July 2016 on Marriott Traveler || You’re a baseball stat wunderkind, not unlike Jonah Hill’s character in “Moneyball.” So your ultimate summer road trip has to be all about baseball, beer, and modern Americana. If you’re in the Midwest, the drive from Chicago through Ohio and Kentucky and on to St. Louis is a must. You’ll cheer with some of the sport’s most spirited fans, pay respects to one of its oldest ballparks, see where bats get made and learn how the game was played back in the day. Here’s the route…
July 2016 on Marriott Traveler || This ain’t your minivan family road trip. Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is beautiful — with lush wildlife-stuffed rain forests, picturesque beaches, secluded hotels and adrenaline-fueled activities like zip lining and surfing (oh, and a volcano along the way).
But driving here is a bit more complicated than your standard cruise control highway trip. Many of the beach towns are connected by unpaved roads that flood or become impassable in the rainy season (May to November). That doesn’t mean this isn’t a place for road tripping; you just have to be a little adventurous. 4WD is a good idea here, as is sticking to the main paved highways when possible.
Here’s a route that takes you past some of the region’s finest sights — and its most fun things to do.
In August 2014 I took advantage of IcelandAir’s stopover program to spend a long weekend in Iceland on my way from Greece home to Washington. Here’s what I did:
How I Got There
IcelandAir offers free stopovers in Iceland on flights between the U.S. and Europe. You can stay for up to 7 nights without having it affect the price of your ticket. It’s easiest to plan and book this directly on the airline’s website, rather than using something like Kayak.
Where I Stayed
Kex Hostel: a super hip hostel in a converted biscuit factory, this felt like something right out of Brooklyn. It was industrial-cool, with things like a magnetic wall of words and vintage atlases that you could browse on worn in couches. The rooms were standard hostel-style; bathrooms were small individual rooms. No embellishments, but safe and relatively clean. The hostel’s main space centers around a bar that’s loud and crowded at night — a hangout spot for locals as well as travelers. Location is great — a 2 minute walk from the main drag.
Day 1: Reykjavik
Sandholt Bakery: I went to this little bakery and sandwich shop on Laugavegur every morning. There was always a line, but it was worth the wait. The breads were freshly baked and delicious, and they had an area with table seating + WiFi.
Hallgrímskirkja Church: I have absolutely no idea how to pronounce this one, but it’s one of the top things to do in Reykjavik. You can climb to the top of the brutalist-style building and get that classic view of Reykjavik from above, with colorful houses and rooftops laid out before you.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum: Yup. If you didn’t realize that Iceland’s a quirky little place (most of the population believes in fairies), you’ll figure it out when you get to the Penis Museum. There are preserved genitalia from all sorts of animals, large and small, plus phallic artwork, some volcanic condoms in the gift shop, and a strange assortment of penis casts from the Icelandic handball team. Don’t miss this, it’s worth an hour of your visit. (And bring cash, it’s cash only.)
Laugavegur: The main drag in Reykjavik is full of shops and quirky bars. I popped into Hrim, which was a sort of Nordic version of Anthropologie’s home section; Vinbenid, an Icelandic candy shop; and myconcept, an eclectic retro-chic shop.
Prikid: This corner spot is one of the oldest cafes in Iceland. I stopped for a beer, but it was packed with folks of all ages eating lunch.
Harpa: This prismatic waterfront concert hall is a photographer’s playground. The glass exterior reflects light both inside and out. I didn’t see a show, but spent over an hour here photographing the amazing reflections, colors and architecture. I could’ve spent the whole day here.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: If there’s one thing you eat when in Iceland, make it the hot dogs from this little stand near the Harpa. They serve hot dogs topped with ketchup, sweet mustard, remoulade, fried onion and raw onion (order one with all of that), and have been called the “best hot dogs in the world.” Bonus: it’s one of the most budget-friendly things you can eat in Reykjavik.
Harbor: The harbor is a nice place to wander; aside from the Harpa and hot dogs, you’ll find colorful old fishing boats, a market, some hotels and restaurants and a handful of kiosks selling bird- and whale-watching trips.
Kex Hostel Bar: This place is packed at night — not just with travelers or hostel guests, but with locals, too. I was able to grab a seat at the bar in the afternoon and read/people watch for a while.
