We left Lisbon by train to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking just half an hour. We arrived in a sweet train station and found our way to our Airbnb accommodation for the next few days. We found a lovely coffee shop called Ca.fe run by a young couple who were very friendly. As we sitting there a Dutch couple approached us about two tickets they had purchased to get around to the various palaces, castles and gardens that are the hallmark of Sintra. As the couple had to leave early we they offered us their tickets which were valid for 24 hours so we were able to use them for the whole of the time we were in Sintra. It meant that we could get to some of the more distant locations.
Read MorePortugal and Morocco Through Our Eyes
Our Sahara time has been a plan in the making for the past few years. It was amazing to us that this plan was actually becoming reality, and we both felt eager anticipation to meet Brahim, our guide, Mohamed, our driver, and M’barek, our cook. When we met, we immediately connected with everyone. We parked our rental car where it would be safe while we were away and headed out in a 4x4 toward the desert. Our first stop was just as we were leaving Zagora to see the marker for the iconic start of the old camel trade route between Zagora and Timbuktu.