Monserrate, Sintra

Advantages: Location, old design!
Disadvantages: Foggy during most winter.

...Seteais is part of the amazing set of the Serra de Sintra (Sintra Mountain, in English), not more than 30 km from Lisbon. For those who don't now this area, Sintra is a very special place. Is the highest mountain (300 m only) near Lisbon and at the same time it's close to Cascais and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean coast. This proximity to the ocean gives to Sintra its only microclimate, foggy and wet, with a mystic touch, no matter what. That's why Sintra is such an exuberant place, where everything is green and fresh throughout the year. That was also the main reason why Sintra became the place where most nobles and even the Portuguese royal family build their summer houses. Seteais is on the low part of the mountain, but has an amazing view to the Palácio da Pena on the top, and to all surroundings. Before talking of the hotel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: easy to reach from Lisbon, nice for a day out
Disadvantages: we didn't find any

..., crockery and cutlery on the tables, soap and towel beside the bathtub, emroidery in tambour frames, pictures on the walls; I've never seen anything like that. The Parque de Pena is one of the largest and loveliest parks in Europe, the Monserrate Gardens nearby are fascinating for botanists, they were laid out by the Englishman Francis Cook, also in the 19th century, and contain over 3000 species of plants. No wonder that for Lord Byron Sintra was ´Glorious Eden´! (The Portuguese have forgiven him that he called Lisbon shabby).... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Relaxing, friendly, not over developed
Disadvantages: Cooler weather than the Algarve

.... Topless dancing girls, feather headdresses - its all very Las Vegas. Tickets can be bought just to see the show or you can make an evening of it and have a meal beforehand. SIGHTSEEING There is little sighting in Cascais and Estoril themselves other than the actual town itself if you see what I mean. The fishing area of Cascais is fascinating. However 8 miles north of Estoril and Cascais is Sintra which requires a full day to explore. Sintra is up in the mountains and was described by the poet Byron as 'glorious Eden'. In Sintra there is a very luxurious 14th Century Palace which was a former Royal residence. The Palace has a very sumptuous interior with many styles including Gothic and Moorish. Just outside of Sintra is the Palace of Pena which is a folly built in 1832 which like the Palace at Sintra has many styles... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful