The depiction of a mythological triton on the exterior entryway at Pena Palace in Sintra, symbolizes the allegory of creation of the world. Sept. 8, 2012

Debra standing at the hilltop entrance of Pena Palace in Sintra. Sept. 8, 2012

After spending the day walking on medieval rock steps and enjoying the remains of the Moorish Castle and the Disney-esque Pena Palace, Debra and I picked up our dinner at a local cheese shop and headed to our room at the Tivoli Hotel in Sintra. This was the view from our balcony and how we spent our first night in Portugal…enjoying the views, after a nice hot shower, with a great bottle of Burmeister Ruby port wine. Sept. 8, 2013

After our visit to Sintra’s National Palace, Debra and I headed to Lisbon to start our Rick Steves “Heart of Portugal” tour. Our original plan was to take a cab from the hotel to the Sintra train station, but the cab driver was able to take us straight to Hotel Lisbon Plaza in Lisbon. After meeting our group members and our guide, Maria Jose Aleixo, who gave us a rundown of our schedule. Then off to dinner we went, to enjoy rice, black beans, an assortment of meats and plenty of wine in the beautiful atmosphere of Leao D’Ouro restaurant. Sept. 9, 2013

Me inside Sintra’s National Palace. Sept. 9, 2013

Inside the Sintra’s National Palace. Sept. 9, 2013

After a good night’s sleep, I’m so glad we decided to spend our first night in Portugal in Sintra, because there was still more to see. I’m also glad we stayed at the Tivoli Hotel because it is across the way from Portugal’s oldest surviving royal palace, Sintra’s National Palace. It dates back to Moorish times but most of what’s left is from the 15th century reign of King John I, with later Manueline architectural ornamentation from the 16th century. Sept. 9, 2013

An overview of Sintra from Sintra’s National Palace. Sept. 9, 2013

The beautiful tile work inside Sintra’s National Palace. Sept. 9, 2013

Spending the afternoon of our first full day in Lisbon at the National Tile Museum, (Juseu Nacional do Azulejo) housed in the Convento d Madre de Deus. The museum collection features decorative ceramic tiles or azulejos from the second half of the 15th century to the present-day. This is the cathedral inside the museum. Sept. 10, 2013

Me at the courtyard of the National Tile Museum housed in the Convento da Madre de Deus. This convent/museum with beautiful floor, wall and ceiling ornamentation was magnificent. Sept. 10, 2013

Our first full day in Lisbon included a free afternoon and evening so Debra and I enjoyed the National Tile Museum, (Juseu Nacional do Azulejo) housed in the Convento d Madre de Deus. Sept. 10, 2013

A tile design in the National Tile Museum in Lison. Sept. 10, 2013