Lisbon - 16 September

Thanks to Paula from Oklahoma on CruiseCritic, I found this tour when she and others on it raved how they enjoyed Lisbon, Sintra, Estoril, and Cascais. It was easy to fill a small bus for 27 with the itinerary AND great reviews from the pre-inaugural Splendor 02 July 2008 sailing. What I had not counted on were even more bloggers asking to join the tour as we approached embarkation, first Jan with her friends, and then Kris with her party of 8. Jan agreed to collect for a second mini-bus and we quickly filled it with 15 passengers. Kris booked her own mini-van. All of us with www.alliance4drive.com.


Again, internet correspondence was prompt and professional from Oxana and we were greeted by 3 vehicles and 3 drivers at the pier in Lisbon. Antonio greeted us and gave us the option of combining the small bus and mini-bus passengers, since he arrived with a new large Mercedes bus for 50…..so, why not?....let’s go all together now!!

We were soon to experience this would not be a drive by, here’s the name, isn’t that beautiful type of tour. Antonio’s (yes, and reminiscent of A. Banderas) love for country, history, and explanations of tiny details…..those we would have skimmed over in architectural overload….appeared evident at each and every stop with narration to set the scene along the way. His goal was to help us understand the people to understand the culture, thus understanding their architectural inspiration. All this with a soft touch of humor.
Henry the Navigator, not only led the way as depicted on a monument, but brought back his riches of the new world to Portugal which were recorded and shared with all countryman as evidenced in the décor of governmental buildings, monasteries, and cathedrals. Ceiling embellishments include carved maritime knots, columns shaped as palm trees, while crypts are held high and proud by African marble elephants, and everywhere the symbol of the financiers, the Christ cross, appearing square with flanged corners.

In Sintra, named in the “1000 Places to See book” we walked along narrow cobblestoned streets, looking upward to the Moorish fortress. Wine, port, lace, and shawls were the most prevalent commodities, and cheesecake the preferred dessert from many luscious Portuguese sweets. As many delectable sweets as scenic venues from this country only about the size of Ohio in the U.S. yet creating the best corks in the world too.

Then onward to the most western point of continental Europe, Cabo du Roca, en route to Cascais with its many lobster boats, traps, and limestone tile sidewalks, then Estoril with beaches, mansions, and gambling casino. Back to Lisbon and down “the spine” then a welcomed stop in the pedestrian streets off the black horse square. A sunny day, a pleasant stroll, and playful picks for each of our favorite homes…..a nice place to return for future days of leisure.
Kiko