Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira – Sintra

In case you’re wondering why Sintra occupy the first place in our list, we can start to tell you that this was the favorite place of the prominent romantic poet Lord Byron.

This exceptional village is famous for its beautiful colored buildings and impressive architecture. Here you can find breathtaking Palaces,  a romantic Moorish castle and a misty dense forest. The vegetation is lush and exotic due to the microclimate.

Besides the historic buildings and clusters of leafy mansions, Sintra has an amazing beach called Praia Grande. But the most romantic places in this lovely village are, in our opinion, the National Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira. 

The Pena Palace is one of the finest tourist attractions of Portugal and exemplifies the 19th century Romanticism style of architecture. The palace looks like something that came out directly from a fairytale. It’s a hedonistic mix of vividly painted terraces, decorative battlements and mythological statues, all of which stand at stark contrast to the lush greens of the forests that surround it.

The interior of the palace is equally as fascinating, being restored to reflect the decor of 1910. The forested park lands that surround the palace continue the Romanticism design ideals of the palace, with hidden pathways, ornate features and stunning view points. You’ll feel you’re living a dream! That’s why Pena Palace is considered one of the most romantic places in Portugal and in the whole world.

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Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal

The Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most romantic and surprising of all Sintra’s monuments. Located on the outskirts of the town, it was built 1904 e 1910, in the last days of the Portuguese monarchy.

The story behind this place sounds like the beginning of a 19th century novel. This romantic property formerly belonging to the Viscondessa da Regaleira, was acquired and enlarged by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, an eccentric millionaire entomologist, at the 19th century, as his favorite country estate. His vast fortune earned him the nickname of Monteiro dos Milhões, (Moneybags Monteiro).

Quinta da Regaleira is filled with enigmatic structures mixing Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style with alchemical and esoteric symbolism. Both the palace and its grounds, with exotic plants and centuries old trees, are the reflection of Monteiro’s fascination with metaphysics, Masonry and the legend of the Knights Templar, combined with the work of Luigi Manini’s architectural  famous genius.

If you have a romantic spirit and the dream of exploring a wonderland, where the magic and fairy tales feel real, you’ll fall in love with this unique place.

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Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal

Douro Valley

Are you a wine lover? Or someone that cannot resist to dazzling natural landscapes? Then you absolutely have to visit the Douro Valley!

Demarcated in 1756, the Douro is one of the world’s oldest wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Port wine is the oldest ambassador for Portugal.

The river Douro winds through Spain and Northern Portugal and it was once a wild turbulent river. The clever introduction of eight vast dams has tamed its spirit and it is now is very tranquil and peaceful. 

But Douro Valley is more than its shimmering waters. Bordered by stunning sweeping hills and expanses of delicate almond blossoms, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The area remains, for the most part, unspoilt, with roads zigzagging through the mountains and cruise boats softly pressing through the water.

The Douro Valley is worldwide famous for supplying grapes to the best Port companies. You can see all of the major names proudly displayed on the hillside vineyards, which change color through the seasons as the vines mature. The port wine farms of these famous companies are an absolutely must visit for any wine or history lover and for the most romantic ones, of course! 

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Douro Valley, Portugal

Port Wine Cellars – Gaia

The Port wine cellars are one of the most famous tourism attractions in Porto and the perfect scenario for a romantic date.

Many companies age the wines they produce in the Demarcated Region of the Douro in cellars, in old wooden barrels in Gaia, Porto. These companies have guided tours and tastings of different varieties of the Port wine, where you can learn about its history. Outside, you can look at the traditional Rabelo boats on the Douro River. These lovely boats once brought the wine from the Alto Douro wine region to Porto and now are a popular attraction.

In the Port wine cellar area, the Cais de Gaia complex clusters more than 25 stores, including restaurants, shops, cafés, bars and nightclubs. You can enjoy a romantic lunch at that side of the river with a view to the historical centre of Porto.

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Port Wine Cellars, Porto, Portugal

Óbidos

Óbidos is an ancient fortified town located in the Estremadura Province. In the 13th century, Portuguese Queen Isabel was so enchanted by the village of Óbidos that her husband, King Denis I, gave it to her as a present. Can you imagine receiving a gift like this? It would put all last Valentine’s gifts to shame!

Well, once you visit this beautiful spot, you’ll understand exactly why Isabel fell in love with it. In this Portuguese beauty, you’ll find a well preserved and dazzling castle, and a maze of streets and white houses that are a delight to stroll amongst. Along with the Manueline porticoes, the colorful window boxes and the small squares, many fine examples of religious and civil architecture from the town’s golden days provide a host of reasons for making a visit.

The mediaeval town of Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal and a must visit! 

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Óbidos, Portugal

Marinha Beach

If you are a beach lover, we have the perfect place for you! Because of its proximity to the overly touristy Algarve region, many dismiss the beautiful beach at Praia da Marinha. It is certainly worth visiting though, as it is considered by many to be the best beach in Portugal and is classed as one of the Top 100 beaches of the world. 

Can you imagine the beauty of it? Ideal for snorkelling and striking rocky cliff faces, it’s no wonder that this destination is so popular for luxury holidays in Portugal. 

The Portuguese landscapes and beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, and Marinha Beach stands out!

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Marinha Beach, Algarve, Portugal

 

Cascais

Looking at the Cascais of our days, it’s really difficult to imagine that it was once a sleepy little fishing village. Cascais is now a chic coastal resort famed for its glorious beaches, sophisticated nightlife, water sports and adventure pursuits. Always popular with artisans, writers and artists, due to its exquisite scenery, it boasts a remarkable selection of art, proudly displayed in The Conde de Castro Guimarães Museum.

Another of the town’s attractions is the smart new marina filled with yachts which shimmer and glisten in the bright sunshine.

Cascais is amazing for the romantic ones, but it’s also for Surfers. Praia do Guincho is a consistent beach break with beautiful surroundings.

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Cascais, Portugal

 

São Miguel Island

São Miguel Island, in Azores, is known as the green island. It’s the largest in the Azores, forming the Eastern Group of the Archipelago, together with the island of Santa Maria, 81km away.  

It’s a nature-lovers paradise, full of great trails, pounding waves, and exceptional views, and its volcanic past is clearly visible in the numerous hot springs.

There’s more to see there than you might expect, but Sao Miguel’s well-paved roads and relatively low numbers of visitors make it an easy place to explore. From hiking to soaking in thermal pools, relaxing in beautiful gardens to cooling off under waterfalls, there is a lot to do in the green island. 

Overlooking a natural bay, the city of Ponta Delgada has a rich history and architectural heritage. The Portas da Cidade (City Gates) are the perfect starting point for exploring the city.

A walk by the sea to the Marina will take you to the “Portas do Mar” where in addition to the cruise ship pier, you can enjoy an ocean swimming pool and an area with several bars, all providing some very pleasant and romantic moments.

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São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

A Piece of Portugal in your Home

Four generations of knowledge continually producing high quality bed linen.

Since 1922, Amalia Home Collection has been developing and producing luxurious and artistic home textilesmade in Portugal and inspired by the Portuguese culture and its beautiful landscapesVisit our USA Online Store and discover our collections. Contact us if you’re a retailer.

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Amalia Home Collection – Luxury Bedding