Described as the ‘Moon Hill’, Sintra is an area of romance and mystery. Here lie palaces, villas, gardens and parks, at times shrouded in an ethereal mist. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town was formed relatively recently, in 2013, when the parishes of Santa Maria e São Miguel, São Martinho and São Pedro de Penaferrim were combined. Its name means ‘bright star’ and indeed, it shines as one of a kind in Portugal. Visitors will notice it’s a little greener and cooler than nearby Lisbon, thanks to the Atlantic breezes and moisture in the air and Sintra’s beaches are popular for fishing, surfing and body-boarding.
Sintra, Portugal
Penha Longa Resort
(5 stars) A culinary destination set within the magnificent Sintra Cascais Natural Park. With seven restaurants – including Michelin-starred LAB by Sergi Arola and Michelin-starred Midori for Japanese gourmet cuisine – plus a destination spa, 27-hole championship golf course, multiple pools, extensive gardens, and a 14th-century monastery with chapel now serving as a sought-after events venue, the Ritz Carlton Penha Longa Resort offers a comprehensive luxury experience that feeds the soul.