Sintra

The Palace of Pena

After taking two trains, a bus, then a shuttle we finally arrived at our destination and we felt like we were in the middle of a tropical rain forest.  The Palace of Pena began as a 12th century chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena, was purchased by Don Fernando II in 1838 and it went under major construction and renovation.  It has been home to Kings Don Carlos I and Don Manuell II, and was converted I to a museum after that.  Extensive restoration and refurbishing began in 2010, and the property it sits on is at the top of a steep hill so it's very secluded.

Now that's a dining room!

After touring the palace we returned back down to the little town of Sintra via one of the scariest bus rides ever!  The road was incredibly narrow and full of switchback corners and the guy drove like a maniac - even Ted couldn't believe it.

We asked a couple of local residents on the street to recommend a good place to eat, both of them immediately said to go to Apeadeiro's so off we went.  It looked small from outside but once you got in it was fairly large, with an old fashioned bar at the front and the restaurant in the back.  Good food at a good price, with extra special service.  When you sit down they bring a bowl of bread, a large plate of olives, a plate of cheese, and two deep fried items as free starters.  After the meal Ted had dessert, coffee and asked for the bill, and the guy brought it with another plate with pastries.  After that he then brought two glasses and a bottle of Port for us to serve ourselves!  Once we had our Port we paid the bill and checked out a cooler of drinks by the front door area.  When Ted enquires about a lemonade there the fellow takes it out and gives it to him, refusing to take any money for it.  Quite the value-added place, he's been in business there since 1970 and has 5 books on a shelf there that the restaurant is recommended in,including Rick Steves'  Portugal.

The Palace of Pena