Palacio da Pena, Sintra

We took the 40 minute train journey from Lisbon up to Sintra, a very beautiful (and very busy) little town.  High in the mountains it was a favoured summer retreat of the Portuguese royal family and elites.  

On the highest peaks of the Serra de Sintra is the spectacular palace of Pena. It was built in the mid 19th century for Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the husband of Queen Maria II.  He was a cousin of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband.  

In the morning we had visited Quinta da Regaleira, an equally eccentric palace with gardens built in the 1890s.