The region is dotted with small farms, which continue to supply Greater Lisbon with its fresh fruit and vegetables, as they have done for centuries.

At the Quinta de Sant’Ana we enjoy ‘the best of both worlds’: nestled in rolling green hills between the breathtakingly beautiful Atlantic coastline and the vibrant cultural life of Lisbon, this is the place to encounter unforgettable experiences. For instance, it is easy to combine artistic and cultural itineraries with visits to virtually unspoilt beaches.

Exploring inland will bring you into first-hand contact with the land and its people, and the various wine routes are also well worth a day’s excursion.

‘Exploring’ is, of course, a keyword for this nation of seafarers: its legacy is everywhere to be seen – in the palaces of Mafra and Sintra, built with the wealth brought back from the voyages of discovery; in the ornamentation of the Manueline architectural style; and generally in an openness to other cultures, shown through expressive warmth, friendliness and generosity.