Sintra, the "Summer" Capital (October 23, 2022)

First thing we did today (after breakfast) was to find a pharmacy that was open on Sunday morning so that Fe could get something to feel better.  Traveler's tip:  you can't get medical pills, creams, or anything else at a grocery or department store in Europe--you have to go to a pharmacy.  It's easy and they're all around, but I learned this the hard way on our 2019 trip in Prague.

After that, we took an Uber to Sintra.  Again, we were going to take a train, but Fe was still a bit under the weather and we had our luggage too.  It was fast, we got here in 20 minutes, and I saw things from a different--roadway--perspective.  I love riding on foreign highways!

Our hotel is the Hotel Nova Sintra and after just being here five minutes, I can't recommend it enough.  The owner helped us in with the bags and explained that he tried to reach us because they have a problem with the hot water--there is none.  He offered us a refund or arrangements to stay elsewhere, but it will hopefully be fixed by mid-afternoon Monday so we can live with that.  A cold shower never hurt anyone.  

Tiles at the hotel.

We were here early and I expected to only be able to leave our bags here and check in later, but our room was ready--another plus--so we set things up in the room and then walked to the old town.

View across the park and ravine.

Tilework on a house.

A view of the Sintra National Palace

Sintra Town Hall

A view of the Moorish Castle above town

Tiles again--this time on a restaurant.

Tiles at the train station ticket windows.  Amtrak could learn a thing or two.

We're going out to eat soon, so this is a shorter post.  I bought an all-day ticket on the bus service here that should take us to all the sights.  I hope that works out all right (worrier, remember).