The Loft: The rooftop bar of this hostel has a great view of all the Laugavegur action. You don’t have to be a guest to come here, and they also have live music.
Laundromat Cafe: It’s a bar. And a laundromat. Because nothing in Iceland can just be a plain bar, apparently. They also had a pretty impressive library of color-coded books, and an overall hipster vibe.
Tíu Dropar: This cozy little bar is a favorite among local musicians (which seems to be everyone in Iceland). People might just show up with musical instruments or hop on the piano; the whole (small) bar will quickly get involved with the jam session.
Lebowski Bar: As the name suggests, there’s a Big Lebowski-themed bar in Reykjavik.
Kolaportid Flea Market:Knit wool Icelandic sweaters … and hats, and scarves, and a lot of other things. Hakarl fermented shark, which Anthony Bourdain declared the worst thing he’s ever eaten. I wasn’t about to try that, nor did I want to eat horse or whale (also for sale here), but I did notice that it’s cheaper here than at a restaurant.
Cafe Paris: Instead of eating fermented shark at the flea market, I had my one main sit-down meal here. The menu was familiar dishes (salads, burgers, pasta), not so heavy on the Icelandic specialties. (Yes, only one real meal over the weekend — Iceland’s expensive!)
Golden Circle: This is the essential tourist circuit to three of Iceland’s most visited and most accessible natural sights: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir hot springs. To save time, I did the afternoon version of the tour. It still lasted about 7 hours, but gave me the morning to explore Reykjavik more. I think the shorter tour was still plenty of time to see everything, though it did start getting dark and we didn’t get back to Reykjavik until 10 or 11 p.m. I booked with Reykjavik Excursions because their website was easy. The customer service wasn’t great, the on-bus WiFi didn’t actually work, and the guide wasn’t very helpful, but it was an easy way to see these sights. I had already booked when I arrived, but my hostel recommended Gray Line instead.
Thingvellir National Park: This national park is celebrated as the site of the first Icelandic parliament. The more interesting claim to fame, in my opinion, is its position between two tectonic plates. You can actually see where the European and North American plates are moving apart, and a new Icelandic continent is forming. You can even scuba dive in the continental rift, though I didn’t try it.
Gullfoss: This large triangular waterfall is one of the most popular sights in Iceland. The views from above are impressive, but make sure you walk down to the pointed area to see the water cascading all around you. Watch out: there’s lots of mist — your camera lens will probably get wet.
Geysir:Ever heard of a geyser? Well this is the namesake: this geothermal fountain gave geysers their name. The actual Geysir geyser doesn’t erupt very often, but nearby is Strokkur, which shoots about 100 feet in the air every 10 minutes.
Day 3
Blue Lagoon: Iceland’s most famous sight, this geothermal pool is the color of antifreeze and stays warm even when the temps plummet. The Blue Lagoon is near the airport so it’s best to tack it on when you arrive or depart (you can coordinate transportation through Reykjavik Excursions). I went in the morning before my afternoon flight home; you can read how to visit the Blue Lagoon here.
April 2016 with Brand USA || A classic baseball outing in the United States begins long before the game starts. In many cities, fans flock to the areas surrounding the ballpark hours prior to the first pitch. Spending time in these energetic neighborhoods is one of the best ways to experience a city’s culture, identity and food and drink scene. Here are five great outside-the-stadium scenes to catch baseball’s spirit.
April 2016 on VisitTheUSA.com || The Hawaiian capital of Honolulu is a cosmopolitan oceanfront city with enough attractions to entertain visitors for weeks. But it’s also Hawaii’s air hub and the gateway to the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. So after you’ve climbed to the volcanic crater at Diamond Head, toured the historic site ofPearl Harbor and shopped for the perfect aloha shirt in Waikiki, hit the road to explore another side of Hawaii: Oahu’s North Shore.
Less than an hour’s drive north of Honolulu you’ll find a world where time moves slowly, shoes are optional and life revolves around the land and sea. Stretching from Kahuku to Kaena Point, the North Shore is a corridor of jungle valleys, sprawling farmland, small communities and some of the world’s most famous surf spots.
April 2016 on VisitTheUSA.com || Most fairy tales don’t include palm trees, but a visit to the tropical Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Hawaii will convince you they should. You’ll learn daring stories of kings and adventurers, taste coffee straight from the farm and marvel at spectacular landscapes that are unlike any others.
