a summer resort for Portuguese Royalty. The place is UNESCO World Heritage Site, basically due to its romantic architecture. Lord Byron said: “I must just observe that the village of Cintra in the Estremadura is the most beautiful in the world.”

There is an old castle built by the Moors, “Castelo dos Muoros” with origins from the 8th and 9th century on the very top of the hill (on one of the photos), also the Pena Palace (“Palcio Nacional da Pena”), “Palcio da Regaleira”, “Palaco de Montserrate”, “Seteais Palce”… – which we did not visit) and in the very town centre, the “Palacio Nacional de Sintra” , which we visited. This was the summer residence of the Portuguese Royalty, with the major parts dating from the 15th and 16th century. It’s today a museum and the pictures below are from the town and this palace.
The landscape around is beautiful, “Serra de Sintra”.

CABO DA ROCA
We took the road to “Cabo da Roca”

"Cabo da Roca" is the westernmost point of continental Europe. The impressive lighthouse was completed in 1772.
CASCAIS
Following the coastline back to Lisbon on the beautiful Estoril Coast, you pass by Cascais. Originally a fishing village, Cascais became fashionable when the Portuguese Royal family started to come here during the end of the 19th century. Portugal being neutral during WW II, the place became the home of several royal families – Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

The other family members stayed around and looked better at the place, but I left earlier for a wonderful dinner with Mr and Mrs. Blogtrotter in Lisbon, so I have only a few photos.
I wish you a nice weekend!

18 comments:

Lo said...

I remember Sintra and Cascais happily and of course, Lisbon with love. Portugal is magical as are your gorgeous photos.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

What a wonderful tour you have given us today!

The photo of the rocks and water at Cabo da Roca has great texture with the plants in the foreground and the many shades of rock/water.

Beautiful country!

Catherine said...

I have visited all these places too - lovely reminders with these gorgeous pix!!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Magnificent pictures, Sir! They depict a fairy tale land!

Simony said...

Beautiful country and wonderful photos as always!
I would love to see Cabo da Roca to make some pictures there.
Hopefully the water at the beach was warm enough for swimming?

Olivier said...

c'est tres beau et cela fait tres oriental

claude said...

Je crois que le Portugal mérite d'a^tre visité. Mon Chéri, l'autre jour a vu un reortage sur la châine "Planète Thalassa". Il a trouvé ça très beau. Peut-être un jour irans-nous. De plus tes photos donne vraiment l'envie d'y aller.

hpy said...

Ton blog commence à ressembler à celui de Blogtrotter! A cause du Portugal?

joanna said...

Stunning! Lord Byron was correct, you and your family could ot have picked a better place to rest and enjoy your holiday.

c'est magnifique!


Joanny

Virginia said...

IT's as beautiful as I've always imagined. The water is breathtaking. I'm sure the kids loved having a swimming pool close by. What a wonderful place for a holiday!
Bon weekend,
V

BLOGitse said...

Again...your pictures make me feel Europe sick...
Have a nice weekend!

margarida said...

Love you love my country! :)))
(thanks Peter, for showing this around!)

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear Peter!
Wonderful wonderful pictures!
Léia :)

arabesque said...

picturesque fotos esp. of Cabo de Roca. ^0^

Adam said...

I went to Cintra once in August and was freezing cold, so you're right about it offering a cooler temperature! A very nice place though!

Unknown said...

Wonderful coverage of Sintra and surroundings, Pater!

Trotter said...

The «Castelo dos Mouros» was one of my favourite destinations when I was a kid... And the several Palácios in Sintra are truly awesome!! But the blue sea and the feeling of being in the westernmost point in continental Europe makes my day!!

Vagabonde said...

Your pictures are so nice Peter. When we went to Portugal I only had my film camera so my pictures are not that good. I’ll try to make a post though and scan some of them.