09 September 2014

Cabo da Roca and Pena National Palace, Portugal

With the help of friends we were able to plan a 5 day getaway, just the 2 of us to Portugal to celebrate 20 years of marriage!


Not looking too bad for 20 years of marriage, eh?!

Jerry had been wanting to go to Lisbon for a long time.
Get me anywhere near the sea and I want a place with sea views!  I scoured hotels and all kinds of rentals.  We decided on a nice 2 bed apartment outside of Lisbon in the small town of Caxias with coastal views.

Let me tell you!!  Stay at Anabela's place and you will not be disappointed!!  We received such amazing hospitality!!  This is her family's apartment they use to get away from the city, as well as renting it out.  It is such a lovely, homey place that it was like staying at a friend's house.  So comfortable (I didn't think to take pictures of the inside, bad blogger...you can find photos at the link I provided), great location and beautiful views!!

Just look at that!!

Caxias, Portugal, sea views, travel,

On the beach in front of the apartment.

Caxias, Portugal, beach, travel

Anabela gave us a wealth of information on the area.  You can tell she just loves people and loves to share her beautiful country.  She made herself available and checked on us to make sure we were doing ok.  We left feeling like we'd made a friend for life!!

One of her suggestions, Cabo da Roca.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, cliffs, travel

The most western point of mainland Europe.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, cliffs, travel

Cabo da Roca, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, cliffs, travel

Cabo da Roca, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, cliffs, travel

Within days of our trip we decided to rent a car, at Anabela's suggestion.  I am so glad we did.  We got to see so much more because of it, like Cabo da Roca.  You can reach the cape through various tours if you do not have a car.  You just have to do some planning.  Since we're not much for planning, having a car worked out great for us to just go when we wanted.

Cabo da Roca, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean, cliffs, travel, lighthouse

Within easy reach of Cabo da Roca, and another suggestion, was Pena Palace.

Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site

Isn't it gorgeous?!

Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site

Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.  Set on a hilltop in Sintra, it's understandable why the palace is the most iconic and photographed in the area.  Although this area is not hurting for beauty!!  Everywhere you look is amazing!

Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site

Be ready for quite a hike!!  You can pay for a shuttle to take you up and down if you so desire.

Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site

Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site

The very STEEP steps to view the palace.  I have a bit of a heights issue and was just going to let my hubby take the photos.  He yelled down at me saying that I had to do it!!

Pena Palace Gardens, Portugal

I'd say the hike, and pushing aside my heights issues, for this view was worth it!!

Pena Palace Sintra, Portugal

Pena Palace Garden, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site
Pena Palace, Portugal, castle, fairytale, hills, Sintra, travel, Seven Wonders, Unesco World Heritage Site
Pena Palace Garden Sintra, Portugal, travel,

Our first full day and one of our most favorite days of our trip!!

More to come of Portugal, so stay tuned!

Linking up with my favorite gals for Travel Tuesday!

Travel Tuesday

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos! I especially like that last set by the pond. I'm glad you had a wonderful anniversary trip - you guys definitely don't look like you could possibly have been married for 20 years! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So gorgeous and green!! Hoping to make it to Portugal in the next year....can't wait to read more about it :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you!! It's a beautiful place! Definitely list worthy! =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks! That little pond was gorgeous! I could have hung out there for quite some time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes it was! June was a great time, warm but not too hot. More to come soon! =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. So many beautiful photos! ahhh! Thanks for sharing :)
    Happy Anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pena Palace is so beautiful! And congrats on 20 years, what a great way to celebrate a special anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  8. CONGRATULATIONS! Wow! 20 years is fantastic- good for you guys- and you both look amazing- did you get married when you were 12? ;c) I'm getting married in a week, so it will be a looong time before I hit that milestone.


    Gorgeous photos- especially Sintra- what a ridiculously amazing place that is! Doesn't it just feel like you've just walked into a fairy tale?! I have always wanted to spend more time in Portugal and get out to the water so am currently just living vicariously through you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats! 20 years, that's awesome! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations on 20 years! A few of my friends recently went to Portugal and between their photos and yours, I know what country is getting higher and higher on my travel wishlist :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my gosh 20 years? Wow! Congrats :) The coastal photos are breathtaking and that palace is just beautiful, I just love the vibrant colours!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So beautiful! I love these buildings! Congrats on 20 years!! Ours is coming up in December and we have not managed to plan anything. Cheers to you all taking/making the time to do this!! Such a treasure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow Tina! What a great way to spend 20 years!! I mean seriously! And congratulations on 20 years! GO YOU! Actually... GO BOTH OF YOU!! :)
    Thank you for coming by my blog, you're kind to do so, I love that you hang out with me :) But if you don't have time, don't feel bad!
    Much love,
    Tammy x

    ReplyDelete
  14. And it's just one of several amazing palaces in that area! It was definitely a fun way to celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Haha!! It seems like it now! I was 22. =) And congratulations on your upcoming marriage!! Hope you have many happy years together!
    And thank you! I wish we'd done more around Sintra. It was so gorgeous! Of course I find other things we could have done after we get back!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Happy anniversary! 20 years...wow :) and I can't even believe how beautiful Portugal is! It hasn't been on the top of my list but there more I hear about it (and see!) the more I want to go. Glad you had a wonderful time! xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you!! It's definitely worth a higher spot on the wishlist! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Camila! The colors just amazed me too!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks friend! It was a fun time together! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you! It was fun!
    I love hanging out with you too through blogging, instagram and facebook! I might be slow, but I'll make the time, my friend! I think the problem was that I wasn't following you on bloglovin'. Got that sorted now! :) XX

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you! And thanks again for the feature!! :)

    ReplyDelete

I love hear from readers and connecting with you!

Deeper

  Deeper - adj. 1. extending or situated relatively far down from a surface: a deep pool. It's been a long time since I've ...