Up and out and on the 8.30am bus into Sintra. Had a coffee then walked to the old part of the city to find the tourist info. What a place! Photo opportunity around every bend. Lush forests and vegetation and glimpses of the castle and the palaces which stand on the high hill tops. Decided on a 2 day hop on hop off bus to get us around and up to these sites. 16Euro each. Really cannot believe how the tour buses get up the winding narrow roads! Very glad we didn't bring Priscilla! First stop was the fairytale like Pena Palace & Park. Hope the photos can do it some justice. It was unbelievable how they even built this palace within the rocks. Shame parts of it were scaffolded as they were painting and restoring. It was a magical place with stunning views all around. After the palace we went into the park and had our picnic lunch then walked to the Alter Cruz which is the highest point in Sintra. The whole park was absolutely stunning like nothing we have ever seen before. Expected to see nymphs and fairies to appear at anytime! Some of the shapes of the trees were enchanting how they entwined with the huge granite rocks. You can understand why the poet Byron described Sintra as a Glorious Eden and he overstayed his vacation by 3 years! On then to the moorish castle which again clings to the rock face and we walked the whole length of the parapet walls - it felt a bit like the great wall of China! Then down into the cistern where they have uncovered Neolithic remains from 5000bc. Took the tour bus back down the mountain to Sintra to enjoy some beers and tapas before catching the bus back to Priscilla. A quick couple of beers in the bar next door and to use their wifi before showers and an early night / back there again tomorrow - can't wait!
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