Sintra

Sintra is about 40 minutes west of Lisbon and costs nothing to get to by train if you have a Lisbon card. Maybe 4 euros if you don't. There are some wonderful attractions there such as the old Moorish fortress and the Pena Palace, a former monastery converted by King Ferdinand to be his regular residence.. 

But a word of advice. If you're going, go early, because the crowds and the queuing is horrific. The worst I have seen anywhere I have ever travelled. Of the three hours or so we spent at the Pena Palace, 2 of them were spent in queues. But enough of that, let's get onto the good stuff.

After waiting in a very long line to buy our entry tickets (somewhat discounted by the Lisbon card) we then waited in a long line to be actually permitted into the grounds. The usual deal is to see the inside of the Palace then take a walk around the estate. So, we joined the queue to enter the palace interior which was very long indeed. But when you do eventually get into the palace don't think your queueing days are over. The line snakes its way through the rooms and galleries in an ordered non-overtaking procession, er, rather like a queue. The rooms themselves are fabulous and varied, but you'll just have to take my word for it. Absolutely no photographs can be taken in the palace and they really do mean it. Some American students took a couple on the sly and were soundly reprimanded by the usher in the next room. The staff are all on walkie talkies and communicate who needs to get a rocket it seems.

The exterior of the palace is marginally less crowded and photos are allowed. People are swarming all over it like ants. The colours are amazing and the architecture entirely fanciful. It looks like it really should have been built out of ginger bread.

The grounds around the palace are a botanical wonderland with interesting little structures and follies sort of dotted about. But my goodness, isn't it hilly. There are some very steep and treacherous steps and paths to be encountered so mind you take care. Even the ducks are well catered for in these grounds as they have been provided with two moorish fort like duck-houses.

Ferdinand also took the time to restore the Moorish fortress on the hilltop next door and annex it into the lavish place estate as an interesting addition.

Piccies are below.

Approaching the Pena Palace in Sintra.

It sits high on the top of the hill overlooking the town.

 The palace walls are colourful and fancifully designed.

The main entrance gate. Is this Disneyland?

Nope. It was the regular residence of King Ferdinand and his first and second wives.

Here's us on a parapet overlooking the Triton terrace.

And yes we had to queue for our turn to get photographed here.

 A pillared terrace overlooking the good burgers of Sintra far below.

From a vantage point overlooking the overlookers.

Thank God. We cleared the crowds when we walked through the estate gardens.

A vast meandering botanical wonderland, though very hilly and tiring.

We chose a downward path called the Vale of the 5 Lakes. This is the Grecian inspired Temple of Columns.

  

 This is called the Statue of the Warrior.

You'll find interesting little Easter Eggs like this all through the estate gardens.

A view of the palace from the Queen Elizabeth seat, another small folly in the grounds.

Doesn't that look like Disney Fantasyland to you?

But Ferdinand did it to live in. Go figure.

A small pond of fish beside the trail.

This is the Shell Lake.

This is one of the two duck houses built on the lakes.

Pretty posh premises for the ducks I'd say. 

 Another duck house.

This one is styled after the Moorish fortress that Ferdinand was so impressed by.

A couple of team horses about to do some carting work.

The Castilo do Mouros (Moorish fortress) on the next hill over from the palace.

Was this ever used as a location in Game of Thrones, does anybody know?

It is remarkably well preserved.

  

A view of one of the fortress towers with the town of Sintra in the distance.

Wonderful views.