To truly explore Hawaii’s varied, stunning attractions, start your visit in Kona, a storied region on Hawaii Island, then travel to Kauai, whose natural beauty is spellbinding.
March 2016 on VisitTheUSA.com || With three days in Washington, D.C., you can see both the top tourist sites and experience some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Be prepared to cover a lot of ground on foot — comfortable shoes are a must.
You can’t go to Iceland without seeing the Blue Lagoon. Partially because it’s one of the country’s biggest must-dos, and partially because it’s so close to the airport that it’s just silly how easy it is to squeeze in before or after your flight.
I spent the morning at the Blue Lagoon before flying home from Reykjavik. I booked transportation through Reykjavik Excursions (the company could work on its customer service but it’s the easiest when it comes to booking online/planning ahead). I left Kex Hostel in downtown Reykjavik at 9:30 am, took a transfer van to the main bus terminal. From there I boarded a coach and set off on the drive to the Blue Lagoon – about 50 minutes from the city. The bus promised free WiFi, but it didn’t work.
Upon arrival at the Lagoon (you don’t see much except black volcanic rocks at first) there’s a place to drop off luggage. Costs about 500 ISK per bag. There are lockers inside, so check your bags here, but keep a smaller bag with you.
After checking your bags, continue into the Lagoon complex — you’ll get a glimpse of the electric blue water but not the lagoon itself.
This is important: buy tickets in advance!! You’ll skip the big line. It’s easy online and there are a lot of different combos. I bought the standard package (35euro) a few weeks in advance, then added on a robe (10 euro) when I checked in — so don’t worry if you want to upgrade once there. I also booked an in-lagoon massage and transportation in advance, all via the Blue Lagoon website.
Blue Lagoon panorama
When you check in you’ll get a digital wristband, then you go inside and get a locker. The wristband is used to lock your stuff in said locker. I recommend bringing your own flip flops, hair brush, and a small plastic bag to carry a camera out to the lagoon with you. (There were no pockets in the robe and I needed to get my Instagramming in, so I got creative and tied my iPhone in my robe sleeve using the robe’s sash to hide it there while I was actually in the water. A bag would’ve been much easier!)
After you find a locker, you continue to the locker room’s showers. You’re supposed to shower without your swim suit on, though a few people kept theirs on. Ladies — it’s recommended that you load up your hair with conditioner before getting in the lagoon, as there are a whole lot of minerals in there that don’t play nice with hair. I did that, but it still took 4 days of deep conditioning after my swim to smooth the kinky curls out of my normally straight hair, so I say go skip the cond and go with a shower cap to just save your hair the trouble.
Head out to lagoon area — the ground can be chilly and slippery, which is why flip flops are ideal. Hang your robe on the racks of hooks (it reminded me of a ski chalet where everyone parks their skis), then… get in! It’s very warm. To the right there’s a bar (don’t worry about money, you just use your wristband to charge stuff and pay when you check out). There are a few small bridges you can swim under. Along the sides to the left/back are silica mud pots — slather it on the give yourself a facial. It’s free. (Some packages also offer an algae mask, but most people just were using the free stuff.)
Free silica mud mask
To the left there are steam rooms, a warm waterfall you can stand under, some nooks, and a water massage area.
Near the bar a Lagoon employee makes the rounds taking pictures (for free). He emails them to you so you don’t have to bring your camera in the water. (I brought in my waterproof GoPro but was surprised how many stupid people had their pricey DSLRs in there with no protection.)
I swam around and got a beer at the bar, then put the gray-blue mud on my face. After about a half hour in the water, I moved over to the spa section and got a massage. It was simultaneously wonderful and weird. You float on a soft foam pool raft and are covered with a blanket. The masseuse occasionally dips you under water to keep you warm. It feels like you’re getting a massage in a giant warm bath, but since there’s no resistance from the water and the raft makes back access difficult, it can feel awkward when the masseuse reaches back there.
The steam rooms near the massage pool are small but weren’t very crowded. There’s also an upstairs relaxation room, which is quiet — actually for a major tourist site/bar/place with kids the whole lagoon was surprisingly quiet.
