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Porto, Portugal’s other “grande dame” of cities, is the perfect weekend getaway from Lisbon! How does this city compare? Well, the streets are wider, grander, and architecturally influenced by the ancient Romans. Lisbon in contrast, was influenced by the Moors, with its small, winding streets. …
Olá 2020! We are back from the Christmas and New Years holidays in New York and Amsterdam. Happy 2020 everyone! May your new year be filled with adventuring and travel planning! Rob and I have decided to make it a point to explore Lisbon and …
Besides Cascais, Sintra is one of the best places to go on a day trip from Lisbon. Not only is it a UNESCO Heritage Site but it is practically a fairy tale come to life. There are multiple castles to see (each very different from the next) and lush, verdant forests to wander through. Many of these castles have surrounding gardens, which make for a wonderful walk. In fact because Sintra is in the mountains the air is crisp and the steep paths make for great exercise if you are up for it! The town of Sintra is also quaint and you can have fun getting lost. If you love nature and history this is the perfect day trip for you! Although you can make a great day trip out of Sintra because there is so much to see you can easily stay here for two days.
From central Lisbon (Rossio Station), it takes just under an hour by direct train. You can find trains departing every 30 minutes and the cost is approximately €4.30. The other option is to take a car, which is ill advised. Sintra is a popular tourist destination and a small town with many narrow, winding roads. Did I mention many of these roads are also one way? Also parking spaces are very limited. My advice: leave the rental car at home and take the train!
If you can visit on the off season – We visited in January, which was still lovely! Portugal remains green even in the dead of winter (except for up North). Sintra gets hot and congested particularly in the summer months. Try and avoid the crowds if you can.
Plan ahead – The main attractions in Sintra are the castles and palaces! You can easily fill two days up with sights. My advice, choose which ones you want to see ahead of time. Do some research. We ended up seeing three castles/palaces, which was a comfortable number if you don’t feel like rushing. The tickets are also not cheap, especially if you decide to visit multiple. Note you can get a discount if you bundle the tickets or purchase online.
Bring comfortable shoes and an umbrella – Optimally you should visit Sintra on a sunny day, which we did. Since you will be doing a lot of walking in the outdoors you want to dress accordingly and bring an umbrella just in case. Wear comfortable shoes.
Take Uber or the Bus Between Castles – If you have data in Portugal, take advantage of Uber, which we used to take us between palaces. Note some of the sights are walking distance from each other and you need to take a car/bus for others. If you opt for the bus you can take the 434, which stops at every major site. Purchase a Hop-on-Hop-off ticket at €6.90 from the bus driver. But FYI, you can go around in a loop only once so plan in advance.
The Pena Palace is the most well-known palace in Sintra. The colors are startlingly bright and one-of-a-kind, almost like something a child would dream of! A large part of the palace is open to the elements and because it is located at the top most parts of Sintra the views are stunning! It can get windy here. You are also able to go inside but no pictures are allowed. The entrance is a bit hidden away so be sure to ask where to go inside. Interestingly, I have noticed the palaces here have smaller and cozier rooms compared to ones in France, etc. Note the Moorish influences in some of the interior rooms – fascinating. The palace grounds are also quite extensive (and steep). So if you are up for it take a walk and enjoy the nature.
There are two types of tickets – for the palace park only and for both the palace and park. Tickets for the latter are €14. Opening hours are from 10AM – 6PM (last ticket sold is 5PM).
The Moorish Castle is walking distance from Pena Palace. Though I do recommend going to Pena first since it is further up the mountain. The Moorish Castle reminds me of the Great Wall of China! The views are stunning and there will be no shelter from the elements. So I do not recommend this if it is raining! Getting to the wall itself requires some walking in a forest and then you need to climb the wall itself for the views. I recommend walking up the wall and going to the highest point you can (if possible). You can see all of Sintra below and marvel at how high up you are.
This castle was built during the 8th and 9th centuries when the Moors had conquered much of the Iberian peninsula. In the 1800s the towers were already in ruins and King Ferdinand II took it up on himself to conserve and renovate the castle. The fact that the castle remains in ruins is what creates such a wonderful ambiance in my opinion. Just take care of yourself (and your phone/camera) as you climb! This is not for those who have a fear of heights.
The castle is open from 10AM – 6PM and costs €8 per ticket.
Of all three castles we managed to visit in one day, the Quinta da Regaleira was hands-down my favorite. Not only do you get to see a beautiful palace (though two of three floors were being renovated) but also an utterly whimsical garden. You can tell immediately that the man who landscaped this park had quite the imagination – think gothic and romantic. You can spend hours wandering in the park through tunnels, turrets, past grottoes, and water fountains. I would absolutely come back to Quinta just to wander around the park.
Although Pena Palace is the most famous site in Sintra the Quinta da Regaleira can easily follow suit. A sight that is particularly beloved on the grounds of this palace is the Initiation Well (photo below), which is a spiral staircase that takes you deep down below into a tunnel. My recommendation is you get to Quinta early in the day and make a bee-line to the tunnel before it gets congested with tourists. That way you can properly enjoy the eerie silence of this place!
