Sintra is a unique and fantastic place. It is a place to be visited and explored, time and time again, both on account of its magnificent, natural scenery - an alpine setting in the south of Portugal - and its rich history entwined with that of the Portuguese Royal family. Sintra: A Glorious Eden evokes the spirit of this magical place, a cool sanctuary for the monarchy from the overwhelming heat of the city of Lisbon. The reader is introduced to the historical and literary background to what has become a symbol of Portuguese romanticism at home and abroad.

Sintra, Portugal. The History of the City Travel Guide. Sintra is a jewel set between the mountains and the sea, waiting to be discovered by all who dare lose themselves in its majestic historical heritage, luxuriant nature, cosmopolitan cultural offer and opulent gastronomy. Sintra exudes a romantic aura that left a deep impression on the soul and work of the writers who, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, pioneered the Romantic spirit and celebrated subjectivity and the emotion of the human drama. It left its deepest mark on Eça de Queirós, Sintra's romantic atmosphere can be sensed in his most important works, such as when he evokes moonlit walks around Seteais, long quiet rests at Penedo da Saudade and evenings in the village of Várzea de Colares. Or then he recalls "a mild serenity of parks and woods", "the silence of delicate repose and idle existences". Or when he portrays the mountains as the "illustration of a beautiful fable of chivalry and love".Almeida Garrett, Camilo Castelo Branco, Fernando Pessoa, Aquilino Ribeiro and Vergílio Ferreira shared the same sense of wonder. And what to say of Ferreira de Castro, buried at his own wish on one of the mountain paths? And of course Lord Byron, the English poet, who described Sintra as a "glorious Eden" Sintra is truly the capital of Romanticism. It is a place to experience! With its rippling mountains, dewy forests thick with ferns and lichen, exotic gardens and glittering palaces, Sintra is like a page torn from a fairy tale. Its Unesco World Heritage listed centre, Sintra-Vila, is dotted with pastel-hued manors folded into luxuriant hills that roll down to the blue Atlantic. Celts worshipped their moon god here, the Moors built a precipitous castle, and 18th-century Portuguese royals swanned around its dreamy gardens. Even Lord Byron waxed lyrical about Sintra's charms: 'Lo! Cintra's glorious Eden intervenes, in variegated maze of mount and glen', which inspired his epic poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. It's the must-do side trip from Lisbon, which many do in a day, but this can feel rushed and, if time's not an issue, there's more than enough allure to seize you here for a few days

Written by the founders of HoneyTrek.com, this inspiring book reveals hidden-gem destinations and insider tips for unforgettable couples travel. In these informative pages, Mike and Anne Howard--officially the World's Longest Honeymooners and founders of the acclaimed travel blog HoneyTrek--whisk you away to journeys of a lifetime. Drawing on their experience traveling together across seven continents, they curate the globe and offer tested-and-approved recommendations for intrepid couples, bringing culture, adventure, and romance to any couple--no matter their age or budget. Chapters are organized by type of destination (for example, beaches, mountains, and deserts) to help travelers discover new places and experiences based on their interests. Each entry focuses on a specific region, getting to the essence of each locale and its one-of-a-kind offerings. The authors reveal the best time to visit, the best places to stay, and recommended activities--each with their own adventure rating to illustrate level of intensity. Special features include funny and insightful stories from the Howards' own adventures, expert advice from other renowned traveling couples, and tips to increase the romance and excitement at each destination. A large map shows every location covered in the book, and each entry has a locator map depicting the city and country. Both entertaining and informative, this book is an invaluable resource and inspiration for a lifetime of travel.

The Rough Guide to Portugal is the essential travel guide with clear maps and coverage of the country's unique attractions. The Rough Guide to Portugal guides you around the fashionable cities of Lisbon and Porto, takes you hiking in the hills of central and northern Portugal, and covers every beach along the Algarve making it the ideal companion whether you're on a city break, beach holiday, walking or driving. The guide unearths the best sites, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife across every price range- from backpacker hostels to beachfront villas and boutique hotels. You'll find specialist coverage of Portugese history, art and literature and detailed information on the best markets and shopping for each region. The locally-based Rough Guide author team introduce the best vineyards, country taverns and fado clubs and provide reliable insider tips from driving Portugal's roads to shopping for linen and lace. Explore all corners of Portugal with authoritative background on everything from Porto's architecture to surfing at Peniche, relying on handy language tips and the clearest maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Portugal.

"Vagabond Dreams" is a true story of awakening among a cast of fascinating characters at the farthest margins of the map. At its heart is the uncompromising vision of rising beyond one's self-imposed limitations and truly living. This powerful map to Road Wisdom is for brave travelers determined to embrace personal freedom and create the life of their choice.

Two friends were kidnapped on the road to Sintra by three masked men and taken to a mysterious house. In the house there is a corpse. The usual questions arise: who was he? How did he die? Was it a natural death or a murder? Who was the perpetrator or the instigator of the crime? The two friends are the two narrators - Eca de Queiroz and Ramalho Ortigao - whose story was published in the form of letters to the editor recounting what happened to them."