CASA DO VALLE

The feeling of freedom.   The mixed sensation of slight panic and incredible happiness. The happy face that comes with the first flight! Last week the winds were finally perfect and my desire to experiment paragliding  came through.  My thirty minute flight was tandem, so my harness was attached to that of Luís, my instructor.  No need for me to do anything other than pull my harness down after take-off, to sit more comfortably. And even that I needed a little help with.  It is difficult to explain the feeling of flight – I loved the views of the cliffs and the sea.  The quietness of the flight – no engine, just the sound of the wind and the birds.  The calmness and the patience of Luís with my anxiousness helped me relax and enjoy the gliding. There were times I was really relaxed! The views were great! And it was just that – gliding, no bumps, no quirks, no sudden drops or movements.  Yet some simple turns at first made my stomach feel a cold tightn

Sintra is the capital of Romanticism. There are numerous great examples of this era in architecture, parks, and landscape. Even today we are reminded of this as horse-drawn carriages trott through the cobble-stone streets. The romantic era translates into the modern idea of romance, and Sintra has become the desirable place for wedding proposals, special celebrations and of course weddings themselves. The churches are booked solid as both local and international couples come to Sintra to exchange their vows. Many parks, manor houses and beaches are also popular wedding venues - and recently also some of the palaces started hosting weddings. Every year we also host several weddings at Casa do Valle. The setting, close enough to the palaces to see them clearly and far enough to see them all at once, is perfect for a small wedding.  The gardens lend themselves to multiple settings, from formal to casual, and there are endless possibilities of creating different spaces. We have a nat