North of Sintra, this palace-cum-monastery-cum-basilica was
created by King João V in the 18th century. The cost of building it was so
immense that it virtually destroyed the Portuguese economy. Amid the corridors
look out for the 18th-century pinball machines in the games room, and the
library, a magnificent barrel-vaulted baroque room, with 40,000 books dating
from the 15th century.
Visiting
Lisbon
Lisbon is accessible by plane,
automobile, and rail. Lisbon's
old fashioned trams are more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B -
they're an essential Lisbon
experience. Similarly, the city's three funiculars are an indispensable part of
its charm. There are also trains, a rapidly expanding underground system and
buses, which run into the night. Stick to public transport - the manic traffic
makes cars or bicycles a stressful option.