At 1 pm I went back inside, showered, dumped the robe, and put on my clothes. Checked out and paid balance (I had paid about $192 up front for the bus, entry, and massage, so the remaining $20 or so covered the beer and robe). There can be a line to get out of the locker area, but I lucked out and had extra time, so checked my email using the hotspot in the cafe. You can also walk up to second level where there’s an outdoor photo viewpoint.
On the way out, I walked through the very pricey gift shop and went to pick up my luggage. Got to the luggage check about half hour before the bus was supposed to leave so had some time to check email and charge my phone in the one wall outlet while I waited.
My flight was leaving Reykjavik at 4:50 pm so I took a 2:30 pm bus from the Blue Lagoon to KEF. The ride took about 20 minutes.
In November 2014 I took a 2-day food-centric trip to Philadelphia. The visit was sponsored by Visit Philly, who gave me a budget $400 to eat my way through the city. Here’s what I did:
How I Got There
Philadelphia is an easy Amtrak ride from D.C.; it takes about two hours.
Where I Stayed
Lowes Hotel: A luxurious hotel set in a historic 1930s skyscraper. The building used to be the old PSFS bank, and is centrally located in Center City (right at Reading Terminal Market and a 15-minute walk to Independence Hall).
Friday
Bank and Bourbon: The restaurant in the Lowes Hotel has a farm-focused menu and a lot of bourbon. The decor and theme plays up the building’s past as a bank. Try the Secret Knock cocktail, which is a blend of bourbon and milk.
Reading Terminal Market: Food bazaar full of colorful stalls and vendors. You can get grocery items here, as well as to-go food, like pork and beef sandwiches at Dinic’s. I tried one of the classics: a roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe sandwich.
Independence National Historic Park: This square is steeped in history. Start at the Visitor Center to get your bearings, then head over to Constitution Hall, which has a fabulous circular exhibit detailing the constitutional and political history of the U.S. From there it’s an easy walk down a central lawn to Independence Hall. Nearby is the Liberty Bell (likely with a line of people waiting to catch a glimpse). Rangers tell stories about the bell, like what’s the difference between the crack and the gap.
McGillin’s Olde Ale House: The oldest operating bar in Philly (since around 1860). Around the holidays it’s decked out in pubby Christmas decor and they have a few house beers on tap.
Percy Street BBQ: A go-to spot for beers and BBQ. It’s a super lively spot (I got a seat at the bar) and claims to have the largest selection of craft beer cans in the country.
Saturday
Philadelphia Museum of Art: On the river, near some of Philly’s other art museums. There’s a solid collection of Impressionist art. But the main attraction may be what’s outside the museum: the Rocky Steps and Rocky Statue. Go ahead and run up the stairs — you won’t be the only one doing it.
Vetri: Namesake restaurant for one of Philly’s top chefs, this place is warm and inviting and churns out food that’s just artful. Try the chef’s table — you’ll feel like you’re hanging out in the chef’s kitchen eating some of the best Italian food in the city.
Magic Garden: A labyrinth of mirrored mosaic walls and reclaimed stuff like bike wheels and bottles. I nominate this spot as the best place to Instagram in the city. Only 7 bucks to get in.
Dirty Franks: A cash-only real Philly dive bar (including a piñata and stuff hanging from the ceiling). Cash only. Pretty sure the bartender only heard alcohol orders; water did not compute.
Kanella: Fantastically accommodating and homey Cypriot restaurant. Everything on the menu was authentic and delicious (my Greek friend and dining companion approved). Best of all, it’s BYOB.
Sunday
Supper: Nothing says brunch like a 3-level burger and red velvet waffles. (Uh oh, looks like this place is now closed. Too bad!)
Cheesesteak wars: Tried Pat’s and Geno’s, the two Philly cheesesteak rivals that sit cady corner to one another. We got a cheesesteak (wit wiz) at each and did a taste test. The verdict? Geno’s for the win, thanks to its better meat and bread.
In late April/early May I took a family vacation to Portugal—a multigenerational trip for my grandma’s 80th birthday. Here are my (rough, unedited) notes on what I did:
How I Got There
United flight from Newark: it was a small plane for an overseas flight; just 3 and 3 seats.
Where I Stayed
Lisbon
Portuguese Soul: A 5-bedroom apartment that can sleep up to 15 people near the Saldanha metro station. The owner is a local artist and each room is beautifully decorated with its own themed artwork, such as a full-wall line sketch of the Lisbon cathedral.
