This was our last day. Vera picked us up at 9 a.m. and we headed out. We made a short stop to get stamps for Linda C.  The post office was not only a post office but also a bank.  It was very different from we think of as a post office.  They not only sold items for sending mail but also toys and games.  ​

We decided to only visit one palace and see other places in the country. So we headed to Sintra to see the National Palace of Queluz.   It was amazing. Vera told us the history of the royal family as we walked and gawked. This had been the Royal residence for two generations. Click here for the fascinating history of the palace.

After strolling through the extensive gardens, we went to Sintra. Walking through the uphill streets, we found a cute little restaurant for lunch, Cantinho Gourmet. It was definitely a wine bar as evident by all the wines lined up along the wall and the wine region  maps placed prominently for display. I do have to say that the salads and sandwich that were ordered  were amazing. 

​After lunch we meandered around Sintra checking out some of the shops.  I was amazed by seeing several buildings in the shape of fairytale castles  Also, there were some interesting sculptures that lined one of the main streets.

Capo de Roca is the westernmost point in all of mainland Europe and this is where we headed next.

Vera then drove us along the coast to a place called Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell). This is where the Atlantic ocean wave’s caused large caves and fissures to open up along the coastline, creating a rock formation that looks like a large mouth.  Walking down to the viewing platform you could feel the wind whipping. It was also very slippery as the rocks were as slick as glass.  I was amazed to see people sitting on the ledge fishing.

We then drove through Cascais, known as the Portuguese Riviera.  This is where the nobility would head for the summer. Today it is covered with grand estates and is the destination for vacationers.

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As we were leaving the town of Cascais we passed Hotel Palacio. this was the hotel used in many of the James Bond movies. Apparently, many spies lived in Portugal during WWII because it was a neutrality area and this is what inspired Ian Fleming to write the James Bond books. ​

With this being our last night in Lisbon, Vera set us up with reservations for dinner at a very good restaurant near our hotel. The food was fabulous and we were well taken care of by the staff. Walking back to the hotel, Sandy wanted to go check out the fabric store and set off on her own. The rest of us returned to the hotel. I was sitting in the room  working on this blog when I realized it was almost 10 p.m. Sandy hadn't come back yet. I called her and she let me know that she was on her way. A few minutes later she called me back to see if I was dressed and if I could meet her in the lobby. She had someone for me to meet.

I reached the lobby just as she entered with a very tall young man.  Sandy said she had gotten a little turned around and was trying to find her way when this nice young man offered to helped her locate the hotel. Sandy wanted me to meet him since he was from Israel. We had a small conversation realizing his English was much better than my Hebrew.

July 20th we left Portugal behind.  Sitting in the airport while eating dinner in Boston, I asked everyone to think about their favorite part of the trip. Nobody could say one thing specifically. I'm thinking that is the measure of a very great trip.

Time to start thinking about next year.