Sintra & Cascais: History by the sea

High up in the mountains, the Pena Palace looks like a colorful mirage among the clouds. Built by King Ferdinand II - an artist and dreamer - he wanted to create a place where the imagination could run free. He was inspired by castles he had seen in Europe, but gave it the Portuguese touch: tiles, Manueline arches and breathtaking views. It is said that, on very clear days, you can see the ocean and even Lisbon from here. Another curiosity: the bright colors that make it so iconic today were implemented to detach the old Monastery building from the Palace part - before that, the Monastery was completely grey! The result is one of the most surprising places in the country - a mixture of art, fantasy and pure inspiration.

With its perfect gardens and seemingly endless views, the Palácio de Seteais is one of the most elegant places in Sintra. Built in the 18th century by a Dutch diplomat, Daniel Gildemeester, who fell in love with the town, it later became the residence of the Marquis of Marialva and the scene of royal stories - literally. Legend has it that the name Seteais came from the echo heard in the valley: whoever called “ai” heard the answer seven times, and whoever heard it seven echoes in a row would find love. Today, the palace is a historic hotel, but it has kept the same discreet charm: corridors full of history, romantic gardens and a view that continues to steal sighs.

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

At Cabo da Roca, the continent ends - and infinity begins. The wind blows strongly, the sea seems to have no end and the landscape has a power that is hard to explain. Camões called it “where the land ends and the sea begins”, and the phrase has remained forever. Located 140 meters above the Atlantic, this is the westernmost point in Europe, marked by a lighthouse that has watched over the coast since 1772. It is said that, on clear days, you can see the Berlengas on the horizon - and when the sun goes down, it's impossible not to be silent. Cabo da Roca is more than a viewpoint: it's an experience - the kind that reminds you how big the world is... and how much it's worth exploring.

Between dunes and cliffs, Guincho is pure nature in the wild. The wind is famous here - it shapes the sand, challenges surfers and gives the beach a wild character that has won over even Hollywood: it was the setting for a James Bond movie in the 60s. Shortly afterwards, the road leads to Cascais, a town that combines elegance and Atlantic soul. The name comes from the small shells (gravel) that used to cover the coast, but today the charm lies in the lively streets, the marina and the sunsets by the sea. A former refuge for royalty, Cascais still has a special glow - where luxury mixes with simplicity and time always seems to slow down.

Estoril has class - and stories that would make a movie script. During the Second World War, this elegant town was the perfect refuge for exiled kings, diplomats and... spies. The luxurious Hotel Palacio was the stage where it all happened: secret meetings, exchanges of information and tension-filled dinners disguised as glamor. Between a glass of champagne and a complicit look, destinies were decided and characters were inspired - it was here that Ian Fleming, then a British agent, imagined the first James Bond, after observing the risky gambling at the Estoril Casino. Today, the hotel remains an icon - elegant, tranquil and with an aura of mystery that has never disappeared. That's what Estoril is: beauty with history and charm with secrets.

Return to the hotel, concluding the tour with a special souvenir to remember the experience.