The palace itself has had many owners over the years, one of which was the Viscountess of Regaleira, who was from a wealthy family of merchants from Porto. The property was then sold to Carvalho Monteiro, who then hired architect Luigi Manini to help him transform the estate. Manini added in new structures that pay homage to alchemy, Masonry, and the Knights Templar. Fascinatingly before the city of Sintra acquired the estate, Quinta was owned by the Japanese Aoki Corporation. Not sure why and how but the property certainly had unique owners!
The Quinta da Reglaeira is open from 9:30 AM – 8 PM (last ticket being sold at 7PM). Tickets are €10 per person.
Last but not least, you must end a perfect day with Travesseiro de Sintra, this town’s famous pastry, accompanied with an espresso! All the walking entitles you to a treat. One of the most popular pastry shops for this delicacy is Casa Piriquita. Sometimes the line goes out the door but we lucked out with a table. This delicious flaky pastry is filled with almonds and egg cream and literally translates to “Sintra’s Pillow.”
Travesseiro de Sintra is equivalent to a Pastéis de Belém and I would even argue it is more delicious! Absolutely crispy outer layers encase a wonderful, warm filling that is not too sweet but creamy. Do not leave Sintra without trying these! Casa Piriquita is conveniently located right in the town center so you have no excuse for not taking a bite.
Ubud is hands-down the crown jewel of Bali. While the beaches here enjoy a great reputation, the moss-covered temples deep within the jungles of Ubud are absolutely incredible. As many people say, this place is the sacred, spiritual heart of the region. Even if you …
I believe wholeheartedly that cooking classes are the best way to get to know a culture! My husband and I both love to cook, try new cuisines, and as a result have had the joy of taking cooking classes all over the world. Bali is …
We stayed in two different resorts for each trip but Bambu Indah was hands down our favorite! Not only is Bambu an eco-resort but it is absolutely gorgeous! You can choose from a variety of different rooms, each being wholly unique. Some are transplanted antique, Indonesian “bride houses” and others are whimsical tree houses made of bamboo. Fortunately the variety of room types also means the price per night ranges from budget friendly to luxury. Nonetheless, no matter what you choose your room is bound to be tastefully decorated and nestled in lush greenery and nature.
What I absolutely loved about Bambu Indah is that it has plenty of space for lounging around (and some spaces are hidden)! There is a cozy area above the dining room, a beautiful black bamboo open-air structure where yoga and other activities are held (pictured in the header of this post), natural pools to soak in and a deck fitted with cushions overlooking the jungle. The best thing is that the whole resort is open-air so you can enjoy the sounds of nature – a stream running outside your door, tropical birds, frogs, and insects.
Apparently Bambu Indah also allows non-guests to purchase a day pass to relax on the resort grounds. Considering just how beautiful the resort is I would highly recommend this option if you have extra time in Ubud to relax. Or you can also just come by for lunch and enjoy the healthy and delicious farm-to-table food. The Day Pass is Rp. 450,000++ / per person, which includes a welcome drink, lunch, and all day access to the natural spring pools. Note: this is post is not sponsored!
We stayed at the Udang House, which literally translates as “Shrimp House.” Aptly named, it is built over a shrimp pond which can be lit up at night! You wouldn’t believe it but the room even has a glass floor. One of a kind, this room, like many of the others, is whimsical and open to the natural elements in so many ways, which I loved. But that being said, I had no idea this meant we would have multiple frogs in our room at night. Going to the bathroom was terrifying (I don’t like frogs at all)! Thankfully we had mosquito netting around the bed which prevented our new friends from climbing in… Other than this, everything was perfect. Tip: if you don’t like frogs do NOT stay in Udang house. My guess is the tree houses and rooms not close to (let alone above) a pond would be your safest best!
Otherwise, the room had a lovely outdoor deck for lounging, beautiful antique furnishings and a unique bathroom that resembled a greenhouse and had a true rainfall shower that was open to the sky. What I loved is the fact that there was a little brook outside our house, which created such a serene atmosphere. During the day our room was absolutely charming but at night (due to the frogs) it was a bit uncomfortable.
The stay also comes with a delicious, farm-to-table breakfast! You can choose a Western or traditional Balinese style breakfast, which is served with fresh fruits and juices. My advice? Try the traditional. Bali is known for its healthy cuisine, filled with fresh fruits and veggies, and cooked with coconut oil. In general, in Ubud there are some really fantastic restaurants to try. If you are a serious foodie, take a cooking class! Check out my review of Periuk Bali Cooking Class, which was a load of fun!
Overall Rating:
Service – 5/5
Location – 5/5
Room – 4/5
Breakfast – 5/5
Experience – 5/5
Highly recommend Bambu Indah, for its unique experience. From the moment we arrived to our departure it was an absolute delight. The lush gardens and truly unique rooms make this a special place and make you feel like you are in the heart of Bali. Do a bit of research on which room type you prefer – the room types range from bamboo treehouse to little cottage by a pond! Easily accessible to central Ubud by tuk tuk or taxi. This review was not sponsored.
