SINTRA
PortugalFamously-dubbed as a fairytale, Sintra is a different kind of Disneyland. A resort town standing on the foothills of Portugal’s rippling Sintra Mountains, it has been a royal sanctuary studded with pastel-hued manors and all kinds of palaces; complete with their very own dewy forests and exotic gardens... Giving off Rivendell-vibes, it is no wonder that the Portuguese and British elite flocked the woodland and fanciful castles back in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Quinta da Regaleira @handluggageonly The Brazilian coffee tycoon Antonio Carvalho Monteiro desired ferociously-carved fireplaces, frescoes and Venetian-glass mosaics. Explore the romantic grounds in the early morning, and be prepared to be amazed with the surreal, imaginative place.
A truly magical neo-Manueline extravaganza, the Quinta de Regaleira is a stunning villa dreamt up by Italian opera-set designer, Luigi Manini, who recreated the 4-hectare estate in the early 19th century.
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Considered as the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal, the Aplacio Nacional de Pena is an eclectic castle often shrouded by a swirling mist, piercing through a thickly-wooded peak. Brainchild by the artistic king Ferdinand of Saxe Coburg-Gotha, he commissioned Prussian architect Ludwig von Eschwege in 1840 to build an extraordinary palace. It’s like an extreme wedding cake, teeming with turrets and grandiose interior décor.
Moorish Castle Sintra (@handluggageonly) As you become mesmerized by the incredibly scenic view, be careful as you tread though the treacherous paths down to Praia da Ursa! Upon reaching the bottom of the valley, you’ll be greeted by golden sands and a range of peculiarly-shaped limestone stacks, before you dip your aching feet into the warm waters of the sea... A recommendation to those who prefer a less-crowded experience to Cabo da Roca, as this sight is like a world away.
The tall, fortified stone walls and thick battlements is drastically different to the aforementioned flamboyant structures. The Castelo dos Mouros has been used as an outpost to protect the city of Sintra for centuries, soaring 412-meters above sea level. It may not be as architecturally-impressive as the rest, but the panoramic views of the hills and its valley from the 10th-century Moorish castle is splendid on its own.
Praia da Ursa (@handluggageonly) Ever imagined of living in a palace? Exuding its own Portuguese charm, the Tivoli Palacio de Setais that’s located in the heart of Sintra is fitting for those romantically-inclined; a popular favorite summer residence to past Portuguese kings. Be transported into the 18th century with its effortless elegance and artful architecture, with walls that ring with laughter of the frivolous conversations of centuries past…
