Portugal - Mainland

To be honest, a trip to Portugal was never really on my radar . . . BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN!  

When cheap plane tickets to Portugal showed up a few months ago, I started doing some internet research and decided that Portugal had a lot to offer.  Because we love hiking, we planned the main course of our trip to be the island of Madeira with mainland Portugal as an appetizer and dessert.  It did not disappoint!  And the trip was made so much better because my sister and her husband came along!  Ann and I had so much fun planning.  

Colares

We flew to Lisbon but then drove right away to an AirBnB in Colares, right on the Atlantic.  Our apartment was on the 3rd floor above a bakery and had an ocean view.  

The beach at Colares was covered with seafoam while we were there.  We loved watching the kids play in the foam and make teepees with the sticks that were washing up on shore.  

We had made reservations at restaurant with GF options that was right on the beach with a sunset view.  It was a great way to start the trip.

Cabo de Roca ("Cape of the Rock)

Just a few miles down the coast from Colares is the westernmost point in Europe.  We visited the lighthouse there in the morning and returned again for the golden hour the next day.  Terry and I climbed on the rocks and took a little sunset hike there. 

Sintra

Sintra is a fascinating town.  We decided if we only had time to see three things there we'd see the Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Quinta de Regaleira.   This involved quite a lot of uphill walking.  We were blessed to have beautiful weather. I enjoyed all of these, but I think the Quinta de Regaleira with all its hidden pathways and the deep "Initiation Well" was the most interesting.  

Lisbon

After spending six wonderful days on Madeira, we flew back (just in time as most planes were grounded and most hiking trails were closed due to high winds for the next several days) and spent two nights and one and a half days in Lisbon.  

Our hotel was located right across from a huge plaza (one of many in Lisbon).  We took a Tuk Tuk Tour one day and the other day we hung out with a friend of Ann and David's from Fayetteville that was living in Portugal.