Sintra is one of those rare places where you really feel something magical or even ethereal under your skin. Sometimes during the winter, there is a thick mist around Sintra’s region, which gives a fabulous dreamlike vibe.

This small village, 29 kilometers from Lisbon, is surrounded by a dense forest, palaces, manor houses of all sorts, and land locations with Freemason and Knight Templar symbols. It is an epic open-air museum inside a natural reserve with several architectural styles cohabiting the same space. It is not a coincidence that most people describe Sintra as Romantic.

1. Quinta Da Regaleira: Hidden Symbols and Lush Gardens

During the Cooltours Full-Day Minivan Small-Group Tour in Sintra, our first stop is at the amazing Quinta da Regaleira property. It may not be the first place on Google searches or travel guides about Lisbon, but it is possibly the most fascinating and mysterious place in Sintra.

The first owner was António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, who commissioned an ambitious and mysterious plan from an Italian architect, Luigi Manini, who had made a career as a set designer at Teatro La Scala. However, it was his work in Bussaco Palace that caught Carvalho Monteiro’s attention. Surrounded by gardens, caves, lakes, and many enigmatic constructions, Regaleira is truly a masterpiece.

Carvalho Monteiro, one of the most influential freemasons in Portugal at the time, had the desire to build a grandiose space in which he would live surrounded by symbols that mirrored his interests and ideologies: Conservative, Monarchist, and Gnostic Christian. He also wanted to resurrect Portugal’s glorious past, hence the predominance of the Neo-Manueline style with its clear connection to the Discoveries period.

It is said that everything here has a meaning. Even the layout of the massive garden was not made by chance. It is less dominated by trees at the bottom of the property and progressively becomes more and more ‘wilder’ towards the top. This disposition is related to Carvalho Monteiro’s belief in Primitivism.

One of the most incredible places in Regaleira is the Initiation Well. The spiral staircase consists of nine levels separated by flights of 14 steps each, invoking references to Dante’s Divine Comedy (9 circles of Hell, Paradise, and Purgatory) and the women’s fertile period, usually starting at the midpoint of the 28-day lunar calendar.

It is believed that it was used by Freemasonry as a ritual location where the Initiate would go down the well and then walk into a grotto in complete darkness towards the light. This was a way of getting in touch with one’s deepest fears and overcoming them, symbolizing an individual ‘ascension’ and rebirth.

The symbolism of this location is related to the belief that Earth is the maternal womb from which life comes, but also represents the ‘grave’ where we all return.

2. Pena Palace: On Top of The World

Pena Palace is perhaps one of the most recognized symbols of Portugal, one of its most famous postcards without a doubt. The mixture of styles it displays (Gothic, Manueline, Neo-Islamic, Neo-Renaissance) is typical of architectural Romanticism and forms a beautiful frame for a superb and colorful castle nestled on top of a mountain.

During the 1755 massive earthquake that sent a destructive shockwave through Lisbon and its outskirts, a former monastery was destroyed.

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The current palace was built in that location during the first half of the 19th century under the guidance of the German amateur architect, Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege. Its construction was ordered by King Ferdinand II, consort king and husband of D. Maria II, a man of culture and passionate about art and Sintra.
It served as the residence of the Portuguese Royal Family until Queen Amélia spent her last night at the palace before leaving the country in exile.

3. Cabo da Roca: The End of The World

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of the European continent, located at the extreme of the Sintra Mountain with gorgeous cliffs. There is also a lighthouse, dated from 1758, 165 meters above sea level.

4. Cascais & Estoril: Portuguese ‘Riviera‘

Until the middle of the 19th century, Cascais was a town of little relevance, except for its purpose mainly as a defensive and watch post for potential invasions, as evidenced by its fortress dating from the 17th century.

But when the Royal Family chose this place for vacations and for ‘bathing’, everything changed. Cascais and the entire coastal area experienced an enormous development, especially with the coming of a new railway line. It was the first ‘beach destination’ in the country.

During WWII, because of Portugal’s neutral status, Cascais and Estoril welcomed dozens of spies and agents from the warring regimes. Some refugees, namely from European royal families, like ​​King Humberto II of Italy, Carol II of Romania, and countless other figures from sports and cultural scenes, found safe haven here. One of them was none other than Ian Fleming, the English author who gave birth to the most famous spy in the world! It is believed that the Casino Estoril was the true inspiration for the Casino Royale, James Bond’s first novel.

