Sintra Portugal, located immediately north of Lisbon is the previous retreat for Portuguese Royalty. Famed for its fairy-tail like attributes, Sintra is a place wrapped in fantasy and legend, nestled in a land that would fit well into a children’s storybook.

Sintra is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must see for any person who is earnest to experiencing and seeing the unanticipated. People who have visited Sintra repeatedly  depict as a dreamlike location where fantasy and reality have been carefully intertwined. Sintra gets its wonderful attribute owing to the amazingly large quantity of Castles and Palaces which have been engineered there in excess of thousands of years. Even the Sintra’s Town Hall, The Câmara Municipal, that you can see on the image above, is an astoundingly magnificent construction.

Like to most places in Portugal, Sintra has a very extended history, spanning thousands of years. Sintra’s lengthy history can be traced back to the early Neolithic age, and archaeological proof indicates a long progression of human settlements spanning through Bronze and Iron ages.

Throughout Roman occupation of Lisbon, Sintra formed part of the Roman Administration settlement of Olisipo (Modern Lisbon). But it wasn’t until the 11th century, in the course of Moorish occupation of Iberia that mention is made to Sintra. At that time it was included as a dependency of Lisbon. About seven years following the Christian King Afonso Henriques reconquest of Lisbon in 1147, Sintra was awarded charter as a commune. It was during the Christian Reconquest that Sintra’s iconic Moorish Castle was partly ruined.

Sintra was governed by the Knights Templars until the order was abolished. Soon after that, the Portuguese Crown renamed the Knights Templar the Order of Christ. Although there were buildings constructed by the Portuguese Crown well into the 15th century, it wasn’t until the beginning of the Portuguese Global Empire that Sintra bloomed. It was King Manuel I who commenced the lasting link between Sintra and the Crown by enlarging the existing Royal Palace and the building of the Nossa Senhora da Penha Monestary. It was from the Nossa Senhora da Penha Monestary  that King Manuel I watched Vasco da Gama’s iconic homecoming voyage of discovery.

Today, Sintra is a location bursting of fascination and brilliance which was created by successive peoples who dwelt there. With the support of the Portuguese Crown, it is beyond doubt one of the most absorbing places on earth, and exceptional in every way. A visit to Sintra is a necessity and must not be missed on your next Portugal Holiday.

The Following are several of the lovely places awaiting your stopover in Sintra:

The Royal Palace: Constructed in the 15th and 16th century the Royal Palace is located in the Centre of Sintra. With its two colossal smokestack, the Royal Palace is as stunning as it is imposing. The Palace has integrated, considerably, the use of azulejos, Portuguese tiles designed as decoration of walls.

The Pena Palace: Planned by Portuguese architect Possiddnio da Silva, the Pena Palace is a product of pure Romanticism. The prototype Of European Romanticism, the Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II, and built over the ruins of a medieval monastery which had been deserted after the 1755 earthquake. Widespread use of Egyptian, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance elements gives the Pena Palace an undying and enchanted feel.

The Palace of Montserrate: Planned by distinguished British architect, James
Knowles Junior for Sir Francis Cook, The Palace of Montserrate is an example of mid-19th century eclecticism. fusing Neo Gothicism and elements derivative from India, Montserrate is as absorbing as it is picturesque.

The Moorish Castle: Sitting high on a mountaintop it is believed that the Moorish Castle is not Moorish but of Visigothic in origin. Since It was in use by the Moors at the time of the Christian Reconquest it became recognized as the Moorish Castle. Even though the castle is partly in ruins, owing to its sacking by Dom Afonso Henriques Crusade in Iberia, it is nicely preserved and worth a visit owing to its astonishing history and panoramic views.

The Quinta da Regaleira:  Built between 1904 – 1910 the Quinta da Regaleira is motivated by mysticism, infused with signs of alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar and the Rosicrucians.  The land where the Regaleira sits was formerly owned by the Barons of Regaleira, a wealthy merchant family from Porto. It wasn’t until the property was purchased by wealthy businessman Carvalho Monteiro that construction of the Regaleira commenced. The Quinta should not be missed on your Portugal vacation.

These are only a sampling of the many breathtaking places to visit in Sintra. There are many estates with vegetation imported from all over of the world. Sintra is more than just a location, it has an energy that makes it one of the top places on this planet to visit.