Douro
Quinta de la Rosa: A working quinta (vineyard) near Pinhao, this place overlooks the river and has a fabulous outdoor terrace where meals are served. Ask for one of the newer suites; there’s a huge difference in quality between these and the rooms in the old house (those are closer to the water, but small and musty).
Sintra
Apartment rental: Another beautifully decorated apartment. The owner of this unit is a photographer, and the walls are adorned with enlarged prints from his shoots at the Lisbon Botanical Garden. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk to downtown Sintra.
Day 1: Lisbon
I walked from Saldanha house down Aves Republica and Liberadade, over to Alfama and up the hill to Castelo Sao Jorge. Then walked down the twisty narrow streets and had lunch at a small cafe. Continued the walk downhill to the Se. From there I took taxi to the Tile Museum, though I skipped 3rd floor, which everyone kept mentioning. Did I miss something epic?
Ate dinner at Cafe no Chiado, which served delicious risotto and had a full wall of books—it felt like eating in someone’s library. From there I took a cab to Bairro Alto and bar hopped until 3:30 in the morning, trying cocktails, ginjinhas and Super Bocks at the New Orleans-like bar nooks and street party.
Lisbon streets
Castelo Sao Jorge
Avenida da Liberadade tiles
Peacock at the castle
Lisbon window
Tile museum
Day 2: Lisbon
I rode the bus from Saldanha to Belem, a waterfront neighborhood a good 45 minute ride from downtown Lisbon. The previous night’s bar hopping made for a rough morning, punctuated by a bumpy bus. From the top of the hill where the bus dropped off, I walked through a small botanical garden, then down to the enormous Jeronimos Monastery.
Ate lunch at Banana Cafe, an outdoor to-go spot across from the monastery with surprisingly fresh salads. Desert was pastries from the Pasteis de Belem—I didn’t go inside but it’s apparently tiled beautifully. I then walked along water past the Soviet-like Monument to the Discoveries statue and the stubby little Belem tower from which Vasco de Gama departed.
It took a while to find a cab from the Belem Tower. Spent the evening at Miradouro Sao Pedro for sunset and sangria. Walked to Bairro Alto for din at touristy place. Took funicular down to Rossio and had ginjas at Ginjinha sem Rival.
Blue tiled houses in Belem
Monasterio dos Jeronimos
Belem Tower
Miradouro Sao Pedro
Miradouro Sao Pedro
Ginjinhas sem Rival
Day 3: Lisbon
Took the metro to 2nd to last stop on blue line, Terreiro do Paco, and got out in a large square, Praca do Comercio. Ate lunch in a sidewalk cafe right off the square on Avenida Augusta and took the Tram 28 to Miradouro da Graca. Then walked down to Miradouro Santa Luzia, which had a different perspective than the other miradouros (away from the city center) and had a “beerodouro.” Continued walking down through Alfama past the Santa Justa Elevator and to the Restauradores metro stop. Went home to Saldanha via Sao Sebastio; walked to big Soviet-like park with giant Portuguese flag.
Ate dinner at Tagide to celebrate my grandma’s 80th birthday. Located in Chiado, it’s a Michelin-rated restaurant with great city views.
Miradouro da Graca
Tram 28
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Rossio square
Parque Eduardo VII
Chiado at night
Day 4: Road Trip – Lisbon, Obidos, Nazare, Aveiro, and Douro
Drove from Lisbon to Obidos, about an hour away. It’s a well preserved walled medieval town; you can climb the walls and walk around the perimeter. Ate lunch at a shady outdoor cafe near the church. Gihnjas de Obidos, the must-try cherry liqueur show served in a chocolate thimble are from here, and there are plenty of bars with tables outside serving the drink. There are also vendors with art, cork bags and other souvenirs, but the town escapes a total “tourist trap” feel.
From Obidos I drove to Nazare, about 30 minutes away. I got out at an overlook near the Farol da Nazare and hiked down the hill to the lighthouse point. This is where, when conditions are right, the some of the world’s biggest waves ever surfed break. There’s a beautiful deserted beach on one side, and while it was flat the day I was there, there are signs detailing the surfing feats that have happened here. I then went back up to the little town center, where a miradouro overlooks the main Nazare beach. You can’t see the lighthouse from town, so you have to walk or drive down (careful, it’s windy).
