Trolleys, Trains, and Shuttle Busses

In stark contrast to Friday's walk-a-thon, Saturday was all about public transportation.

We started the day with a ride on Lisbon’s iconic yellow trolley. Trudging up and down steep hills, the ride was akin to the flume at Bush Gardens – minus the water, seat belts, and safety bar. Our destination was the Thieves’ Market, a sprawling flea market that had everything from socks to tiles to high-design lamps and furniture.

Next, it was a commuter train to the town of Sintra, a 40-minute ride to the hills sixteen miles northeast of Lisbon. From there was got on a shuttle bus that, at speeds that made the bus-load of tourists thrilled and horrified, took us up a steep road with hairpin turns and no safety rail to the Palace of Pena. The palace – with yellow and orange walls, tiles, and turrets – looks like a child’s drawing of a castle. Not far down the road is the Moor’ castle – ruins of an 8th century castle.