Just a bit above the village, in our view, there is a mansion called Chalet Biester. Its black roof with turquoise trimming causes a lot of questions and awakes the curiosity of many Sintra visitors. No, it cannot be visited; yes, it is a private house. No, I don’t know who lives there
(Updated January, 2021) Looking up from the pool, and almost everywhere from the grounds, you see Serra de Sintra, the Sintra Mountain. On the top of it, a colourful palace is erected. What now is one of the most visited monuments in Sintra and in Portugal, used to be a chapel, constructed in
(Updated in January, 2021) Looking up from our pool toward the mountain, next to Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle is erected. Well, it looks like it’s right next to it but in fact it is not. They are both up the mountain, on different hill tops. The Moorish Castle winds over two ridges of
(Updated in January, 2021) One of the most visited places of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira is opposite of our pool, on the other side of the valley. It is our guests’ favourite monument to visit in Sintra, maybe because it is easily reachable on foot, because it is so mysterious – or
(Updated in January 2021) Sintra is not primarily a beach destination, but it does have some great beaches. Golden sand, beautiful round stones and magnificent cliffs. Surfing, tanning, walking. Great restaurants, dinosaur footprints, paragliding and fishing. Attention though – the beaches
As I have mentioned before, I frequently walk in the mornings with my dog; up and down the hills, into the forest and mountain roads. Recently there has been an extra burden on my walks. It is lent, the 40 days between Carnival and Easter. Tradition says you give up something for those 40 days that
The feeling of freedom. The mixed sensation of slight panic and incredible happiness. Last week the winds were finally perfect and my desire to experiment paragliding came through. My thirty minute flight was tandem, so my harness was attached to that of Luís, my instructor. No need for me to do
