After being picked up from your centrally located Lisbon hotel by your guide, travel west in an air-conditioned vehicle. Drive along Marginal Avenue, a winding waterfront road with sweeping views of the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean. Leave the April 25 Bridge behind as you follow the railway line, passing white sandy beaches, fishing vessels, ancient fortresses, and old mansions. Pass the picturesque Portuguese Riviera, a strip running through Oeiras, Estoril, and Cascais. Snap photos of the Casino Estoril, Europe’s largest casino, believed to be Ian Fleming's inspiration for the James Bond novel Casino Royale.
As you pull into Cascais, take your time strolling around the chic holiday destination, once a fishing village, and then a refuge for royal families during World War II. Explore narrow alleys and glimpse traditional Portuguese white houses, or relax by the beach. Continue to postcard-perfect Cabo da Roca, continental Europe’s westernmost point. Pass Guincho, one of the region’s most famous beaches, popular amongst surfers and watersports enthusiasts for its strong winds and inimitable waves. Enjoy some free time admiring the landscape, and then continue to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sintra.
Explore its historic center, and then head to the romantic Quinta da Regaleira. Wander through its 4 hectares containing a palace, lush gardens, lakes, grottoes and mysterious constructions that evoke Freemasons and the Templars. Head to the top of Serra de Sintra, 500 m above sea level, to visit the Palace of Pena. Admire the fairytale example of architectural Romanticism that blends several styles, including Gothic, neo-Manuelin, neo-Islamic, and neo-Renaissance. After the tour, enjoy a convenient return transfer to your hotel.