The Royal Palace: By Delatorre
The Palace of Montserrate: Alagamares
The Quinta da Regaleira:: Lusitana

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, situated on the western front of the Iberian Peninsula.

A great deal has Altered in Lisbon since the late fadoista Amalia Rodrigues was a young girl singing in the Fado Cafes of it’s narrow roads. Unlike other European capitals, Lisbon seems to be connected to the planet, both by its long historical past that led it to discover most of the known world, as well as its place off of the Atlantic Ocean which appears to attach it  physically to the world beyond of Europe, to every far-away land. Lisbon is equally a contemporary and old city, with it’s glittery new office towers in its business area to it’s dreamy streets of Alfama, Lisbon is unique.

Lisbon has always been a city which has reached out to the globe. It was from the shoreline of the Tagus river that flows into the Atlantic Ocean that Lisbon forced itself on the world. Legendary people like Prince Henry the Navigator, Luis Camoes and Vasco da Gama were all familiar with the streets of Lisbon, and it was from its shores that the world was revealed. The Portuguese carried their culture with them to far-away, mysterious places. In a time while  many still thought that the world was flat, the Portuguese were busy setting up settlements that still still exist, in excess of 500 years from their first voyages into the unknown.

Today, with a population of approximately 2.5 million, Lisbon is Continental Europe’s most western capital. Laying on seven hills between the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon’s history predates modern times by thousands of years. Archaeologists estimate that Lisbon was already an important city thousands of years past, homeland to numerous diverse peoples who called Lisbon home.

It is speculated that the Greeks were responsible for giving Lisbon it’s name. The Greeks named this territory, Olissipo, a name thought to have derived from the mythical king Ulysses. Over the years, name Olissipo turned into Olissipona and then finally Lisboa (Sounds like Lee-szh-Boa).

Lisbon has had several settlements of people, living on it’s shoreline, including Iberians, Celts, Germans, Romans, Moors and number of post Muslim Christian inhabitants who migrated to its shores for fame and fortune.

Lisbon became the capital of Portugal in 1255 after the Monarchy transplanted power from the Celtic Christian North to the more central and ethnically diverse center and south. It isn’t difficult to understand why the Portuguese kings were interested in the rumored far-off lands, because it was common  to have Arabs, Berbers and Jews and an assortment of other ethnicities so nearby. The Christian kings wish for wealth eventually led to a unusual position in time when the planet would transform forever.

Under management of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1419 Lisbon started seeking riches outside it’s borders and into the open Ocean. With the creation of the Portuguese Caravel, a innovative hybrid boat which could cruise in the open ocean, the Portuguese started to encounter lands were unfamiliar or established formerly, including the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde. By the closing stages of the 1400’s, the Portuguese were on their route to India, making Lisbon the new capital of Europe.

Today, Lisbon is a city with a rich history and a energetic, diverse music and art scene. There are countless sites scattered throughout this celebrated city. Lisbon has a exceptionally calm ambiance, Lisboetas are known for their welcoming character which make Lisbon one of the most amusing cities in the world to travel.

With its broad avenues, mosaic decorations on its pedestrian paths and first-rate outdoor cafes, Lisbon is a city planned for the inhabitants. A great example of this is Lisbon’s Monsanto Park which is a 10 square kilometers park that is considered one of largest in Europe.

Lisbon is a growing city, and the necessity for new streets and bridges have been deemed essential. Lisbon has one of the world’s most advanced Subway Systems that links to many bus and train routes, making travel a joy. For motorists, the recently constructed wonder the Vasco da Gama Bridge along with the gorgeous 25th of April Bridge, are important exit and entry points to the city.

It should be noted that the 25th of April Bridge, appears extremely similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. This is not by coincidence,  the bridge was constructed by the same architectural firm that built the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lisbon is all about charm planned for people most notable in the pedestrian only roads that tourists and residents alike can have the benefit of the fantastic shops and restaurants that are plentiful in this city.

There are many activities that you can accomplish and observe in Lisbon, whether you are looking for a silence getaway to the Sao Jorge Castle or visiting modern buildings like the Lisbon Oceanarium, be certain to finish your day at one of the beautifully, well conserved art-deco cafes to take pleasure in a genuine Lisbon experience.

Don’t miss the Belém Tower, a medieval tower constructed by the Portuguese during their Golden Age of Discovery.

Lisbon will amaze and enthrall you like no other city. It has an character that is exceedingly human and friendly. Don’t forget to take a pair of good quality walking shoes, because once you commence your Lisbon Vacation, you will not want it to end.

