Lisbon Day Tour

[The-Inside-Cabin]

LISBON, PORTUGAL (POST #79) – 10 APRIL 2023

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The Sintra Palace was today’s highlight along with some great wine and pastries

We enjoyed a scenic transit of the Tagus River, complete with “Lisbon Rolls” in the Crow’s Nest.   The Cruise and Travel Director, Ian, provided commentary along the way.

Place du Commerce

 

We passed under 25 de Abril Bridge, named to commemorate the Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974.     This bridge design is similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.    Along the southern bank of the Tagus River is a large statue of Christ inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

25 de Abril Bridge Passing under the 25 de Abril Bridge This statue was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil

The Zuiderdam moored at the cruise terminal around 10 a.m., and we were cleared to go ashore about 10:30.

The National Pantheon

Our plan for today was a  Tour by Locals with Miguel F.  Here is a link to his listing.

Our group of 7 left the ship around 10:30, and we quickly found Miguel outside the terminal.

Our first stop was Praia du Guincho, situated within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which boasts a rugged and picturesque landscape. Nestled between towering cliffs, the beach stretches for miles, providing ample space for strolls, sunbathing, and picnics. The salty breeze and the sound of waves crashing against the shore create an ambiance of tranquility and wonder.  The Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho was nearby, and we stopped in to use the restrooms.

Guincho Beach

Our next stop was near Boca do Inferno, a view spot near Cascais Bay.

Boca de Inferno, Cascais Guia Lighthouse Cascais beach

After about 30 minutes of enjoying the views, we headed to the nearby town of Cascais.

Cascais is a small, touristy town with narrow streets and plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants.    This charming town, once a fishing village, has evolved into a vibrant destination that attracts travelers seeking a delightful blend of history, culture, stunning beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle.    We walked around for an hour before rejoining our group and heading to our next stop:   Adega Regional de Colares – a regional wine coop.

Nestled in the heart of Portugal, the Regional Winery of Colares stands as a testament to centuries of winemaking tradition and a dedication to preserving a unique viticultural heritage. Colares, a region known for its distinct wines and picturesque vineyards, offers a wine-tasting experience that transports visitors through time and the artistry of winemaking.   We spent about an hour here tasting a variety of very nice wines.

We ran into a massive traffic jam on the way to Sintra, our final stop, and had to reverse track and arrive about 30 minutes later than initially planned.    Sintra is a small, touristy town, and the Sintra Palace is the main attraction.     Our guide bought our tickets for us as part of our tour, but if you visit on your own, you can check out the website HERE and buy your tickets in advance.

We arrived around 4 PM and headed straight for the palace for the self-guided tour.     The palace was built in the 1400s and is well restored, with all the rooms containing furnishings faithful to the period.    We spent about 1 hour and fifteen minutes, but we had to rush through the last few rooms.   I would plan on 2 hours here to allow for a more leisurely pace.

Before we headed back to Lisbon, we headed over to Casa Piriquita to get some of Portugal’s famous pastries, including Travesseiro and the famous Queijadas.    The line was long – stretching out the door, but you take a number, and it moves fast – maybe 5 minutes.    We picked up a box of treats to share and took a few back to the ship.

It took us an hour to get back to the ship.

Tonight in the Lido was the “Taste of Portugal.”   We have learned that many of the more desirable items will “sell out,” – so I suggest getting to these special LIDO dinners early while most of the choices are still available.