Cascais

James Bond has taught us that secret agents love fancy places. Earlier this year, I wrote about a special location in Europe that used to be a spy haven: Cascais. It’s a beautiful spot that I keep going back to. To top off a great 2023, my wife and I recently returned to the seaside town. No special gadgets and spy cameras required because my trusted Fuji X-T5 joined us on this trip.

Trail Running in the Sintra Hills

The conditions were absolutely perfect for some trail running in the Sintra hills. It’s a fantastically lush and green area in winter. There are countless trails that invite you to explore and keep going. If you are looking for some quiet time, fantastic views and great exercise, this is the place to go! As a passionate runner, I do have to say that there are some of the finest options for running. I would gladly spend months on end there exploring the trails. The same goes for cycling.

The Atlantic Spectacle

The Atlantic put on quite a show this time. It was windy and the waves were simply gorgeous. Watching the awesome powers of the ocean is always a mesmerizing experience. The 31st of December was especially spectacular – kind of like Atlantic fireworks. The waves were huge and the air was filled with mist. As a matter of fact, the air was so moist, that keeping the camera lens clean was pretty much impossible.

Exploration Beyond Cascais

The area around Cascais literally begs you to explore. The lush hills around Sintra, the amazing coast line, the breathtaking bays around Guincho Beach (aka James Bond beach) – there is plenty to do. And let’s not forget the yummy food. Cascais offers some of the finest restaurants. Yum.

If you are looking for an adventure, make sure to put Cascais on your list.