Diogo, Rita, and their beloved furry companion Musa showed us exceptional Portuguese hospitality.
This experience was a countryside adventure, gastronomic journey, and cultural experience all wrapped up in one.
They picked us up from the Sintra train station in their cool little Citroen. Once inside, we were off. We explored the countryside , visited a scenic waterfall, and talked about all things Portugal. I was like a little kid again, taking in all the sights, asking about the history, the culture, the values of Portuguese people.
One of the most striking things about the trip was when I asked Diogo "What is your favorite country in Europe to visit?" He said "Portugal." I am a die-hard patriot but even I don't say that about my own country. I could tell that they have a deep love and appreciation for their country, its food, and its history. This tells me that there is much more to explore in Portugal and I believe that, if you're going to plan a trip, start with Diogo, Rita, and Musa!
We explored a restored village called Mata Pequena and had a delicious spread of local cheeses, chorizo, bread, bacalhau, wine, and my favorite: Ginja (a sour-cherry based liquer). Everything was fresh, delicious, and satisfying and came straight from the land itself. It made me happy to see Portuguese people returning to the land and reinvigorating old villages and farms. This is absolutely vital to the health of the land and the culture. I'm still ranting and raving about the Ginja and all the delicious food!!! The conversation was great as well, Diogo and Rita are both pleasant and know a great deal about history, philosophy, and gastronomy.
After our lunch we went to Ericeira, a beach side town that has views like you wouldn't believe. We saw the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful calm waters that invoked a sense of belonging, as if our European ancestors were speaking to us through nature. While there, we tried a delicious and one of a kind custard pastry that was both crispy and creamy and pleased the palate. Many have tried to replicate this pastry, none have succeeded to surpass its uniqueness and traditional quality.
We were able to see the majestic and historic Mafra site and stood in awe of the marble structures, impressive not just for their size but in their adherence to the principles of geometry, symmetry, and beauty.
Because of this trip, we returned to the Sintra area for a second time during our 10 day trip. We just loved the mountains, the hills, the fields of green, the quaint buildings interlaced within classical, beautiful, and time-honored European architecture.
Life is good in Portugal and if you want to learn more about it then you must book with Diogo and Rita. They are a wonderful young couple that radiate positive energy and will make your entire experience pleasant.
Agorasim! The Portuguese equivalent of "now we're talkin'!" Enjoy your time with this tour and be sure to pack a camera for all the views and vistas!