Wine Tasting and Palace Gawking in Sintra and Colares, Portugal

Ahh, Sintra, we hardly knew ye. And what a shame, too, for what we saw convinced me that we will, at some point in the future, be back.

To those unfamiliar with the two towns mentioned in the heading, Sintra and Colares are two communities located about an hour or so away from Lisbon, close to the Atlantic Coast. Formerly the playground of Portugal's rich and famous, Sintra is the hilly escape from Lisbon's busy streets. Covered in beautiful, tasteful (and maybe a tasteless or two) mansions, Sintra is still a vacation lovers dream, even if all you have is an afternoon. Or, in our case, even less.

Hey, when Chef Rui Paula's Casa de Chá da Boa Nova in Porto is calling, you heed that call. Even if that means cutting out time in Sinta, even if the rental car procurement process in Lisbon sets you back a few more hours than you anticipated. (Note to fellow travelers - add at least 2 hours of waiting time to get a rental car in Lisbon, no matter what agency you use).

Nearby Colares is a tiny wine growing region we first heard about in a New York Times article, lamenting the tiny region's future, as grape growing has made way for suburban expansion. What used to be 2,500 acres of vineyards, is now roughly 50, and what interesting 50 acres they are. Here, the vines run through the sandy soil, making for a unique growing experience not seen in perhaps any other place on earth.

Sadly, Ben and I did not have enough time to visit a mansion AND a winery, but for those with a short amount of time to visit, the local Co-op is a great place to pick up a bottle or several of the wine (guilty). Or, if the Co-op is closed or you lack the time, simply grab lunch in town like we did, and take your waiter's advice on what to pair with your food. Whichever option you go with, being able to sample wine from such a historic but sadly shrinking wine region was a highlight of our trip to this corner of the world.

Once you've grabbed lunch, and wandered through the random flee market on the corner, picking up those wares you had wanted in Lisbon but didn't grab when you had the chance (um, guilty again), it's time to go mansion hopping. The most famous mansion is Peña Palace, a colorful amalgamation of style and taste, but I had my eyes on something else entirely.

I've always had a thing for Moorish style architecture, and lacking the time to really explore the more Moorish influences in Southern Portugal, I set my sights on the Palace and Park of Monserrate. With its stunning architectural details, beautiful park like setting, including waterfalls, ruins, and immersive jungle, I knew the little time I had in Sintra needed to be spent wandering this wonder.

We were not disappointed. The walk to the actual "palace" is certainly not for those with mobility issues, though there may be alternative routes, you pass under rocky ledges, step across stones that straddle streams and waterfalls, and descend into paradise. Of course, all throughout the walk down, you know you will at some point have to walk back up, but it's important to save that thought for later. Because once you catch your first glimpse of the palace, you'll immediately be enthralled by its grace and charm.

This combination of Gothic, Indian and Moorish influences came alive during the 19th century period of eclecticism, as various owners and tenants added their own unique flourishes to the building and the park. With trees and plants brought in from around the world, alongside architectural ruins, the combined result of this publicly owned palace is of awe and wonder. Having not visited Peña Palace, and therefore unable to speak of its charms, I can say, though, that exploring the Palace of Monserrate was a perfect afternoon diversion for any trip to or through Sintra.

Any glance through Instagram is full of the same pictures of people posing in strangely similar poses throughout the palace's hallways and rooms. It's no wonder people want to be seen having seen this place, and who am I to judge? This little known gem is perfect for those who like to take pictures or for those who prefer to have have their pictures taken, but a visit here offers more than just beautiful photographs. There's a certain peace in the air, a gentle reminder that there is beauty in unexpected places, and that even if you don't venture too far off the beaten path, there are still a few surprises out there.

For those looking to add a little adventure to their Lisbon holiday, venturing into Sintra and Colares, and exploring just a tiny bit beyond the obvious attractions can lead to some really interesting and satisfying adventures. And if I get lucky, I know I'll be back to explore even more.

---

Getting Here

Because we were driving from Lisbon to Porto, we decided to spend the afternoon in Sintra and Colares on our way north. The drive was easy and took about an hour through highways and then backroads to reach these destinations. It may be possible to use public transportation to reach both enclaves, but having the freedom of your own car seemed like the best strategy, seeing as how rural the area is.

The Co-op and Palace of Monserrate are only a 9 minute drive from each other.

Visit here for more information about opening times and ticket prices for the palace.

The Adega Regional De Colares website can be visited here.