I’ve met a lot of travelers, and I read a lot of travel blogs. Half the people I follow on Twitter have something to do with travel, and travel memoirs make up the bulk of my personal library. So how come I’m just now discovering that Portugal is a big, shiny gem?
I HAVE NO IDEA.
Although I’m excited to travel anywhere, I can’t say Portugal was at the top of my must-see list. But I am so thankful I made it here. This country has blown me away with fairytale palaces, magnificent landscapes and an exceptional history of explorers, artists and dreamers. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to make it part of this European road trip
Unfortunately I only have a short time here — I’m headed back to Spain tomorrow — but it was enough to move Portugal to the top of my must-return list.
Here’s the Fortaleza do Guincho, a 17th century fortress that has been turned into a magnificent hotel.
The Moorish Castle. The stairs here helped me burn off the bowl of olives I ate for lunch.
The spectacular view from Hotel Trivoli in Sintra.
Reflection in a tuk tuk mirror during a tour of Sintra. (The tuk tuks were made by Vespa and very chic. They are an ideal way to comfortably cover a lot of ground on Sintra’s winding, hillside roads.)
Refilling my water bottle with some of Portugal’s crisp, delicious agua.
Hillside near Sintra.
Yet another gorgeous castle.
Beautiful buildings dot the hillsides.
An arch going to Pena Palace.
Doorway outside of Pena Palace.
King Neptune looks angry.
Public water fountain on the street.
Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. The coastline reminded me of California.
Lisbon after dark.
