Some places are just Untouchable.

How in this westernized world do some small wonders still exist?

A long journey along tight and winding roads through the countryside of Portugal brings one to Sintra. On first glance, it is normal. A small town in the hills of the country with some breathtaking views. But Sintra is anything but normal. This gem is more clasically fairytale than anywhere I could imagine. Palaces and Castles are dotted throughout a vibrant-green, waterfall-filled scenery, and Quejidas, a delicious pastry treat, are sold everywhere. Disneyland wishes it had this much magic..

The buildings of the town are older, keeping to the classic terracotta colours of other Portuguese cities. They are roofed with turrets and spirals. Around every corner is another beautiful palace, or a yellow fort-like castle. Venturing further into the greenery brought us to Pena Palace and the Morous Castle. Both historic tourist attractions but with a magic atmosphere to them. The gardens themselves were breathtaking, the palace most fairytale of all, and the hundreds of stones steps of the castle offering a view scattered with more and more and more.

Sintra feels like stepping out of time and reality,
It feels like disappearing into a world of make-believe.

It feels untouchable.