Lisbon

Lisbon was great though I spent only three days in and around the city.  I saw and learned a few things about Lisbon's history.  After spending half a day trying to get to Sintra by train, I decided to book an all day tour to Sintra and take a bus.  There are four notable "villa's" to visit but the tour planned a visit to two and the third I tackled on my own.  I would have hit the fourth but ran out of time. 

My two favorites were Palacio de Pena (on the tour) and Quinta da Resaleira (not on the tour). The Palacio de Vila was overrated. The architecture resembled a Spanish influence however the literature indicated the Roman era inspired the architects of the time.   

The Palacio de Pena was formerly a monestary and was abandoned after an earthquake destoryed the structure.  The monestary and was later purchased by King Ferdinand for use as a summer home.  You can see the delineation from old monestary in pink to new colors in yellow.

The Palacio de Pena

You can see how lush the vegetation is around the Palace and the city in general

The yellow represents the modernization of the Palace while the pink resembles the days of the monestary.

My favorite spot was Quinta da Regaleira.  This was the summer residence of the Carvalho Monteiro family built in the neo-manueline style.  The Palace was buildt in the 1500's and changed hands various times.  In 1840, the property was bought by Baroness da Regaleria and was transformed and I mean that literally into s summer paradise.  The lush gardens with grotto's, fountains, a Terrace of the Gods, Chapel ( can't have a palace or castle without a church), Tennis Court, Theatre (outside of course), wells, secret hiding places.  I would have stayed longer if time permitted.  Spectacular, breathtaking, romantic and a great place to take kids and explore the grounds for hours.  It was a dream. 

Quinta da Regaleira

Grotto

Quinta Da Regaleira

Sintra - a city perspective