Excursions

• 2 hrs surf classes $36 per class per person, transport, equipment and insurance included
• 3 hrs MTB tours $60 per person (including hardtail bike). min.2, max. 7 people at a time
• 3hrs climbing course $60 per person, min. 2, max. 4 people at a time
• 3 hrs guided hike: $95 divided by number of participants
• Hike to Cabo de Roca: $120 either one-way (2.5 hrs) and pick up by cars, or return (4.5 to 5 hrs).
• Massage $TBD

 

Lisbon Day Trip

Your retreat fee includes a round trip transportation for a mid-week full day trip to Lisbon. Feel free to explore and shop on your own or ask us about fees for a guided city tour.

The Portuguese capital is one of the oldest cities in the world and less than a 40-minute drive from The Lodge. Rich in architecture and culture, it is also a very vibrant city and a must-see for everybody coming to Portugal. Highlights include the view from the Castelo Sao Jorge on the top of the oldest district Alfama, a stroll through the shopping districts of Baixa and Chiado, a tram ride with the traditional Nr. 28, taking you up and down steep, narrow streets or the modern architecture of the Parque das Nacoes, with the Ocenarium, one of Europe’s largest aquariums. And don’t miss out on a night in Bairro Alto, a quiet neighbourhood during the day but turning into the center of nightlife after the sun has gone down.

The museums of Lisbon celebrate the rich history and culture of this Portuguese capital city. The Maritime Museum is perfect for those who adore all things nautical, while the Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves is a hidden gem of colorful artwork. To fully appreciate the city’s dramatic stone architecture you can take a guided walking tour making sure to visit the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and the UNESCO World Heritage site the Torre de Belem.

Between Lisbon and Cascais, The Lodge Portugal suggests a stop at Belem, where you can visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a huge monastery giving impressive proof of Portugal’s former wealth and importance during the Age of Discoveries. Built in the 16th century, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Close by at the river shore, you find the Torre de Belem, a 16th century watch tower guarding the entrance of the river Tagus. UNESCO World Heritage as well, the Tower of Belem is one of Lisbon’s famous landmarks. Once in Belem, don’t forget to taste the world famous Pasteis de Belem! Finally, a visit to the top of Cristo Rei, the 80-meter tall Jesus statue on the hills on the south shore of the river, allows for a breathtaking view over Lisbon.

We’ll meet at the end of the day at a restaurant of our choice. Dinner and drinks are not included.

Sintra Half-Day Trip

Explore this charming Portugese town, Sintra, on your own as many times as you’d like! Located just 15 minutes from The Lodge, you can either request a taxi or there are local buses to Sintra which reach most of the area’s main attractions. These are operated by Scotturb, whose website www.scotturb.com has the detailed timetables. You can buy day rover tickets allowing unlimited journeys. Sintra is small enough that many area attractions can be accessed on foot.

This historic town has been a summer residence for the Portuguese Royal families from the 14th to the 20th century and thus there are several impressive royal buildings to visit. Dominating the city’s center, you find the Palacio Nacional, with its two famous conic chimneys. On top of the Monte de Pena, you can see the fantastic 19th century Palacio da Pena from as far away as Lisbon. Surrounded by a beautiful and exotic garden, this combination of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic and Neo-Renaissance architecture is a must-see and the view of the surrounding area will blow you away.

The remains of the Castelo dos Mouros, the Castle of the Moors, date back to the 8th century, the period of Arab occupation of the Iberian peninsula. Nowadays, the ruins of the castle invite the visitor to get lost in time and enjoy the majestic view from its ancient walls. Brightly illuminated at night it still seems to protect the city of Sintra.

Further sites not to be missed include the Palacio da Regaleira estate, a romantic palace and chapel surrounded by four hectares of park, featuring fountains, lakes, grottoes and wells and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the Palacio de Monserrate with its laid back park, where you find one of the richest botanical gardens in Portugal.

Travelers should know that some of the attractions, such as the famous palace and castle, are located on hills, so it might be a bit strenuous for some visitors to reach all of the more well-known spots in the area. Explore, hike, shop or go to one of the most beautiful of Portuguese beaches!

Beaches

The extensive Praia Grande and its little sister the scenic Praia Pequena with its steep cliffs are only a short walk from The Lodge. Great beaches for surfing. Here, you find little restaurants, snack bars as well as a surf shop. Take a short bike ride or a 20-minute walk and you get into Praia das Macas, a nice little beach with a little village that offers restaurantes, little grocery stores, bakeries and cafes.

Besides these, more wellknown beaches the area also has some more hidden bays on offer, where even on a summer sunday you will hardly find any people, if you don’t mind a little hike down the cliffs. In a radius of 30 kilometers to the south / east (Cascais / Lisbon) and north (Ericeira), you find dozens of more beaches, bays and reefs offering perfect conditions for all kinds of water sports.

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

The Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais, spreading out from the mountains of Sintra to the beaches of Cascais, represents a unique diversity of landscape and without doubt the most breathtaking region in Portugal. It includes sand dunes, rugged coastline with high cliffs and sandy bays, dense forests and calm lakes, with the majestic Serra de Sintra overlooking it all. The centuries old symbiosis of manmade Sintra and the surrounding nature has gained the whole area the status of UNESCO cultural heritage.

It is in its approx. 145 square kilometers where most of your activities take place, and where you never stop to marvel at the countless historical and natural wonders.

Cabo da Roca

Cabo da Roca, as part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, marks the western most point of mainland Europe. Its impressive cliffs reach up to 140 meters above sea level and the stunning view over the Atlantic ocean gives a real end-of-the-world feeling. 16th century Portuguese poet Luis de Camoes honored Cabo da Roca as the place “where the land ends and the sea begins”.

Some hidden beaches and amazing tracks around the cliffs allow for your own little discoveries.

Cascais / Estoril

The coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril are culturally and naturally rich and offer innumerous sight-seeing attractions. Great shopping, beaming nightlife and the Casino of Estoril, Europe’s largest casino, add to the attractions of these twin cities in the Greater Lisbon subregion.

Colares

Colares is a little traditional village a short bike ride from the camp. A nice place to have a coffee and enjoy its quiet charms. In The Lodge Portugals opinion, it is one of the nicest small towns in the area where Portugal is still Portugal.

Nearby places

• Lisbon – 40 minutes by driving
• Praia das Macas – 20 minutes by walking
• Sintra -15 minutes by driving or bus