Visiting Sintra is like visiting a magical fairy tale. It is hard to describe unless you have seen it for yourself. With the countless castles, gardens, and secret passageways that make up the area, there is no wonder why it is a UNESCO heritage site. The area expands over a whole valley as well as up into the forested hills. With enough time you can also visit castles and gardens further into the valley. The whole area was a little playground for royalty, with elaborate gardens, fancy houses, and impressive castles. Everything is connected by well maintained gardens, paths, as well as secret tunnels. Visiting the place makes any adult find their inner child as you suddenly find a secret tunnel that leads to the other side of the garden.
The area is huge, so if you are only visiting for a day you need to plan out where you are going and make sure you know how to catch the bus that takes visitors to different drop off points. In between, you have lovely walks through what might sometimes seem to be wild forest or sometimes a well trimmed garden. It becomes so hard to tell as the forests are also so perfect. Pine needles create a soft floor to walk on, little bushes guide the path, and golden rays from the sun pierce through the foliage. It’s a very magical environment.
Even the castles perched on top of the hills are extremely well maintained and provide spectacular views of the country below. There are numerous stone paths that lead up and down from the different castles, and walking along them makes you wonder about times as princes and princesses would walk along those paths, gossiping about their fellows. Sintra is unique and should be part of any trip itinerary to Portugal.
Filmed in Sintra of Portugal on the 18th of June 2016.
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X
Music: Bella Bacchae – The Blue Faerie
Happy Travels,
Daniel & Veronica.
Boundless Voyages 