Sintra: A journey through time

Hidden in the hills, between mossy rocks and the sound of the wind, the Capuchos Convent is the most spiritual and secret side of Sintra. Founded in the 16th century, it was built in perfect harmony with nature - so discreet that it almost blends in with it. Small, austere and silent, it was designed to remind us of the essentials: humility, simplicity and contemplation. It is said that the site was chosen after a ray of light fell on a rock, a divine sign for the Franciscan friars. Even today, anyone who enters this refuge feels the same - an ancient, almost magical peace, as if time had stopped at the door.

Suspended between the cliffs and the Atlantic, the small village of Azenhas do Mar looks like something out of an old postcard - but it's even more beautiful in person. The white houses slope down the hillside until they touch the sea, and below, a natural pool forms to the rhythm of the tides. The name comes from the ancient azenhas - water mills - that used the power of the streams to grind grain. Today, the sound is different: that of the waves and the wind blowing freely. It's one of those places where the weather slows down, the air is salty and the view speaks for itself. Simple, authentic and stunning, Azenhas do Mar is the perfect portrait of the encounter between the Atlantic and the Portuguese soul.

Colares is one of those surprises that strikes the perfect balance between rustic and elegant. The air smells of pine and sea air, the silence is light and the pace is that of someone who knows how to live slowly. Here, wine grows in the sand - literally - protected from time and fashion. The Ramisco grape variety, exclusive to this region, survived the plague that destroyed vineyards all over Europe, and the result is a wine with character and soul. Legend has it that it all started with a vine brought by the sea - a gift from the waves, planted by chance and transformed into a tradition. But Colares is more than its wine: it's a state of mind. A discreet refuge, with old streets, whitewashed walls and a tranquillity you can't find anywhere else. The kind of place that doesn't need much to win you over - you just have to be there.

*Meals, tastings and entrance fees to monuments not included.

The National Palace of Queluz is one of the most charming and unexpected places in Portugal. Built in the 18th century for the royal family, it blends lightness and refinement in every detail - a true spectacle of rococo architecture. Here, luxury had a rhythm: balls, concerts and parties that went on long into the night, lit by hundreds of candles and reflected in the gilded mirrors. It is said that, on very quiet nights, the music of those glory days can still be heard in the distance. It was also the scene of intense stories: D. Maria I lived her happiest and saddest years here, and D. Pedro IV was born and died in the same quarters. Pedro IV was born and died in the same rooms. Today, Queluz continues to shine - elegant, serene and full of echoes of the past.

The trip ends when we return to the hotel, but there's a little piece of it left to take back with us - made up of memories and Portugal.

On this route, we have carefully included a surprise place chosen by us for this day.