Holiday review by Andrew Pegram

"A brief note to tell you how much we enjoyed our (nearly) three weeks in the two properties - Vila Arcos and Casa do Limoeiro."

We (Dad, mum and our two adult sons) were keen to have a break “living” in a place for a while. Making this a two centre holiday was particularly good as the rest of the family are more beach bums and I’m a culture vulture. So half of the holiday at Praia das Maçãs and half in Sintra worked well within the context of the national park.

We had the use of a hire car so popping from Macas to Lisbon or from Sintra to Cascais was very easy. From either centre you are in easy range of swimming, surf, restaurants, walks, castles, museums or the Capital. We would thoroughly recommend the Museum of the Fado and the Market of Thieves in Lisbon and - as you promised - the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra.

As you know I am an artist so oddly I spent most of my time collecting photographs of Washing and Graffiti. Otherwise we are keen self-caterers and used the hobs and barbecues most days though the best food of the holiday was at the Adega do Saraiva restaurant in Nafarros recommended by you. In Cascais we enjoyed a remarkable lunch in a working man’s café called Pérola de Cascais in Rua Afonso Sanches.

 

Everywhere we found the Portuguese helpful and friendly. I was amazed that, on my return, I had lost a few pounds despite all those pasteis de nata. Also the cost of living was cheaper than we thought it would be compared with London which was a bit of an added bonus.

A big OBRIGADO for all your personal help and attention. Andrew, Debbie, Jack and Freddie

 

Learn more about the tram at Praia das Maçãs

Visit here the quaint and beautiful village of Azenhas do Mar

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