About 2 hours’ drive from Nazare is Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal. Honestly, there’s not much here for a quick visit. I got some pretty pictures at the one canal I saw, but it felt both touristy and shabby. I don’t know if there’s an actual purpose for the canals. ATMs worked here at least; had problems using the ones in Lisbon.
From Aveiro it was on to the Douro. When I reached the valley, rain clouds were rolling through, with patches of light shining on terraced vineyard hills and a green river. Once you get into quinta country you’ll be on a super windy cliffside roads that are very narrow.
Got to Quinta de la Rosa just in time for the communal dinner. There was only one dish/menu served; not a lot of choice for picky eaters (my plate of shredded cod and potatoes went untouched). But the wine and port is served liberally!
Obidos
Obidos
Nazare
Nazare
Nazare
Aveiro
Day 5: Douro
Started the day with a private boat ride on Douro, departing from Pinhao (a 5 minute drive down the hill from Quinta de la Rosa). We passed quintas, terraced hills, and only one other boat—it was very peaceful.
Then drove to Restaurante DOC, a food temple on the river. The service, setting, and food was all wonderful. I loved the pop rocks mini dessert and the fact that one of the tasting menus is called an “olive oil menu.” After lunch I went to Quinta do Tedo and sampled some red ports—you should call ahead to quintas to reserve a time to visit, it’s harder to just walk in.
That night I had dinner in Pinhao, a river cruise port town that was dead at night (only one river cruise ship was docked tonight, and the passengers stayed on board). Ended up eating at a family spot, Adega Grande Porto. Again, one meal on the menu, but LOTS of it: huge carafes of wine, and pork, sausage, lamb, Port soaked cake, Port tasting glasses, etc.
Douro
DOC
Douro quinta
Day 6: Road Trip – Douro, Coimbra, Sintra
Drive to Coimbra from Douro (2 hrs or so). It’s a medieval/university town, an odd mix. Lunch at Cafe Santa Cruz, a restaurant built out of part of the adjacent church. I then spent an hour or so walking around the town and across bridge for city views. I then meandered up to the university but left without finding good views.
I drove 2 more hours to Sintra, playground of palaces about a half hour from Lisbon. You can see the Moorish Castle atop the hill as you drive in. I walked into town and had a large drink at the centrally located outdoor patio at Hockey Cafe. A short walk away from the main square is a quiet miradouro; I sat here and watched the sunset. Had dinner at Ristorante Alcobaca, which had a large shark figurine hanging out front. After dinner I got a drink at the bar across from the Sintra National Palace.
Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra
Moorish castle above Sintra
Day 7: Sintra
From Sintra, I walked up to the Moorish Castle. It was a long, hot walk up—so many stairs. It’s a cool open air fort, with a lot more stairs. There were long lines to the Pena Palace by bus so I walked through the woods, which took about 10 minutes. Tip: go to the Moorish Castle first and buy tickets for both sites there; it’s cheaper and will save you a long wait in line at Pena.
Pena Palace is a wonky-colored (purple, yellow, black and white checkered) mismatched building set on beautiful grounds. It’s easy to get lost here, especially on the side paths in the gardens. Skip the rooms in the palace (they’re crowded) but walk around the castle exterior and the gardens (be sure to go up to the cross).
Back in Sintra I had a giant sangria at Hockey Caffe. Watched the sunset at the same miradouro, this time with vinho, and then dinner at a little restaurant right off the miradouro. Had beers at a latenight bar and walked home with the Moorish Castle glowing in the night.
Moorish castle
Moorish castle over Sintra
Palacio da Pena gardens
Pena Palace
Pena Cross
Palacio da Pena gardens
Palacio da Pena
Day 8: Road Trip – Sintra, Azenhas do Mar, Cabo da Roca, Cascais
I drove half hour from Sintra to Azenhas do Mar, a tiny seaside town with an awesome miradouro. Ate lunch at Nortada, a restaurant overlooking the ocean. Drove a little farther down the coast to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe. From there it was on to Cascais (with a stop at Boca de Inferno, which sometimes turns into a blowhole, though today there were no waves). Cascais was a casual waterside town with a slight, but not super, beachy vibe. I browsed some market stalls and had a beer at a bar on a side street before heading back to Sintra.