On the way back to Lisbon, we drive along the Marginal Avenue, a winding waterfront road with sweeping views of the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean while the sun sets. A perfect way to end an unforgettable experience.

L’article Sintra: Mysticism and Romance est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

You probably are familiar with the famous bucket lists for travel aficionados, right? Places to see or to go before you depart from this world, kind of thing. Well, Douro is precisely one of those places on Earth. It combines natural beauty, jaw-dropping landscapes with zig-zag roads, fantastic gastronomy, and world-class wines, including the famous Port wine.

Douro or Duero in Spanish means ‘Golden’, but it is quite reductive since this region has all sorts of colors and shades. Its source is in Spain, in a mountain area called Duruelo de la Sierra, and it is quite impressive to see that this ‘natural tap’, drop by drop, gets to be larger than life. It is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula as it flows almost 900km through Spain and Portugal until it reaches its outlet in Porto.

1. Touched by God, Forged by Men

The Douro Valley is the perfect combination of a natural wonder and a massive effort and energy expended by man in its transformation. All the iconic hillside vineyards that produce Port wine and its unique grape varieties were created in the region when flat fields ran out. So, in a way, Douro is also the result of creativity and resourcefulness as well.

For centuries, generations of blood, sweat, and tears contributed by digging the soil, taking the massive shale out of the ground, and creating the walls and terraces that shelter the vines until today. Before the building of the dams, wine used to be transported downriver in flat-bottomed boats called ‘rabelos’.

The soil also plays an important part since it enhances the vines’ longevity and allows the production of colorful and sugar-concentrated musts. Douro is divided into a few areas, and each region has slightly different weather conditions, resulting in diverse altitudes and sun exposure, but in general, the climate is dry, and the mountains protect the vines against the wind. There is also a high precipitation rate, which helps to fertilize the soils and increase the wine production.

2. Terraced Vineyards & Viewpoints

The Cooltours Duoro Valley Full-Day Tour starts from the Porto city center and goes upriver for an unforgettable road trip into the mesmerizing Douro Valley, located just 100 kilometers west of the city of Porto.

The first stop is at one of the several viewpoints in this region. One of them is on the top of the mountain, São Salvador do Mundo. It is an unbelievable sight overlooking the Douro River and its famous railway entering a very narrow gorge.
Another favorite is Casal de Loivos, not far from Pinhão, famous for having one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, decorated with white and blue tiles. A perfect location to sit and just feel the tranquility. The nice and quaint villages around, people working the land, the train that occasionally honks, which resonates throughout the valley… time just slows down and synchronizes with the rhythm of nature.

3. Gastronomy & Wines

Douro Valley is known primarily for Port, a sweet wine that has been produced for two thousand years. The Alto (upper) Douro, also known as Douro Vinhateiro, is dominated by big placards on the hillsides bearing the names of famous Port producers such as Cockburns, Taylors, and Sandeman.

However, this region ‘hides’ several local producers with outstanding red and white table wines. During our tour, we pay a visit for a tasting of some of the best nectars this region can offer, along with some local delicacies like ham, olive oil, and honey.

Tasting a wine can be a powerful experience, but nothing compares with having a glass of Port or a Douro wine, while seeing the river and the terraced vineyards on the hill sides. You will realize that everything you need is in that moment: the feeling of good food, good vibes, and good company.

4. River Cruise

After lunch, we offer the opportunity to get a view of the river. It is a unique way to admire the Valley and its landscapes while following the river.
On hot summer days, the cruise is perfect for basking on a sun deck, while feeling the freshness of the Douro waters and fruity scents from the hillside vineyards.
The cruise lasts for 50 minutes and will allow you to see this region along with the relaxing pace of the Douro River.

5. The Wine Tastings and The Return Home

During this wonderful day at the Douro Valley with The Cooltours, you will have the chance not only to learn about the region, its people, and the wine production but also to taste several different wines locally produced.

While in the morning we dedicate our wine tastings to the AOC Douro Wine (red, white, and, in some cases, rosé), in the afternoon, after the relaxing river cruise, we will guide you through the Port Wine industry.

A visit to a small Port Wine producer, where you will be able to get to see the winemaking process, the cellars, and why this is such a strict industry in terms of quality, will be the cherry on top of the cake. You will taste several different Port Wines, accompanied by the producer or the family representative, where they will guide you through the wonderful world of aged wine and the differences that exist between the Ruby, White, Tawny, and sometimes Late Bottled Vintage wines.

L’article Douro Valley: The Cradle of Port Wine est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.