My adventure to Sintra castle in Portugal was an absolute dream, and it wouldn't have been the same without our incredible guide, Sofia. But hold on tight, because the history surrounding this place is straight out of a captivating tale!
As we wandered through the castle grounds, Sophia brought the story of Toni (Antonio), the historical figure who owned this enchanting location, to life. Our good boy,Toni, was rumored to have hosted secret initiations for the free masons right there on the property. It's like we were stepping into a hidden world of mystery and intrigue!
And guess what? There were not one, not two, but three spots where getting lost was a possibility – purgatory, hell, and heaven. Trust me, we weren't just exploring the castle; it felt like a thrilling treasure hunt through time itself.
Sofia's passion for history was contagious, and her lively storytelling had us all hanging on to her every word. Learning about Toni's obsession with his favorite number and how it's intricately woven into this journey was mind-blowing. It added a whole new layer of significance to every nook and cranny we discovered.
The real magic, however, was Sofia's ability to blend humor and knowledge seamlessly. With her, it wasn't just a history lesson; it was an experience filled with laughter and wonder. Climbing down the 135 stairs to the well-known "Hell" with her witty commentary made it a moment I won't soon forget.
But that's not all – we also soaked in the breathtaking views from the local viewpoint, playfully named "The Top of the World." And standing at the westernmost point, humorously called "The End of the World," reminded us of the grandeur of nature, and courage of explorers.
This journey into Sintra's past with our guide was beyond words. Her passion, knowledge, and genuine care for ensuring we had a memorable experience were truly remarkable. If you find yourself in Sintra, do yourself a favor and book this tour with Sofia. Five stars are an understatement – she deserves all the praise in the world for making my day in Portugal so...
Read morePLEASE READ!! Do not waste your time in a super huge group. We had the best day because we had a smaller group and we all had a great time together. This would not be the same experience if you were in a group of 25 people. This is a must-do tour while you are visiting Portugal! Sofia was an awesome tour guide. She is so quirky and funny. I love her humor. She jokes around with you and makes the day so much fun. We were taken to the beautiful town of Sintra and went to the Quinta da Regaleira to see the MOST STUNNING gardens, Palace and the FAMOUS well. Sofia gave us a detailed and memorable history lesson, which made this place come to life! After we had time to take beautiful pictures, we went to the most amazing lunch at a local restaurant in Sintra. We had cheese, melon, meat, bread and olives as an appetizer. Then you choose your main entree. I had cod with cream sauce which was the most amazing dish. I ate the entire visit in Portugal! And of course lots and lots of wine! After lunch we drove to some beautiful scenic coastal areas where you get the most memorable and Instagram worthy photographs! We drive back to Lisbon following the beautiful coastline of Caiscais. This was one of my favorite tours ever! It is worth...
Read moreOur family had a great time on this tour. Marcus was friendly, personable and knowledgeable. He made sure we arrived every where on time so we never had to wait in long lines. He was patient to answer all our questions and was engaging with our 10 and 8 year old boys. I loved the local, abandoned monstery he took us to see- it was low-key but with amazing views. We also enjoyed lunch with our group- it felt easy and comfortable to be with everyone because Marcus created a great environment for everyone. The tour started with a car ride at 8:30 and ended around 5:30. Although the day was long it didn't feel exhausting and overwhelming because of good planning and not queuing for extended periods of time. I wish we had more time in Sintra to explore on our own but it was a good sample and it's a place I can't wait to return to! Thank...
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