Portugal: Sintra

Took the train (39 minutes) from Lisboa. It’s in the mountains (the smell of pines and cypresses in the cold air early in the morning, an “Alpine” touch!), and it is known as the center of romantic architecture in Europe, now a UNESCO World Heritage site; because of its various palaces built in the 19th century and of romantic (à la German) inspiration!

Especially the Palace of Pena, built on the very top of the highest escarpment – I climbed on foot to it, from Sintra, some 5 kilometers at least on a tortuous road! Built mostly by this romantic “artisty” Portuguese king, Fernando II, of Austro-German “descendance”. Extraordinary: it reminds me of the Rhine and Bavarian castles built during those days – same inspiration!

Had lunch at the Regional de Sintra restaurant (mushrooms à la Sintra; Sole Meunière; and somelocal white wine) before coming back to Lisboa by one of the frequent (every 15 minutes at that time of the day) trains.



Lisbon, February 15, 2013