Packed up the Megane and off southbound to Estoril. Uneventful drive although finding the entrance to the Hotel Palacio was a bit tricky. Alex and Andrew had a suite beside ours. Two levels and three bathrooms in each suite. We are right beside the Orson Welles Suite. He stayed here when in Estoril. We face the ocean.
The Palacio is one of Portugal’s top hotels. During World War Two Portugal was neutral and the hotel was a Rick’s Café like in the film Casablanca. Spies and displaced aristocracy and gold, jewelry and diamonds were often used as “cash”.
I spoke to the concierge Mario and he recommended a restaurant Beluarte a short distance away. He also recommended Guincho Beach as the best beach in Portugal. I went for a brief walk after chatting with Mario. There is a large park directly fronting the hotel. There was some sort of youth festival there including skateboard ramps and an air force recruiting centre. Just across the park was a Pharmacia and a pasteleria. Bought some wine and huge Spanish peaches. Before dinner a glass of red Casa de Colheria a Vinho Regional Ribatejo lighter and fruiter than a Douro red.
At 16:00 off to Guincho Beach. Parking was difficult but found a spot on the side of the road. Guincho Beach is huge with enormous waves and much wind hence its reputation in Europe as its best wind surfing beach. Typically freezing water. We stayed a couple of hours. A traffic jam arriving and leaving. Had a shower and put on a plush bathrobe and felt just like not going out but made a reservation at Beluarte so off we went. A delicious meal starting with a platter of cheese, ham, spiced olives with some paté. I had the sea bream and Andrew the shrimp and squid kebab while Alex and Fotini the mixed shellfish grill. Went to the youth festival at the park and a suspicious bunch of youth were hiding in the shadows smoking some weed. The band playing seemed to lack energy so we headed home after a few numbers.
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