My passion is to show people Portugal beyond the touristic spots and so also with this special tour. Join me for a day in magical nature combined with interesting history and a world where silence sets the tone. Sintra is one of the most visited locations in Portugal. Most visitors are focusing on the most famous palaces but there are so much more to see and explore!
We will start early in the morning, and go by car to Sintra for a couple of first stunning viewpoints before other people arrive. Then we’re heading into the forest who covers the hills around Sintra to visit maybe the most forgotten “palace”. A place where silence is a natural part of the experience. It’s hard not to say “wow!” all the time though…..
Convento dos Capuchos is an old monastery build in the 15th century. This place is very special, quiet and completely unique. The tiny rooms, the special way to use cork in the interior, all the narrow corridors….these are all a part of this natural museum from a forgotten time. With the magic nature around the feeling is like going into a fairytale. I will serve you a coffee while we enjoy the view over the old vegetable garden.
After this visit back in time, we will have a 40 minutes walk through the beautiful forest. It’s more or less downhills and the trail is good so not very hard. I will tell you about the nature we’re passing through. A couple of small, peaceful lakes are also located along our route.
The trail ends by Monserrate palace. A magnificent house surrounded by one of the most amazing parks I ever have visited. You will be able to visit the palace and admire the magnificent interior.
The palace park was built up during 19th century and grew together with all international guests who brought exotic plants to this unique collection.
The park is huge and stone trails mendors on the hill sides in the valley behind the palace. Everywhere you look, you will see beautiful plants, flowers, endless of old trees and water ponds. If you like nature and gardens, this is paradise! In many places you can read about different, rare plants.
We will end the day in Quinta da Regaleira, filled with mysticism and gothic architecture.
The modest fairy tale convent where we started this morning is the absolute opposite of this palace where every detail demonstrate the historical power. Quinta da Regaleira has a huge parkö and we will spend some hours to walk around and admire monuments, buildings, ponds and nature.
I can pick you up anywhere in Lisbon area. Included in the price.(50 km radius from Sintra center) I am happy to pick you up anywhere else more south also, for example in the Algarve, but in that case with a guided transfer day one, and an overnight. Please let me know where you are located and I give you a personalized offer. You can off course also combine this tour with an extra day by yourself in Sintra.