Georgetown, Penang Penang is a great weekend getaway option from Singapore. Not only is it nearby but it is also budget-friendly. Flights are $50-70 flying out of Changi Airport and are a little over an hour long. Top reasons for visiting Georgetown, Penang include the …
Singapore Living in Singapore for three years has been quite an adventure! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would end up here, a city state of multiculturalism and progressive policymaking. Not only is Singapore extremely clean thanks to its ban on littering …
Living in Singapore for three years, one of my biggest dreams was to experience what it is like staying in the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This iconic hotel is impossible to miss when gazing at the Singapore skyline – it has a unique surfboard top, which houses a gigantic infinity pool. Well, for our 5th anniversary my dreams came true! A staycation! All I can say is the design of this building is spectacular from every angle. There are three towers in total with 55 floors. Our hotel room was on the 40th floor facing the Marina Bay, which means it had a spectacular view! Check out the awesome, panoramic view from our window down below.
From check in to the room furnishings and design (e.g. windows, bathroom, shower, sitting area) were luxe. Although we had been to the Marina Bay Sands Mall many times, which is located at the very bottom of the hotel, it was the first time we stayed at the hotel and it was thrilling! Unfortunately, I forgot a few essentials, like my contact lens solution, so I had to run downstairs to the 7-Eleven. On our way back we also managed to indulge in gelato from Venchi, which is absolutely perfect. It was a surreal experience going to the hotel instead of our apartment at the end of the day.
The room itself is very spacious, has huge floor-to-ceiling windows (curved), and a seating area to lounge around. Note you can choose rooms facing Marina Bay or the Gardens by the Bay – both are equally beautiful views. The only thing I can advise is choose a room on a higher floor – there is a difference and is worth paying the difference if you are staying here. The bathroom is also spacious with a rain shower and fully decked in marble.
That being said, the first thing we did upon check in was change into our swimming suits and head to the infinity pool. A warning, even during the day the pool area is packed because this is a main attraction. We had to walk around to look for beach chairs for a while and when we did we realized we had forgotten to pack our sunscreen! Luckily they are selling small tubes of the stuff by the pool – but of course very expensive.
Also, there were no umbrellas lying about, which means no shade. This may just be my malicious mind but I think the lack of umbrellas is not a coincidence… a business opportunity to sell tiny, expensive bottles of sunscreen to unsuspecting tourists. Might sound obvious but do not forget your sunscreen! We decided to stick around through the early part of dinner time, which is when people started to leave. Try and get to the pool either in the morning or end of the day to get some beautiful shots of the pool and cityscape.
In terms of places to eat, there are some fabulous albeit expensive restaurants in the Marina Bay Sands Mall. But if you have a special occasion to celebrate, like an anniversary, it is a great opportunity to indulge! The evening before we went to Cut by Wolfgang Puck. We did the three-course menu and the food was absolutely delicious! This place is a favorite so make sure you make a reservation in advance.
Pro tip – if you can make a reservation prior to 7PM there is a special Early Cut Menu you can take advantage of at S$88 per person, which is what we did. I ordered the Maryland Blue Crab Cake with heirloom tomato relish and basil aioli for appetizer, the New York Sirloin Steak with a side of Tuscan Black Kale (170g), and Strawberry Short Cake. We also did the wine pairing at S$28 per person (choice of one white and red).
Might I add, we also managed to try the room-service menu at the Marina Bay Sands! We ordered some Korean food upon check in (bulgogi and some dwenjang-jigae, Korean bean paste stew), which was surprisingly authentic! We also ordered breakfast room service, which was excellent. If you don’t feel like leaving your gorgeous room do not hesitate to order off of the extensive menu! Anyone is bound to find something since they have food items ranging from Singaporean/Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean to Western.
Another great alternate choice for food is to go to Satay by the Bay, a higher-end hawker center overlooking the water at Gardens by the Bay. It is walking distance and the food is great! This is what we did our second evening. If you haven’t yet tried hawker food this is your chance! Great opportunity to try some Singaporean delicacies from their delightful satay to char kway teow! On your way back, enjoy the avatar-like super trees and lush jungle greenery. In terms of food choices you can go as fancy or as casual as you like!
Overall Rating:
Service – 5/5
Location – 5/5
Room – 5/5
Breakfast – 5/5
Experience – 5/5
Highly recommend staying at the Marina Bay Sands, even for just a staycation. It did actually feel like we were on vacation in our own city. Absolutely a once in a lifetime experience you will always remember. Yes, the infinity pool is out of this world! But just keep in mind everyone else wants to hang out there too. This is a five star hotel and the rooms and entire experience reflects that. This review was not sponsored.
Pro tip – If you would like to enjoy the pool view without paying the price of an overnight stay, you can check out the bar and restaurant, CÉ LA VI, also located on the 55th floor, which has a partial view of the pool deck and has the same view of the city. But mind you, it isn’t really the same!
As someone who absolutely loves high tea, I was delighted to know that Singapore really embraces the tradition. This makes complete sense considering Singapore was a former British colony. Although there are many amazing places to enjoy high tea in this city state one of …