Portugal is as diverse a country as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Its prestine, sandy beaches in sunny Algarve, have been a European favorite for scores of countless years.

The Algarve Region was close to the epicenter of the 1755 earthquake which damaged most of the coastline by a tsunami. Fortresses were damaged, alongside homes that lay in the lower lands. The tsunami formed by the earthquake which was felt as far away as France and Northern Italy left a path of devastation in Mainland Portugal. The Algarve and Lisbon areas were hardest hit because of their near proximity to the epicenter. Buildings were completely destroyed by the large tremors, and burned to the ground by many fires that broke out.

Reconstruction was a slow and labored task, but in the end, much of Portugal was restored at a great expense to the Portuguese Crown. Countless of the southern Portuguese districts see tourists as an imperative part of the local economy. The Portuguese, particularly in the south of the country, value tourists and will enthusiastically welcome you. Your next Portugal vacation can be one of exquisiteness and calmness, or a wild festivity that never ends.

Countless tourists who holiday in Portugal may be accustomed with the Algarve region in southern Portugal. The Algarve is a hot traveler destination for countless Europeans because of its scenic beaches, hot weather conditions conditions and security. The Algarve´s southern facing seashore is 155 kilometers, and stretches a extra 50 kilometers to the north. Throughout the Algarve´s peak of the tourist time of year, the population more than doubles from an estimated 410,000 people to just over a million. That means that in the summer, there are more tourists in the Algarve than there are local inhabitants.

The Algarve is separated into 16 municipalities. Albufeira, Lagos, Monchique and Faro are probably the most well traveled areas of the Algarve zone. It´s critical to note that the Faro District and the Algarve Region are co-existent, and include the precise same land area of one another.

In the capital city of Faro, you will find the region´s international airport and many other managerial buildings. Most tourists who vacation in Portugal will land in Faro and then drive to the numerous resorts from there.

Lagos is especially popular with tourists because of it´s pretty grottoes which are easily accessible by boat. Lagos also has a thriving club district which is incredibly popular with the younger crowd. It is said that after you have visited Lagos, you will not desire to depart. It is one of the authentic vacation paradises in the world.

The municipality of Albufeira has gone through a major restoration in the last 10 years, with scores of resorts, and newly built condos in the area. Most of course facing the water that stretches out into the horizon.

The Algarve region´s highest point, is the mountain range of Monchique, that has an height of 906 meters. It also has a nature reserve (Ria Formosa Lagoon) with attracts 100´s of different species of birds. The Algarve is also well recognized for its great quantity of figs, almonds, oranges and cork.

You will soon find that an Algarve holiday will leave lasting fond memories for many years to come.

It is time you had a Portuguese Holiday. In the last 20 years, Portugal has been a popular travel destination for Europeans. Tourists from Great Britain, Spain and Germany comprise the largest group of visitors to Portugal. These vacationers have come to Portugal for the beauty of the land, the friendliness of the people and value. Europeans have, for many years, known that Portugal is a great destination for vacation, but outside Europe, especially in North America it is practically unknown. One reason for this is that there is little marketing of Portugal.

Portugal is very low key about promoting itself, relying more on word of mouth, and staying away from mass marketing, but it is also changing. Thanks to this fact, many parts of Portugal are almost unknown by non-Portuguese tourists and this can work to your benefit when you take a Portugal holiday. Unlike other countries that have a saturated tourism, countries like the United Kingdom and France, you often get the feeling that you are not getting a true sense of culture. But in Portugal, you can still get a real vacation experience and feel as though you are discovering the country for the first time. Furthermore, Portugal is still one of the best value holiday in all of Western Europe, which means that the dollar goes further there than anywhere else.

Portugal is blessed with one of the sunniest climates across Europe, with long summers and moderate winters in the south, and more moderate temperatures cooler in the north, most Portuguese do not need central heating systems.The Cost of living is very affordable, and the Portuguese tend to take life in at a more casual,human pace, although you’ll still find the hustle and bustle of life in larger cities such as Lisbon and the city of Porto. This means that you can enjoy the fast pace of the cosmopolitan urban centers, or lay on the beach or in some far corner of the country, far from the cares of everyday life.

I think you’ll find that your holiday in Portugal will be a very pleasant and eye opening experience. Don’t hesitate, make your next holiday a Portuguese one.