Explore Portugalia: Exotic Pena Palace in Sintra, PT

Home of past Portuguese kings.

The tiled, colorful, Arab-influenced, Romantic and exoctic Pena National Palace, located in Sintra, Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal (of which I have visited three. Hooray!).

Pena Palace with its colorful tiled exterior and elaborately rounded archways, should be easily identified as being influenced by Islamic architecture and Portugal's Moorish invasion, circa the year 711 and beyond.

Being a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, I think visiting the town of Sintra, PT and its many historically rich and diverse sites should definitely be on your to-do list. I am very glad it was on mine.

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 1.

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 2. 

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 3.

Portugal is beautiful! Vamos para Lisboa!

Lisbon in February, 2009. Yes, the sun was shining in Lisbon in February! I was elated to be able to walk around in sunglasses and a tank top.

Here is a view of the beautiful Rio Tejo, which runs through Spain and Portugal, from the Belem Tower, which is a UNESCO world heritage site "because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King John II to be both part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon."

Here is the "Momument to the Discoveries" (another UNESCO world heritage site), overlooking the Tagus River. The red bridge in the background is the 25 de Abril bridge, which was built by the same company that constructed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge. Across the water is the monument of Christ the King, located in the town of Almada. This is similar to the statue in Brazil.

So, vamos para Lisboa! Anyone?