Category: Spain

• Lisbon & Sintra Hills
• Weather: 80 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

The National Palace of Pena’s dreadful queueing experience was repaired by the delightful spontaneous decision to explore Sintra’s city center.

• Lisbon & Sintra Hills
• Weather: 80 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

A strike closed the palace during morning hours. Morning and afternoon guests were condensed into the afternoon hours. Tour groups got an automatic pass directly entering whereas independent guests spent a third of their day queueing in line. It felt as if we were being driven like herds of cattle. Dreadful.

• Lisbon & Sintra Hills
• Weather: 80 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

The National Palace of Pena is the crown jewel in the city Sintra Hills, 20 miles from Lisbon. The palace has Medieval features…parapet paths, lookout towers, and a drawbridge. There are also Moorish and nautical features. Its history began in 12th century as a chapel, transitioning to a monastery, monk’s retreat, and royal palace. Stunning and quirky.

• Peniche to Lisbon
• Weather: 75 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

There is a scenic overlook by the Cathedral’s starting point for the Camino. By happenstance, I noticed a man whose profile was strikingly familiar. It was the same profile that zipped past me on a surf board. Sure enough it was Rado from surf camp. We both were thrilled at this unexpected meeting. It’s a small world where coincidences warm the heart.

• Peniche to Lisbon
• Weather: 75 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

The best way to see Lisbon is to amble. Just follow the crushing avalanche of tourists and you stumble on the major sites. First on my list was Manteigaria with its well earned best custard pie reputation. Ever the foodie me.

• Peniche to Lisbon
• Weather: 75 degrees with mixture of overcast and blue skies

Meike, Liss, and I traveled together from Peniche to Lisbon. This allowed a gentle separation from our intense week at surf camp. It’s always the transitions between travels that are hard.