PORTUGAL: From Lisbon to Porto, Guest Post by Stephen Scheaffer and Karen Neely, Part 1

Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

My brother Steve and his wife Karen recently spent eighteen days in Portugal and have graciously agreed to share a few of their wonderful photos of the trip. Here are their pictures and a few notes from their itinerary.

PORTUGAL: From Lisbon to Porto, Guest Post by Stephen Scheaffer and Karen Neely, Part 1

Casa Miradouro, Sintra

We leave on September 1 and fly through Frankfurt then on to Lisbon. We stay the first two nights in Sintra. This is where the Royals escaped to get out of town. You may have seen some pictures of the castles there. We then go to Lisbon to join our tour. [Rick Steves, Heart of Portugal in 12 Days.] We end the tour in Porto on September 15 and then are staying in Porto for four nights before returning home.
Sintra:

Moorish Castle, Sintra

Neighborhoods in Lisbon, a walking tour of Lisbon’s colorful downtown neighborhoods.

Lisbon looking westward

Typical street scene, Lisbon

Fado art, Lisbon

Belem district of Lisbon, home to many of the city’s most historic buildings.

Monument to the Discoveries

Monastery of Jeronimos.

Historic Evora–history rich university town of Evora.

Corinthian columned Roman Temple, Evora.

Church of St. Francis, Chapel of Bones, Evora.

Olives, Oaks, and Obidos, a visit to a working farm and estate.
We are now in Obidos where it is much cooler. The last five days in and around Lisbon have been hot! Yesterday we went to a cork farm east of Lisbon in the dry southern region of Portugal. It was a fascinating visit and I thought of you doing a book about cork. This farm is known for being sustainable with their processes. They also grow wine grapes and olives. They served us a fabulous lunch with the family sitting with us talking about their history and their products.