We are CCFP people

 Let's face it, Carol and I are CCFP people -- Castles, Cathedrals, Forts, and Palaces.  To me, walking through beautiful buildings, or simple buildings from 500 to 1,000 years ago is awe-inspiring.

The carvings, the wood work, the design, and the idea that maybe 600 years ago this building was busy with people living their best lives is pretty mind-blowing.  That, the food, culture, and wine, are some of the main reasons we are drawn to Europe for our many of our trips (the other great kind of trips are to see nature at its best, whether it is Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, or South Africa).

Sintra has both an incredible fort, the Moorish Castle, which is 1200 years old.  You've probably already seen pictures of it perched high on a hill.

But the town is more famous for its many palaces.  We actually made it to four in our less than two days there, but there is still one elusive one that we did not make it to.  

We had heard repeatedly that the top palace (literally, as it sits on the highest hill), Pena Palace, is worthy of hiring a tour guide for.  So the day prior I What's App'd Marta (she guided our first tour in Lisbon) and hired her to guide us for Pena Palace.  It was worth having her guide us just to have an idea how to get to the Palace (the road is closed to all but approved buses and taxis).

A Romanticist Castle, it is a fairy tale castle come to life.  It is, of course, a UNESCO Heritage Sight.  (Editor: Yes, Glen, we know -- "UNESCO means you must go!"  Writer: Well, I wasn't going to say it this time, but thanks for amplifying my message.)

A convent was started on the site in the late 1400s/early 1500s as a quiet hilltop retreat for the monks. The Lisbon earthquake reduced much of the convent to ruins, although the chapel was saved.  In 1838,  a German prince named Ferdinand II, who was married to the Queen and thus the King Consort, bought it with his own money and had it transformed from 1842 to 1854 into a stunning palace.

It is one of Portugal's Seven Wonders, as voted on by the people of Portugal.  (Btw, we made it to six of the seven on this trip, with the only one we didn't get to is up north in Braga.  It's on the list for our trip to the North.)

The palace is a beautiful jumble of Germanic, Moorish, and Spanish architecture.  The three styles are not jarring combined, as it all works together to cause jaws to drop.

Marta did a great job walking us through the history of the palace, and pointing out things we likely would have missed.  If you are looking for a great guide in Lisbon, Sintra, and beyond, connect me for her phone number, you can chat via What's App.

Oh, and be sure to live your best CCFP life (Castles, Cathedrals, Forts, and Palaces).