One of the 1000 places to visit - Sintra - Lisbon PART 1

Nimue
Thu 28 Aug 2008 14:14
Sintra is described as a "glorious Eden, with a twinkling tiara of stunning palaces and manors surrounded by lush green countryside".  We joined with Steve and Mandy off Beez Neez to visit Sintra and I was designated once again as 'Pathfinder'.  The bus trip from Cascais took just over half and hour and after a coffee and a sandwich we took the tour bus up to the Moorish Castle and the National Palace of Pena; I must say an incredible piece of driving around extemely narrow and winding roads.  
Then back to the Sintra National Palace famous for its unmistakeable silhouette dominated by two enormous chimneys and was a the traditional summer retreat of Portugal's kings. 
 
The Romantic style of the  National Palace of Pena was commissioned in the first half of the 19th century on the site of an old 16th century convent.  It is full of unusual details and the surrounding landscape is as impressive as the architecture itself.
 
Part 2 and pictures to follow shortly; as I'm having difficulty sending them over the Sat Phone???